I don't own Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Seriously people, I am NOT a man named Rick Riordan.
I might be able to update a little more, because I have a new laptop :D But again, no promises. Enjoy!
Third person- Demeter's place
Persephone looked quite comical; her mouth was wide open, her tongue hang out a little like it would when dog put his head out of a window, her multi-coloured eyes were widened and she stared at her mother with an expression as though Demeter had changed into a seven-headed, cereal-hating alien. Summarized, she looked very shocked.
Demeter recovered a little, colouring when she realized what she had just said. She had no longer the feeling she was frozen, but she was still shocked she had just blurted it out. She cursed her own treacherous tongue that had allowed the words to escape her mouth in her head, using many and very colourful swear words.
She had been thinking of talking to Persephone about it, but not like this. She had planned to sit down, with tea and biscuits ( even she wasn't insane enough to have cereal during tea. Cereal-biscuits were completely ordinary of course) , and gently breach the subject and talk about it like responsible adults. She hadn't planned to be caught daydreaming, jump and blurt out his name.
Demeter sighed, still slightly annoyed her pleasant daydream had been interrupted as well as angry at herself, and looked at her shocked daughter. She was just opening her mouth when something rushed forward, slammed against her with the force of a train and caught her off guard.
Demeter stumbled backwards, barely managing to keep her balance, and looked completely bewildered. She didn't know what to do while her daughter apparently attempted to kill her by using one of the most lethal weapons ever; a bone-crushing hug.
Persephone squealed- although she would later deny she had ever done such a thing- and hugged her mother even tighter. Demeter gasped for breath and prayed her daughter would cease crushing her bones soon, because that she was a goddess, didn't mean she couldn't feel pain. And it hurt. A lot.
" Oh my gosh, this is so existing and you finally like someone again and who is it and-" she rambled on and on , talking faster and faster until Demeter had no idea what she was saying.
She had to admit she was touched her daughter was so happy for her, but she was also slightly offended her daughter had seemed so surprised. It wasn't that uncommon for her to have a boyfriend. It didn't happen often, but it also wasn't a very rare occurrence.
Persephone finally pulled back- by then Demeter's ribs were bruised- and gave her mother the most illuminating smile possible. Demeter was relieved to see her daughter took the news this well.
" I am so happy for you! Who is it, when have you met him? What does he looks like? Is he tall or tiny. Does he have blond hair? Or dark? Doe-".
Demeter laughed softly and shook her head fondly. At moments like these, she felt closest to her 'little' girl.
" We are going to sit down with tea and biscuits and speak - she gave Persephone a stern and meaningful look- calmly about it".
Persephone nodded and obediently follow her mother into the kitchen. From the way she was biting her lip and balling her fists, Demeter knew her daughter craved to ask her some questions. But she ignored her for the moment, needing some time to gather her thoughts.
Demeter waved her hand and tea and biscuits appeared on the kitchen table. She ignored her daughter's nervous behaviour and burning glare and sat down, pouring their tea into the cups.
Persephone finally couldn't take it anymore when Demeter dipped her biscuit into the tea and took a bite, still ignoring her.
"Mom! Stop nibbling on that biscuits, I require some answers. NOW!".
Demeter put down her biscuit and frowned. She didn't like her daughter using that tone on her. She was Persephone's mother, she deserved some respect from her daughter.
" Persephone. I do not approve of your tone. Kindly use another one and be polite towards me, your mother".
Persephone pursed her lips, ready to say something rude, but changed her mind when she saw her mother's look. It was her mother's I-don't-care-that-you-are-an-adult-I-will- send- you-to-your-room look. Which meant Persephone had to be very careful or be locked into her room with a bunch of books on cereal and manners for some time.
She smiled sweetly, knowing her mother could never stay mad at her for long if she just smiled her innocent, little girl smile. That she was no little girl and certainly not innocent in any way never appeared to her mother.
" My apologies mom. Could you please tell me? ".
Demeter shrugged and looked at her tea cup, stunning Persephone not only with the lack of words- normally her mother wouldn't shut up- but also with the small blush appearing at her mother's cheeks. Her mother rarely blushed.
Persephone's Pov- Demeter's palace
I could do nothing but stare at my mother for a moment; stunned by her uncharacteristic behaviour. Not only was she strangely quiet- that was definitely a first-, but she was also blushing! Like a giddy schoolgirl. Believe me, my mother never blushes. I can't recall her ever blushing and there have been various occasions others would feel embarrassed and blush while she didn't.
Add to that the fact she had been staring into space with a dreamy smile on her face when I arrived and the name that spilled from her lips ( not something I had been prepared to hear) and you had a very curious me, craving to hear what was going on with my mother.
My mother looked up and I was surprised when her face turned a deeper shade of red and looked back at her tea, like she was shy or something. And my mom is anything but shy. She is the kind of person that always says what is on her mind- often loudly- and never refused a challenge. It was very strange, suspicious even.
So seeing my mom not only blushing and being quiet, but also refuse to look my eyes, I couldn't take it anymore. My limited patience- not that I am impatient, but when things concern my mother, it is my right as daughter and most bothered person to know- vanished and I punched my mom lightly to get her attention.
" Come on mom, tell me! You can't deprive me of this information, that is just cruel!".
I was relieved to see the corners of her mouth turn up slightly. Humour was always a good approach, and even ,my mom – not exactly known for her sense of humour, believe me- appreciated it.
She sighed and looked at me, that small schoolgirl blush still present . " You are right. I just hadn't anticipated it would go like this".
" Like what?" I inquired impatiently, thrumming my fingers on the table and giving me mother a look that demanded answers. Or I hoped it would, my mom isn't the person that listens to demands. Luckily, for my mental health and mood, she gave the answers.
" I believe it was last week when this all started" my mom said, picking up another cereal cookie ( I like cookies. Cereal cookies? Not so much) and nibbling on it, obviously to calm her nerves. Don't ask me why, but she uses cereal cookies when most women use ice cream; when she is sad, stressed or concerned.
She ate the cookie tantalizing slowly and it drove me crazy; I really wanted to know what had happened. This was the first time ever my mother hadn't immediately run towards me when I arrived and it was the first time in quite a long time she had a boyfriend.
Finally, she finished eating her cookie and started speaking, although she was still refusing to meet my eyes. Again, very peculiar and suspicious behaviour.
" Aphrodite visited me. We talked and she somehow convinced me to join a dating site".
I cut in there, my eyes no doubt magnified to the point they should fall out of my sockets. But then again, you get that when you are baffled. And disbelieving.
" A dating site? You joined a dating site?".
I recoiled slightly when my mom raised her head and glared at me. You don't want to face one of her glares. Or her sword, to which her hand was slowly creeping.
" I wasn't attempting to offend you, mom. You just aren't the type to do that and last time I checked, you didn't even like the internet. Or want to start dating again, for that matter".
A helpless shrug was her only reaction to my reassuring words. " I get lonely too" my mom said, speaking so softly I barely heard her. Her tone was wistful and sad and I suddenly felt guilty. So guilty I actually felt nauseous. But that could also be from the cereal cookie I had accidently nibbled on.
True, my mom was the single most annoying person in the universe and she kept complaining about Hades, but she was also the person who had raised me, loved me more than anything and always aided me. She was always present when I needed her ( apart from when Hades abducted me, but really that doesn't count. Because if she had been present, he wouldn't have managed to abduct me and I wouldn't have had such a wonderful husband. My mom probably would have locked me in a tower or murdered all men in order to assure no man could come near me if Hades hadn't abducted me) and I had failed in supporting her.
It had never occurred to me, but it was only logical my mom was lonely; she didn't have an Hades after all. She didn't have a sweet, loving , romantic husband to come home to. And the rest of our family was either too busy with themselves or their duties to spend much time with her. She was all on her own, no one to talk with and cuddle with.
I gave her a quick hug and kissed her on her cheek, feeling an overwhelming and sudden guilt when she looked very surprised and it occurred to me just how much I tended to avoid her.
I pulled back and managed a bright smile, despite the fact that I still felt very much guilty. My mother was annoying, yes, and demanding at times, but she was also sweet and caring and loved me more than anything. The least I could do in return was spend time with her every now and then.
" So " I said, smirking a little ( just because I felt guilty, wouldn't mean I wasn't allowed to be a little smug) " who is the lucky guy?".
My mom's eyes widened and she dropped her cookie. It was her turn to imitate a codfish; her mouth opened and closed, opened and closed again until she finally managed to say " How did you know?".
I leaned back in my chair, feeling very much like that book character, that detective with his strange clothes that always played the violin. I had to admit, it was quite amusing to see my mom's awestruck face. Another thing she didn't often look; awestruck.
I raised one finger. " One; you were staring into nothing with a dreamy look in your eyes. Exactly like any lovesick female would".
I raised another finger. " Two; you haven't send me any messages for some time, so obviously, you were occupied with something else".
I raised another finger. " And third; The name you said".
" Quite impressive".
My mother did sound a little impressed, but it hadn't been that difficult to figure out. I mean, I do know my mom. I might have neglected my daughter-duties lately, but I still knew my mom well enough to know when something was amiss. Or maybe not really amiss, but.. different.
I leaned forward with no doubt a predatory and mischievous look on my face, if my mom's reaction was anything to go by; she leaned back a little, pressed herself against her chair and one of her eyebrows was arched while her eyes were narrowed.
"Persephone… what are you thinking?" she said, her eyes narrowing further when I shrugged and attempted to look innocent. Apparently my sweet smile didn't work this time because my mother looked very suspicious and even glared at me again.
" Nothing much. Except of course.. ". I smirked again, noticing how my mom's hand went to her sword again. She would never use it on me, obviously, but it was another habit of hers; she always kept her hand on her sword if she was nervous. " who on earth is this man that has you blushing like a giddy schoolgirl?".
It was true; my mom did look like a schoolgirl. She actually reminded me of myself when I had been an adolescent, with a slightly guilty look in her eyes, mixed with something else I couldn't quite place, and still slightly pink cheeks. She looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Which in a way, she had.
She went with her free hand- thus the hand that wasn't gripping her sword like the world depended on it- through her hair and looked at her tea again. Seriously, what she found so fascinating about a cup of tea, is a mystery to me.
" Well, his name is Amadeo" she said, looking almost surprised she had spoken his name out loud ( it was quite adorable).
She smiled that dreamy smile again – which was a little bit frightening, because it made her look very different- and continued in a soft tone. Again, she resembled a lovesick teenager.
" I saw his profile on that site and read it. He was sarcastic, but in a funny way. And intelligent. And he liked almost everything I like! So I decided to send him a message and we have been talking ever since".
I smiled. It was really good to see my mom happy like this. It lessened some of my guilt. After all, I was the reason she actually tried dating again. I did have one question though ( okay, I had more, but that was the one I felt I had to ask at that moment).
" I comprehend you were lonely and wanted a date, but why go to a dating site? You could have just gone to earth and met a nice mortal guy somewhere else. That is less complicated" .
" H-he um isn't a mortal" my mom said suddenly, stuttering a little. She immediately tried to look nonchalant and comfortable, but her cheeks were burning.
That really got to me; I choked on the tea I was drinking and it actually ended up in my nose somehow. Little tip; DON'T take a sip when there is chance someone will give you another surprise to deal with.
I turned on my mother, no doubt looking like a mess with tea dripping from my nose and chin. She sighed and waved her hand, making the tea disappear, but I hardly noticed. I was too focused on my mother that had actually a relationship with an immortal, something that wasn't her style. And was not without dangers, if you asked me.
" WHAT?" I yelled, no doubt sounding completely hysterical. Which was a fitting description for how I felt right now. My mother cringed a little, but I ignored it , instead settling on glaring her until she was squirming a little. She needed a few moments to recover herself, but managed a decent glare back.
" I am considering dating an immortal. And there is no need to yell Persephone".
I rolled my eyes, ignored at my mom's lecturing tone. Like I didn't know she used that tone only because she hoped it would calm me down.
" I know! But why on – " .
I closed my mouth abruptly when I realized something. Well, something apart from the fact that I had accidently spilled all my tea on the floor in my agitation.
" Considering? What do you mean?".
My mom bit her lip and twirled a lock of hair around her finger, looking quite uncertain and helpless. It made my annoyance vanish and my guilt return. Damn.
" I haven't met him yet. I don't even know who he really is, but I really like him, because he is sweet, funny and romantic and he looked really handsome in his picture and- ".
I cut my mother off, already having trouble deciphering her rambling. Another thing my mother rarely did; rambling. Jeez, this really was a shocking/surprising day. Not at all how I had expected it to go.
"Mom. Breathe. I know we are gods and don't necessarily have to breathe, but it still causes an unpleasant sensation when we don't".
My mother smiled weakly, inhaled and exhaled deeply a few times, and continued her story without rambling this time. Thank me for that.
" Right. As I was attempting to tell you, I haven't had the honour of actually meeting him".
I opened my mouth, ready to ask a lot of questions and voice my doubts about this guy, but my mom cut me off with a look. She can do that, making you feel small and insignificant with just one look. She continued when she saw I would be silent for now.
" But I have talked a lot with him and he is really a great guy. We share similar interests, understand each other and I just feel like.. like".
She trailed off and sighed, shaking her hand and smiling dreamily again. It was starting to worry me how much my mom seemed to like this guy. And her dreamy looks and sighs were starting to scare me, that wasn't like my mom at all. It was almost as if she were possessed.
" I can't even explain it, but it just feels right".
I wanted to interrupted and say it wasn't right and this guy could be a creep, but I couldn't when my mom gave me a pleading look. She obviously needed my support. And even if I had my doubts, I would be happy as long as my mom was. Because I loved her. And all right, I will admit also because she would leave me alone if she had a boyfriend.
" Well, if that is the case, then I am happy for you". I managed to sound truly happy.
My mom gave me a truly luminous smile and squeezed my hand softly.
"Thanks honey. That truly means a lot to me".
I felt guilty again when I saw my mom was surprised I supported her. Obviously, I had been a bad daughter. I would have to do something about that. So I squeezed back and smiled, determined to assure this guy would continue making my mom so happy.
" So.. you mentioned he was handsome?".
My mom's reaction was somewhat unexpected; she looked surprised at first, but then sighed and nodded, her eyes practically melting. If you asked me, this was a serious case of lovesickness.
" Oh yes. He is extraordinarily handsome. And he called me stunning, me! Can you believe it?".
By now, I felt completely bewildered. I had always believed my mom was confident, a little too much even, out-spoken and never had any doubts regarding herself. But now it sounded as though she doubted herself, doubted if she was attractive. The thought that my mother doubted herself had never come to me. Apparently I didn't know her that well, or she kept it hidden very well.
" You are. You really are mom" I said softly and I meant it. My mom didn't often show it to the world, but she was beautiful. With the right clothes and hairdo, she could look stunning. I had seen it happen a few times.
She smiled, her eyes more gold than brown now she was happy. Her smile was like the sun's rays; warm and caring. It was her 'special' smile; she only smiled like that when she was really happy.
" Thank you Persephone, that is really sweet".
She sighed, but it wasn't a dreamy or content sigh this time. I couldn't see her eyes, but I knew she was troubled. " But I do not believe I am really beautiful".
"Well, you are. And I am sure your beau thinks it as well, or he wouldn't have said it".
Before my mother could protest and insist she wasn't that beautiful , I asked another question. That ought to keep her from asking herself stupid and depressing questions.
" So are you going to show him to me?".
Upon seeing my mom's puzzled expression , I decided to elaborate. " Him. Amadeo. You said you had seen his picture".
She laughed and nodded, already standing up. She flicked her wrist and vanished the tea cups and cookies ( which made me glad. Unlike my mom, I do not like cereal cookies. I prefer chocolate).
"Of course. Follow me".
She walked towards the living room, where her computer was. She started her computer up and a few minutes later, she showed me the profile of the man that had apparently stolen her heart. I skimmed it, noticing with some surprise my mom had been right and he had indeed similar interests.
Then I clicked at the picture, stifling a small gasp when I saw him. My mom hadn't exaggerated ; he was very handsome. Tall, dark and ominous even as just a picture, he reminded me of a dark angel. His appearance didn't match his profile; while his profile showed a sarcastic, intelligent man with many interests, the picture showed an ominous, frightening man that would only be interested in certain things, like killing. But perhaps that wasn't really like he was; you couldn't judge a book by its cover after all, it is the inside that counts. Not that I minded my husband was extremely attractive and a great person. I just hoped my mom would be blessed with a man like that.
My mother's melodious laugh penetrated the sudden silence and I realized I had been gawking at 'her' man. It was my turn to blush then. I would never cheat on Hades, but I had to admit, my mom's new flame was very handsome. He just had something very attractive and intriguing about him.
" Cat got your tongue?" my mom teased.
I shrugged, attempting to look indifferent ( too late of course, since I had the rising suspicion I had been drooling) and my mom laughed again.
"You aren't going to steal him, are you?".
" Nah. I have Hades".
" I am glad you brought that up, I was reading a book I borrowed from Athena some time and it was talking about this thing called the Stockholm Syndrome. It's-".
" I know what the Stockholm Syndrome is mother and I can assure you, I do not have it".
" Yes, you do! That cereal-hater abducted you and you fell in love with him, obviously you need help! Then, you can marry the god of lawyers. Or a doctor".
" I do not want to marry those men! I only want Hades and you could at least be happy I have such a devoted and caring husband".
" He cheated on you!".
" So? He truly is sorry and we have left that behind us. Just yesterday, I had the most wonderful night with him and-".
My mother groaned softly, worrying me until I realized it was because she was disgusted. I felt strangely offended and hurt. No matter what I told myself and Hades, I still wanted my mom's attention and appreciation. I hated it when she was disappointed or disgusted by my relationship with Hades.
" Oh god Persephone! Did you have to say that? You know I despise that man and-".
" He is my husband and loves me! If you truly loved me, you would be happy for me" I snapped, practically hissing. I felt a sharp twinge of guilt when my mom looked sad for a moment, but that quickly disappeared. She didn't even know Hades, she had no right to talk about him in that way.
My mom's eyes hardened, their former happiness and anticipation gone. Now there was a strange coldness and determination in them.
" I do love you. You ought to know that by now. And because I love you, I want to protect you from harmful influences like Hades. He really hurt you when he cheated Persephone, do you honestly want that again?".
I felt hurt at first when I remembered how horrible I had felt, how insulted and sad, when I had discovered Hades had cheated. But that hurt soon gave away to a feeling of contempt and anger when I remembered how my mother had told me she had been right and I shouldn't have eaten the pomegranate when I told her what had happened.
" You don't even know him! And of course it hurt, but it is different now. I trust Hades. I love him. He even promised he would civil to you after I was upset that he had said something".
" See! Do you honestly want a man that insults your mother? You should have- " .
My mom suddenly stopped talking altogether, a strange look appearing in her eyes. " What do you he even promised? Do you honestly believe it is that difficult to be nice to me? That I am not kind , not at all?".
" You aren't to him!".
" He abducted you, he took away what I love most! How can you even expect me to?".
" Well, you could at least cease complaining and saying I could have married another! That is completely uncalled for and highly annoying".
"But you should have married another!" my mother snapped and my temper flared. I had already been annoyed, but I was quickly starting to get really angry. My mom could be so insensitive and she never stopped complaining. She just didn't understand what a great guy Hades was.
I was just about to start a full screaming session when my mom sighed and said " I just want the best for you".
I felt my anger disappear when she said that. She did only want the best for me, after all.
" I know, but you aren't exactly kind to Hades and really mom, the abduction was ages ago. Can't you put it behind you? I have".
My mom sighed and I really thought she was going to refuse again ( I had asked her numerous times already), but she slowly nodded. With a face like she had swallowed an entire lemon.
" I won't promise anything, but I will attempt to be civil towards him, if he keeps to his promise and does the same".
I rushed forward and hugged her, hardly daring to believe this. After all this time, after all the arguments, my mom and the love of my life would finally stop fighting. Perhaps they would even start to like it each other! Although, that was probably too much to hope for. But I would already be really glad if they stopped fighting all the time, because that always managed to drive me crazy.
" Thank you so much! You won't regret it, I promise".
" I somehow doubt that, but I am willing to try".
We were smiling both; I so wide that my jaws hurt a little, she a small smile that reached her eyes and made them sparkle. After a moment, my mom looked away and focused on her computer again, her smile widening and a small sigh escaping her lips when she looked at Amadeo again.
I was slightly shocked that she seemed to like him this much already. My mother seemed almost head over heels in love. I could only hope this guy wouldn't break her heart.
Not that my mother isn't a beautiful and great woman, but her crazy talk can really annoy you. To the point you want to hit her with her own sword. But apparently, they had been talking for at least a week and he hadn't stopped talking to her. Not that that necessarily meant something positive. It could also mean he was nuts.
I sighed and shook my head at my mother, who was staring at Amadeo's picture with the same longing, dreamy look she had had when I had come in. Every now and then she would sigh softly.
" I am going to get some tea" I said, but she didn't even hear me. Rolling my eyes, I walked towards the kitchen. Seconds later, an arms wrapped around my neck and pulled me into the cupboard I had just passed.
I struggled, completely panicked, but the person had a very strong grip and it's hand covered my mouth so I couldn't even scream. My mom wouldn't hear me and I couldn't get away.
The door locked and left me in the dark cupboard with a stranger that wouldn't let me go. A stranger that might be dangerous. A stranger that smelled like.. roses, daffodils and anemone. It should have smelled horrible, but it didn't. Not when she was wearing it.
Angry, I bit down on the hand covering my mouth, heard a female voice curse and pushed the person off me, while switching the light on. I was trembling with rage when I faced the person holding her hand and looking at me accusingly.
" Aphrodite.. what on earth do you think you are doing?".
Yeah! Another chapter. I hope you liked it.
Next chapter will have Persephone and Aphrodite arranging a meeting ( in secret) between Hades and Demeter and Demeter getting the shock of her life when she realizes who exactly Amadeo is. Hades will be very surprised as well…
And I re-read the chapters and noticed how many mistakes I made ( due to me only re-reading it once before posting it) and I will have to correct those one day. Also, I described Demeter with black hair, but apparently she has blonde hair. Oops. I will change that later.