#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: musing.

[pyredez]

tagged by: @crylamby <3 tagging: YOU. yall should do it so I can see it.

FIVE SONGS.

HOPELESS OPUS BY IMAGINE DRAGONS. I've got this place that I've filled with empty space / Oh, I'm trying not to face what I've done / My hopeless opus / I'm in this race, and I'm hoping just to place / Oh, I'm trying not to face what's become of me / My hopeless opus

FIRE DRILL BY MELANIE MARTINEZ. I've never fit into any category, always deemed an outcast / Since I was in Sunday school and all the cool kids said I was weird / It's exactly the same, they say, "Why do you dress that way? / Why do you act that way? Why don't you dress like me?" / So is that what you really wanna say to me?

JUST LIKE FIRE BY P!NK. Just like fire, burning up the way / If I can light the world up for just one day / Watch this madness, colorful charade / No one can be just like me anyway

LOW LIFE BY X AMBASSADORS. Now please tell me I'm broke / It's much easier that way, 'cause I just let you down / It's much easier that way / I'm nothing but a low life / Thinking about my own life / I can't help myself from falling

DANCE MONKEY BY TONES AND I. So they say / "Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh / I've never seen anybody do the things you do before" / They say, "Move for me, move for me, move for me, ay-ay / And when you're done, I'll make you do it all again"

FIVE QUOTES.

I. We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it. ― Tennessee Williams

II. I seek strength, not to be greater than other, but to fight my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself. ― P.C. Cast

III. I like unkempt; I don’t mind if I have holes in my jacket or whatever. I think people should look more the way they feel. — Chris Robinson

IV. The mechanic, when a wheel refuses to turn, never thinks of dropping on his knees and asking the assistance of some divine power. He knows there is a reason. He knows that something is too large or too small; that there is something wrong with his machine; and he goes to work and he makes it larger or smaller, here or there, until the wheel will turn. — Robert G. Ingersoll

V. Humor can make a serious difference. In the workplace, at home, in all areas of life – looking for a reason to laugh is necessary. A sense of humor helps us to get through the dull times, cope with the difficult times, enjoy the good times and manage the scary times. — Steve Goodier

[ohlympns]

tags 2.

[thealtoduck]

Being the Son of Calliope, headcanons…

PJO x Male Reader (No romantic pairing)

Warnings: None…

Summary: You’re the son of the goddesss of epic poetry and eloquence and One of the Nine Muses…

(A/n: I know I was meant to work on other stuff but I got distracted.)

(Song is unrelated to the story but it felt Muses coded so…)

——

You were the only half-blood at camp related to one of the Muses, specifically Calliope, the Goddesss of Epic Poetry and Eloquence.

When you had gotten to camp you used to stay in Cabin 11, even though you’d been claimed, there was no cabin for you. So you ended up bunking with Travis Stoll.

But after the war with the titans and Percy’s demands to Zeus to the gods, a cabin dedicated to the Nine Muses had been built.

You being made the counsler… not that there were any other options…

The cabin was great tho, it was decorated with statues and carvings of the muses and their symbols. There were paintings hung of their famous demigods too such as Orpheus, Hyacinthus and Linus

The cabin had a big book case with novels, plays, comedies, tradgedies, poetry. A soundproof dance studio, a soundproof music room with a bunch of instruments, a sky window to study the stars.

Basically everything associated with the Muses.

——

If you had a nickel for everytime someone had tried to pick you by saying ”you were their muse” or that ”you had inspired” the poem, song or novel they wrote… you’d be richer than Hades.

You were particullarly popular amongst the Apollo cabin who seemed to think you were some kind of key to overcome creative blocks. Will Solace, their counselor, needed to keep them in check since they all seemed interested in you in one way or the other.

Athena’s and Hephaestus’s cabins were also drawn to you for your creativety.

——

You would however end up being paired with the Apollo cabin to lead the campfire sing-alongs, you usually end up with a solo song telling the dramatic story of some greek hero.

Imagine something like ”The Gosphel Truth” from ”Hercules”, with the Apollo cabin acting as you back up singers.

——

As for your powers, you were far from the strongest of demigods, but you were by no means weak.

You had a natrual talent for the arts, singing, dancing, poetry, instruments, etc…

As the son of the goddess of Eloquence you could cast minor short lasting curses on people that would effect their speaking, that could for example cause them to only speak in rhymes and limericks or make them unable to finish long sentences before drifting off.

Your swordfighting style would be noted by the other campers to be quite different, while they fought normally with their swords, Percy described your style more as a ”VERY deadly and sharp dance”.

Being related to the muses you also had an aura that could induce inspiration and creativity in someone (so maybe the Apollo cabin was on to something with their interest in you).

Though that power worked both ways as you could also curse someone with creative block.

——

Unlike most demigods, you’re mother showed up quite often to advice you whenever you had a problem… and she didn’t come alone.

Let’s say you’re in your cabin and you’re sad after having an argument with a friend.

Well… then all the 9 statues of the Muses in the cabin come to life and start singing a pop-soul number about why friendship is important and you should make up with your friend.

It’s was quite terrifying the first few times it happened but you get used to it after a while.

Being one of the Muse’s son is pretty much like being all of their son.

(A/n 2: Sorry, this is shorter than i usually write and is more so a collection of small headcanons for a Son of Calliope!Reader than a full on fic.)

[tylermileslockett]

HEPHAESTUS

  “Sing, clear-voiced Muse, of Hephaestus famed for inventions. With bright-eyed Athena he taught men glorious crafts throughout the world, —men who before used to dwell in caves in the mountains like wild beasts. But now that they have learned crafts through Hephaestus the famed worker, easily they live a peaceful life in their own houses the whole year round.”  (-Homeric Hymn, translated by H.G. Evelyn white)

HEPHAESTUS, (huh-FAY-stus) is the God of weapon smithing, craftsmanship, and fire. Born with a lame leg, and described as ugly, he presents a much humbler appearance than his more majestic siblings. But he shines in the ingenuity department, crafting marvelous weapons, tools, and traps with his sacred objects; his golden hammer and tongs. I took an artist’s liberty; portraying him with vibrant red hair and beard to reflect his connection with fire, while his skin is pale purple from long hours within his cave forge.

The many golden, forged objects within the image appear in a variety of myths. Let’s begin with the item he hammers; the armor of Achilles. In the Iliad, Achilles pleads with his Nereid mother, Thetis, for new armor. We can see her in the pool in the lower right, waiting for the armor as she sits upon a hippocampusi.  Looking to the background, the throne was made for Hera as a trick, trapping her in the seat. The female figure above is Pandora, the first woman, made upon Zeus’ orders. Beside her are the winged helmet and sandals of Hermes. Above is the chariot of apollo. And at the very top is the golden net which trapped Hephaestus’ wife, Aphrodite, in bed with her elicit lover, Ares. 

Although Hephaestus doesn’t terrorize mortals like some of his more vengeful siblings, one scandalous myth has him chasing Athena in lust, and ejaculating on her thigh when the rape attempt fails. When Athena wipes the seed onto the earth, a son, Erichthonious, is born and later becomes an early king of Athens.

Want to own my Illustrated Greek myth book jam packed with over 130 illustrations like this? Support my book kickstarter "Lockett Illustrated: Greek Gods and Heroes" coming in early 2024. check my bio LINKTREE

[arrowheadedbitch]

Okay, I've been discussing ideas about a PJO Psych crossover and it is now time to share my findings

Okay, so once upon a time Henry Spencer met a woman who when posing as a mortal went by the name Madeleine but she was actually a goddess, they had a kid, she was a minor goddess, so she was able to stay for a while, but eventually she left.

Yes, of COURSE Shawn thinks it's his Dad's fault

The goddess was Mnemosyne, the Greek goddess of MEMORY and the mother of the muses (works perfectly, right??!??!?!)

And Gus is his Satyr protector!!!

Henry does all the same training with Shawn to be a cop and such

Shawn gets his eidetic memory from his mother, the goddess of memory

I've also decided he gets taskmaster powers (can do anything he sees from memory) because that fucks hard

Shawn gets the record of fastest kid to get claimed as his mother officially claims him before he even leaves for camp

Here's her symbol by the way!

Anyway, when Shawn gets to camp, he's a total little shit

At first, the other campers think he's just not being claimed, depending on how you work the timeline here? Percy is pissed

Then Gus and Shawn explain that he actually got claimed before he even showed up (Percy vows to personally thank his godly parent for being an actually decent person)

So, they ask who it is, and Shawn WILL NOT TELL THEM

Why? Because it's funner that way!

They have an ongoing tally and betting pool of who his godly parent is, no one guesses it

He also keeps sneaking Mr D alcohol because it's funny and no one but Dionysus is happy about that

Gus is still his best friend that he drags into things, obv, they probably end up soul bound just like percy and grover

Juliet is a child of Athena

Lassie is a child of Ares and if your going by the show there's a super funny joke about how he looks exactly like Hephaestus but is the son of the guy he hates most, haha

Shawn KILLS at capture the flag

No one believes him when he says he doesn't have charm speak

Instead of becoming a SB Psychic, he ends up being this crime solving traveling cryptid (he's gotta keep moving bc monsters) (dont worry, he still visits camp pretty often and likes to drop by Santa Barbara to solve crimes and piss off his dad)

There was also a lengthy convo about each gods opinion of him of any of you wanna hear that

Shawn is the muse of doing weird shit

Also art lover shawn 🔛🔝, he's got plenty of muse talent, yall

Instead of pretending to be a psychic, he's pretending to NOT be muse adjacent

And now, a list of Gods people keep guessing for Shawn

Dionysus, Hermes, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Hecate

And finally, gay people real???

As you can see, we mostly talked about Shawn lol

[mythology-freaky-lady]

ATHENA

Athena, in Roman mythology known as Minerva, was a daughter of Zeus and Metis (Oceanid of good thoughts).

Patronage, symbols and epithets

Athena was a goddess of wisdom, fair war, warfare, crafts, intelligence, warcraft, strategy, protector and mentor of heroes and patron of the Athens

She was associated with owls, snakes and sometimes horses, olive tree. On ancient paintings and vases she was pictured with a spear, helmet, armor, Aegis (shield with Medusa's head) and chariot.

The epithets that were used to describe were:

Pallas (young woman or brandish) - connected with a friend Athena had while training with Amazons (in other sources they were childhood friends)

Glaukopis (bright eye) - connected with the owl that represented Athena

Parthenos (virgin)

Polias (of the city)

Hippia (of the horses) - connected with her creating bit, bridle and saddle

Family

Athena's father was Zeus and her mother was Metis. Due to those two, her sibling-uncle-aunt-cousin list was very long.

Zeus had many children so from his side it would look like this:

Siblings from Zeus's side: Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Hebe, Hermes, Dionysus, Muses, Horae, Charities, Persephone, Eileithyia, Heracles and many more

Aunts/uncles from Zeus's side: Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon

In some sources, it's said that Metis also had a son, Porus. That makes him Athena's brother.

Siblings from Metis's side: Porus

Aunts/uncles from Metis's side: 49 Oceanides, Potamol

Children

Even though it's said that Athena was a virgin goddess, which is true BUT.....she was raped, by her own brother, Hephaestus.

When he let Athena out of Zeus's head, he immediately fell for her. He asked the father to let him marry her but Zeus was clever enough to notice that Athena, his favourite daughter, was very disgusted by Hephaestus and he said 'no'. God of Fire was very sad about that but he didn't give up. Whenever he could, he would try to seduce the Goddess of Wisdom. Athen was saying 'no' every time. One time, when she visited Hephaestus in his forge to request some weapon, he tried again. She stood high and left but he followed her and tried to rape her. She pushed him off but a bit of his semen fell on her skin. (In "Percy Jackson's Greek Gods" it's said that Hephaestus wiped his nose in her dress.) Athena wiped the fluids with a scrap of wool and threw it down on the Earth. That's how Erichthonius, future ruler of Athens was born.

Birth

Zeus, threatened by Kronos's words about the King's child taking his throne, decided to swallow pregnant Metis to get rid of the 'problem'. But, as an Oceanid of good thoughts, Metis gave birth to Athena then turned herself into a thought and moved into Zeus's head then somehow left. Baby Athena followed Metis's steps and travelled to King's head, where she grew up and became a big, annoying headache. Zeus, tired from the pain, asked his son, Hephaestus, to open his skull to see what was wrong. He listened and how surprised everyone was when a fully armored goddess jumped out of Zeus's head.

Myths

1. Arachne

Arachne was a Libyan princess who was saying that her weaving was better than Athena's. The goddess was pissed and accepted Arachne's challenge. Unluckily for Arachne, Athena couldn't find any flaw in the princess's work so she destroyed her work in anger. Arachne was so ashamed that she hung herself. Athena then turned her into a spider and let her weave for the rest of her life.

2. Medusa

Medusa, one of the three Gorgons, was a very beautiful woman, some say she was an Athena's temple maiden. One day, after the competition between Athena and Poseidon about patronage over Athens, Sea God was so angry at his nephew, that he decided to make her feel the same. So with his natural flirt going, he approached Medusa and started to mess around. After some time he led unaware Medusa to Athena's temple that she was working at and started to indicate a sexual act. She was very opposed to that, that was Athena's sacred place and she knew that it was risky. Poseidon was pressuring her, saying that Athena was busy and she wouldn't mind or so. Still, she didn't agree to anything, as many may agree, she was raped. Athena, who wasn't so busy, saw what was happening in her temple. Blinded with anger, she turned Medusa into a monster we know her as, the woman with snakes on her head and the eyes that turn into a stone. But was it really Medusa's fault?

3. Athens

Poseidon and Athena were rather enemies when it comes to patronage over the city. They both wanted to be patrons of Athens so they set a contest. Who will give the best gift to the city? Poseidon gave the city salt water and horses, Athena gave them an olive tree. Well, Athenians chose the tree. That's how she got the patronage.

Those are just a few myths with Athena in them, I can provide a little more if you're interested.

Art

Credit to the artists (IrenHorrors on DeviantArt, two others I couldn't find the author)

Author's talking

Hello! I decided to start with my favourite goddess and my protector as a pagan.

I hope you like my work here, if you have any questions, advice or want to say anything, just let me know or say so.

If you want to see any specific god, goddess, creature or deity, just let me know, either in the comments, anon asks or DMs.

Have fun!

[greekmocha]

Well, timelines are confusing in Greek mythology. Very confusing. So written down how I’m doing the children of Zeus order for my fics I do in the future, possible that I missed some:

CHILDREN OF ZEUS.

ORDER OF SIBLINGS:

1. Eunomia, Dike, Eirene (The Horae) (Daughters of Zeus and Themis)

2. Algaea, Euphrosyne, Thalia (The charites) (Daughters of Zeus and Eurynome)

3. Persephone (Goddess of Vegetation and spring) Daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Figured she’d be born before most of them since it seemed like Demeter and Zeus’s romance was before Hera’s marriage?)

4. Clio, Euterpe, Thaleia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia, Urania, Calilope (The muses) (Daughters of Mynemosyne)

5. Eileithyia (Goddess of childbirth) (Daughter of Zeus and Hera)

6. Ares or Hephaestus (Son of Zeus and Hera, or technically just her, depends which myth version. Always thought of Ares being the eldest son, due to some myths and the timing of them, it just fit.)

7. Ares or Hephaestus, if going by the myth where Hephaestus was thrown off the mountain at birth, then he’d be younger then Ares + Athena. Confusing times.

8. Eris (Ares’ twin sister. Goddess of Discord and Strife) (Daughter of Zeus and Hera)

9. Athena (Goddess of Wisdom, Tactics, Strategy and war) (Daughter of Zeus and Metis)

10. Artemis (Goddess of the Hunt, Archery, Wild Forests, Wilderness, Virginity, and childbirth.) (Daughter of Zeus and Leto)

11. Apollon (God of Logic, Truth, Science, Prophecy, Oracles, Archery, Music, Poetry, Plagues, Healing, Medicine) (Son of Zeus and Leto)

12. Hermes (God of boundaries, roads and travelers, commerce, thieves, athletes, and shepherds) (Son of Zeus and Maia)

13. Hebe (Goddess of Youth) (Daughter of Zeus and Hera)

14. The Kentauroi Krypoi (Tribe of centaurs) (Sons of Zeus and Gaia when he shot his seed on the ground)

15. Melinoe (Goddess of Ghosts) (Daughter of Zeus and Persephone)

16. Dionysus (God of Wine, Revelry, etc) (Son of Zeus and Semele)

17. Ersa (Goddess of Dew) (Daughter of Zeus and Selene)

18. Nemea (minor goddess nymph) (Daughter of Zeus and Selene)

19. Pandeia (Minor goddess nymph) (Daughter of Zeus and Selene)

20. Kairos (God of Opportunity) (Son of Zeus)

21. Many mortal children (LIKE A FUCK TON, probably 30-50.)

[kristenwell]

My Muse – Leo Valdez x Male!Apollo!Reader

(finals are over at last, Dobby is free 😭)

Part 2

Y/N looked at the sketch in his hands. As the son of the arts god he was naturally a very skilled artist. Lately only one person has been able to inspire him to draw: Leo Valdez.

The son of Hephaestus has managed to steal his heart even if he wasn’t the usual go-to crush for most people. Leo was short, scrawny, flirty and had an unusual sense of humor. Y/N couldn’t help but fall for the little rascal anyway.

The son of Apollo slowly finished his sketch of him. The drawing depicted him smiling with a hint of blush.

Just a few days ago his brother, Will Solace, caught him in the act. There was only so much privacy you can get while in your cabin.

Y/N felt a presence behind his shoulder but before he could close his sketchbook his older brother shoved his face in the drawing.

„I knew you have a crush on Leo but I had no idea it was this bad.“ Will shook his head and chuckled.

The younger male slammed his sketchbook shut with an embarassed look on his face. He pushed Will’s face away from his personal space.

„Would you stop grinning? I don’t like him like that, we’re just friends nothing more.“ He was aware that lying to him was futile. First, he’s a bad liar and second, the two brothers are way too close and both of them knew something was up.

Will raised his eyebrow and took a seat next to him.

„You should confess to him, you know? It’s really tiring watching you two simp for each other when you think no one’s looking. Give him the drawings, it would be romantic.“ He suggests.

„Uh, yeah and have him thinking I’m some sort of creep? Forget it.“ Y/N made his way over to his desktop and sighed. His brother was right, but confessing your feelings to your friend is easier said than done.

„I think he’s aware of that.“ Will let out a laugh. „but seriously, everyone knows you’re into each other besides you two.“

He noticed his little brother’s lack of answer.

„You’ll figure it out, bro, one way or another.“

Y/N shuddered at the memory, the last thing he needed was his nosy siblings‘ love advice (he loves them to death), if he wanted it he would’ve gone to the Aphrodite cabin.

He got up from his seat and started heading toward his cabin before a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

„Yo, wait up!“

He turned around just in time to see a certain short latino running his way. Leo stopped infront of him with a grin.

„Just the person I was looking for.“ He was slightly out of breath, seems he ran for a while before he reached him. His curly hair was messy and his clothes and face were stained with oil and dirt which fortunately failed to cover his pretty features.

„Looking for me? What do you need , Leo?“  Y/N observed the shorter male before him momentarily.

„I wanted to tell you that I’ve already fixed your bow that Will brought last night.“

„Did he now?“ The son of Apollo turned around to meet his brother’s devilish smirk. He had the audacity to smile innocently too. „of course he did.“

Y/N turned back to Leo and smiled at him awkwardly.

„Thank you, I don’t know what would I do without you.“ He chuckled nervously , he tried to think of something else to say but his brain was fried from Leo’s presence alone. So naturally he failed to catch his reply.

„-over to Bunker 9 when you’re finished, okay?“ He sent him a cute little smile.

Before Y/N could ask him he was already on his way to the Bunker.

In the evening

Leo was sitting at his table, his latest project has really been straining him. A sudden noise disrupted his concentration.

Swoosh

He turned around just in time to see a slip of paper near his door. He got up and approached it, picking it up. He examined the paper and turned it around: a very detailed portait of him.

Leo could feel his face heating up and a smile crept on his face. He went back to his table as he folded the drawing carefully.

Neither he nor Y/N were aware that they were now a part of a certain friend group’s plan to make them both confess.

[lmaowatermelon]

Valdangelo Wedding Planning (fic excerpt)

Chaotic wedding planning from an unfinished fic (sharing on tumblr so I don't flood the archive tag)

Just really liked this part, enjoy!

“We are not calling our wedding ‘Hellfire.’” Nico di Angelo said with disapproval.

Leo Valdez sighed and raised his hands in mock frustration. He was sitting at their kitchen table with a laptop open to the New Rome wedding planner website. Nico thought that maybe, just maybe, the planning part of the event would go smoothly with the help of the internet, which wasn’t available when he was younger (alas, he was wrong).

“We need some pizzazz! It’s like a prom theme, you know, to stir up some hype for the big day,” Leo explained.

“Do we really need a big theme?” Nico countered. “Isn’t it fine to just marry you? That’s… already more than I could ask for.”

Leo gazed right at his future husband. He cupped Nico’s cheek with a gentle hand, one that was so warm that the son of Hades melted into his touch. They both understood what Nico meant without words: how he couldn’t have imagined a legal marriage with another man back in the 1930s. Something so simple was already a blessing.

“Okay, okay, no need for a fancy theme. But our guests will still expect some sort of color palette and flowers, that kind of stuff. How about we start there?” Leo offered.

Nico almost nodded in relief, but he would’ve reacted too soon. Leo immediately pulled up a list of poisonous plants to include in the decorations.

“If we just put them far enough away from the guests…” the son of Hephaestus whispered, an evil grin on his face.

Nico leaned over to glance at Leo’s search result. “Belladonna?”

Leo relished in the sudden close contact. He felt some of Nico’s anxiety and stiffness leave his bones when their hands intertwined on their laps. Still, he was feeling mischievous, and he opened up a field of images of the plant in question.

“Neeks, this is the perfect decor for the ceremony. I’m thinking plum, wine red, maybe some gold, and we can throw in some treatable skin rashes for the one unfortunate guest who touches the berries.”

Nico narrowed his eyes and swatted at Leo’s cheek without any force. “You’re not putting rash-inducing plants in the reception room. But we can put fake ones in there if you like them.”

”I like,” Leo said as he pointed finger guns at his fiancé, “how you think, love of my life.”

Nico grinned wider than he had that entire day. The son of Hades could only pretend to be fed up with his partner for so long. He thought Leo’s silliness was comforting when it was coming from a sincere place, and anyway, Leo nailed the color suggestions. But the son of Hephaestus also toned down his jokes regardless when he opened up the page of RSVPs. The sight of all their friends’ names on the ‘going’ list silenced them both for a long while.

“Everyone said yes,” Nico breathed, musing over the columns of text.

Leo squeezed Nico’s hand and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Nico laughed, so soft and small that it was barely noticeable and no less beautiful than a summer breeze.

“Who wouldn’t want to see you glowing on your wedding day? You’re gorgeous,” Leo stated with every bit of seriousness in his bones. “You deserve to be celebrated, Neeks.”

“No, you,” Nico insisted, his face flushed red.

“No, no, I insist,” Leo replied. “Seriously.”

“What a coincidence, I’m serious too. You’re hot. Literally.”

Leo lit a small fire in his palm and moved in to kiss Nico on the forehead. Nico’s rare laugh erupted with happiness from his throat, and Leo stared at him in adoration before he reached out and ran a loving thumb over Nico’s hair, then the corner of his eyes, then his cheek, chin, and lips. The son of Hades stayed still through it all and watched his partner with equal amounts of affection.

“I’m glad I get to marry you, ghost boy,” Leo breathed against Nico’s hair. “I finally feel like I’ve done something right.”

[rosesradio]

For the halloween prompt, heres something i was going to do but got to lazy

So basically, there's a killer at CHB, and everyone thinks it's Nico except his boyfriend (whoever you want it to be) but his boyfriend betrays him and is revealed to be the killer

here you go, warning for general darkfic/suggestive content <33

A soft, tell-tale humming sounded through the trees. Flickering flames.

The scraping of a knife against wood.

Just the other day, Nico thought, Leo never would have caused harm to the nymphs. He had a soft spot for them, always chatting with them as he made his way to the Bunker.

Just the other day was a lifetime ago.

Nico curled in on himself, breath catching in his throat. He trembled where he sat, leaning against the tree that was quickly fading out of existence. The son of Hades could hardly blame her for trying to hide, trying to escape.

Nico was trying to do the exact same thing.

Truth be told, he could have ran farther. If his shadow travel wasn't hindered by his stupid overwhelming anxiety, he could have gotten away.

But he couldn't. Orpheus loved Eurydice, so he looked back. Nico loved Leo, so he stayed. He stayed in spite of what he knew.

"Gotcha, sweetheart!" Leo cooed, scraping around the tree with his large butcher knife just as it completely faded away. He pouted, wiping away green nymph blood on his sleeve. "I never was very good with women," he grinned, eyes lighting up maniacally as he picked Nico up by the sleeve, throwing him against another nearby tree. "But I'm happier playing with you instead…"

Nico coughed as his back hit the hard wood, the air temporarily knocked from his lungs. He whimpered as Leo approached closer, fumbling for his sword, but…he couldn't do it. It all felt like one big game. Any minute now, Leo would snap out of this—his gaze would be soft, his words concerning as he asked Nico if he was okay. Leo would do anything to take care of his boyfriend, to make him laugh and feel better.

But that didn't happen.

Because Nico knew his secret, and he would die with it.

"I don't appreciate how ungrateful you've been," Leo mused, pinning Nico to the tree. A hand wrapped around his throat. He didn't apply any pressure, though the threat was there. Nico stayed deadly still, his face flushing, his breathing heavier.

"I'm supposed to take care of you, muñeco," Leo continued. Underneath his eyes was dark—too many sleepless nights in the Bunker, concocting inventions once used for good.

Nico had seen the contents since. The son of Hephaestus had succumbed to a sick darkness inside of him, creating machines of torture like the world had never seen.

"You and I both know Will was getting too close to you," Leo explained. "He was playing with fire and he knew it, always flaunting around like he'd take you from me at any minute. He was dangerous. And I know you're mad at me, but…" he twirled his knife expertly between his fingers in his free hand, batting his lashes almost innocently at Nico. "When I was innocently going through his things and found a pair of your underwear, well…I had to do something. He couldn't just get away with something like that, sweetheart…"

Nico's lower lip trembled. His eyes stung.

"There were other things you could have done," Nico managed hoarsely. "Other things I could have done…"

Leo hummed, mockingly contemplating the idea before shaking his head. "I don't think so, Neeks. But it doesn't have to end this way. Stay with me! My machines, your power over the dead…we'd be the most powerful lovers in the world…" he leaned in, kissing Nico's cheek. He moved his lips down to his neck, the feeling soft and warm against the cold.

It was familiar. So painstakingly familair, it made Nico's heart ache.

He had lost his mind…but perhaps Nico could help him find it. Roadblocks happened in relationships all the time—what was a little murder when compared to Thanksgiving with the in-laws?

Nico loved him. Leo would surely be sent to the Fields of Punishment, but perhaps Nico loved him enough to follow him there.

[coinandcandle]

Dionysus Deity Guide

Content warning: Dionysus is linked heavily with sexuality and sexual themes will be prevalent throughout this post.

Who is Dionysus?

Also spelled “Dionysos”, he is the Greek god of wine, ecstasy, and theatre to name a few of his areas of expertise. He was later adopted by the Romans who referred to him as Bacchus. Dionysus was known as being “twice born” due to the story of his birth(s).

The story of Dionysus’ birth is a tragedy, beginning his life with his mother’s death. The story goes that Hera caught wind of Semele’s pregnancy with Zeus’ child and convinced her to ask Zeus to show her his true godly form in order to prove that he really was Zeus. This true form was too much for a mortal to handle and Semele was consumed by fire—or the heat Zeus’ lightning bolts. Not wanting his child to die with her, Zeus sewed Dionysus into his own thigh (thought to mean his testicles).

Parents and Siblings

Zeus (Father)

Semele (Mother)

Demeter (Mother, at times)

Persephone (Mother in Orphic mythos)

Siblings

Aeacus

Angelos

Apollo

Ares

Artemis

Athena

Eileithyia

Enyo

Eris

Ersa

Hebe

Helen of Troy

Hephaestus

Heracles

Hermes

Minos

Pandia

Persephone

Perseus

Rhadamanthus

Tantalus

the Graces

the Horae

the Litae

the Muses

the Moirai

Lovers or Partners

Ariadne (Wife/Consort)

Aphrodite

Aura

Beroe

Cronois

Nicaea

Althaea

Erigone

Pellene

Physcoa

Ampelus

Polymnus or Hyplipnus

Children

HYMENAIOS/Hymenaeus (Son)

IAKKHOS (Iacchus) (Son)

METHE (Daughter)

PASITHEA (Daughter)

PRIAPOS/Priapus (Son)

SABAZIOS/Sabazius (Son)

TELETE (Daughter)

THYSA (Daughter)

DEIANEIRA (Daughter)

EURYMEDON (Son)

KERAMOS/Ceramus (Son)

NARKAIOS/Narcaeus (Son)

OINOPION/Oenopion (Son)

PEPARETHOS/Peparethus (Son)

PHANOS (Son)

PHLIASOS or PHLIAS (Son)

STAPHYLOS/Staphylus (Son)

THOAS

Epithets

Note: Dionysus has many epithets and to create a list of all of them would make this post WAY too long so I’ve added as many as I could while retaining a good length for the post. :,>

Dionysus Eleutherios ("the liberator")

Acratophorus, Ἀκρατοφόρος ("giver of unmixed wine"), at Phigaleia in Arcadia

Acroreites at Sicyon

Androgynos Ἀνδρόγυνος (androgynous, specifically in intercourse) referring to the god taking both an active male and a passive female role.

Bassareus, Βασσαρεύς a Thracian name for Dionysus, which derives from bassaris or "fox-skin", which item was worn by his cultists in their mysteries.

Braetes, Βραίτης ("related to beer") at Thrace

Cistophorus Κιστοφόρος ("basket-bearer, ivy-bearer"), Alludes To baskets being sacred to the god.

Dimetor Διμήτωρ ("twice-born") Refers to Dionysus's two births.

Dendrites Δενδρίτης ("he of the trees"), as a fertility god.

Enorches ("with balls"), with reference to his fertility, or "in the testicles" in reference to Zeus' sewing the baby Dionysus "into his thigh", understood to mean his testicles). Used in Samos and Lesbos.

Iacchus, Ἴακχος a possible epithet of Dionysus, associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries. In Eleusis, he is known as a son of Zeus and Demeter. The name "Iacchus" may come from the Ιακχος (Iakchos), a hymn sung in honor of Dionysus.

Lenaius, Ληναῖος ("god of the wine-press")

Phleus ("related to the bloοm of a plant").

Pseudanor Ψευδάνωρ (literally "false man", referring to his feminine qualities), in Macedonia.

Tauros, Ταῦρος ("a bull"), occurs as a surname of Dionysus.

(Wiki)

Notes

Dionysus may have been worshipped as early as c. 1500–1100 BC by Mycenaean Greeks.

After birth Dionysus was said to have been sent to be cared for by Nymphs at Mount Nysa, the identities of these Nymphs varies by source.

His wife, Ariadne, was abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos. In some myths she is slain and/or ascends to immortality to live with her husband on Mt. Olympus.

Once he was an adult, Dionysus traveled to the underworld to bring his mother back with him to Olympus where it’s said that Zeus then turned her into the goddess Thyone—Goddess of the Bacchic frenzy that his female followers experience.

Dionysus is regularly found with groups of satyrs and maenads.

Another name the Greeks had for Dionysus was Bacchus, this was the name the Romans would later adopt for the god. Bacchus means “the noisy or riotous god”, fitting for this buck-wild deity! (Said with affection, of course.)

Along with wine, ecstasy, and theatre, Dionysus was known as a god of vegetation, madness, and frenzy along with quite a few other specializations.

Once a group of pirates kidnapped Dionysus who planned to sell him as a slave (or other unsavory things, depending on the myth); he overran their boat with creeping vines and beasts, and caused the men to go insane, then turned them into dolphins as they jumped overboard.

Dionysus has been depicted in many ways over time but two prevalent depictions are either him as an androgynous youth or an old, bearded man.

Apparently Dionysus hates owls; rather he hates the “sight of an owl” (Theoi)

As Bacchus he was commonly depicted as having ram or bull horns.

Dionysus had many cults throughout the ancient world including not just Greece, but in Scythia, Eastern Europe, Libya, North Africa and Gaul, Southern France as well.

Modern Deity Work

Correspondences

These are not all historically accurate. Anything that has a background in ancient tradition will be marked with a (T).

Rocks/Stone/Crystals

Grape Agate

Amethyst (it was believed that this stone could protect you from drunkenness)

Antimony

Gold

Garnet

Ruby

Herbs/Plants

Pinecone & Pine tree (due to his staff being tipped with a pinecone) (T)

Grapes/grapevines (T)

Ivy (T)

Asphodel (T)

Animals

Leopard or Panther

Tiger

Bull

Serpent

Dolphins (T)

Fawns (his followers were said to wear fawn-skins)

Important Dates

Dionysia

Haloa

Ascolia

Lenaia

Bacchanalia

Offerings

Wine (T)

Objects or imagery of the aforementioned items and animals

Fruit or fruit salad

Honey

Beer

Acts of Devotion

Go buck-wild (half joking here)

Dance

Host festivities

Sing

Attend, write, or act in a play (T)

Sign, create, or recite Hymns to Dionysus (T)

Protect or be an ally for queer, androgynous, and gender non-conforming folks

Dress up in costumes

Make a mask for him (T)

Have sex or solo sex

As the god of comedy he'd also probably enjoy stand-up comedians just sayin

Be yourself!! Dionysus is especially known to love on outcasts.

All in all, how you interact with a deity is up to you, these are simply a few suggestions for you based on my readings!

References and Further Reading

Dionysus - Britannica

Dionysus - Wikipedia

Dionysos - Theoi

The Bacchae - Ancient-Literature

The Masque of Dionysus by Helene P. Foley

The Frogs - Aristophanes (wiki summary, but there are free pdfs of the translated story!)

Misc Myths: Dionysus - Overly Sarcastic Productions

Ecstasy and Possession: The Attraction of the Women to the Cult of Dionysus

Cult of Dionysos - Theoi

[pyredez]

tags.

[apollosgiftofprophecy]

Going through your Olympian relationship headcanons is very fun and I absolutely agree with pretty much all of it but it does paint a hilarious picture of Olympus being one big competition of who gets the most Apollo Time. Made extra funny by this stance being at least kind of supported in the general canon of Greek myth, at least to my limited knowledge

It's so funny how like. you can argue Apollo is the favorite of everyone.

favorite brother. favorite nephew. favorite stepchild. favorite son.

i can argue for each and every one of these^

and yeah, there's even some support from the mythology itself! I mean, Apollo in the mythology is Zeus's favorite son. We can infer he's Hera's favorite stepchild because of his damn fine hair. He's literally buddies with Hermes and Dionysus, and gets along quite well with Ares and Athena - and Hephaestus also made his bow and arrows for him! When he was a baby!

This boy be SPOILED <3

oh and OBVIOUSLY he's Artemis's favorite Of All Time. People who write/say the twins don't get along you are WRONG they have KILLED FOR EACH OTHER and they throw some damn good parties at Delphi with the Muses and rock out <3

no i am not making that up it's in Artemis's Homeric Hymn.

I love Apollo and his family <3 Mythology or RRverse, I love it either way.

[unseentravler]

BTVS Percy Jackson AU Characters

Buffy Summers - Daughter of Aries, for obvious reasons. Came to camp when she was 13 and is not a year rounder. She has a 1/2 sister who is mortal ( Dawn) and has a good relationship with her mom.

Willow Rosenberg- Daughter of Hecate, again for obvious reasons. Came to camp when she was twelve with her best friend Xander. She is technically not a year rounder, but her parents never noticed when she's not home.

Alexander 'Xander' Harris - Son of Hephaestus, because of the whole carpenter thing. He and Willow were best friends before they found out they were demigods, and they came to camp together. He is a year rounder and is perfectly happy with that.

Liam 'Angel' O'Connor - Son of Hades, and actually came to camp rather late at the age of 14 and is now one of the oldest campers still at camp. Got the nickname angel because all the girls at camp thought he He looked like a dark angel.

William 'Spike' Pratt- Son of Aphrodite, Been at camps since he was 9. He has survived 3 separate quests and has quite the reputation around camp as a lady's man, but he is currently dating Drusilla. Got the nickname spike after killing a cyclops with a railroad spike.

Drusilla Keeble - Daughter of Apollo, because of her prophecies. Came to camp when she was 11. A bit out of her mind after a bad encounter on a quest when she was younger.

Rupert Giles - Son of Athena, he is technically retired but helps out around camp when during the summer. He is one of the few demigods that lived past 20, so he has a lot of experience and helps train the younger generation.

Daniel 'Oz' Osbourne - Son of Euterpe Muses of Music. Got to camp the same year as Willow and Xander, but he was a year older and arrived a few months earlier. He has gone on one quest and had a nasty encounter with Lycaon.

Faith Lehane - Daughter of Aries, So Buffy's half-sister. Arrived at camp the year after Buffy after being on the run for about a year and seeing her sader guide killed in front of her.

Cordelia Chase - A clear cited mortal who has the potential to become the next Oracle of Delphi. She was friends with Buffy before Buffy came to camp and was one of the only people who believed Buffy when she told them that monsters were attacking her.

Anyanka 'Anya' - A wind spirit that's been alive for a very long time. She likes to hang around camp because for a brief time in the 70s, she was human. She likes to occasionally help demigods on quests, but always an exchange for a favor.

Jenny Calendar - A clear cited mortal, who is a devoted of Hecate. She's friends with Giles ( maybe more) and sometimes comes to camp with him to help teach.

Robin Wood - A Roman legacy of Mars. He is a centurion of the fourth cohort. His mother died on battlefield.

Darla Jones - Daughter of Nemesis, just going off vibes. She's around the same age as angel but arrived at camp when she was 11. They've gone on several quests together.

Terra McClay- A mortal girl who, while running away from her family, got stuck on Circe's island. She was there for a long time until a quest found her as she was brought back to camp half blood.

[godsofhumanity]

Do you think you can elaborate on your HCs about Dionysus being Zeus’ heir? How do they and the other Olympians feel about it? When would the transition of power happen?

hulloooo!!!!!!!!!!! yes i can! i have a lot of things to say, so i am dividing the hc's into sections so that it is easy to read. i also have added colour to some names-- it doesn't mean anything, i just thought it would be easier to read!

👑 BASIS IN LORE FOR DIONYSUS BEING HEIR

so Lore doesn't actually say that Dionysus was Zeus' heir, just that Zeus brought him into the world to bring laughter and joy and whatever.

HOWEVER. you may be familiar with a little guy known as Zagreus! Zagreus is considered to be the son of Zeus and Persephone (ew! this is 100% Zeus at his absolute lowest btw) and Zagreus was often conflated with Dionysus. Orphic mysteries say that Zagreus was the first incarnation of Dionysus-- Dionysus was Zagreus reincarnated because Zagreus was killed by the Titans.

now. according to Wikipedia (bad source, i know, but i couldn't find much more on where this statement came from), Zagreus was meant to be Zeus' heir.

in Nonnus' Dionysiaca, 6, 168:

"By this marriage with [Zeus,] Persephone... bore Zagreus the horned baby, who by himself climbed upon the heavenly throne of Zeus and brandished lightning in his little hand, and newly born, lifted and carried the thunderbolts in his tender fingers."

from memory, i don't think any other god actually sits on Zeus' own throne OR wields lightning, so i take this to mean that Zagreus was meant to be Zeus' heir, and by the connection between Zagreus and Dionysus, I am hc-ing Dionysus to be Zeus' heir.

now. even if this isn't true by Lore, i think Dionysus is the only suitable option for the throne.

🍇 WHY DIONYSUS IS THE MOST SUITABLE

from the elder Olympians: Hades and Poseidon are already kings of their own domain so i don't think they'd reach out to get Heaven as well. Hestia has too much of a passive role in myth to be a ruler. Demeter has never been shown to care much for the affairs of Olympus. Hera COULD be, but i cannot see her rallying the support of everyone given her history of vindictiveness. and that's the older generation completely ruled out.

from the younger Olympians: Ares, like his mother, would be unable to garner support from everyone and is also too brash. Artemis does not care enough for the affairs of Olympus to rule-- she is quite cold and has been demonstrated in Lore to prefer the wilderness and her own group of girls to the rest of the Olympians. Apollo is said to remain unwed because he could not choose a wife from amongst the Muses; this demonstrates indecisiveness to me which is not a useful trait for a king. furthermore, Apollo often laments his decisions/mistakes which shows weakness, which is also not a useful trait for a king. thirdly, i simply do not see Apollo as having enough ambition for the position-- he would lose his freedom. Hephaestus is too busy with his craft to rule. Hermes is too mischievous and going from Messenger to King doesn't really make sense logically. Aphrodite, too chaotic and has never demonstrated potential to rule.

that leaves Athena. i think she COULD BE. but i think she is quite arrogant and unwilling to compromise which would make her a very difficult queen. i think she would make enemies quite easily. also, i hc her to have no desire to rule-- i think she would like the independence to pursue her own whims, and being Queen would take this freedom from her.

Dionysus, on the other hand, has a distinct advantage to me-- he began life as a man. i know he had divine blood, but his MOTHER was mortal... Dionysus is the ONLY god who is required to undergo "trials" to prove his divinity.

everyone else is divine by birth, but Dionysus must EARN his place in Olympus by living amongst men first.. and it's CHALLENGING. he is undermined by mere mortals on countless occasions.

now. i do not actually like Dionysus as he is presented in Lore... but evidently, Zeus thought him worthy after all his years on earth and granted him the golden tickets to Olympus, so i think that counts for something.

in my personal hc's for Dionysus, i think he is very similar to Zeus. the most from all Zeus' kids.

Dionysus and Zeus are both very cheerful and jovial. they laugh a lot. they're fun. they're smart. BUT. they can also have a terrible, vicious anger. they command others. they can lead armies. they know when to insist on their way and when to compromise in a way that does not make them seem weak.

i think Dionysus is immature in his youth, like Zeus. but in adulthood, he becomes compassionate and wise, strong and gentle, commanding and forceful. these are the words i would describe my own version of Zeus with as well, and the traits i would expect from a king.

in light of all these hc's, i do not think Dionysus faces much opposition-- his siblings LIKE him and i think that by the time Dionysus becomes King, he is quite mature, and people are quite happy to accept him. What about Hera? the short answer: she's dead. the long answer? check the next section on how the transition happens.

📖 HOW DIONYSUS BECOMES KING

to explain this, i need to take a side-step and tell you about a story i made-up (or rather, am in the middle of developing in my mind) in which the End of the World takes place.

you've heard of Ragnarok; well, i think that every pantheon has their own version of Ragnarok. and i think that when Ragnarok comes, it is the end of the world for EVERYONE. greeks, egyptians, aztecs, etc. everyone. i hc there to be an uprising of old gods; Chernobog, Loki, Apep, etc. who instigate a war that kills off many familiar faces.

when does this take place? Hesiod, in his Theogony, describes 5 Ages of Man:

Golden Age - made by Kronos. perfect men, practically gods.

Silver Age - made by Zeus. stubborn, foolish men.

Bronze Age - made by Zeus. barbaric, warring men.

Heroic Age - made by Zeus. noble heroes like Heracles. descendants of Deucalion.

Iron Age - made by Zeus. "us", allegedly. mortals today.

i think this end of the world happens at the end of the Heroic Age and the new world that is born after the End becomes our age: an age where the gods have left. i'm rejecting Hesiod's writing and saying that this Iron Age is created by Dionysus & co., not Zeus, when Dio is the new king.

now that we've got a timeline, let's get back to Dionysus' promotion.

Zeus swallowed Metis because he was warned that her son would overthrow him. i have a hc that Metis was pregnant with twins- Athena and a son, whom i have named "Diophontes" (slayer of Zeus). there's some more background to this, but let's just say for now: Diophontes gets trapped in Zeus' skull while Athena emerges, and eons later, at the End of Days, an enemy god releases Diophontes and during the Great War, Diophontes fulfills the prophecy and kills Zeus.

i said before that i think Hera dies. during this Great War, there are other fearsome enemies including Typhon and his mate Echidna, and a host of other evil gods and monsters... i think Hera falls in battle here alongside Zeus.

theoretically, Hera would make a kick-ass queen, but i think it makes far more sense thematically for the New World to be led by a god of the younger generation... there needs to be fresh blood and a clean slate. Dionysus fulfills that requirement.

so i think, after all the fighting settles, Dionysus is chosen from amongst the surviving Olympians to become King of Olympus, and under his guidance, Greek gods abandon the earth and refrain from taking active part in human affairs. no more demigods, no more curses, no more gods in disguise. it is a time for mortals to develop and grow on their own without divine intervention. and thus the 5th age of man is ushered in.

fin.

[tylermileslockett]

HEPHAESTUS

  “Sing, clear-voiced Muse, of Hephaestus famed for inventions. With bright-eyed Athena he taught men glorious crafts throughout the world, —men who before used to dwell in caves in the mountains like wild beasts. But now that they have learned crafts through Hephaestus the famed worker, easily they live a peaceful life in their own houses the whole year round.”  (-Homeric Hymn, translated by H.G. Evelyn white)

HEPHAESTUS, (huh-FAY-stus) is the God of weapon smithing, craftsmanship, and fire. Born with a lame leg, and described as ugly, he presents a much humbler appearance than his more majestic siblings. But he shines in the ingenuity department, crafting marvelous weapons, tools, and traps with his sacred objects; his golden hammer and tongs. I took an artist’s liberty; portraying him with vibrant red hair and beard to reflect his connection with fire, while his skin is pale purple from long hours within his cave forge.

The many golden, forged objects within the image appear in a variety of myths. Let’s begin with the item he hammers; the armor of Achilles. In the Iliad, Achilles pleads with his Nereid mother, Thetis, for new armor. We can see her in the pool in the lower right, waiting for the armor as she sits upon a hippocampusi.  Looking to the background, the throne was made for Hera as a trick, trapping her in the seat. The female figure above is Pandora, the first woman, made upon Zeus’ orders. Beside her are the winged helmet and sandals of Hermes. Above is the chariot of apollo. And at the very top is the golden net which trapped Hephaestus’ wife, Aphrodite, in bed with her elicit lover, Ares. 

Although Hephaestus doesn’t terrorize mortals like some of his more vengeful siblings, one scandalous myth has him chasing Athena in lust, and ejaculating on her thigh when the rape attempt fails. When Athena wipes the seed onto the earth, a son, Erichthonious, is born and later becomes an early king of Athens.

Want to own my Illustrated Greek myth book jam packed with over 130 illustrations like this? Support my book kickstarter "Lockett Illustrated: Greek Gods and Heroes" coming in early 2024. check my bio LINKTREE