Like how you're the goddess of spring and vegetation. And how you're also the goddess of death, so humans aren't allowed to speak your name directly -- so instead, they call you by a bunch of different names.
[he looks expectantly at her like he's waiting for her to confirm that she is indeed the true ruler of death,]
[lavi's getting an inkling that maybe he shouldn't have mentioned it? maybe? just a little,]
Kind of? The one where you're the goddess of spring is the most well-known. The others all differ depending on the culture, and some people like taking creative liberties with the gods. Like Zagreus -- there's one where he's the son of Zeus, and another where he's the son of Hades.
[ and just like that, it's almost like lavi is talking to a different person. persephone suddenly drops her hair, going from bundled in her arms to framing her face so that he can only see her eyes—almost seeming closer red, now, more so than pink—staring coldly back at him. ]
[Lavi has given so many people nicknames here, and some of them most of them dislike, but he's always been quick on the uptake -- in that he doesn't really have to be right now, since Persephone spells it out for him very clearly,
he swallows once, eyes frozen on the look in her eyes]
...Sorry.
[SCARY..... but there's more than just fear, there's the awkwardness of knowing he made a blunder, and all the shame that comes with it -- ]
I won't, promise. Um... [HE FEELS KIND OF TOO ASHAMED TO CALL HER BY HER NAME?] Sorry, again. My Gramps always tells me to be more careful...
[ ... it takes her another couple of seconds to come back to reality, and when she does, she's almost mortified to realize that was her reaction. though she can't exactly ungrow her hair, she at least brushes her bangs out of her face and tucks some hair behind her ear. less of the wrathful goddess look... ]
N-no, I should be the one saying sorry. I just... have bad memories associated with that name. It's nothing against you, I promise. [ beat ] If you want to use a nickname, Perse is fine. Or... anything but that.
[NO... HE FEELS BAD!! even though her reaction was scary -- it struck Lavi as very human at the same time, maybe that's why he feels guilt instead of awe at having upset her,]
Bad memories that I brought up. [he has no idea how bad those memories are, but he's familiar with trauma -- and how it's so out of one's control.
he tucks his hands into his pockets though, his voice lighter than before.]
Think I'll just stick to Persephone. You've got the most interesting name out of all the gods for a reason, after all.
[ well, of course—the gods fashioned mortals in their image, after all. but anyway, she seems more than ready to move past the topic without any further discussion. ]
People have called my name a lot of things, but I don't think "interesting" is one of them.
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[he looks expectantly at her like he's waiting for her to confirm that she is indeed the true ruler of death,]
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[ she says it slowly, almost... fearfully? hm. ]
That's not—I... is that really how people see me?
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Kind of? The one where you're the goddess of spring is the most well-known. The others all differ depending on the culture, and some people like taking creative liberties with the gods. Like Zagreus -- there's one where he's the son of Zeus, and another where he's the son of Hades.
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[ beat ]
Wait. Did you say son of Hades?
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Yeah! -- Right, that'd make him your son too.
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WHAT
1/2
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wait
maybe this is spoilers...............]
S-sorry... Do you guys not have any kids...?
[surely that's the problem here]
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[ AAAAAA??? OK LIKE... she takes a breath... ]
Y...you said Zagreus? The same Zagreus that's here? He's my... son? With Hades?
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Y-yeah... I mean -- he said so, but he didn't say anything about you. So maybe it's different for him?
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Ohhhh my godsssss my mother is going to kill meeee
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It's fine as long as it's not true, right?!?
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[ GRABS HIM BY THE COLLAR ]
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I dunno?! I'm not the one married to Hades!!
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[ THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING she just hides her face in her hands as her hair starts to billow out again... ]
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Sorry... I guess I got caught up in the moment.
[watches her hair billow....]
But I'm glad ya like each other. [thanks lavi]
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I'm Lavi, by the way. Nice to meet ya!
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...You already know who I am.
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[which means, he's curious about persephone...]
Can I call you Persie?
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Never call me that again.
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he swallows once, eyes frozen on the look in her eyes]
...Sorry.
[SCARY..... but there's more than just fear, there's the awkwardness of knowing he made a blunder, and all the shame that comes with it -- ]
I won't, promise. Um... [HE FEELS KIND OF TOO ASHAMED TO CALL HER BY HER NAME?] Sorry, again. My Gramps always tells me to be more careful...
[does lavi listen tho? he does not]
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N-no, I should be the one saying sorry. I just... have bad memories associated with that name. It's nothing against you, I promise. [ beat ] If you want to use a nickname, Perse is fine. Or... anything but that.
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Bad memories that I brought up. [he has no idea how bad those memories are, but he's familiar with trauma -- and how it's so out of one's control.
he tucks his hands into his pockets though, his voice lighter than before.]
Think I'll just stick to Persephone. You've got the most interesting name out of all the gods for a reason, after all.
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People have called my name a lot of things, but I don't think "interesting" is one of them.