𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 ༄ ᴘercy ᴊᴀᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ

INTERLUDE

(time jumps, beware!) (this was so fun to write, I loved it!!!!!)

☆

Persephone and I sat beside each other, although there was still quite a distance between us, as we both stared across her garden.

A flower sprouted suddenly, blooming into a gorgeous golden flower, before withering and falling to the ground. I rolled my eyes. She was such a show-off.

This had been the third time she had called me into a dream. This was also the third time I had completely blanked her. I knew that she was just as resilient and stubborn as I would, but anyone could guess she was reaching her limit.

Good.

"You will have to talk to me eventually, child. I am your mother, and immortal. You cannot ignore me forever."

I sniffed pretentiously and pretended to pay close attention to one of the bouquets in the hanging baskets. Without warning, the entire thing withered and died, a single, lone petal falling to the ground in an awfully pathetic manner. I gritted my jaw.

She sighed. "I'm getting sick of this. Do not continue to disrespect me in this manner."

Or what?

"Child."

I stared down at my nails.

"Nailea."

It was the first time she had referred to me with my name. If she thought she'd get brownie points for it, she was in for a fucking surprise.

She stood suddenly, a cold look - one I had not seen before - upon her face. "So you'll talk to Hades, but not me?"

"Hades isn't a little bitch." I spat, my first words to my mother after nine years. Somehow, I had no remorse. "Unlike a prissy, minor goddess wh-"

Something flashed in her eyes, and suddenly I was shrinking. I opened my mouth to scream, but it was like my mouth had sealed itself, as I continued to descend downwards.

A figure was standing above me. Would the giant step on me?

Where was the sun? I needed to photosynthesise. Mmm, the ground was so fertile and moist, I could practically feel my roots digging deeper, deeper - a pleasant shudder ran through me, as I reached what must've been an underwater bank of water, and-

I gasped, and collapsed to my knees, taking a deep breath. What the fuck?

I stared at my hands, which were turning back to their normal shade, although there still seemed to be a little green fading away.

I looked up at Persephone, who was watching me thoughtfully. "What the fuck?!" I choked out. "Did you just turn me into a fucking plant? What the fuck? What the hell is wrong with you? I'm your daughter!"

She looked down at me, a look that made me think it was an accident, but she held not a fleck of guilt on her face. "So you finally remember. You were much more pleasant as an Allium, I must say."

Was she joking? Was she making a joke? Or was it a threat?

"Gods." I whined. "Oh my gods." Of course it'd be me, who got stuck with two psychos as mothers.

A flower. She turned me into a flower.

"Would you be willing to speak to me now? If not, I'm sure I can find a pot for you, until you change your mind."

"You-" I cut myself off, not knowing what to say.

She smiled in triumph. "Good. Now, let us speak."

My eye twitched in annoyance. I stared at her, and I couldn't explain to you how I felt. My mother. My own mom. She wanted to speak? Fine.