Love in the Underworld Outline
This was my first shot at writing an mm romance based on the myth of Hades and Persephone. While I think it worked in theory, I simply couldn't make it work in practice! I thought I'd share the outline of what could have been.
Chapter 1
scene 1 (H) - Hadeus is served an invitation to Mouth Titeus for the dedication ceremony.
Scene 2 (H) - H arrives on Titeus, meets with all the annoying gods. Kleo makes the bet that she can make Hadeus smile. They watch the ceremony and Prosoper declares for Hadeus, to everyone’s shock
scene 3 (H) - the gods try to get Hadeus to extend human life, which he can’t do. He storms off in a rage to visit Certia, goddess of truth, the only goddess he respects. She shares his annoyance with the other gods. She also assures him that Prosoper is sincere.
Chapter 2
scene 4 (P) - Intro to Prosoper. Prosoper is returning from a quest in which he saved a town from a harpy. He reflects on how his charmed life is not so charmed after all. His father is the most famous poet in the world and expects Prosoper to follow in his footsteps, but Prosoper is leery of beauty and how it can deceive. He knows he is expected to declare for the gods soon, but he doesn’t feel called by any of them.
He sneaks into town and gives gold to the orphans before returning home to meet his father. His father is kind of eh about Prosoper’s questing and asks that he settle down and join him in creating works of beauty, thus bringing more fame and more money. He uses the fact that Prosoper didn’t bring home much money as proof that adventuring doesn’t pay off. He talks up how he needs to declare for Kleo and talks about their family history of devotion to her
Later, after everyone is asleep, Prosoper hears his dad making a sacrifice and notes that it’s not very beautiful. He also learns that his own life has already been promised to Kleo (?) Prosoper vows that he won’t declare for her, regardless of the consequences
Scene 5 (P) - Prosoper fights with his dad, who demands he declare for Kleo. When he refuses, he banishes him from his home (maybe the whole city?) Prosoper feels an ill omen as he leaves town. He is attacked by robbers (who unbeknownst to him were sent by Kleo)
Chapter 3
Scene 6 (H) - Hadeus is in the underworld, watching Prosoper leave home. Realizes he’s missed something - why is Prosoper running? Kleo shows up to distract him.
As they are talking, Prosoper is attacked. Hadeus immediately leaves the underworld to help. Kleo follows him.
Scene 7 (H) - Prosoper has been attacked by robbers and he’s bleeding out. Hadeus tries to save him, but it’s too late. Kleo shows up to fake concern (and to plant the suggestion that Hadeus bring him to the underworld). Kyros shows up to reap his soul, but Hadeus stops him. He realizes he can’t bring Prosoper back to life without looking like a giant hypocrite in front of Kleo, so he brings him into the underworld with him.
Hadeus lays him down in his bedroom in his palace. He has no idea what he plans to do, so he cleans Prosoper up and then leaves him a note while he tries to figure out a way out of this mess
Chapter 4
Scene 8 (P) - Prosoper wakes up in the underworld, unsure of what happened. Zil the imp is there to greet him (in the shape of a cute dog) and a note from Hadeus: “Misfortune has lead you to palace of the dead, but by my grace you are master of it. Whatever you desire is yours” (need to work on wording.) Obviously not a great situation, but Prosoper is good at rolling with the punches, and he’s curious.
He gets dressed and explores the palace, with Zil in tow. He finds room after room filled with things like musical instruments, an art room, a library of scrolls and writing materials, etc. All things that he is proficient at, and there’s an obvious quality of invitation to the whole thing.
But what he really wants is to see Hadeus, and the note did say that he could have whatever he desired. After a few moments, a door appears. Prosoper goes through it, into a dark room. Hadeus is there, but Prosoper can’t quite see him (shades of Psyche and Eros)
Outline of conversation:
P: Why am I here?
H: Many mortals would be pleased to find themselves in a god’s palace
P: (cautiously) I appreciate your generosity
H: But it does not please you
P: Am I dead?
H: You have escaped death. Surely that is why you dedicated yourself to me
P: Well…no
H: (confused) You want to die?
P: Not exactly, but all mortals die, don’t they? I had hoped for more time on earth, but I suppose none of us get to choose.
H: Aren’t you going to ask me to grant you life again?
P: So I am dead, then?
H: …
H: Out of all of the gods, why did you declare for me? You have so many talents - surely there were other gods who appealed to you
P: Right, my “talents.” My whole life I’ve been fawned over, lusted after, envied…no one treats me like a person. But I am a person. A mortal, like any other. I think you, of all gods, would value me just for that. Am I wrong?
H: …
H: And that’s what you want from me? A mortal death?
P: I don’t know. I’m not eager for death, if that’s what you’re asking. But I won’t shy away from it, either. Everyone is so afraid to die. But I’m more curious than afraid.
H: Would you like to see what happens?
P: Yes, I would.
Scene 9 (H) - Hadeus brings Prosoper to the sleeping dead - where most people end up. Hadeus gives them dreams of the challenges they faced in life, giving them a chance to become better - to overcome their weaknesses and become more enlightened. He takes Prosoper into one of those dreams so he can see. As they talk, one of the dreamers wakes up. She is enlightened now, and ready to move on. A door opens and she vanishes. Prosoper wants to know what happens to her, but Hadeus says he doesn’t know, either. Gods are immortal, but there is a Beyond that they can never reach. In some ways, he envies mortals sometimes - they at least have a chance not to get stuck in the same rut for all of eternity.
They go back to the palace. Prosoper is very thoughtful about what he’s seen. Hadeus remarks that he thinks Prosoper would probably cross over right away, seeing as he already seems pretty enlightened. From this, Prosoper concludes that he isn’t dead, then. Hadeus finally caves and tells him the whole story - that Prosoper is not dead, but not alive either. Prosoper wonders if he’s a god. Hadeus says no, and tells him he gave up the ability to make mortals gods a long time ago, because he was always too tempted to take pity and grant immortality.
(But of course, there’s another option - it is possible for Hadeus to bring him back to life once, as I set up in his argument with the other gods earlier. It’s when you start bringing back mortals over and over again that weird zombie type stuff starts happening. But Hadeus has now fallen for Prosoper and wants him to stay, so he leaves that out.)
Prosoper again seems thoughtful. He says that at least part of him must still be mortal, because he’s very tired. Hadeus says he’ll leave him so that he can get some rest.
scene 10 (H) - Hadeus goes and visits Dysion’s bloom and recalls the story of his life and death - how he was the first mortal before any of them knew what mortal meant, and how he had fallen in love with him. But then he had died, and moved on to the Beyond, leaving Hadeus to mourn, and he still hasn’t gotten over it. He closed himself off forever to avoid that pain again…but now Prosoper is here…but damnit, he’s not Zureus or any of the others - he didn’t bring Prosoper here to be his concubine! Mortals aren’t playthings!!! But at the same time, he can’t let him go. Hadeus is so lonely. Oh, the angst of it all!
Chapter 5
Scene 11 (P) - Prosoper wakes up. He still doesn’t know what to think of all this, so he decides he wants to go for a run. Zil shows up and brings him to a gymnasium. Prosoper works out and notices his body still seems to be acting like a mortal’s - his heart rate goes up, he gets tired, etc.
After some time, he realizes he has an audience. Prosoper still isn’t sure what to think about Hadeus - why did he “save” him? Does it count as being “saved” if he’s basically a prisoner here? And what to make of Hadeus? The gods are pretty notorious for scooping up mortals that they find desirable, but if that’s the reason Hadeus brought him here, he’s being awfully shy about it.
Prosoper towels off and asks Hadeus about the palace. Is he the only resident? If so, then why a huge palace? Seems like kind of a waste. Hadeus has never really thought about it before. He supposes he has a palace to placate his vanity, since all gods are vain, but it would please him if Prosoper would find some pleasure in it.
Prosoper asks him what he does to pass the time. Hadeus’s time is mostly taken up by his job. Prosoper is touched that Hadeus cares so much about the mortals.
Chaper 6
Scene 12 (P) – Prosoper goes for a run out in the Underworld itself – finds it disorienting. He panics a little (I will foreshadow earlier that he is scared of being trapped anywhere.)
Suddenly, Kleo appears. She lies to him and tells him that Hadeus is under a horrible curse, and only a moment of happiness will free him. She says that she thinks Prosoper can give him that happiness – and if he does, then Prosoper will be free to come and go as he pleases.
Prosoper thinks it over – he really likes Hadeus, but also wants his freedom. He isn’t sure he can trust Kleo, but can’t think of what motive she would have to lie.
Scene 13 (H) – Hadeus is really head over heels for Prosoper by now. He and Prosoper [do an activity]. Prosoper asks him if he’s ever been happy. Hadeus says once…and decides to bring him to the flower and tell his tragic story.
In response, Prosoper kisses him. They go to bed together.
Chapter 7
Scene 14 (H) – The next morning, Hadeus looks down at the sleeping Prosoper and smiles…
…and Kleo appears, crowing her victory. He is crushed.
Prosoper wakes up, confused. Kleo tells him how she pulled off her trick and demands her prize. Hadeus gives her the flower. When she leaves, Prosoper swears he had no idea. Hadeus believes him – but obviously this thing between them wasn’t genuine. Prosoper insists that it’s more complicated than that, but Hadeus won’t hear it. He confesses his own lie – that he could have freed Prosoper whenever he felt like it by bringing him back to life, although it will only work once. And he will do that now.
Prosoper objects – he wants to talk about it. But Hadeus won’t hear him out. He waves his hand…
Chapter 8
Scene 15 (P) – And Prosoper finds himself back in the land of the living. He is crushed – he never meant to trick Hadeus, and his affections were sincere. He realizes now that he doesn’t want to lose him.
Kyros shows up and warns Prosoper that he got his one chance and if he dies again, that’s the end of him. Prosoper says he understands.
But that doesn’t mean he’s going to play it safe. He’s going to get that flower back – it’s the least he can do.
Chapter 9
Scene 16 (H) – Hadeus is in despair. Certia shows up and listens to him moan for a little while before telling him that he’s stupid – she’s the goddess of truth, after all, and she knows that Prosoper’s love is true. Hadeus is surprised – but in the end thinks it’s better to let him go. Certia rolls her eyes and calls him an idiot again, and leaves.
Chapter 10
scene 17 (P) - Prosoper prays to various gods to help him – they are all intrigued by his quest and help him. At last, Prosoper reaches Kleo’s garden. Kleo catches him and laughs – there’s no way he’ll escape alive. So Prosoper grabs the flower and throws himself off the nearest cliff.
Kyros arrives to collect his soul. Prosoper tells him not to forget the flower.
And then, a miracle! With his sacrifice, Prosoper has given himself divinity. Everyone is shocked – no mortal has ever made himself a god. (Why did this happen? Who knows! Tie it into Certia’s story.) Hadeus and Prosoper are united.
Epilogue
Prosoper is now the god of life, who moves freely between the underworld and earth. There’s some closure with Kleo and the other gods.
The end!
scene 1 (H) - Hadeus is served an invitation to Mouth Titeus for the dedication ceremony.
Scene 2 (H) - H arrives on Titeus, meets with all the annoying gods. Kleo makes the bet that she can make Hadeus smile. They watch the ceremony and Prosoper declares for Hadeus, to everyone’s shock
scene 3 (H) - the gods try to get Hadeus to extend human life, which he can’t do. He storms off in a rage to visit Certia, goddess of truth, the only goddess he respects. She shares his annoyance with the other gods. She also assures him that Prosoper is sincere.
Chapter 2
scene 4 (P) - Intro to Prosoper. Prosoper is returning from a quest in which he saved a town from a harpy. He reflects on how his charmed life is not so charmed after all. His father is the most famous poet in the world and expects Prosoper to follow in his footsteps, but Prosoper is leery of beauty and how it can deceive. He knows he is expected to declare for the gods soon, but he doesn’t feel called by any of them.
He sneaks into town and gives gold to the orphans before returning home to meet his father. His father is kind of eh about Prosoper’s questing and asks that he settle down and join him in creating works of beauty, thus bringing more fame and more money. He uses the fact that Prosoper didn’t bring home much money as proof that adventuring doesn’t pay off. He talks up how he needs to declare for Kleo and talks about their family history of devotion to her
Later, after everyone is asleep, Prosoper hears his dad making a sacrifice and notes that it’s not very beautiful. He also learns that his own life has already been promised to Kleo (?) Prosoper vows that he won’t declare for her, regardless of the consequences
Scene 5 (P) - Prosoper fights with his dad, who demands he declare for Kleo. When he refuses, he banishes him from his home (maybe the whole city?) Prosoper feels an ill omen as he leaves town. He is attacked by robbers (who unbeknownst to him were sent by Kleo)
Chapter 3
Scene 6 (H) - Hadeus is in the underworld, watching Prosoper leave home. Realizes he’s missed something - why is Prosoper running? Kleo shows up to distract him.
As they are talking, Prosoper is attacked. Hadeus immediately leaves the underworld to help. Kleo follows him.
Scene 7 (H) - Prosoper has been attacked by robbers and he’s bleeding out. Hadeus tries to save him, but it’s too late. Kleo shows up to fake concern (and to plant the suggestion that Hadeus bring him to the underworld). Kyros shows up to reap his soul, but Hadeus stops him. He realizes he can’t bring Prosoper back to life without looking like a giant hypocrite in front of Kleo, so he brings him into the underworld with him.
Hadeus lays him down in his bedroom in his palace. He has no idea what he plans to do, so he cleans Prosoper up and then leaves him a note while he tries to figure out a way out of this mess
Chapter 4
Scene 8 (P) - Prosoper wakes up in the underworld, unsure of what happened. Zil the imp is there to greet him (in the shape of a cute dog) and a note from Hadeus: “Misfortune has lead you to palace of the dead, but by my grace you are master of it. Whatever you desire is yours” (need to work on wording.) Obviously not a great situation, but Prosoper is good at rolling with the punches, and he’s curious.
He gets dressed and explores the palace, with Zil in tow. He finds room after room filled with things like musical instruments, an art room, a library of scrolls and writing materials, etc. All things that he is proficient at, and there’s an obvious quality of invitation to the whole thing.
But what he really wants is to see Hadeus, and the note did say that he could have whatever he desired. After a few moments, a door appears. Prosoper goes through it, into a dark room. Hadeus is there, but Prosoper can’t quite see him (shades of Psyche and Eros)
Outline of conversation:
P: Why am I here?
H: Many mortals would be pleased to find themselves in a god’s palace
P: (cautiously) I appreciate your generosity
H: But it does not please you
P: Am I dead?
H: You have escaped death. Surely that is why you dedicated yourself to me
P: Well…no
H: (confused) You want to die?
P: Not exactly, but all mortals die, don’t they? I had hoped for more time on earth, but I suppose none of us get to choose.
H: Aren’t you going to ask me to grant you life again?
P: So I am dead, then?
H: …
H: Out of all of the gods, why did you declare for me? You have so many talents - surely there were other gods who appealed to you
P: Right, my “talents.” My whole life I’ve been fawned over, lusted after, envied…no one treats me like a person. But I am a person. A mortal, like any other. I think you, of all gods, would value me just for that. Am I wrong?
H: …
H: And that’s what you want from me? A mortal death?
P: I don’t know. I’m not eager for death, if that’s what you’re asking. But I won’t shy away from it, either. Everyone is so afraid to die. But I’m more curious than afraid.
H: Would you like to see what happens?
P: Yes, I would.
Scene 9 (H) - Hadeus brings Prosoper to the sleeping dead - where most people end up. Hadeus gives them dreams of the challenges they faced in life, giving them a chance to become better - to overcome their weaknesses and become more enlightened. He takes Prosoper into one of those dreams so he can see. As they talk, one of the dreamers wakes up. She is enlightened now, and ready to move on. A door opens and she vanishes. Prosoper wants to know what happens to her, but Hadeus says he doesn’t know, either. Gods are immortal, but there is a Beyond that they can never reach. In some ways, he envies mortals sometimes - they at least have a chance not to get stuck in the same rut for all of eternity.
They go back to the palace. Prosoper is very thoughtful about what he’s seen. Hadeus remarks that he thinks Prosoper would probably cross over right away, seeing as he already seems pretty enlightened. From this, Prosoper concludes that he isn’t dead, then. Hadeus finally caves and tells him the whole story - that Prosoper is not dead, but not alive either. Prosoper wonders if he’s a god. Hadeus says no, and tells him he gave up the ability to make mortals gods a long time ago, because he was always too tempted to take pity and grant immortality.
(But of course, there’s another option - it is possible for Hadeus to bring him back to life once, as I set up in his argument with the other gods earlier. It’s when you start bringing back mortals over and over again that weird zombie type stuff starts happening. But Hadeus has now fallen for Prosoper and wants him to stay, so he leaves that out.)
Prosoper again seems thoughtful. He says that at least part of him must still be mortal, because he’s very tired. Hadeus says he’ll leave him so that he can get some rest.
scene 10 (H) - Hadeus goes and visits Dysion’s bloom and recalls the story of his life and death - how he was the first mortal before any of them knew what mortal meant, and how he had fallen in love with him. But then he had died, and moved on to the Beyond, leaving Hadeus to mourn, and he still hasn’t gotten over it. He closed himself off forever to avoid that pain again…but now Prosoper is here…but damnit, he’s not Zureus or any of the others - he didn’t bring Prosoper here to be his concubine! Mortals aren’t playthings!!! But at the same time, he can’t let him go. Hadeus is so lonely. Oh, the angst of it all!
Chapter 5
Scene 11 (P) - Prosoper wakes up. He still doesn’t know what to think of all this, so he decides he wants to go for a run. Zil shows up and brings him to a gymnasium. Prosoper works out and notices his body still seems to be acting like a mortal’s - his heart rate goes up, he gets tired, etc.
After some time, he realizes he has an audience. Prosoper still isn’t sure what to think about Hadeus - why did he “save” him? Does it count as being “saved” if he’s basically a prisoner here? And what to make of Hadeus? The gods are pretty notorious for scooping up mortals that they find desirable, but if that’s the reason Hadeus brought him here, he’s being awfully shy about it.
Prosoper towels off and asks Hadeus about the palace. Is he the only resident? If so, then why a huge palace? Seems like kind of a waste. Hadeus has never really thought about it before. He supposes he has a palace to placate his vanity, since all gods are vain, but it would please him if Prosoper would find some pleasure in it.
Prosoper asks him what he does to pass the time. Hadeus’s time is mostly taken up by his job. Prosoper is touched that Hadeus cares so much about the mortals.
Chaper 6
Scene 12 (P) – Prosoper goes for a run out in the Underworld itself – finds it disorienting. He panics a little (I will foreshadow earlier that he is scared of being trapped anywhere.)
Suddenly, Kleo appears. She lies to him and tells him that Hadeus is under a horrible curse, and only a moment of happiness will free him. She says that she thinks Prosoper can give him that happiness – and if he does, then Prosoper will be free to come and go as he pleases.
Prosoper thinks it over – he really likes Hadeus, but also wants his freedom. He isn’t sure he can trust Kleo, but can’t think of what motive she would have to lie.
Scene 13 (H) – Hadeus is really head over heels for Prosoper by now. He and Prosoper [do an activity]. Prosoper asks him if he’s ever been happy. Hadeus says once…and decides to bring him to the flower and tell his tragic story.
In response, Prosoper kisses him. They go to bed together.
Chapter 7
Scene 14 (H) – The next morning, Hadeus looks down at the sleeping Prosoper and smiles…
…and Kleo appears, crowing her victory. He is crushed.
Prosoper wakes up, confused. Kleo tells him how she pulled off her trick and demands her prize. Hadeus gives her the flower. When she leaves, Prosoper swears he had no idea. Hadeus believes him – but obviously this thing between them wasn’t genuine. Prosoper insists that it’s more complicated than that, but Hadeus won’t hear it. He confesses his own lie – that he could have freed Prosoper whenever he felt like it by bringing him back to life, although it will only work once. And he will do that now.
Prosoper objects – he wants to talk about it. But Hadeus won’t hear him out. He waves his hand…
Chapter 8
Scene 15 (P) – And Prosoper finds himself back in the land of the living. He is crushed – he never meant to trick Hadeus, and his affections were sincere. He realizes now that he doesn’t want to lose him.
Kyros shows up and warns Prosoper that he got his one chance and if he dies again, that’s the end of him. Prosoper says he understands.
But that doesn’t mean he’s going to play it safe. He’s going to get that flower back – it’s the least he can do.
Chapter 9
Scene 16 (H) – Hadeus is in despair. Certia shows up and listens to him moan for a little while before telling him that he’s stupid – she’s the goddess of truth, after all, and she knows that Prosoper’s love is true. Hadeus is surprised – but in the end thinks it’s better to let him go. Certia rolls her eyes and calls him an idiot again, and leaves.
Chapter 10
scene 17 (P) - Prosoper prays to various gods to help him – they are all intrigued by his quest and help him. At last, Prosoper reaches Kleo’s garden. Kleo catches him and laughs – there’s no way he’ll escape alive. So Prosoper grabs the flower and throws himself off the nearest cliff.
Kyros arrives to collect his soul. Prosoper tells him not to forget the flower.
And then, a miracle! With his sacrifice, Prosoper has given himself divinity. Everyone is shocked – no mortal has ever made himself a god. (Why did this happen? Who knows! Tie it into Certia’s story.) Hadeus and Prosoper are united.
Epilogue
Prosoper is now the god of life, who moves freely between the underworld and earth. There’s some closure with Kleo and the other gods.
The end!