#<- thalia's grandmother and namesake

[ladyofvoss]

FFXIVWrite 2024 #6: Halcyon

noun: denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.

The garden was their sanctuary.

A living symbol of the near decades of dedication and love that was the work of Thalla Voss. Flowers, shrubs, herbs, even the occasional root vegetables, and a tree or two. A picturesque tapestry spread on either side of cobblestone pathways, winding around a fountain in the center.

The villa that served as the ancestral home of House Voss was built on land that, like many a structure in Ul'dah, was unforgiving to any plant that attempted to thrive there. Yet thrive this garden did.

The garden was their sanctuary.

Nestled at the heart of the Voss Villa, many amongst the family would seek solace amongst the fragrance and bright colors of Thalla Voss's pride and joy. It was a place of meditation, of contemplation. A place of a babe's first steps and ringing laughter. For the children to play and for weddings to be held. A place for joy to be cherished, where tears of anguish could be shed in peace.

And when she had been laid to rest, Thalla knew she could pass on in peace, leaving behind this gift to her family. For her children, and their children, a home within their home.

For the garden was their sanctuary.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Happy Monday my fellow book bats, babes, and dragons!

What you're seeing: Luna, hiding behind her namesake pillow, because my lap wasn't to her liking.

💜 QOTD: How is your Monday going so far? Answer one of the prompts below to share more about your day!

📖 Reading I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai, which spent four weeks on the NYT bestseller's list so far! Bodie Kane's past is back to haunt her when she returns to her New Hampshire boarding school where her former roommate, Thalia, died. As a film professor and podcaster, Bodie is there to teach. When a student digs into the mysterious murder as a class assignment, Bodie gets tossed back to 1995, but is her memory entirely reliable? So far, this book is a page-turner for sure.

☕️ Drinking... Actually, I'm craving Turkish coffee at the moment, which seems random but is completely appropriate for Ramadan. Turkish coffee is made in small quantities, on a stovetop, and usually features cardamom for a more intense flavor. With a little brown sugar, it's *chef's kiss* perfect.

🍯 Eating... I was on the phone with my mother and grandmother yesterday, hearing them talk about breaking fast with lamb stuffed with warak dawali (grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice), which has left me in a mouth-watering, jealous state since. I can cook, but I don't have the skill or patience necessary to make THAT, so we're sticking with something far less complex; firecracker salmon and veggies. ...I'm still thinking about the lamb, tbh.

🎧Listening... to the House of Halliwell Charmed Rewatch (The House of Halliwell) podcast. Hello nostalgia.

📺 Watching... Finally got my gf to start watching 911 Lone Star, but she's squeamish so there are certain scenes watched between hands or fingers. We're almost done with our COMPLETE Doctor Who rewatch, which has been bittersweet.

✍️ Doing... Writing search engine optimized blog posts, searching for a job in book publishing (if you know of any companies accepting applications, DM me), and switching my office to a different room for a change of pace.

Your turn! Let me know what you're up to in the comments below! Have a wonderful week book bats, babes, and dragons!

[rowan-r-ridley]

can we know more about your jasico kids?

Sure~ first, we have Holly, she was adopted by jason and nico when she was 6. She was a little orphan girl daughter of Demeter, who was saved on a mission, and along the way Jason and Nico became very fond of her. She spent a few months in an orphanage in New Rome, until she was adopted. She's kind and sweet, and amazing with flowers and other plants, Demeter often visits her and likes the idea of one of her daughters staying "within the family." In "the present" she's 23.

secondly we have Bruno, a son of the goddess Khione, he was rescued by Piper on a mission too where she was engaged in a battle against Khione, the goddess was eliminated and only the baby in her womb was left, even though everyone thought Piper would adopt him she felt she couldn't take care of a baby yet. So Nico and Jason adopted him and he is constantly visited by his favourite aunt Piper. Hes very calm and cool, his hobby are hocky and figure skating. He has ice and snow powers. In the present he is 17.

Jason and Nico's biological children, twins, are one year younger than Bruno. Orpheus, who is actually named Niccolo like his father, was named "Orpheus" for mysterious reasons by Lady Juno, who gave him her blessing and favouritism because "he is identical to his daddy (Jason)" Despite this he was not claimed as her champion as everyone (especially his parents and his aunt Thalia) feared. He gets along with Anne Jackson and he's very close to Ethan Jackson, Percabeth children. He was very close to his twin until the age of 11, then they went their separate ways. He has underworld powers (to Lady Juno's disappointment, but she won't deny that he is strong) He's 16.

Theseus, who is actually named Alexander (as Jason's middle name according to headcanons), is the younger twin, was named to his regret "Theseus" by Lady Juno for whom his presence is annoying because he is the same as her aunt Thalia. He hates his name, because he hates the questionable actions of his namesake the original Theseus, and because his nonno Hades also hates the name and constantly mentions it. He shortens his name to simply "Thes" he doesn't like the name "Alex" he gets along with Ethan, but doesn't get along with Anne. His favourite aunt is Thalia who has a lot of influence on him. He is no longer close to his twin. He has the same power as Jason. He's 16.

Maria another biological daughter, named after her late nonna, is lady Juno's favorite and champion, she has a lot of weight on her shoulders because she has to meet her grandmother Juno's expectations (Maria is the only one lady Juno lets call her grandmother) she is a sweet girl and willing to make friends, but will not hesitate to swing a sword if her loved ones are in danger. She is very close to her brother Thes even though they always argue. Her best friend is Luke Jackson another son of Percabeth, with whom she shares birthday. She likes magic and is a self-appointed priestess of Circe. Her favorite aunts are Reyna and Hazel. She has the same powers as Jason. She's 14.

Leone, the penultimate biological son, is a serious and quiet boy and quite wise, so he wins the favoritism of Lady Athena. He is also the favorite of his nonno Hades because he is identical to his father (Nico). His uncle Percy Jackson is also very fond of him for the same reason, he reminds him of the little Nico he once knew. He can get a little arrogant from time to time because he is smarter than his older siblings, but most of the time he behaves like a normal, average kid. He has a fixation with tarot cards to divine the future of others. No one knows what powers he has, as he doesn't use them and has never shown any indication of anything. He's 12.

The last and smallest (and who I really thought a lot about adding or not) Bianca, or simply Bi (Bee), is the last biological daughter, she is kind of sickly and weak since she was born. She tends to have horrible nightmares and is always by her father Nico's side at all times. She doesn't like adventures and quests like her siblings, and prefers to sit with her father reading or playing cards with Leone. She is the only one of the Jasico children who is not as white as her siblings or her parents, has olive skin and no freckles, moles or dimples. Nonno Hades says it's because she looks more like her nonna Maria. Her aunt Thalia spoils her a lot and is her favorite. Lady Artemis often visits her for "mysterious reasons" that Nico doesn't like at all. No one knows what powers she has, as she doesn't use them and has never shown any indication of anything too. She's 10.

[ladyofvoss]

Thalia's family tree (Subject to change)

Selienos: Maternal grandfather. Family patriarch. Vizier of Commerce. Deceased post-ARR.

Thalla: Maternal grandmother. Thalia's namesake. Deceased during Thalia's childhood.

Seliene: Mother. Diplomat and current Vizier of Commerce.

Haru: Father. Doman refugee. Shipwrecked and ended up in Thanalan. Currently a 'privateer' and captain.

Narumi: Sister (triplet). Diplomat like mother. Born first. "Oldest"

Ibara: Sister (triplet). Scholar. Aspiring engineer? Born second. Second "Eldest"

Theodard: Uncle (maternal). Paladin. Youngest of her mother's siblings.

Esmond: Uncle (maternal). Mother's twin. Scholar.

Gisela: Aunt (by marriage). Wife of Esmond.

Eomer: Eldest cousin. Son of Esmond and Gisela. Diplomat.

Wilfred: Youngest cousin. Scholar. Son of Esmond and Gisela.

Catrine: Cousin (by marriage). Wife of Eomer

Eddard: "Nephew" (first cousin once removed). Son of Eomer and Catrine.

Dalla: "Niece" (first cousin once removed). Daughter of Eomer and Catrine

Otsumi: Grandmother (paternal). Pirate lord

Izumi: Aunt (paternal). Sister to Kaein. Pirate captain, serves under her mother

Hayate: Grandfather (paternal). Bard. Deceased.