The next day, Kore was gazing at the sun, relaxing on her back along with her nymph guardians. Getting up to derobe, Kore climbed into the pond.
The nymphs, knowing Kore's need for privacy, decided to silently wander off towards the city of Eleusis, which was just a couple miles away on foot.
Kore sang softly to herself as she scrubbed herself cleaning herself with the mixture of pumice, ash, and olive oil. Gathering water in her palm, Kore came across red residue. Kore froze, eyes wide.
Her scream stilled all around the pond, until Athena came running towards Kore, battlegear glinting in the sun.
"Kore! Did someone-?" Athena couldn't get her sentence out.
Kore pointed at the blood in the water, her face pale.
Athena narrowed her grey eyes and inspected the girl for wounds. None.
"Kore! You've become a woman!" Athena smiled, dropping her weapons to inspect her younger sister further.
Kore's core ached with an unpleasant feeling. Like being kicked in the side multiple times, Kore thought to herself.
Sinking down until the water kissed her chin, Kore covered her bosom with her hands, brows furrowed.
"Don't look at me!" The naive goddess cried, cheeks turning red as the blood.
Athena laughed softly, and approached the pond to pull her sister out. How silly this child is, Athena contemplated, reaching for the soaked goddess, Kore truly doesn't understand what happens during a woman's moon cycle.
Walking the child to her home, Athena cooed sweet nothings to soothe Kore's uneasiness and confusion.
Entering the house, Athena guided Kore to her bedroom, and presented to her a linen rag.
"What's this for, Thena?" Kore frowned, her arms wrapped around her torso, glaring at the pad-like cloth.
"Never mind that...tell me, has this happened before?"The wise goddess said, tossing the linen pad at her sister.
Kore glanced down at the pad. Can I trust Athena,Kore pondered, worrying her bottom lip with her straight teeth.
"I was going to ask Mother about it…" Kore mumbled, fiddling with the linen softly.
"You poor child," Athena groaned, masking her face with her palms.