Paolo Sebastian | Persephone

IN-DEPTH HEADCANON: PERSEPHONE'S EMOTIONAL HANDLING & TRAUMA RESPONSE.

Persephone's journey through life is marked by her struggle to maintain control over her emotions and her complex relationship with her trauma. While she projects an image of cold, calculated detachment, beneath the surface lies a deeply scarred individual grappling with intense emotions and repressed memories. Her unique abilities and skills, coupled with her undiagnosed borderline personality disorder, create a multifaceted character constantly navigating the delicate balance between control and chaos.

# # # HANDLING EMOTIONS.

EMOTIONAL SUPPRESSION

Persephone has honed the ability to suppress her emotions to maintain her controlled and sociopathic facade. She views emotions as weaknesses that can be exploited by others, and thus, she has developed techniques to compartmentalize and bury her feelings. When emotions begin to breach the surface, she relies on deep breathing exercises and mental compartmentalization, forcing herself to focus on logical, analytical thoughts to drown out the emotional turmoil.

COGNITIVE REFRAMING

When Persephone does experience intense emotions, she reframes them cognitively to fit within a logical narrative. For example, if she feels anger or sadness, she might rationalize these emotions as necessary reactions to unjust or unfair situations, allowing her to channel them into calculated actions rather than emotional outbursts.

PHYSICAL RELEASE

Occasionally, Persephone engages in physical activities like sparring or intense workouts to release pent-up emotions. This allows her to maintain her facade of control while providing an outlet for her feelings. She finds that the physical exertion helps her clear her mind and regain her emotional equilibrium.

CONTROLLED OUTBURSTS

In rare instances where her emotions cannot be fully suppressed, Persephone allows herself brief, controlled outbursts in private. These might involve smashing an object, screaming into a pillow, or crying for a few minutes. She ensures that these moments are short-lived and that she can quickly regain her composure afterward.

# # # HANDLING BLOCKED TRAUMA:

TRIGGERS & REACTIONS

Persephone's trauma, particularly the repressed memory of being blessed with Divine Wrath and the subsequent slaughter of the humans who harmed her nymphs, can resurface through certain triggers. These triggers might include:

- FLOWERS BEING HARMED: Seeing flowers being pulled out or destroyed can evoke a visceral reaction. She might experience a flash of anger or sadness, often followed by an intense need to protect the flowers or any perceived victims.

CHILDREN IN DISTRESS: Witnessing children or young beings in distress can trigger a sense of overwhelming sadness and protectiveness, reminiscent of her lost nymphs.

- VIOLENT SITUATIONS: Scenes of violence, especially involving helpless victims, can cause her to dissociate briefly, bringing back the suppressed memories of her own violent actions.

SUBCONSCIOUS BEHAVIORS

Persephone might exhibit subconscious behaviors when triggered, such as clenching her fists, tensing her muscles, or even briefly zoning out as the suppressed memories bubble to the surface. These moments are usually fleeting, but they leave her with a lingering sense of unease.

MEMORY REPRESSION & MAGIC

Unbeknownst to Persephone, Demeter used magic to repress the traumatic memory of the slaughter. This magical repression creates a barrier in her mind, making it difficult for her to fully recall the event. However, when faced with triggers, she might experience fragmented flashbacks or sensations that she cannot fully understand or explain.

THERAPEUTIC OUTLETS

While Persephone does not openly acknowledge her trauma, she occasionally engages in activities that provide therapeutic benefits. Gardening, for instance, allows her to connect with nature and experience a sense of nurturing and creation. These moments provide a small measure of peace and help her cope with the underlying trauma.

BREAKING POINTS

In extreme situations where the trauma threatens to overwhelm her, Persephone might reach a breaking point. During these rare moments, her carefully constructed facade can crack, leading to intense emotional outbursts. She might scream, cry, or lash out violently, unable to control the flood of emotions and memories. Afterward, she often feels drained and vulnerable, prompting her to retreat and rebuild her emotional barriers.

REBUILDING CONTROL

After experiencing an emotional breach or encountering a significant trigger, Persephone is quick to reassert her control. She engages in rituals that help her regain her composure, such as meticulously organizing her surroundings, reviewing her strategic plans, or engaging in meditation. These practices help her re-establish her sense of control and ensure that her facade remains intact.

# # # ADDITIONAL SKILLS & ABILITIES

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Despite her emotional detachment, Persephone possesses high emotional intelligence, allowing her to read and understand the emotions of others. This skill aids her in manipulating and influencing people effectively.

EMPATHETIC PERCEPTION

Persephone has a unique ability to sense the emotions of those around her, a remnant of her connection to nature and the divine blessings she received. While she often uses this ability strategically, it also serves as a reminder of the empathy she struggles to embrace.

MAGIC RESISTANCE

Due to the ancient chthonic magic involved in her birth, Persephone has a natural resistance to certain magical influences. This resistance makes it difficult for others to use magic to control or manipulate her, giving her an edge in supernatural encounters.

NATURE MANIPULATION

Persephone can influence plant life, encouraging growth or withering at will. This ability allows her to create safe havens or traps using nature, reflecting her deep connection to the natural world and the nymphs she created.

Journal Entry: Meeting Hades

It's been a week since that fateful night, and I still can't quite believe the turn my life has taken. It all started at Zeus’s party, a seemingly typical gathering until Eros, under his mother’s command, spiked my drink. The next thing I knew, I woke up in the home of Hades, the King of the Underworld.

I can still feel the initial panic that surged through me when I realized I was somewhere unfamiliar. Cerberus’ intimidating presence didn’t help, but Hades was quick to scold his dog and assure me that I was safe. His apologies were sincere, and despite the unconventional circumstances, there was a warmth in his hospitality that caught me off guard.

Learning that he was Hades, the ruler of the Underworld, was a revelation. Here was a god with immense power and influence, right in front of me. Our encounter, though orchestrated by forces beyond my control, felt like a blessing in disguise. From that moment forward, I knew he would be my primary, high-priority subject.

Over the past week, I’ve been reflecting on this unexpected opportunity. My roommate Artemis, who was furious with Hades for what happened, has been vocal about her distrust and dislike for him. But she doesn’t understand the potential here. This isn’t just about a chance meeting; it’s about what I can achieve with Hades in my life. His power, his resources, his position—all of it aligns perfectly with my ambitions.

Hades drove me home the next morning, ensuring I was safe, and in those moments, I began to see the possibilities. His influence could open doors I never even knew existed. While Artemis fumes, I see the situation for what it truly is: an opportunity to secure a future of power and control.

I’ve already started laying the groundwork, subtly integrating myself into his life, showing him the side of me that is curious, ambitious, and captivated by his world. He doesn’t need to know that beneath the surface, my mind is always calculating, always planning.

This past week has solidified my resolve. Hades is more than just a god; he’s a key player in the game I’m determined to win. I’ll navigate Artemis’ disdain, manage the delicate balance of appearances, and ensure that I remain indispensable to him. This unconventional encounter is the blessing I needed, a disguised path to achieving everything I’ve ever wanted.

As I move forward, I’ll continue to charm, observe, and strategize. Hades may think he’s in control, but I know better. This is my game now, and I’m playing to win.

- Persephone

“I have built, deep in my heart, a chapel filled with you.”

— Marcel Proust, in a letter to Anatole France, from Selected Letters: 1880-1903

i love unhinged women but i also love women who try so fucking hard to be hinged. clinging to those hinges by her fingernails.

doing more style studies, here's LR persephone with the stylization of pilot era LO , with some of the effects I use in LR (but adjustments made to the lineart style because looking back a lot of the pilot era LO pieces that I loved had really thin lineart, which i've always been really bad at doing sksksksk)

“I can be feminine in all my rage. I can be girl and woman, and claws with teeth. Watch me burn.”

— Venetta Octavia, from “Sekhmet, Not Pin-Up Girl,” Prelude to Light

madelame: 👩🏻‍🦰

𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐒 & 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄 ( 1 / ? )

John Galliano, 2000

From Sotheby’s

“Some of it is ugly, obscene and bestial, some of it is pure and holy and spiritual: all of it is myself.”

— James Joyce, To Nora Barnacle Joyce, 7 September 1909