PERSEPHONE

The voice that returned her call was not completely unexpected, but the volume and intensity of the shriek was still quite startling as Persephone turned her head to greet her welcoming party. She really had been away too long, to be surprised by Talya’s antics.

A smile crept across her lips as the youngster barrelled into view, prancing around her like a filly. She would likely always be a child in Persephone’s eyes, but even so she had changed some in her absence. For one, Persephone did not fail to notice the small filly that seemed to shrink into the shadows in the foliage just behind her mother, who was rather stealing the scene.

“Talya,” Persephone greeted rather more calmly, but with warmth and love in her eyes. Her dark eyes followed her young friend as she danced around her. “It’s good to be home, I missed you.”

She paused a moment, waiting to see if Talya might calm just a little before she continued. There was little sense in explaining that she hadn’t exactly been on holiday, but besides, Persephone kind of liked not having to talk about it in a negative way.

“It was cold, and I missed the green of Luthien, although I did get to see an old friend while I was there. How have things been here, Talya?”

With a pointed pause, Persephone’s gaze drifted to the tiny figure in the background, obscured by the trees somewhat still. She gave a nod towards the child she could only assume was Talya’s.

“You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh