[ Hythlodaeus smiles as he has to stop what he’s doing to make a stupid accommodation. He very well could have just taken two or three pieces, but where’s the fun in that? ]

[ Certainly it was baked with love, but Hades’ suppressed ire is the true secret ingredient. ]

... I gave him plenty of time before I solved the “puzzle” for him, as it were. Besides, dear Elidibus kept him quite busy with his machinations, not to mention what other demands his friends must have made of him.

...He isn’t looking quite as haggard as the first time I met the little fellow. Poor thing.

Speaking of bequeathments, I would like to propose an idea. I would never consider such a thing back on the First, but here...

I know this much to be true in my mind and heart— He would have wanted you to accept me as the genuine article in his place.

[ He waits for him to take a bite to make interrupting him more awkward. ]

And now that we are both shades- well.

You, imminently so. Yet close enough. [ He turns his hand over in a “But you get it” gesture as he picks up the piping hot spanakopita with his napkin and gingerly takes a bite from the corner. ]