Persi blinked as she stared at Sophia. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she took in the hunter's words. I'm so sorry that that happened to you. But you must understand that none of it was your fault.
Persi sniffled, and wiped away her tears. She didn't need them thinking that she was weak as well. She had to pull herself together.
"Sorry," Persi muttered, turning her face away from them in shame. Someone placed a hand on her shoulder, and Persi turned around to see Astrid staring at her with hurt eyes.
"Persi, you have nothing to be sorry for," Astrid said, her eyes glazing over as if lost in a memory, "Many of us understand that same pain."
Persi turned back around to see several of the hunters nodding in agreement. They understood her pain. They wouldn't turn their backs on her.
"Persi," Astrid said, "I finished your braid."
Persi looked around, and one of the hunters handed her a mirror. She looked to the side, and saw a beautiful fishtail braid in her hair. The braid started off navy blue, and to Persi's surprise, as the braid got lower the color lightened until it was almost white. Little shells and pearls were woven with twine into the braid, and Persi could feel the power of the sea in them.
"Thank you. Thank you all," Persi whispered, and they all gathered in close for a hug. The hunters sat all around her, on the floor, in a pseudo cuddle pile. For the first time in her life, Persi felt as though she was truly safe. Like they would love and protect her as their sister. She felt herself slip into her five year old mind, and she looked around with wide eyes. The hunters looked at her, and found a pure and childlike expression on her face. Stunned expression appeared on their faces, and Sophia asked, "Are you alright, Persi?"
Persi nodded her head, and jumped up. She was tired of sitting around, and wanted to stand. She ran her fingers over her sharp canines, pricking her finger. "Ouch," she said, quietly. Persi looked at her finger, curiously, as bluish liquid began to well on her fingertip. She ran to Egeria, crying, "Sister, I hurt my finger!"
Egeria picked her up, and conjured some water in her palm. Persi put her finger in the pool of water, giggled as the water healed her finger.
"Thank you, Sister!" Persi said, a bright smile on her face, and she hugged Egeria tightly.
The hunters looked around confused at the change in her behavior. Zoe stepped up, and explained, "Persi's mental age fluctuates."
Zoe turned to her, and asked, "Age?"
Persi looked at Zoe, smiling proudly, held up five fingers, and said, "I'm five."
Zoe hummed, and pat Persi on the head. Persi's expression turned into a pout as she tried to stop a smile from creeping onto her face.
Persi yawned softly, and snuggled in closer to the comforting warmth of Egeria's hold. It reminded Persi of her mother, except without the danger of Gabe being around.
"Goodnight, Ὠκεανὸς παῖς." Egeria said into Persi's hair, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Good night, mama," Persi murmured sleepily before closing her eyes, and falling asleep in Egeria's arms.
{ ~ >^^< ~ }
Artemis watched as Zoe left the apartment, carrying Perseis on her back. She had business she needed to attend to, here in the city, so she wasn't able to travel back to the camp with them. She wasn't afraid. Artemis had full faith that her hunters would treat Perseis well. Artemis turned away from the window, and walked across the room. Perseis's room was small, looking more like a closet than someone's bedroom. The walls were bare, and everything seemed to be covered in a thin layer of dust. Brown empty bottles covered the floor, and Artemis jumped around them. She opened the door, and walked out.
The rest of the apartment wasn't much better. Every surface was covered in those same brown bottles. Artemis scrunched up her nose at the lingering smell of alcohol. How could Perseis's mother make the child live in a place like this. It was truly vial. Artemis walked to the room she knew belonged to the mother, and opened the door with a soft click. She looked around the room, and didn't find anyone inside. Artemis walked over, and sat down at the desk in the corner.
After a few minutes, a woman, with short dark brown hair, and blue eyes walked in. Sally blinked as she saw the nine-year-old-looking girl sitting at her desk. The girl had red hair, which was in a long braid, and piercing eyes that carried an untold age. It reminded her of Poseidon, and she sighed. This girl was no girl at all. She was a goddess.
Artemis studied the woman silently. With a sigh, the woman sat down on the edge of the bed.
"What—" the woman began. And Artemis cut her off, saying, her voice low, "Did I say you could speak."
The woman stopped talking, and Artemis nodded, "What's your name."
"Sally. Sally Jackson." Sally said.
Artemis hummed, and said, "Well, Sally Jackson. You are probably wondering why I have decided to pay you a visit."
Sally nodded, and Artemis asked, "Do you know who I am?"
Sally paused for a moment as she looked over the goddess. She immediately noticed the crescent moon crown on the goddess's forehead, woven with berries and leaves. Understanding filled her, and she said, "You are Artemis, goddess of the hunt and the moon."
Artemis looked at Sally in consideration before she nodded, and said, "It wasn't my intention to stop here, but…I was driving my chariot when I heard a prayer sent my way. It was a child's…" Artemis made her eyes narrow, and continued when she saw horrified realization appear on Sally's face, "The child was asking for me to take them away from the man whom has hurt them."
"What did you do with my son?" Sally asked, suddenly enraged. She had been trying to keep Persi close to her. She couldn't bare to part with her child.
Artemis looked at the foolish woman, a sneer appearing on her face. She said, "I took your child somewhere where they will no longer be hurt by disgusting men. I will protect them, unlike you."
Artemis was careful to use gender neutral pronouns because she wasn't with the child right now, so she wouldn't know when they changed. It was safer that way.
"Why," Sally sobbed, tears streaming down her face, "Why would you take him away!? I need to be with him so I can protect him."
"You don't understand," Artemis said, shaking her head mournfully, and Sally looked up. Artemis continued, "You have already failed in protecting them."
"What…What are you saying," Sally asked.
"I am saying that Perseis has already been hurt under your care," Artemis said, with a sigh, "The horrible man you live with has…touched Persi."
Sally's eyes widened, and she said, her voice weak, "You mean that he…he…"
Artemis nodded, Sally completely broke down. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks. "But…but I don't understand one thing. Why did you answer his prayer. Why child is a boy, and I thought you didn't like them."
Artemis shook her head sadly, and said, "Well, it seems like you don't know your child very well."
She stood up, and left the room. Looking back as she closed the door, she saw a confused expression spreading across Sally's face. Artemis smiled to herself as she closed the door, satisfied that this punishment of knowledge will be enough, for now at least. She turned around, her expression hardening as she knew what she must do next.