Kissing Death and Losing My Breath

The water began to boil and Persephone placed her hands on the table in front of her, palms up, so that Sofia could work her magic. “Oh yes, definitely. I missed everything terribly when it was destroyed. There’s just something about this city that gives people a sense of freedom.” The Goddess wasn’t entirely correct with her statement. “I do worry about others preying on them though. The innocent ones anyway…”

Sofia pulled her own chair up close to her friend and began carefully spreading the balm across the goddess’s hands once she had thoroughly mixed it with a quick spell to speed the healing along. She smiled up at her friend. “I went a little bit of everywhere since the city was destroyed and no where was quite the same. There’s a liveliness that I think lends to that sense of freedom. Maybe it has to do with brushing with immortality.” She winked at her friend, but she knew she was trying to push dangerously past her own mortality.

She waved her hand. “You can’t protect every innocent. You’ll go mad if you do. The innocent are sometimes confused with the fools, you need to let the world sort out which are which.”

Persephone laughed. “Well, I’m more than happy to take the one that I need off of your hands.” She followed Sofia inside and nodded before heading towards the back of the shop, where there was some more comfortable seating. She sat down in a soft armchair, and crossed her legs, waiting for Sofia to join her.

Sofia raised her chin, giving a small nod, unquestionably in agreement that she was right about the silly mortals. She may not have been around for all the ages of gods, but she knew enough of mortals.

Once her arms were full with all manners of ingredients as she headed to the back with Persephone. She set down everything on the table, waving her hand at the teapot at a corner to begin heating for the tea. She started mixing a quick salve for her friends hands. “As silly as the mortals are, I have to say, it’s nice to have the city together and built again. If I’m going to tolerate them anywhere, it’ll be here.”

☔: my muses reaction to opening their front door and seeing yours drenched in rain

Sofia quickly wrapped her arm around Persephone’s shoulders, bringing her near the fire she already had going. “You know I’m going to ask you plenty of questions, but let’s get you warm and dry first.” She was always worried about the practical, whether it was the care of her friend or the disposal of her bodies. “I’ll get you something dry to change into and some tea, yeah?” Even as she rummaged through her closet for something comfortable, her mind was racing to come up with some sort of explanation as to why Persephone would come to her through the pouring rain, with hardly a thought for at least an umbrella or a hood. She returned, handing her the clothes. “Tell me now if it’s something with Hades or your mother. Otherwise, get changed, and then tell me everything.”

☕: my muse comforting yours after the death of a loved one

☺: three things that make my muse happy

Burning incense

Tea and gardening with Persephone

The sound of breaking bones

☂: what my muse does on a rainy day

She either stays in her apartment, experimenting with spells or she lingers around the shop, cleaning up and straightening things up. Or she goes out, finding any poor souls unlucky enough to be stuck in the storm. She especially likes the cover of a storm at night, with the clouds over the sky and moon and the rain blurring everyone’s vision. And she can’t help but enjoy the dramatic effect of the rain.

▲: my muse's happiest memory

Persephone’s expression brightened as she walked alongside Sofia to the shop that was now so familiar to her. “I’m sure you have an ointment or balm for everything.” She threw a little smile her friend’s way and chuckled. “Not that I’m complaining! These cuts would take a long time to heal in this body.”

"Oh, I doubt that would stop them. If they knew what could be waiting for them, they would just foolishly try and defend themselves against things they simple can’t defend themselves from.” She sighed, shaking her head sadly, even though she knew she depended on the mortals to make those sorts of mistakes.

“Everything you could need and probably a few that you don’t.” She chuckled. “Well, we’ll clean you up, and then the tea can give you some comfort.” She pushed the door to her shop open, going behind the counter to grab what she’d need. “You can just head straight up and get comfortable. I’ll be up once I have everything.”

“Oh definitely.” She nodded. “If I carry on then I’m worried my hands will stay in the claw-like fashion they have been in all day.” She gestured with her hands and then laughed. “I’m offically excusing myself for a break now.”

“Oh, they’ll probably just get festive at the very least for the sake of partying.” She frowned, making a face. “Though I can’t see the fun in the mortal’s fascination with completely abhorrent sweaters.” She rolled her eyes, and then quickly smiled, taking Persephone’s hand.