Persephone: Leonidas' Domina

3- Leonidas

"Would you stop playing for a second and look at me? Yes! Like that, let your hair veil your face so I can see your eyes! Perfect! Oh don't give me that look, I shall release you to keep playing your music soon enough if you can be a good enough statue and stay still! Ah, yes, the sun does marvelous wonders on your skin, who knows, you might be godborn."

Leonidas had tuned his friend out there, his fingers gently plucking the strings, a smile on his face.

It was the only thing he could do perfectly without being clumsy or hurting someone else, something that should be considered a talent, if of course, men who were caught playing it were not ridiculed for their whole lives.

Not that he had ever played it for anyone except Loukas but the first day he had tried to and sing as well, Loukas let out a loud guffaw and told him that from the stories that Hermes had told him from his numerous travels, any man who could play any stringed instrument was never welcomed to parties, which was of course, equaled to the greatest sin on Earth in Loukas' eyes.

"You have a remarkable jaw, do I tell you? I only realize it whenever I come to draw you." Loukas said, his eyes still on the sketch infront of him.

As usual, Leonidas was quiet, as he always was when he had her in his hands, a sudden peace inside him.

This way, he did not have to worry about his Father, about being the worst possible heir of the Aetos family, did not have to worry about the fact that he could not use a sword to save his soul.

Then all of a sudden, the doors to the lounge room flew open, an older woman walking in a white chiton, a gold crown on her head and a gold bowl in her hand.

Her eyes were gold as well, her face sharp and precise.

As she stepped in, her eyes fell on Leonidas who had stopped playing, a small smile on his face as she shook her head, setting the bowl on a table and walking to him. "You are in so much trouble, young man."

She was adjusting his shirts collar, her eyes on the other parts of his body as she continued saying, "You did not come to the temple grounds to thank Zeus neither did you wait for your Father and I at breakfast, what has gotten into you?"

Leonidas said nothing, allowing her to fret over his clothes before she stopped, sighing as she looked at him. "I can't wait to watch you wed Leonidas. That way, my worries for you shall at least reduce."

Smiling, he said, "You can say happy birthday now, Mother."

Castilla Aetos smiled, reaching out to kiss her son on his forehead as he bent for her as she said "Happy birthday my love"

"I am finished with my masterpiece!"

Mother and child turned to the voice, Loukas breathing erratically as he raked a hand in his hair, laughing at his drawing before turning to them and going 'Oh! Mother!'

Calista made a face. "Makes sense now that I see you. Leonidas has been behaving quite impulsive, he never would play his harp when I tell him not to."

"Oh no, Mother." Loukas was standing and grinning as he walked to the woman. "Blame his age. He is having— What do they call it? Ah, yes, a phase."

"A Loukas phase, I'm sure"

"If you want to call it that, who am I to judge?"

Loukas hugged her, making a show of squeezing her tightly as she let out a laugh before releasing her and said, "I have missed you"

Calista's eyes were twinkling when she said, "From the rumours I have heard, I would be entirely surprised if you missed me."

"Mother." Loukas gasped, "You know that rumours are nothing but lies."