Persephone: Leonidas' Domina

4- Persephone

"How long does it take you to wear a cloth?"

"I would stay longer if you make one more complaint Achilles, I swear on my feminity!"

"We both know there is nothing feminine about you."

"You having a stick in between your legs does not make you a man, dear, I mean, guess who broke your nose when you thought she was a female?"

He had grown quiet.

And good riddance, Persephone thought, now tugging on the jacket, her eyes falling on the mirror infront of her that showed the exasperation she felt.

There were beads of sweat on her forehead, her hair was packed to the back so that she could let some air touch her face at least, her chest rose and fell heavily and she felt oddly restricted in this men wear but if it made her ride her horses better, she knew she could bear it.

Until of course, she exploded and poor Achilles would be at the receiving end of it.

When she opened the door and met his grateful look, she smiled, "Do you already regret today?"

"It is your birthday." He said, like she had forgotten. "I am being sympathetic with the likes of you."

"Or you still feel guilty about the whole thing five years ago?" She asked with a sickly sort of smile.

Achilles did not give an answer but instead turned away and said, "The horses await us in the stable, and while we walk there, why don't we talk about your little stunt in the eating hall?"

Persephone let out a snort, shutting the changing room's door and walking to his side. "He had it coming."

"No one deserves you have coming for them, no one."

She only rolled her eyes as a response.

Earlier after the little birthday celebration in her room, Persephone had cleaned up, let Hades do his usual ritual of brushing her hair and then after thirty minutes of her asking questions, stop and head downstairs.

"How was winter like?"

"It was winter."

"How is Persephone then?"

"She breathes."

"Does she still not like me?"

"You bear her name, there is always a strong bond between people with similar names."

"You literally just avoided my question"

"Did I?"

"Are we having lessons today?"

"No, today, you shall go riding with Achilles, but you shall be within the reach of my hands, Persephone, do not go further than the lake."

"Why? So you can keep me locked like Father?"

"No, because it took a long time to get your Father to let you out and because Achilles got into trouble for making horse riding clothes your size."

"Isn't it stupid how women are not allowed to ride horses?"

"I never understand humans."

"Neither can I. Maybe that is why we are bonded."

"Maybe."

"... Godfather, would you tell me how I became your Familia?"

As usual, there was a pause, but then he continued to brush her, droning like a machine that Persephone was used to as he repeated words she had heard a million times. "On your thirteenth birthday, you had a little sort of argument with Achilles and broke his nose then fell into a deep sleep, your Mother risked her soul's mortality to bring you to me and I chose to make you my Familia, as Zeus, who had chosen you, was in my debt and let me do so without bringing harm to you."