The way we were

[Persephone]

:: The issues that needed to be discussed between herself, Hecate, and Athena were apparent. Despite the fact that they both came to aid the six, they still disliked Persephone. The Gods were known for being incredibly stubborn and holding life long grudges. The three of them were a perfect example. Persephone despised Athena for never accepting her for who she was and her constant dismissal; among other things. Athena hated Persephone for being a backstabbing murderer, which was perfectly justified. Hecate was betrayed numerous times and came to the end of her rope. Each woman contributed to the other's anger. All were at fault, some more than others. But as Persephone listened to Haleigh defend her--which was unnecessary, but still very kind of her to do--she placed her hand on Haleigh's forearm, intending to make her stop. ::

"It's alright, Haleigh."

:: Looking to Hecate who point blank asked her why she was here, Persephone pondered the question. Her presents there was obvious; to stop Circe from destroying the world. Persephone was silent for a moment, her face expressing more of a weary look than her usual distant one. If they were to get past their differences, she had to take the same step that both Athena and Hecate had done, and admit her faults. Certainly not the goddesses favorite pass time. ::

"I do regret SOME of my past actions. Hades was a self indulgent pig--and exact duplicate of his brother--and I don't, for one SECOND, regret killing him. He deserved exactly what he got, and then some. BUT, as I said before, I never took into account how his death would have effected you. I was selfish and I wanted him gone. Plain and simple, Hecate. And for that I AM sorry."

:: Her words sincere and direct. She was known to manipulate her way out of situations. To make herself look innocent and heartfelt, when really, she was just trying to dig herself out of the ever growing hole she was in. But this time...this time Persephone was speaking from her heart. She truly did regret hurting Hecate, and she would not hide behind her pride and NOT apologize for hurting her. But, Hades wasn't the only reason Hecate had turned her back on Persephone. He was simply the last straw. Demeter, the reason this ENTIRE situation started, was the reason both Hecate AND Athena were here. ::

:: Demeter was a subject that Persephone never spoke of. To everyone else, she was simply Persephone's mother and the goddess of the Earth. No one ever truly knew the reason why Persephone killed her mother, or what finally brought her to go through with the action. Lowering her eyes to the plush green grass, her long chocolate hair blew forward, shading her cheeks from the warm winds. It was apparent that Persephone was trying to figure out what to say, without reverting back to her old ways of slandering Demeter and defending what she had done. Parting her lips, Persephone rolled her eyes closed and let out a soft sigh. ::

"In killing my mother...I opened a whole new world for me. I was known for more than just being 'Demeter's daughter'; the girl forced into marriage because of her reckless ways. I BECAME Persephone. I did it for status and power."

:: Actually SAYING those words, after thousands of years, Persephone realized how truly ridiculous it sounded. But by not killing Demeter, she wouldn't be who she was today, with the powers she has today. So it was a very double edged sword situation. By admitting that she was a cold blooded killer, she was finally giving Athena and Hecate their peace about the situation, but also giving the six a clear view of who their teammate was and could very well still BE. ::

"I knew the backlash that it would create on Mount Olympus would be huge. I knew Zeus would feel the pain of losing his sister. I knew Athena *looking to Athena* would be devastated. And that didn't bother me. In fact, I RELISHED in it. I WANTED you to suffer. I wanted to look into your eyes and see the rage that I created. I didn't care about the Trinity of the Moon *looking back to Hecate*, I didn't care how it would effect you and Artemis. I wanted what I wanted, and that was enough reasoning for me."

:: Her words were sharp and painful to hear. Passionate and truthful to a fault. Showing to both Hecate and Athena that their assumptions about Persephone being treacherous in the past WERE TRUE. She had never cared what others thought of her as long as she got what she wanted. She would mow over ANYONE to get what she wanted. She was cruel and selfish, for hundreds upon hundreds of years, which worked to her advantage in her timeline. The Masters of Evil accepted who she was. LOVED her for it. RESPECTED her. Darkchilde and Alessandra were her sisters in every sense of the word. They were just as evil and sadistic as she; bringing out the 'best' in her. But they were dead. The coven was gone. Her old life, her friends, her family, dead. Everything she did was in vain because it was gone. It wasn't until this moment that Persephone allowed reality to sink in. ::

"I can't change the past, or what I did. I can only stand here and let you (Hecate) see me for who I REALLY am--knowing everything that you know now--and see if you can find it in your heart to forgive me. If you can't, then at least you know the truth."

 

[Hecate]

Paradise Island

[ Hecate continued to look upon Persephone with a stone faced expression as the renegade goddess stepped up to the plate and RESPONDED with something MORE than the usual stone wall defense she often gave.]

"I knew the backlash that it would create on Mount Olympus would be huge. I knew Zeus would feel the pain of losing his sister. I knew Athena *looking to Athena* would be devastated. And that didn't bother me. In fact, I RELISHED in it. I WANTED you to suffer. I wanted to look into your eyes and see the rage that I created. I didn't care about the Trinity of the Moon *looking back to Hecate*, I didn't care how it would effect you and Artemis. I wanted what I wanted, and that was enough reasoning for me."

"In killing my mother...I opened a whole new world for me. I was known for more than just being 'Demeter's daughter'; the girl forced into marriage because of her reckless ways. I BECAME Persephone. I did it for status and power."

[ the bitterness and resentmet rose up in Hecate. it was justified and necessary in this moment. her tone was SHARP and her words seemed to be directed like a laser beam to slice through ANY defense Persephone would try to muster.]


you wanted what YOU wanted? you sound like CIRCE and you SEE what happened to HER!

Should i visit the same JUSTICE upon YOU that she received?

[ in this, Persephone would find Hecate sounding more like DARKCHILDE]

In killing Demeter, you not only hurt me and artemis, you set in motion events that would lead to devastation not only on olympus but on EARTH and the ultimately irony which seems to have been LOST on you is that you STILL didnt receive the STATUS you wanted. When Athena banished you, she CURSED you to remain forever a FOOT NOTE in the history of man...regarded as nothing more than a bratty, prodigal child of Demeter who was FOREVER ungreatfull...never possessed of any REAL power or purpose...just simply THERE. you are considered to be the "goddess of spring" by most of the mortals who even give THOUGHT to the Olympians in this time and place.

at the time that it happened, i was still REELING from the backlash of Demeter's death...not so much because of any personal friendship i had with her..but because of the damage caused to the trinity..and all that came with THAT. But even so, you were my FRIEND...and i didnt want YOU to die at the hands of Zeus and Athena so i sent you AWAY with my magick to protect you!

"I do regret SOME of my past actions. Hades was a self indulgent pig--and exact duplicate of his brother--and I don't, for one SECOND, regret killing him. He deserved exactly what he got, and then some. BUT, as I said before, I never took into account how his death would have effected you. I was selfish and I wanted him gone. Plain and simple, Hecate. And for that I AM sorry."

Hades was a pig...in that much we agree. but he was something WORSE to me...he was the man who did not stand up against his tyrant of a brother when Zeus saught to destroy OUR relationship. To him i was betrothed and vice versa and in the beginning, our love was something that the muses would have wrote songs and poetry about....but when you murdered Demeter, not only did you damage the trinity of the moon, you set in motion...things that would ultimately hurt ME from all sides. not just with the trinity but with Hades, who seemed inexplicably so willing to go along with Zeus' plan...he showed No ounce of back bone...and for that, i could never EVER forgive him but as long as he was ALIVE...i KNEW that he would forever hold his head and heart in SHAME for the wrong and COWARDICE he knew he had displayed. why do you think he could NEVER respond to me when i would berate him?

When you murdered him...YOU closed the book on a story that was NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!

[ She bowed her head and shut her eyes tightly, as the anger and resentment about all of this came to a head.]

While I made SURE to save you from what Zeus and Athena ORIGINALLY wanted to do which was to BREAK you and send you into Dooms Doorway on Themyscria, YOU were busy reaping the benefits of MY magick as i sent you away from Olympus to protect you..and as soon as you returned..you caused MORE chaos which left ME to take the fall. I had ENOUGH persephone.

friendship is something that is to be shared and reciprocated! you enjoyed a closeness with Darkchilde but WHO did Darkchilde come from? ME! You were drawn to Spellbinder and who did she come from? ME! do you think EITHER of them...ESPECIALLY Darkchilde would have been as charitable if you had done to them what you did to ME?

[ Hecate looked up again, her golden eyes sparkled with raw emotion...almost as if she had been trying to hold back tears.]

But with the passing of time...we've BOTH had time to remember and reflect and to LEARN.

Hades met the fate that HE created for himself when he agreed to go with Zeus' plan to force you into marraige with him. He abandonned the love he had with me...with no more thought than one would crush a piece of paper...and for that alone...i am GLAD he died as savagely as he did...still, I feel that it was my RIGHT to be there in his last moments...so that it was MY face that he saw last...knowing the life he could have had with ME and that now he would have NO options.

and in my bitterness, my loss of faith and trust in friendship, i made a most GRAVE error in allowing Circe to become the instrument of my vengeance under the red moon and so, while I have blamed you for much...i can't blame you for ALL and now that the situation has been corrected and Circe has been destroyed...i am now WHOLE again and i REMEMBER!

I REMEMBER what it was like to have feelings and to enjoy things like FRIENDSHIP.

I have missed you, persephone and i want to forgive you...but ...can i TRUST YOU never to do this AGAIN?

[ it was a FAIR question to ask, and in this moment, Hecate showed HER own humanity...much like Morgan (and Darkchilde) she had a "heart" that she kepet well hidden...after the events she had suffered...she wanted for NO ONE to know her feelings and emotions but now, after so much time and now that Circe was dead and the danger averted....it was time for HER to heal as well....and part of that included reconciling with the best friend she had on Olympus.]

 

[Athena]

Paradise Island

:: with Bupol on her arm, Athena returned as Hecate called Persephone out. Athena surveyed the rest of the group before taking her place next to Hecate for she was not entirely thrilled with the Six as individuals and preferred to keep her distance.::

:: Athena's eyes and facial expression conveyed a stern, incredulous feeling as she looked upon Persephone who finally opened up and gave an EXPLANATION! the ONE thing that Athena had been looking for for CENTURIES.::

:: Athena's eyes widened with disbelief as Persephone explained her motivation for murdering Demeter....::

Demeter had to DIE for your own selfish preoccupation with POWER and STATUS?! this is almost WORSE than NOT knowing why you did what you did.

You should be ZEUS' child instead of Demeter's! Only HE would have such a casual DISREGUARD for the life of someone else!

:: Athena spat with indigation before Hecate spoke. Athena looked at Hecate and then at Persephone again. ONE thing was clear though. Persephone had FORCED Athena to take notice of her...MORE than just the annoying child that she had often dismissed her as..but a THREAT to the harmony of Olympus. She had killed not one, but TWO of their own and demonstrated a sociopathic tendency that hadnt been since Ares and most recently Circe.::

:: but on the OTHER hand, Athena had often been petitioned by WOMEN on earth who wanted to be regarded and thought of as MORE than servents and second class citizens....that was part of the reason why she helped to create the Amazons. women who could be MORE than what men defined them as. Persephone wanted respect, she wanted status...in THAT she was not unlike many women who had prayed to Athena in times past, but the WAY she went about it....that was just TOO MUCH!.::

there were OTHER ways, Persephone. BETTER ways. You did not have to murder MY SISTER, YOUR MOTHER. She would not have begrudged you your desire to grow in power....she risked her LIFE for you when hades attempted to kidnap and RAPE you when you were but a GIRL and you REPAID her motherly love and protection with MURDER! You caused MORE PAIN and DISCHORD in Olympus than Prometheus or any OTHER treacherous person that had contact with us and yet....in SPITE of your horrid deeds, while you gained the POWER you wanted, you were doomed NEVER to have the STATUS you wanted among the eyes of man or the world at large. it was only through Hecate's MAGICK that you enjoyed the benefit of time travel and living lives..having chances that not even OTHER GODS dreamed of.

:: shaking her head.::

I cannot FORGET what you've done. the HURT that you caused...and KNOWING that was what you WANTED. Demeter is DEAD because of YOU and so many OTHER things have happened as the result.

:: looking at Haleigh and remembering...."she's been punished enough."::

I should possess clarity of thinking...but right now I do not! Demeter's death still HURTS even after all this time and if there is ANYTHING i would have prefrered to do differently...it would have been to STOP YOU from killing her. Just as YOU do not regret murdering Hades...I would NOT have regretted saving HER from YOU!

:: Bupol fidgeted a bit on his mistress' arm. clearly he was feeling her agitation and anger...but from the flow of these emotions would come the clarity Athena was looking for.::


.......

:: Athena slowly exhaled as she calmed herself.::

It appears that with the passage of time and the benefit of Hecate's magick, you have lived several lifetimes and managed to learn what it means to have and RESPECT friends and family. [referring to her time in MoE] though many of them were destined to die with honor fighting against their enemies, your Darkchilde was contacted by members of the six, bold and brave enough to risk HER wrath in their hour of need. they FREED you from your state of slumber and made it possible to reunite with her.

Darkchilde , much like Demeter thought of you and your needs and ensured that you would LIVE as she sent you on to this current timeline. Do not squander the chance she has given you and disgrace her faith in you by continuing in the path that you are so known for on Olympus. Here you are...and here you will remain. Olympus is not ready to recieve you...but i CAN assure you that no one...not even ZEUS will come for you now or EVER. You are FREE of the curse and scrutiny that I placed upon you centuries ago.

I hope you realize how fortunate you are.

:: Athena bowed her head.::

others of us...would only wish to be as fortunate...to see Demeter again.

:: in doing this, Athena demonstrated her capacity to forgive and let go of the bitterness. she freely admitted to the hurt and pain that she felt for her sister's death even now but she was willing to allow Persephone to live her life on earth free of the threat of retribution from Olympus at any given time. She did NOT allow her to return to Olympus though.::

:: Persephone would have to make her life HERE now. No more chances to journey to another timeline to start anew. she would have to accept this place as home. Becoming "Ava" was the first step, THIS was the next.::

 

[Persephone]

:: Becoming frustrated with both Hecate and Athena's words, Persephone turned her back to the woman while running her fingers through her hair. Shifting her weight once more so she faced them again, Persephone kept her mouth shut as they railed on her. It was apparent that even with her finally revealing the 'truth' behind her motives, it didn't make the situation any less tense. Hecate was pissed that Persephone blatantly dimissed her feelings and destoryed the Trinty of the Moon. Athena was just pissed period. But even Persephone couldn't just stand there and have both woman screaming at her without defending herself. Yes she was the reason EVERYTHING had happened, but she wasn't the only one at fault. ::

"I did us BOTH a favor by disposing of Hades. He WAS your love, but he was MY HUSBAND. He was a spineless lap dog who rolled over for Zeus at every opportunity! He forced himself upon me not ONCE but TWICE. He may have respected you Hecate--he may have LOVED you, and you him, but I spent nearly HALF my LIFE running from his advances until I was finally FORCED into wed lock. I DIDN'T want to HURT you, but I will NOT stand here and be berated for killing him when I had EVERY RIGHT TO!"

:: Turning to Athena who had railed into Persephone about Demeter's death and how she was a wonderful mother, she quickly waved her hand out of anger, wanting her to stop what she was saying. Mainly because it was all true and it was a hard pill to swallow...and it was all true. ::

"SHUT UP!"

:: Shaking with anger, Athena continued, stating the cold hard reality of the situation. Her curse was lifted, but she must remain in this timeline FOREVER, as Ava, and with the six. It felt like another sentence; like she was a claustrophobic in a closed dark room. Feeling like she was being backed into a corner, by instinct, Persephone lashed out like an angered snake at both Athena and Hecate who had every right to be angery with her. Turning her back to them once again, she lifted her hand to the bridge of her nose trying to calm herself down. It was one step forward and two steps back it seemed. ::

 

[Demeter]

- A soft breeze began to sweep through the island, rustling the tree branches and leaves. A faint sound of chimes could be heard carrying along the winds path until finally the winds began to circle beside the six and the goddesses. Golden orbs appeared within the circling winds before bursting into a ray of light and revealing a spirit-like version of Demeter. Her curled amber locks of hair blew back behind her shoulders as the winds came to an end. Her silk white halter styled long gown swaying along the grassy ground. It had been centuries since any of the Gods had seen Demeter since her brutal murder; the reasons unknown. Stepping forward, her 'translucent' image faded to solid; looking as alive and well as each of the people standing before her. Demeter's face was kind and gentle which made her beauty even more breathtaking. With her eyes focused on her daughter--who was still turned away at the moment--Demeter's expression show no ill feelings. -

- Finally turning her attention to Athena, Demeter smiled warmly at her sister, knowing she had struggled the most with her death. Extending her hand out to her sisters, she nodded a hello to her. -

"It is good to see you, Athena. *Nodding to Hecate as well* Hecate."

- Her voice would no doubt startle Persephone. Turning to see her daughter's bewildered and angered expression, Demeter's eyes saddened, wanting so desperately for Persephone to stop harboring ill feelings toward her. -

"Please, my darling. Let me explain.."

 

[Persephone]

:: At this point Persephone was at her wits end. Spending three days reliving a life that she would have much rather forgotten about than experienced again. Having her teammates--that she barely knew--take front row seats to her private past. Battling Circe and nearly dying. And now, trying to have a 'civilized' conversation with Athena and Hecate. The civilized part moreso on the fence at the moment. But regardless, Persephone came to the realization that unlike in Darkchilde's timeline, she may very well not reconcile with Hecate if the conversation continued down the path it was going. As for Athena, even though she lifted the curse bestowed upon Persephone, their 'relationship', for lack of a better word, was still the same. ::

:: Dropping her hand from her throbbing head, Persephone craned her tense neck back, rotating it from side to side. A cool breeze began to flow around her body, easing her muscles even more. But what followed the breeze was something that even Guardian couldn't predict. Hearing her mothers voice, Persephone's eyes widdened as she whipped around seeing Demeter standing before her, in the flesh. Along with her expression of surprise, was rage. Demeter spoke, trying to ease her rage, but Persephone quickly cut her off. ::

"WHAT IS THIS!"

:: She shouted in a low growl. Looking to both Hecate and Athena, her eyes narrowed into a terrible glare, believing THEY were the ones behind her mothers sudden ressurection. Seeing Demeter step forward, Persephone lifted her hand, indicating her to stop. ::

"I have NOTHING to say to you!"

 

[Athena]

Paradise Island

:: Athena was ALSO growing increasingly agitated, the look on her face said it all and if there was long thing that should have been learned, is that it is NOT a good thing to piss off the goddess of wisdom and war. just as Medousa, or HALEIGH for that matter.::


:: Persephone insisted on being defensive and refusing to give place to what Athena and Hecate were saying...instead acting as if she was ENTITLED to tell THEM "enough was enough" and to "get over it."::

so NOTHING has changed..you are as SELFISH and SELF ABSORBED AS YOU EVER WERE?

:: Athena bellowed::

:: But even before she could inform Persephone that the curse was not gone JUST YET and that there was still time for her to ADD to it, a breeze began to blow, chimes, different from the effect of Hecate's played in the air and came closer as golden orbs flowed and parted to reveal the form of DEMETER!?::

:: even Bupol seemed surprised and a bit startled as Athena gave a start of surprpise.::

Demeter?

:: she said in a soft , whispered tone as she looked upon her sister with widened eyes.::


:: As Demeter greeted her sister, Athena reached out her own hand to grasp Demeter's::

you're....you're HERE??

:: she looked at Hecate, her eyes silently asking the question of "did YOU do this?" but Hecate seemed just as taken aback. even with her powers of precognition, she hadnt ONCE mentioned this moment before.::

:: Demeter acknowledged Hecate before turning to Persephone and Athena watched with anticipation this unexpected reunion. her look of bewilderment quickly turned to that of anger and disapproval as Persephone continued to shut her mother out...even NOW after all this time.::

UNGREATFULL CHILD! even after ALL you've done....all that YOU did...YOU have the GAUL to speak to Demeter this way? truly you belong in Doom's Doorway and I think perhaps it is BEST that I put you there NOW!

:: raising her hand, Athena prepared to exile Persephone to a place of ETERNAL DAMNATION...doom's doorway, a monstrous hell whose mouth opening was located (and sealed by technology only in the last several hundred years) on Themyscria::

You WON'T abuse Demeter while I'm standing here!

:: however Demeter came to be here didnt matter to Athena at this point. It seemed that she FINALLY had the chance to protect her sister from Persephone's evil, ungreatfull, thankless ways. and she would do just that and WOE unto Persephone and ANY of the Six who dared to stand in her way at this point.::

 

[Hecate]

[ Hecate huffed loudly as Persephone continued to be so defensive and cut her off]

LISTEN HERE you.....

[ Athena beat her to the punch as she blasted her with words but Hecate wouldnt go without getting HER's in]

you're not even LISTENING! you need to GET OVER YOURSELF for once in the three lifetimes in which you've lived courtesy of MY magick and realize that its NOT ALL ABOUT YOU! you're so SELFISH! Darkchilde would be SO PROUD of you now wouldnt she? as you stand here acting like a stubborn two year old that can't see outside of their own narrow mind and world.


[ Hecate's face was now enshrouded in shadow as she gritted her now gleaming white teeth that matched her glowing eyes. she was PISSED and it showed. She'd just expressed how she felt AND that she wanted reconciliation and all Persephone could do was continue to justify HER actions and why it was about HER. Hecate was close to HELPING Athena banish the woman to Doom's Doorway. ]

[ the hurt and pain were prooving too much and Persephone's unwillingness to listen was pushing Hecate to an almost VIOLENT level of frustration...DARKCHILDE was the same way, she could not tolerate selfishness. but even as Athena raised her hand, prepared to banish Persephone to Doom's Doorway, something totally unexpected happened.]

[ a breeze with soft chimes...different from hecate's own signature began to flow, sparkling golden orbs began to swirl and form...revealing DEMETER as she became corporeal to boot! Hecate's eyes widened with surprise and disbelief.]

shadows and shards....

[ the goddess of witchcraft certainly had necromancy spells in her repritoir but in this instance, Demeter's surprising return was NOT her doing and so as Persephone dared to accuse her, even looking like she was stepping UP on herself and Athena, Hecate snapped.]

oh BACK OFF! not everything that happens is done to cause YOU a problem ..unlike YOUR actions toward US. and if it WERE my doing...WHAT OF IT? it's not like YOU can hurt ME. I'm NOT Demeter or Hades...and you wouldnt last FIVE MINUTES against me!

[ Hecate's agressive attitude was the result of feeling like Persephone was not remotely sincere and things were rapidly deteriorating fast between the three women as Demeter attempted to reach out to Persephone. Something had to be done..and fast.]

 

[Rampage]

Themyscira

As Nicolas stood with his team waiting, the three goddesses went a small distance away and aired out their differences. Persephone gave an insight into her baser natures, one that had an effect on Nicolas.Even though it was true that all of them had killed innocents, she had done so to her own mother for POWER alone. He shook his head as he openly wished that time had managed to work its magic on the darkness in her soul that allowed such a thing.

It was clear that her candor was not as refreshing to the goddesses as Rampage had hoped. Their voices became agitated as Persephone seemed to refuse the olive branch that was begrudgingly offered. As Athena seemed to prepare to strike, Nicolas was considering his options (even if he SHOULD intervene) when, in a blaze of orbs, the once-dead DEMETER appears.

Nicolas is stunned as she makes overtures to her daughter, and even more stunned as Persephone refuses her advances. He sees the agitation anew on the faces pf the goddesses as their speech reaches a crescendo, then decides to act, speaking telepathically to the one which he believed would hear and at least stop to think.

Athena, please stay your hand! We BOTH know that the last thing your newly appeared sister wishes to see is her daughter killed, and surely you possess the ability to monitor the situation in other ways. I am not intervening on Persephone's behalf. I am attempting to spare you the hurt look and feelings you will receive from Demeter if you harm her only child. Please, do not allow the wisdom of a goddess to be overturned by base emotion.

 

[Black Widow]

After engaging in a little playful banter with Nicolas, Haleigh fell silent, allowing Persephone and the other two goddesses time to talk things out. It started out well, and Haleigh listened while she admired a tropical flower bush nearby.... but things quickly deteriorated, and both Athena and Hecate became incensed over Persephone's lack of regard for their troubles. At first, she was reluctant to intervene, as there is a FINE LINE between helping by moderating, and HINDERING by moderating.... but soon it became quite clear that if NOTHING was done, they might be leaving this place WITHOUT Persephone.

As Haleigh opened her mouth to interject, DEMETER appeared, and the sight made Haleigh recoil slightly. She gauged the expressions of all those who could have brought Demeter here, but everyone seemed just as surprised as she was. Of course, as luck would have it, this only served to escalate the problem further, as Persephone shunned her mother and Athena and Hecate understandably reacted negatively. Haleigh quickly stepped in.

"Athena! Hecate..... please.... this is NOT easy for any of you.... I know youre both frustrated.... but violence, [shooting a dark look at Perse] unfortunately, is not going to help ANYONE."

"And AS FOR YOU...... [lightly slapping Perse on the back of the head-- although, LIGHTLY to Haleigh would turn out quite JARRING for Perse] what the HELL is WRONG with you?! You may have been WELL within your rights to do what you did, but you hurt a LOT of people in the meantime and this IS NOT ABOUT YOU anymore, it's about THEM! It's time to ATONE for the grief that YOU caused, so STOP thinking solely about yourself. AND ANOTHER THING! That is your MOTHER.... she gave BIRTH to you, she BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS WORLD, and between YOU and your BIG OLE EGO, she probably had a hellish time of it. Now I don't care WHAT happened between you two, but since you KILLED HER, I'm inclined to think that if EITHER of you has the right to STILL be upset, its HER, so how about you SUCK IT UP and FACE HER! No more EXCUSES, no more INSULTS.... just LISTEN."

She said, taking her sister by the arm and steering her towards Demeter, while giving both Athena and Hecate cautionary glances. Sometimes, you have to hear things from your FRIENDS for them to sink in.... in this case, it might not have been ENOUGH for Athena and Hecate to tell Persephone she was being selfish... but maybe hearing it from her own sister would make it stick.

 

[Athena]

Paradise Island

:: Athena prepared to painfully banish Persephone to the realm known as Doom's Doorway, she heard a voice...Rampage's...inside her head. strange feeling this was, that a mortal man would have the power to communicate with her in this way but as she had discovered during their trip "back" to Olympus, these were no ordinary mortals.::

:: Nicolas appealed to her sense of reason as well as to think of Demeter and how she might feel of Athena shunted Persephone to Doom's Doorway. it was THIS more than anything else that allowed Athena to calm down for enough time to lower her hand...though she still looked rather swelled in her chest with anger as she glared at Persephone.::

:: she looked at Nicolas::

I appreciate your appeal, Nicolas, but kindly refrain from inviting yourself into the realm of my thoughts again.

:: her tone quieter but no less stern.::

Demeter's return...is...unbelievable to put it mildly. But i do not wish to vex HER by my own actions.

BUT understand THIS...if Persephone attempts to harm Demeter in ANYWAY...neither YOU nor anyone ELSE present will stop me from doing what i WISHED i could have done the FIRST time it happened.

:: the goddess of wisdom and war spoke firmly and since Haleigh knew how relentless she was in battle...it could be assumed that this was NOT an idle threat. Even ATHENA couldnt explain how Demeter came to be here, but she'd be DAMNED if she let anything happen to her AGAIN.::

:: for NOW though, Athena stayed her hand even as her eyes flashed with fury at Persephone. Persephone didnt know how LUCKY she was just now as HALEIGH spoke some sound sense to her sister.::

:: Athena looked at Bupol who seemed a bit nervous...and understandibly so. she gently stroked his head and shushed him with a soft noise as she seemed to show far more gentility towards him than she ever would show Persephone.::

 

[Demeter]

- Persephone exploded, which sent off a chain reaction. Athena reacted first, followed by Hecate. Both woman were angered, and both wanted her daughter to reak the consequences. Athena was prepared to sentence Persephone to death and Demeter quickly moved in front of her sister, grabbing both her hands gently. -

"Stop. You will do no such thing, Athena. You either, Hecate."

- Looking to Hecate as well, Demeter was one of the few Gods who actually worked beside Hecate and treated her with respect. They were apart of the Trinity of the Moon at one time after all. Demeter knew her daughter was pushing Athena and Hecate to react this way, but what they didn't know, was the reason Demeter was standing here was BECAUSE of Persephone. Turning around to face her daughter once more, the strong willed blonde girl spoke on Persephone's behalf, defending her livelihood to Hecate and Athena. A faint smile appeared on Demeter's lips. But Haleigh's sudden wack to Persephone's head made her smile turn into a grin. One in which, she of course tried to hide. -

- Haleigh's brash words to Persephone were sharp and probably very hard for her to swallow. Demeter watched as she pulled her reluctant daughter over, in which Demeter gave Haleigh a warm smile. It was very apparent how motherly and kind Demeter was. Never once loosing her temper or raising her voice. She believed that fighting would only prolong the situation, and the real breakthroughs happened with presistance and patience. But, in Persephone's case....she seemed to defy the odds. -

- Studying her daughter, Demeter didn't want to come off too strong. She could tell Persephone was feeling very caged up. -

"You're looking well...even more beautiful than I remember."

- Moving her hand to touch her daughter's cheek, she stopped seeing Persephone move her face away. It stung, of course, but Demeter really didn't expect differently. Moving her hand away, her soft face showed signs of emotional pain. Her eyes wanting so desperately to fight through Persephone's barriers so she could speak with HER daughter, not this closed up, hostile woman. -

"I know how you must feel. But I have not come back to hurt you, Persephone."

 

[Hecate]

Paradise Island

[ Due to her psi screen, Hecate unaware of the telepathic exchange between Nicolas and Athena...at least until Athena bluntly asked Nicolas to refrain from entering her thoughts again. But while THAT was going on, HALEIGH stepped forward and prooved once again to be surprisingly insightfull and possessing common sense.]



[ As Demeter stepped infront of Persephone....in yet ANOTHER surprising act of PROTECTION, disallowing Athena or Hecate any further action against Persephone, Hecate stepped back...both literally AND emotionally as she allowed Haleigh and Nicolas to buffer the situation.]

I can't believe this has happend....




[ she said softly. Demeter's return was unexplainable even by HECATE..and that was saying alot for the goddess of witchcraft. in the olympian hierarchy, only the fates themselves had prooven to operate beyond the sway of the gods/goddesses...prooving to be a mystery and at times a frustration. could THEY have been responsible for Demeter's miraculous return?]

[ Demeter was the "mother" in the trinity of the moon and served a vital function that could never be replaced once she was killed. She and Hecate were always civil to one another. no problems, no issues...friendly on all terms. Artemis had a bond with both women...as a child would have with her mother and grandmother. When she died, it came as such a shock to Hecate ...a PAINFULL dismantling of one of the primal forces in the universe. it was even WORSE when she discovered Persephone standing over Demeter's mutilated body that night. It was one of the FIRST times Hecate had felt a total loss of control and the fact that it had been caused by a supposed friend...that had ALWAYS made it hard for her to grasp....so she coped as best as she could...all the while protecting Persephone from what would have been a FATAL fall out with the Olympians.]

[ much like Morgan, Hecate was now seeing that even SHE wasn't immune to the feelings that came from the HEART. try as she did to hide it or cover it...they were there just the same...and seeing Demeter brought it all BACK. She was GLAD that Athena was now so willing to protect Demeter from persephone if it came down to it...and...SHE would too!]

[ she kept her thoughts to herself, choosing to stand back with her arms folded and a scowl on her face as she let Haleigh wrangle with her sister...her eyes still forcing themselves to look upon Demeter...wondering if this was some insane illusion on some level.]

[ she looked at Rampage and MorningStar for a moment, before FINALLY turning her gaze towar the marble metropolis off in the distant horizon...Morgan and Alison were healing right on schedule and would soon be conscious and coherent. THAT would be the last part of this long, drawn out and emotional adventure..]

 

[Persephone]

"Oh PLEASE! You're both RELISHING in this!"

:: Persephone snapped fiercly at both Hecate and Athena. At this point, letting bygones be bygones, was over. Athena lashed out at Persephone, followed by Hecate. Athena was prepared to TRY and exterminate her, in which Persephone stepped forward MORE than willing to prove her theory wrong. But her mother quickly intervened, stepping in front of Athena and stopping her. ::

:: Rolling her eyes, Persephone shook her head and looked away. But only with Haleigh's wack to the head did Persephone finally react. Stumbling a bit from her 'light tap', she glared at Haleigh prepared to light a fire under her ass as well, but Haleigh defiantly set her straight. She was actually a bit stunned by Haleigh's words. ::

:: Haleigh grabbed her arm and pulled her to Demeter, in which Persephone snatched her arm away from Haleigh's grasp. Looking at Demeter, Persephone kept her face even and her eyes cold. Looking away from Demeter, she folded her arms across her chest hearing her mother compliment her. Shaking her head while letting out a soft, short laugh, Persephone barely paid her any attention. It wasn't until she tried to touch her face that she whipped her head away, and glared intensly at her. "I know what you're going through?" Persephone moved her head forward, her voice low and vicious. ::

"You don't know anything about me. And quite frankly, I don't care why or how you came back. I have nothing to say to you."

 

[Demeter]

- Closing her eyes, Demeter shook her head at Persephone's words. THIS was why she was not allowed to return. Persephone's cold, heartless nature. Her constant lack of concern for others. The fact that she DIDN'T regret her actions. But, in that one moment of vulnerbility that she showed to both Hecate and Athena, the walls around her heart came down, ALLOWING Demeter to return. And she would not stand there and let this oppurtunity slip away when she knew Persephone truly felt remorseful for what she did. -

"Oh, Persephone, I know you better than anyone. I know that when you were three years old you accidently flooded a lake into a mortals corn field, completely destorying the crop. When you were seven, you wanted to fly as high as the eagles, and JUMPED off of a Weaping Willow, breaking your arm. When you were twelve, you were SO angry with me, because I wouldn't allow you to come to the annual ball at Mount Olympus, because you were too young. You hid my beautiful silk white gown in a basket full of fabrics that were later DYED pink, just to keep me from going. *Letting out a small laugh* You were so upset after I found the gown. You thought I was going to be furious with you....But I WORE that dyed gown to the ball because I was PROUD of how resourceful you were. That when you put your mind to something, you achieved it...Even if it was at my dresses expense."

- Demeter could see Persephone's face softening as she spoke of the stories that her daughter had sealed away in the darkest parts of her mind. Placing her hand finally on Persephone's cheek, she didn't pull away. Moving her face, she finally met with her glassy eyes. -

"And I remember when you were sixteen....your heart started to turn black...and I didn't know how to stop it. Athena and Hecate did not bring me back Persephone, YOU did. You've spent centuries closed up and distant, never once regretting your actions. Never once thinking how they effected other people--people that you cared about. But I KNOW that behind this ice cold heart is that little girl that I LOVED. That I was PROUD of. I know, because I am STANDING here in front of you. I was allowed to return today because you finally realized the harm you did; DON'T PUSH me away, Persephone! Don't push your friends away!"

- Demeter's speech was heartfelt and emotional, as her eyes teared up as well. Her words painted a picture of Persephone's past that the six knew nothing of. It brought back memories to Athena of how Persephone was when she was younger. Demeter pleaded with her daughter to stop her downward spiral before she ended up alone...or worse, dead. -

 

[Athena]

Paradise Island

:: Athena looked like she was getting ill. but it wasnt that. The sight of Demeter the REALITY that she was truly there...and had lost none of the beauty in body, mind or spirit...it was overwhelming for the goddess. She trusted Demeter's judgement and remained quiet as Demeter approached Persephone yet again.::

:: Demeter's motherly wisdom shined as brightly as any of Athena's golden energy constructs and as she appealed to her daughter and demonstrated a long suffering spirit that was unlike any she'd seen before, Athena's eyes began to well up with tears.::

:: Demeter's strength of heart and calm were things that in anyone ELSE, Athena might dismiss but in this moment, Athena and Hecate looked at each other and realized just how much they BOTH had lost in her death and now seeing her again...it was prooving to be overwhelming for the goddesses as they did their best to remain composed.::

Hecate....I am not accustomed to this...this feeling.

:: she said softly as Demeter appealed to Persephone's heart.::

 

[Hecate]

Paradise Island

[ Hecate flipped some of her blonde hair out of her face as a breeze flowed through the area. she remained silent and listened, all the while her mind raced. She turned to see Athena struggling. It was amazing to see the goddess of war moved by this interaction between Demeter and Persephone...but she knew how close Athena and Demeter had been and she understood what it was like to struggle with the loss of someone you love.]

[ Demeter's beauty transcended the physical level and she MORE than prooved now why she was a necessary part of the original trinity. Artemis' youth, sometimes impulsive ways were tempered buy Demeter and Hecate's stern, unforgiving ways were softened by Demeter as well. together they represented the ultimate balance of a woman secure in herself and her power....even though Hecate had taken steps to reconstitute the trinity in a new way for the multiverse, seeing Demeter now caused Hecate to remember times past.]

[ Athena expressed her own disorientation with the feelings she was having now and Hecate looked at her, placing her hand on Athena's back.]

it's okay Athena...she's your SISTER. you're ENTITLED to feel like this.

[ imagine that. Hecate telling someone it was okay to feel and revel in emotion while SHE was the poster child for denying her own heart's beating...but through these moments, Hecate's stern, cold expression had softened and she now looked far more serene and reflective as she looked on with Athena.]

[ maybe this would all work out. it had to. they were meant to reconcile but the road to reconciliation was not always easy..especially with the passing of CENTURIES.]

 

[Persephone]

:: With her eyes cast away from Demeter, Persephone listened as she tried to appeal to her. Telling her stories about when she was a little girl...stories she had long since forgot. As she spoke about the white gown being dyed pink, Persephone surprisingly let out a small laugh, remembering the terror she felt when Demeter had found the dress. She hadn't intentionally meant to dye the dress pink, she had just put it in the wrong basket and the chambermaids took it. The memories of Demeter wearing the dyed dress to the ball, so proud and without an ounce of anger, made Persephone close her eyes tightly, wanting her mother to stop talking. She couldn't take what she was saying. She couldn't take the guilt. The LOVE that Demeter still possessed for Persephone, even after she killed her brutally, was shocking. ::

:: Feeling her mothers hand on her cheek, she didn't fight the touch this time. Opening her eyes, they were filled with tears as she began to talk about when she became dark and distant. She remembered those moments vividly. Demeter pleaded with her to not push her away. That she was here because of Persephone and her remorse over what happened. To stop keeping her friends at a distance. Persephone shook her head firmly. She wasn't fearful of much, but after loosing so much in the past, she couldn't help but feel insecure about letting more people into her life. ::

"No. No...i've lost TOO much already! First it was my freedom when Zeus took away my ability to choose who I loved! My status on Mount Olympus. My best friend (Hecate)! And when my life finally-- FINALLY--turned around, and I found people who didn't judge me, or try and change me, they were RIPPED AWAY! Darkchilde, Alessandra, Titania, Brenthen, Elektra, Morpheus, Karen, Ororo! They were my FAMILY! My friends! My sisters...my everything."

:: Tears finally fell from Persephone's eyes as she spoke about her old team members. It had only been a few months since she was brought to this timeline and thrusted into being a member of the six. One catastrophe after another prevented Persephone from truly accepting that her friends were gone. Mourning over their deaths. Making peace with it. Persephone wasn't an overly emotional person, but it was clear that she truly LOVED these people. ::

"Why should I open myself--my HEART--when all my life i've been burned. YES, I brought a lot of this upon myself after I killed you and Hades. I know this, i've accepted it. But the majority of my life after your death was spent with those people. Protecting them, laughing with them, loving them. I can't AFFORD to open my heart to you or ANYONE else. I don't know how else to protect myself.."

 

[Demeter]

- Persephone spoke with such passion. She could see the pain in her daughters eyes as she spoke about her losses. The walls around her heart were thick and tall for so many years, but they began to crumble right before Demeter's eyes. Even as a child, Persephone hated to cry in front of anyone; but when she did, she knew her daughter was truly in pain. And now, to be back after thousands of years, standing before her daughter--who dispised her for the majority of her adult life--CRYING, Demeter knew that progress had been made. Persephone had always put on a strong front, but in a moment of vulnerbility, she finally became 'human'. ::

:: Cupping her hands around Persephone's face, she wiped the tears from her cheeks with the pads of her thumbs. Standing as tall as her daughter, Demeter looked straight into her beautiful blue eyes, FINALLY seeing who her daughter once was. ::

"What happened to your friends was horrible, sweetheart. They didn't deserve to die, and you don't deserve to go through the pain of losing them. But they ARE gone. Closing your heart from others isn't going to bring them back. It's only going to keep you alone. They *looking away from Persephone and to the six* care for you, Persephone. *looking back at her daughter* They WANT to be apart of your life. They want to be your friends. Hecate WANTS to forgive you; she wants to give you another chance. But if you keep pushing them away, they WILL eventually leave you. Darling, you can't go through life alone."

- Tucking a lock of brown hair behind Persephone's ear, Demeter did a VERY risky move. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Persephone, embracing her in a hug. With her hand stroking Persephone's long silk locks of hair, Demeter could feel the muscles tense in her daughter's body. But the fact that Persephone didn't thrash away immediately showed signs of a breakthrough. That perhaps, her daughter had FINALLY learned the lessons that she needed to learn. -

"I will NEVER leave you......I love you more than you know."

 

[Rampage]

Themyscira

Nicolas smirked as Athena thanked him and warned him all at once. SO staid was the goddess. He wondered of she had ever let her hair down. Indeed, if she had even pondered the warmth of a man even after all of these centuries. He knew that she valued her own physical beauty from the Judgment of Paris tale that was probably true. But how could one who was obviously able to feel love not have been moved by it save for anger all of these years? He stepped a bit closer to the goddess of wisdom as she struggled with her own emotion. his own heart was touched by the re-uniting of this mother and daughter, as he thought of his own father who he would never see again. with his eyes moist but his voice composed, he spoke quietly to Athena.

It seems that the time for reconciliation has come, and it is good for all of us to feel something other than anger. In case I never see you again after this, it has been an honor to meet you, even when my life was in the balance. If one day I have a daughter of my own, I will tell her of when I met the goddess of wisdom. I will tell her of the day that justice itself was touched by mercy and love. And when her time in her life has come to an end, I hope that she can be reborn into this sanctuary and when she is, that through my words she will already know you. I look forward to what lies ahead, but I already regret not seeing you again.