#OCEAN QUEEN SHRINE!!!!!!

[yours-truely-xd]

GUYS DONT TALK TO ME/j

[dredgesnails]

hermitcraft season 10 and water

1. grian and gem are haunted (infected…?) by the ocean

2. false is the mary poppins of rivers. her briefcase is waterlogged

3. pearl and xb are fish

4. mumbo is growing gills

5. beef and skizz are henchmen for the salmon mafia

6. doc is in a swamp (and being terrorised by said salmon mafia)

7. keralis is on a boat :)

8. joel has a shrine for axolotl ocean queen lizzie ldshadowlady [NEW!]

[two-cats-in-a-trench-coat]

I just thought of something

So Joel just built a statue of Lizzie as the Ocean Queen in his shrine on hermitcraft.

What has he been trying to do for the past several episodes? Get a blue axolotl. And what is Lizzie? The blue axolotl.

Man's just trying to find his wife and that's so sweet

[anachronistic-cat]

joel building a shrine to The Ocean Queen when half of hermitcraft is dealing with ocean madness is excellent. mans immune to whatever the fuck is in the water this season b/c he's already obsessed with an eldritch ocean god (who loves him)

[minecraftbookshelf]

There's a shrine and now also a billboard. I'm starting to think that The Ocean Queen is an important figure in this city that Joel Smallishbeans is building on the Hermitcraft X server.

Also there is something to be said that he is building the version of his wife from the server where their characters were married too.

[floef-likes-minecraft]

The Hermits and the Water of Season 10: A Thread

1. Gem, for obvious reasons. Her conduit might or might not be haunted in my oppinion.

2. Grian, obsessed with fishing because of the mendingbook. He hasn't left the aesthetic despite being succesful.

3. The Salmon Maffia

4. Joel and making glowsquids and axolotl the biggest part of his personality apart from Etho. He also built a literal shrine to his wive aka the Ocean Queen.

5. False, who is making rivers so everybody is connected through water.

6. Keralis built a boat, which is a smart call given all this water weirdness.

7. Mumbo casually mentioning all the water caving gave him gills.

8. Etho building a trident farm despite not being allowed to sell them (which isn't unlike him, but still).

9. xB, who might not have anything water specific this season but we've all seen the fanart where he is part elder guardian so I had to include him.

10. Mumbo's research facility litteraly poisoning the river. Might be the reason everybody is going crazy about the water.

I tell you, the waters of season 10 are haunted. Something is going on, watch your favorite Hermit or they might also fall for her tricks.

[brainrot-has-overtaken-me]

Joel making his shrine to the Ocean Queen/Lizzie is absolutely adorable

[talonabraxas]

Goddess Venus Talon Abraxas

The Rite of Venus - The Rites of Eleusis Venus Yea, brother: in the end all turn to me, and all return to me. Isis am I, and from my life are fed All showers and suns, all moons that wax and wane; All stars and streams, the living and the dead, The mystery of pleasure and of pain. I am the mother!~ I the speaking sea! I am the earth and its fertility! Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, return to me– To me!

Hathoor am I, and to my beauty drawn All glories of the Universe bow down, The blossom and the mountain and the dawn, Fruit's blush, and woman, our creation's crown. I am the priest, the sacrifice, the shrine, I am the love and life of the divine! Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness are surely mine– Are mine!

Venus am I, the love and light of earth, The wealth of kisses, the delight of tears, The barren pleasure never come to birth, The endless infinite desire of years. I am the shrine at which thy long desire Devoured thee with intolerable fire. I was song, music, passion, death, upon thy lyre– Thy lyre!

I am the Grail and I the Glory now: I am the flame and fuel of thy breast; I am the star of God upon thy brow; I am thy queen, enraptured and possessed. Hide thee, sweet river; welcome to the sea, Ocean of love that shall encompass thee! Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, return to me– to me!

[echoesofolympus]

AMPHITRITE; A GUIDE TO WORSHIP.

TEXT BELOW;

Amphitrite;

Greek Name: Αμφιτριτη

Transliteration: Amphitritê

Roman Name: Salacia

Translation: Encircling Third

Parents: Nereus and Thetis

Consort: Poseidon (God of the sea)

Goddess of: The sea, fish, shellfish

Symbols: Fish, dolphin

Sacred Animal: Seal

Sacred Plant: None known.

Epithets and titles;

Αγαστονος (Agastonus) - Loud-Moaning

Ἁλοσυδνη (Halosydna) - Sea-Born

Χρυσηλακατος (Chryselacatus) - Of Golden Spindle

Κυανωπις (Cyanopis) - Blue-, Dark-Eyed

Offerings and associations;

Stones & gems: quartz, aquamarine, pearl, ocean jasper, amber, Larimar

Incense: Frankincense, Myrrh

Colours: gold, white, blue, cyan, green, purple

Food & drinks: red wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, salt water, fish

Tarot: The Empress

Other: images of the things she's associated with, seashells, seaweed, sand, sea glass, white flowers, sea/ocean water, coral, photos you took at the sea

Historical worship;

Patron of regions;

The island of Milos

Holiest shrine;

Milos

Other shrines;

A few shrines throughout Greece

Typically invoked for matters concerning the sea.

Usually worshipped along with Poseidon.

No known festivals.

Colour associations;

Gold — Represents her divine status as goddess of the sea and wife of Poseidon. Also represents her status as queen of the sea.

White — Represents the calm, peaceful aspects of the sea, which is Amphitrite’s main domain. Can also represents the sea-foam.

Blue — Represents the sea and the vastness of it.

Cyan — Represents the calm, tranquil waters of the ocean, a state that Amphitrite governs in her more serene and harmonious aspects.

Green — Represents the abundance and fertility of the sea, reflecting the seaweed, plant life, and sustenance the ocean provides to all living creatures.

Purple — Represents her status as queen of the ocean, as purple is associated with wealth and royalty. Is also representative of the mysterious, deep aspects of the sea.

[ethofangorl]

OMG!!!!

Don’t mind me just showing off my life series sticker shrine, paired with my limited addition Ocean queen pin. If only my Jellie hoodie would arrive soon.

Also: Merry Christmas!!!!!!

[simplydm]

Actually Joel and Pearl are so funny bc imagine you’re Pearl and you knew some funny little guy who ruled an empire like you did. Lived in the mesa, was a demon denier, married the ocean queen. Then things happen and you lose track of that whole world. Doesn’t matter, hermitcraft took you in. Then you go through some weird rift in space one time and you see a big god that looks kind of like that funny little guy you knew but he has a beard now. And there’s a shrine in his empire dedicated to some goddess whose name is not yours, but almost. And then you start a new season of Hermitcraft and there’s a funny little guy there too. You are Pearl and you can’t escape this funny little guy.

[santoschristos]

I beheld a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the Sun, with the Moon at her feet. And on her head was a diadem of the twelve stars.

Hear me, O Lady Isis, hear and save.

O thou queen of love and mercy, thou crowned with the throne, thou hauled as with the Moon.

Thou whose countenance is mild and glowing, even as grass refreshed by rain.

Hear me, our Lady Isis, hear and save.

O thou who art in matter manifest.

Thou bride and queen as thou art mother and daughter of the Slain One.

O thou who art the Lady of the Earth.

Hear me, O Lady Isis, hear and save.

O thou Lady of the amber skin.

Lady of love and of victory, bright gate of glory through the darkening skies.

O crowned with the Light and life and love.

Hear me, our Lady, hear and save by thy sacred flower, the Lotus of eternal life and beauty; by thy love and mercy; by thy wrath and vengeance; by my desire toward thee, by all the magical names of old hear me, O Lady, hear and save.

Open thy bosom to thy child, stretch forth thy arms and strain me to thy breasts. Let my lips touch thy lips ineffable.

Hear me, O Lady Isis, hear and save.

Lift up thy voice to aid me in this critical hour.

Lift up thy voice most musical.

Cry aloud, O queen and mother, to save me from that I fear most.

I invoke thee to initiate my soul.

The whirling of my dance, may it be a spell and a link with thy great light, so that in the darkest hour, the Light may arise in me and bring me to thine own glory and incorruptibility.

Isis am I, and from my life are fed all showers and suns, all moons that wax and wane, all stars and streams, the living and the dead, the mystery of pleasure and of pain.

I am the Mother. I the speaking sea. I am the Earth in its fertility. Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, return to me, to me.

Isis am I, and to my beauty draw.

All glories of the Universe bow down, the blossom and the mountain and the dawn. Fruits blush and women are creations crowned. I am the priest, the sacrifice, the shrine. I am the love and life of the Divine.

Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, are surely mine, are mine. Isis am I, the love and light of Earth, the wealth of kisses, the delight of tears, the bowel and pleasure never come to birth, the endless infinite desire of years. I am the shrine at which thy long desire devoured thee with intolerable fire. I was sung music, passion, death upon thy lyre, thy lyre. I am the grail and I the glory now. I am the flame and fueler of thy breath. I am the star of God upon thy brow. I am thy queen enraptured and possessed.

High do these sweet rivers welcome to the sea, ocean of love that shall encompass thee.

Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, return to me, to me.

Hear, Lady Isis, and receive my prayer.

Thee, thee I worship and invoke.

Hail to thee, sole mother of my life.

I am Isis, mistress of the whole land. I was instructed by Hermes, and with Hermes I invented the writings of the nations in order that not all should write with the same letters. I gave mankind their laws, and ordained what no one can alter. I am the eldest daughter of Kronos. I am the wife and sister of the king Osiris. I am she who rises in the dog star. I am she who is called the goddess of women. I am she who separated the heaven from the earth. I have pointed out their paths to the star. I have invented seamanship. I have brought together men and women. I have ordained that the elders shall be beloved by the children.

With my brother Osiris I made an end of cannibalism. I have instructed mankind in the mysteries. I have taught reverence of the divine statues. I have established the Temple precincts. I have overthrown the dominion of the tyrants. I have caused men to love women. I have made justice more powerful than silver and gold. I have caused truth to be considered beautiful.

Come unto me and pledge unto me your loyalties as I pledge mine unto you.

Oh mother Isis, great art thou in thy splendor, mighty is thy name and thy love has no bounds.

Thou art Isis, who art all that ever was, and all that there is to be, for no mortal man hath ever unveiled thee. In all thy grace thou has brought forth the sun, the fruit that was born forth for the redemption of man.

Oh Isis, Isis, Isis, graciously hear our cry unto thee, we mourn for thy blessings on us this day, every day, to nourish, to aid and to fill the emptiness within, that only you our beloved mother can satiate. Unto thee do we pledge our solemn oath of dedication, and for the power and glory of him the Unknowable One to witness our devotion to thee. For as we now receive thee into our hearts, we ask that you never leave us, in times of trial and joy, and even unto death."

art: Goddess Isis - Mistress of Magick Jewel of the Nile

[watcheraurora]

A Life UnRemembered

Author's Note: Hermitcraft is... unique 1.7k words

Based on all the art of character!Joel not seeming to know why he built a shrine to the Ocean Queen. It's all gorgeous

—

Joel wandered his base. He liked how it was coming along. He enjoyed the resource gathering and the building. He enjoyed spending time with the Hermits. They were all so comfortable with each other that he couldn't help but feel welcome even though he was new.

But there was something needling at him. Something he couldn't quite remember.

He strolled down the stairs to the temple he'd built. The empty dais in the center where something should be enshrined. Pulling some clay out of his inventory, he slapped it down onto the dais and started to sculpt. It had been a long time since he sculpted anything.

He turned his brain off and let his hands just go where they wanted. Somewhere else in the world, Cleo would be proud of him. As the other major small-scale sculptor, they knew how much work it took to make statues this small, rather than huge with blocks. That was the easy way. Small amounts of clay around an armor stand were much harder and more fiddly.

Hours passed while he tugged at that needling feeling that he'd forgotten something. Trying to free it from where it was buried.

Nothing. He couldn't remember what it was he'd forgotten.

Two hours after beginning, he leaned back from his sculpture, stretching his back. Clay was caked under his fingernails.

Before him, he'd made a statue not quite to the scale he felt it should be, but he hadn't brought enough clay.

The statue was a woman. Tall. Lithe. Powerful. She had the regal bearing of a queen in some coastal kingdom far away from his cherry tree mountain. A trident slung casually in the crook of one elbow. A circlet resting above her brow that he'd jammed a diamond into the clay for effect while sculpting. The circlet had coral branches twining off at the woman's temples. She had long, flowing hair. He needed to paint the sculpture, but he already knew her hair would be pink. Her eyes and skin would be blue. The flowing gown a soft... lavender, maybe? Lilac?

A long axolotl tail extended from the base of her spine and up into the air, coral fanning off its ends.

And held gently in her arms, a much smaller man. Joel knew he'd paint the man's shirt purple. The crown in his hair gold with an emerald embedded just above his forehead. The sash green.

Why he knew those colors as easily as he knew his own hands, he wasn't sure.

Before he could lose the inspiration, he flew to the shopping district, landing hard at Pearl's dye shop. He scrambled to get his diamonds out of his Ender chest and bought every color he'd need. Dye wasn't exactly paint, but if he mixed it with a few other ingredients, he could make it work.

His Elytra's membrane snapped in the wind with the speed of his flight. He ran into his landing in the little hut he'd started his base in, scrounged up the last of the materials he'd need from his unbelievably disorganized chests—not his fault someone had come and messed with them—and soared back down to the shrine.

He painted quickly. Faster than he sculpted and certainly faster than he built.

When he finally stepped back, he was covered in paint and there was dried clay all over him. Creative projects were always messy with him.

He was breathing a little hard in the heat of the mid-afternoon, hair clumped on his forehead with sweat.

"There you are," he breathed, a tiny smile touching the corners of his mouth. He set his paints and brushes down.

The woman had come to life, in the clay and the color. Her deep blue eyes glittered. The gills on her neck looked delicate, despite being made of clay. The coral fans on the end of her tail were vibrant pink, her hair pastel. Her face shone with love and kindness, yet the fierceness of a true warrior of unknown power.

"Who are you? Why don't you leave my mind? Why don't you leave me?"

Because the smaller man in her arms, with his royal purple doublet and green sash—

He'd sculpted and painted himself.

The green in his hair that refused to dye out, only just starting to maybe grow in pink with this new world he found himself on, if he looked hard in the mirror (though he admitted that could have been an irritated scalp from him pulling so hard to try and dye it). The shape of his nose and his face. He'd sculpted himself without meaning to or trying.

Why the crown? Why the sash?

"Who was I then? Who were you to me?" he asked the statue.

The woman didn't respond.

Joel knelt before the statue on one knee. Even that felt oddly familiar. Like he'd taken a knee before this woman before. Maybe more than once.

"No..." He looked down at his hand. At the ring that remained on his finger no matter how many times he respawned or the situation that caused him to respawn. Simple and strong. If he took it off to build and then fell, the ring would be there when he came back. Always.

Tango had hypothesized it was a wedding ring. He had one himself. Tango had lived in Hermitcraft for a lot longer than a good portion of its other members. Since the second incarnation of the world. He hadn't always had his ring—gold and solid with a flaming red ruby and pale sky blue sapphire nestled against one another. It had appeared only a few years ago in the middle of a season after a jaunt off-world. Around the same time Joel and Etho met, though the memories were blurry. But since Tango had been on Hermitcraft for so long, he had lots of hypotheses. The world was isolated from the greater multiverse. Even the creative version of each Hermitcraft incarnation ran so closely parallel to the real world, its effects were the same.

But Tango had spent a late night telling Joel about his ideas of the multiverse while everyone else slept—the two of them awake to build a redstone machine and finish a building respectively. Each of them could create their own worlds elsewhere. And Hermitcraft's effects would no longer apply to them out there. But they all struggled to remember anything beyond Hermitcraft when they came back.

Tango thought they both might have a spouse. Somewhere out there on another world. Waiting for them. Spouses that the barrier between Hermitcraft and the rest of the universe didn't let them remember.

Could she be...?

Joel looked up at the statue.

The woman had webbed hands. She couldn't wear a ring.

"Are you my wife?" he asked. "Were you my wife? In another life? Or are you still? Somewhere out in the multiverse?"

The statue continued to be silent, looking down on the tiny version of himself with a face full of love and care. But the still-wet paint made those deep blue eyes glitter. Almost bittersweet.

Joel reached up, as though to cradle her face. To reassure her that It's alright, love. It won't be forever. I'll always come back to—

He couldn't reach her face. He'd made her too tall on the dais for him to reach without his scaffolding—that he'd already torn down.

He pulled out his communicator.

/w PearlescentMoon: Want to come see what I did? I think you'll like it

He didn't expect her response to arrive so fast.

<PearlescentMoon> whispers to you: Sure! OMW!

He only waited for a few minutes before he heard the snapping of Elytra membrane and Pearl ran to a stop on the flat area before his stairs. "Joel? Where are ya, mate?"

"In the temple!" Joel called back.

Pearl appeared at the entrance after a moment. "Hey!" she greeted, taming her long hair after her flight.

"Hi," Joel replied. He gestured to the statue. "I'm not as much an artist as you are, but I tried."

Pearl approached it curiously. "Oh my... mate, this is incredible. It's beautiful."

"Thanks," he said.

"How'd you pick the Ocean Queen?"

"The what?"

"Well that's who she is, isn't she? The Ocean Queen? Demigoddess of unlimited power over the sea?"

"I have no idea who... what?"

"Oh. Did you just come up with it, then?"

"I just let my instincts guide me through it."

"Hm. Maybe she's calling to you, mate. From beyond the stars." Pearl looked toward the setting sun, hidden as it was through the temple's structure.

"Maybe." Joel was less than convinced. "Tell me the story?"

"It's an old legend. From... I dunno, thousand years ago? Surprised you've never heard of it." Pearl leaned against the entryway frame, folding her arms. "Does the Cod King ring any bells?"

"Distantly?"

"That's the Ocean Queen's baby brother. She watched over his egg before he hatched after their mother died..."

—

"Lizzie?" Joel called, pushing open the door to Lizzie's base on SOS. "I'm home!"

Thundering footsteps met his ears. Lizzie appeared, the last of her armor falling off of her, a few bits of sculk caught on its edges. "About time!" she exclaimed, rushing across her kitchen and throwing her arms around him. "How's Hermitcraft been?"

"Fun," Joel said. He didn't have much to say beyond that. His memories of Hermitcraft were... hazy. At best. He remembered emotions. Some jokes. Lots of laughs. The vague shenanigan here or there. But nothing detailed. "I've really missed you." He held onto her tight, burying his nose in her hair. It smelled vaguely like sea salt and coconut. The cool metal of her wedding ring rested against the skin of his neck where her fingers threaded into his hair.

"I'm glad you're here. How long are you staying?"

"As long as I can. We knew when I accepted the invitation that it would be hard for me to travel more. But this was an opportunity too good to miss."

"I know. And I'm proud of you. But I miss you."

"I miss you too." He kissed the side of her head. "I'll stay for at least a month."

"Good."

[hats-off-to-hermes]

cool finds from the witchcraft shop ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

A sort of art piece that reminds me of Queen Hera 🦚 I thought it was a plate but on the back it looks like it's meant to be hung up.

A ceramic plate/bowl that reminds me of Lady Aphrodite and Lady Amphitrite for ocean based reasons 🌊

I didn't purchase them but they would go beautifully on shrines dedicated to these goddesses!

[jojolymes]

𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄; arc one

I. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐚

next: I. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐚 | table of contents

AS FATE would have it, the island of Oetia had been so shrouded in the overgrown greenery of myth and legend that any tall tale could eventually be seen as fact with a simple pen stroke in the people's history books. It wasn't hard in such a place when even the isolated nature of Oetia was an epic, filled with glorious gods that had devoted themselves to saving Oetians from the dangers of the Grand Line. These gods kept the Oetians happy: they kept their harvests bountiful, swept danger away in the waves, and ensured peace throughout the island. No myth had failed them yet, so they had just become part of normalcy—even Helle's.

You let her name simmer in the forefront of your thoughts, let the wind around you sweep it back and forth like the bow of a fiddle, making melodies out of your synapses. Helle, Helle, Helle, Helle, Helle, Helle, Helle. Helle, queen of the sea, ancient princess of Oetia. You wished her to you, hoping today would be the day she answered your prayers. You hoped she could feel the ache in your knuckles and the tightness in your fingers each time you clasped your hands together. You hoped she could see how close you pulled your hands to your chest as if you were desperately trying to push it into the cavity of your chest.

But just as always, she didn't respond.

"May Hellespont be merciful." The words tiptoed on the whisper of your breath, leaving as soon as they came. You let your eyes flutter open, allowing their heaviness to be swept away with the sea breeze. In the shelter of Helle's shrine, you looked out upon the Hellespont Sea, its waves so tranquil it made the ocean just beyond the jagged rocks appear vicious. You watched it silently, fingers still clasped tight, your knees aching against the ceramic tile. Your joints screamed for a reprieve, but you wished them silent and stared out into the endless expanse of blue.

Somewhere out there, on islands that were part of the seven routes on the Grand Line, were people— no, devils. Vicious men and women with powers stolen from the gods, seizors of prosperity. Monsters. It was a miracle that none of the men and women who had come to Oetia in its early days were like them long before the self-proclaimed king of those monsters had caused havoc for the dwellers of the Grand Line. You drew your eyes away from the ocean and instead to the clear waters of Hellespont that oscillated against the rocks, too curious of what was beyond. Still, it would never cross over, and neither would you.

You pulled your gaze back to Helle's statue, almost glowing in the beginnings of sunlight. She stood in front of you, reaching for the sky, desperate. You didn't want to think of her myth today, so you messed with the long, light blue, almost white dress you were made to wear every morning instead. Not that you could complain about it, no, that was anything but princess-like. Somewhere behind you, you could hear the faint, hurried calls of your lady-in-waiting, Nasia. You prepared your smile and glanced at the fresco-painted gods above you, who stared back with cold eyes.

"M-My lady! My apologies-" You turned to meet Nasia, red-faced as she rushed toward you with her dress pulled up to her knees. She was frantic, her sharp breaths making it harder for her to utter any words past the ones she had already said. You held back a laugh but kept a graceful smile to save face. The last thing you wanted to do was embarrass her, and you had the feeling that with a few words, you wouldn't have to worry about that.

"May Hellespont be merciful."

"Ah, may Hellespont be merciful, my lady- I truly didn't mean-"

"Nasia, please... It's alright," you assured her with a smile, closing your eyes as if it would help soothe Nasia's nerves any more than if you had kept your eyes open. When you opened your eyes once more, she was still teary-eyed but—if you had to assume— much more relieved. Her eyes sparkled, and you prepared yourself for the usual onslaught of praise. The gods would have to forgive you today. You seriously considered allowing the compliments to get to your head. Inflate the ego you shouldn't have had a bit.

"Oh, praise Helle! My lady is far too kind! Had it not been for my lady's grace, I would have long been without a way to provide for my family! Oh, praise Helle! Praise be!" Nasia sang, hurrying behind you to gather the rest of the spindling fabric you could not carry on your own. You let a chuckle slip from your lips as Nasia continued her praise, making your heart swell with— oh, no, you really couldn't let yourself feel so giddy. Pride was something reserved for anyone but you. Nasia's compliments soon dimmed to a small humming as she cradled the fabric in her arms.

"Alright, my lady! Let us make for your chamber! Breakfast has already been fixed!" Nasia cheered, head barely poking out from above the sea of blue-white. You peered at her from over your shoulder and gave her another smile, watching her eyes light up. You knew one day she would realize the truth about you. She would realize that you weren't fit enough to be a princess. Until that day, you would let yourself revel in her devotion. Let her believe in a girl not fit to be anything close to a goddess, let alone a princess.

"Has there been any news of my father's arrival in Paloen?" you asked as you strode forward with care, heading for the staircase that was just out of view. The light of the sun grew dim, filtered by the leaves of the trees that framed the mosaic-style tiles that led away from the temple. Your bare feet ached for the grass, yearning to feel the morning dew between your toes. The sea breeze whistled for your return, but you kept your gaze on the path, keeping a tight grip on your dress.

"Surprisingly, there has yet to be any news," Nasia began, keeping close behind, "but at this rate, he's sure to arrive with Lady Irini and the young lords by sundown." You blanched— Irini must have been overjoyed to be with your father, far, far, away from the crown prince and princess that she despised so much— but kept walking, hoping your momentary silence didn't scream the obvious. The last thing you needed was for your silence to be taken the wrong (or rather, the right) way. Your stepmother knew too much about how to use things like that against you. Thank Helle, your half-brothers hadn't inherited such a trait.

"Ah, hopefully, Lou and Mica haven't caused too much trouble for Father and Mother—" you strained yourself to call that wicked woman your mother, it felt like treason, "— Mica is of that age where all he'll do is ask questions. I'm not sure how many 'Are we there yet's Father can handle." Nasia giggled, and you joined her, albeit softer. You had barely registered that the stairs were in front of you, your mind too addled with worries about the woman you despised since the moment she had taken the place of your mother at your father's side.

"And Lou is convinced he can do anything without help. I even caught him scolding Mica the other day," you added as Nasia continued giggling, all the while you took the first step that made up the long descent down the steep staircase. You readjusted the dress in your hands to keep one hand atop the wall. It was the only thing keeping you from falling into the rocks below that shot sea spray up onto the stairs. The water pooled along the edges of the steps, and you made a mental note to remind your father to redesign them before anyone got hurt.

"You must miss the young lords," Nasia cooed as you turned around the corner of the staircase, beginning to come down the second flight, "how lovely to know that their sister worries for them." You held back the big grin on your face. Seriously, if Nasia complimented you anymore, you weren't sure how you could keep a regal composure. Still, maybe just once wouldn't hurt. As you made your way down the final steps, you convinced yourself to turn around at the bottom and give Nasia another smile.

"You think too highly of me, Nasia. What kind of older sister would I be if I didn't miss my dearest brothers?" you grinned, watching Nasia's eyes widen as she missed a step and fell straight at you. You didn't even take a moment to think before shooting one leg back to steady yourself, dropping the fabric in your arms to catch her instead. Her body fell into yours harshly, the weight of her body straining against your own. You nearly fell back, but you let Commander Vlassis' words overwrite your thoughts.

"Allow your body weight to sit on that back leg- Magnificent job, Pericles!"

Nasia was limp in your arms, and you could only assume she had lost consciousness from the sheer shock of falling. Past her, you spotted the fabric of your dress, dirtied and wet by the overspray of the waves that had dampened the floor. You had been so busy worrying about smiling that you hadn't even reminded Nasia of the slippery steps. Now, she was unconscious, and oh, Helle, your stepmother was sure to say something if she found out.

Nasia's head rested on your collarbone, and you tried to push back the thoughts that started running rampant in your mind. She lay still in your arms for a few moments longer, her fingers twitching around your biceps. Nasia jumped back before you could even ask if she was okay, her eyes wider than you had ever seen them, while her cheeks glowed a faint red.

"My lady! I am so deeply sorry! I didn't mean for, I didn't-" Nasia sputtered, nearly slipping on your dress this time. Your dress had become a hazard now, that much your father would have to understand. You grabbed her arm before she could fall a second time, making Nasia's cheeks burn brightly, contrasting against her pale skin. She stared at your hand until you removed it slowly, watching as she bowed her head at your gaze. Shame pooled at the bottom of your stomach as she began to sniffle.

"Nasia, it's alright," you assured her, "the stairs just weren't cleaned properly after the rough waves from last night. No one could blame you for your fall. Not even I." Nasia looked up at you with a glimmer of tears in her eyes. Oh, Helle, she only ever seemed to fuel your perfectionism.

"I... My lady... you are too kind," Nasia cried, her bottom lip trembling, "I thought- oh, I thought I-" You stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, patting it a few times until Nasia's tears stopped joining the puddles of water on the floor. It was all you could do, unsure of what more to do afterward. It was all you knew, all you could remember at least.

"My lady, if I could ask... Have you ever trained with...? Oh, what am I saying, my lady? You are far too busy to train with Lord Pericles." Your heart dropped. You stared at Nasia, who had looked embarrassed by her question, looking away at her feet once more. Your head spun with things to say, but you couldn't muster anything but a "Huh?"

"It's just that... your arms or, rather, your muscles... you have... really strong arms, my lady!"

"Oh."

"I mean, I know Lord Pericles does and- well... I just thought... I figured maybe-"

"No- No, I... don't."

"I see. I... I shall see myself out then!" Nasia scurried past you, hands covering her face as she headed straight for the doorway—or rather for the door frame, which she ran straight into. She stumbled back as you winced, just for her to finally make it through the doorway, right past your dearest twin brother, who gave you the most irritating smirk known to man. How long had he been there?!

"You have really strong arms, my lady! Please do allow me the pleasure to fall into them again!" Pericles mimicked with a high-pitched voice, mocking you more than he was Nasia. You looked away, not "allowing him the pleasure" to see you roll your eyes at him. Instead, you crouched down and gathered your dirtied dress, hitching it up to your knees as he watched in amusement.

"Good morning to you, too," you greeted, finally turning to him with a forced smile on your face. His grin widened— he knew you far too well to fall for your facades. You were twins, after all. You scoffed at him as he continued smiling and made your way to the door, struggling to keep all the fabric from dragging across the floor. You gave him a look as you walked past him, "I'd prefer it if you helped me with this instead of just standing there, Pericles."

Pericles groaned as he still sleazily leaned against the door frame, "Don't call me that. It's Percy, loser." You scoffed again, readjusting the dress in your arms before scowling at him until he walked up to you and took the smallest bit of fabric from your dress, barely even a fold. He grinned wide again.

"I don't plan on calling you that, Pericles. You should stop insisting that people address you so informally," you stated as Pericles took another piece of the dress, still just barely enough fabric for it to be considered a fold of your dress, "you know Father wouldn't be pleased."

"Okay, well, the old fart isn't here. I think Vlassis said something about him not returning 'til the month's end." You sighed for what must have already been the hundredth time since Pericles had decided to bug you. You felt a tug at your waist, and you looked over to the right, where he jogged beside you, haphazardly pulling at the dress with his bit of the fabric.

"Regardless, you should start being less—" you paused to look at Percy up and down, an eery copy of you but with a more masculine look to his figure, "— you." He laughed, loud and hearty like the King he would be in the future (of course, he did so without even trying, which was more than terribly infuriating). You let him laugh and turned to look straight ahead as you both made your way back to your bed chamber, where Nasia was sure to still be fretting. Percy's laughter eventually died down, his lips pursing before another one of his smiles tugged at his lips.

"So... (n/n)-"

"Don't call me that."

"About training today..."

You shot him a look, fingers clenching tightly around your dress. You stopped in your tracks, letting him awkwardly come to a stop beside you. You blew a harsh breath and looked around the empty open-air hallway, the only "spectators" being the passing birds that cawed by the open archways. There was no one there besides you and Percy.

"I swear to Helle, if you sneak out again-"

"Melina and I haven't seen each other in ages!"

"Percy, that is not my problem-"

"Ah-ah-ah, you called me Percy-"

"That is not what we're talking about right now—" you stopped to catch your breath, "—what we're talking about now is that you're trying to sneak out!" Percy rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, huffing as he stood there.

"... Okay... and?"

"I'm not covering for you! I will not do it!" you seethed, letting half your dress fall to press a hard finger into Percy's chest. Percy looked exasperated, attempting to come up with something to say as you let your hand fall back to your side. "You know why you have to train! The last thing anyone wants is for those devils from the Grand Line to show up and you to be unprepared!"

"We're twins! You look just like me! Who else would do it but you?" Percy whined while you turned away from him to grab the rest of your dress. The poor fabric looked nothing like it was supposed to anymore. "Plus, there haven't been dangerous people here in years! Decades! You've been reading too many history books again. What are you a nerd?"

"I'm not a nerd. But, y'know, I'm sure Lou-Lou would love to cover for you," you taunted, eyes narrowing as you frustratedly grabbed at your dress. Percy groaned and kneeled to grab the dress, gathering it in his hands even as it spilled out of his grasp.

"He's not here! He's also like... a toddler! I don't even look like him!" Percy blustered, his eyebrows furrowing as the fabric continued to slip out of his careless grasp. You grimaced and just took what he gathered from him with one fell swoop. He glowered when he looked up at you— it was impossible not to smirk.

"Really? I couldn't tell the difference," you snickered while Percy got to his feet, still glaring at you while he got to his feet. But the more your smile widened, the more his glare fell short. He brought a hand to his head, running his fingers through his hair. Despite all your quips, he looked more stressed than you expected and you hoped you had just been overthinking it.

"Oh, I get it. I look like a toddler! Ha. Ha. Real funny," Percy huffed, and you couldn't help but laugh, keeping your smile hidden behind your hand, "but seriously, (n/n). You know it'll be impossible for me to see Melina again in a year. I just want to... make the most of the time we have." Your laughter fell short when Percy looked down at the ground, his arms hanging slack at his sides. It was hard to see Percy like this, as much as he loved getting on your nerves.

Percy would be the king in a year, and you would still just be you. Oetia had no interest in alliances with other islands. No island was close enough for there to be any interest in the other, so there had never been any mention of a diplomatic marriage across the Grand Line. But Percy would still have a wife arranged for him and you, a husband. When that would happen, you weren't sure, but while you could not allow yourself to care, Percy did.

"You and Melina, huh," you muttered to yourself as Percy kept his eyes glued to the floor, "I'm happy for you, Perse." You looked at the man who had grown up beside you, stuck to your side through every major event the two of you went through. It was hard to even imagine what life would be like if he wasn't at your side to poke fun at you every waking moment.

"Alright, asshole. I'll cover for you," you sighed, groaning when Percy looked up at you with that mischievous look in his eyes, batting his eyelashes at you as he slowly approached you with open arms.

"Ahh, bring it in."

"No... No, I'm good." You regretted ever agreeing when Percy wrapped his arms around your midsection, gluing your arms to your sides as you tried to pull away. After a harsh look, Percy backed away, hands at the sides of his head in defense before he skipped back the way you came. You watched in annoyance before finally turning around and heading down the rest of the hallway to finally get the dress off yourself.

˗ˏ' 〄 'ˎ˗

"That's the last time I ever help that fool," you huffed, pulling the bottom of your dress up to your knees as you tiptoed through the corridors, keeping your voice low and your steps light. The setting sun shone down at you through the windows, rhythmically blocked by the columns between them. Your whole body was sore from the vigorous training Percy should have been doing. You yearned to be bathed in the sunlight. You knew what else your body wanted; you'd give in soon enough. Just as soon as you were able to sneak around this corner...

"Commander Vlassis! I am glad to have caught you here, sir."

You pressed yourself to the wall, breath caught in your throat. You were so close to making it out the backdoor! There were usually no patrols in this part of the castle during this time of the day; you knew that for a fact. Helle, you had staked it out some time ago. If they didn't leave soon, your shame would catch up to you, and you'd find yourself right back in your bed chambers, waiting for the dinner bell to ring. You didn't need that to happen tonight.

"Ah, yes, Admiral. How may I help you? I was just on my way to the barracks."

"I see. Allow me to join you. I wish to speak to you about some... issues we've been having. The townspeople have continued to..."

You held back a sigh as their footsteps faded away, leaving out the door you planned to escape through. You brought a hand to your ever-beating heart, allowing yourself to catch your breath. You couldn't risk bumping into any soldiers; You didn't need the men you trained with often catching on to the fact that you were not their beloved Lord Pericles but the princess they only saw once in a blue moon. Your established distance from these men was the only reason you ever agreed to take Percy's place so often.

"One day, I swear to Helle, I'm going to lose it," you grumbled as you peered out from behind the corner, double-checking that they had indeed left. You let yourself sigh this time, leaning against the cool stone walls, already feeling the prodding feeling of guilt crawling up your back. It slotted itself between every disk in your spine, ready to mess with your subconscious until it was too much to bear. You could feel your limbs growing heavier, and the shame was beginning to cloud your thoughts.

"It's fine, it's fine, it's fine—" You stumbled out into the hall, nearly tripping over your hastily fastened dress— "I'm still a good princess. I'm still..." You tried not to let your thoughts consume you and rushed out the door, not even thinking of checking that the Commander was still around. You didn't care. All you wanted was the sea. The salty sea breeze hit you hard, making you take a short step back, steadying yourself as all your worries flew away with the wind. The water was so close.

A smile immediately crept onto your face, settling between the lines of your aching cheeks. Your bare feet sunk into the soft grass like it belonged there. While the morning dew had long been gone, the coolness of the dirt was just enough to be refreshing. You had been wearing Percy's boots again— you couldn't keep wearing the damn things; his feet were larger than your own— and being barefoot after so long was like a blessing. You weren't sure how much longer you could keep up the excuses for the amount of blisters you had accumulated.

The breeze blew against you once more, reminding you of what you had left the castle to do in the first place. You gathered the fabric of your dress far higher than your knees without a care in the world, knowing you'd throw it off of you soon enough. You bumbled your way down the hill the castle sat on, laughing all the way. You could nearly see the grotto now, calling to you from where it stood. It hid between rocks, splashed with water that had still not reached the height it would at night. It was only now that it welcomed you, called your name from the grassy knolls.

Grass and dirt turned to sand and rock, only momentarily stopping you from heading to the place where all your guilt would fade away— the only place where you didn't need to be perfect, where you didn't need to be the princess of an island in the middle of a dangerous ocean. The sea would cradle your body and tell you you were enough, just for an hour or two, before it turned its back on you for the rest of the day. But you didn't mind that. That was just fine.

You took a tentative step onto the first of a small path of stones that were just smooth enough for you to comfortably walk upon. The sea nibbled at the sides of them, spraying you teasingly, knowing you'd be discarding that annoying dress. You gathered the fabric of it and pulled it over your head, knowing that by now, no one could see you make your escape. You giggled like a child when the breeze flayed across your bare chest and squealed when the water nipped at your toes that hopped across the path the sea had made for just for you.

You took one more leap and reached the small ledge that wrapped around the rim of the grotto. With your dress in hand, you shimmied around the edge and finally found yourself in your heaven. The wall shimmered with the sunlight reflecting off the water pool, casting wringing, twirling strands of white across the dark cave walls. You placed a hand against those same walls, letting your fingers strum across the natural cracks as you walked atop the ledge, heading for the rocks that jutted out the back wall of the grotto.

"Finally," you sighed as you reached the rocks, dropping your dress onto the driest ones that were right up against the wall. You took that time to peel your panties off, dropping them on top of your dress. In all your nakedness, you crouched down, placing your palms against the rock as you shimmied your way down to the crystal-clear water. It was warm, warmer than it had been all day as usual. You didn't think twice when you pushed off the rock and plunged into the arms of the sea.

The water crooned around you as you left the comfort of the rocks, making your way to its depths. You let the water take all of you; let it swallow you whole. It would have done so anyway, even if the shame had protested. It held you as you swam, swam, swam, swam, swam, swam until you ran out of breath and relented air to your lungs. It wasn't long before you sank back into the depths, sinking so low that you could only see the reflections on the ceiling in blurred vision. You let the blue take hold, and Helle decide your fate.

"Helle... I needed this," you gushed, floating limply in the water, letting the occasional wave from just beyond the rocks that separated the grotto from the sea jostle you gently. You rose one arm up and behind your ear, switching back and forth, letting rivers form in the valley of your breasts. You could stay in the water forever, even if it made your skin grow aged, even if you knew it would get too cold to bear. You didn't care anymore; you just wished you would never leave. As you swam toward the row of rocks at the mouth of the grotto, you turned over, dipping your head under just a moment-

Did you see that right?

Your head immediately resurfaced, hastily trading closer to the rocks, making sure your body was concealed. No, you must have been seeing things. The navy wasn't scheduled for routes on this side of the island during this time. You should have had at least another hour if it was them. Your brain racked itself for anyone else who could have possibly been floating past the Hellespont Sea and on the open ocean. Still, there was nothing, and this unknown ship was growing closer.

You scanned the ship for as much information as you could— your father wasn't here, and Percy was anything but a good diplomat, not to mention a mediocre fighter, so who in Helle's name was going to deal with this— but still could just barely make out what was on their sails. You pressed yourself closer against the rocks, careening forward with a furrowed brow, your bottom lip curling beneath your teeth. There, just faintly, you could make out the sickening sight of a skull and crossbones plastered on their sail.

"No, no, shit," you cursed, pushing off the rocks and hastily heading back towards the furthest part of the grotto, back where your dress was. You could hear your heart thud in your ears, your tolling death bell. Your feet kicked erratically, trying both to keep you afloat and reach some sort of footing to propel yourself through the water even quicker. You eventually managed to reach the rocks and hastily slipped your way back to where your clothes were. You didn't stop to think about how you would dry off and instead slipped your panties back on, followed by your far too intricate dress.

"I- I have to get to Pericles," you told yourself as you managed to button up parts of your dress. It wasn't perfect, but Helle, it would have to do. You hurried across the ledge, digging your fingernails into the cracks this time, ignoring the little scrapes on the pads of your fingers. The ship was getting closer now, too close for comfort. You could even make out the people on it— a black-haired guy sitting on the head of a ram, a blond leaning on the railing with what must have been a cigarette, and a green-haired man who leaned beside him holding three swords on his hip. There were others further back on the ship that you couldn't quite see yet, but maybe that was for the better.

The one thing about the natural barrier around Oetia was that it was lower near the castle, not to mention closer to the mainland than the rest of the island. It made it easier for the navy to come and go from the ports in town when the midday tide was deep enough for them not to damage the ships when they crossed over the barrier. Plus, your ancestors had always been quite fond of the ocean, so it had been decided (rather foolishly, in your opinion) to build the castle where it now stood. So, as you swung across the ledge of the grotto and onto your path of stones, you watched with a sinking stomach as the Demon ship crossed over the barrier with ease.

"No- No! Pericles! Percy!" You shouted frantically, knowing that your brother was nowhere near you. Your eyes flooded with tears as you tried to cross using your path. But, of course, fate seemed to have it out for you. Every leap you tried to make ended with you slipping into the sea, drenching your dress. You could feel the shells and sharp rocks cut your feet every time you slipped off your path, knees buckling every time the pain shot straight up your spine. You bit back your cries, even when you fell straight into the sea, its waves splashing against you relentlessly.

"Hey! Lady! Whatcha doing over there?!"

Your head shot up, and you watched in horror as the black-haired guy you had seen called to you from the mast, the rest of his crew watching from the deck of their ship. Your heart might as well have stopped. You pressed yourself against the wall of the seaside rockface, unable to utter a word. Your eyes flitted over every face that stared at you and stopped when you saw a furry little head poke out between the deck railing. 

"She looks like she needs some help, Luffy."

That was all you needed before you screamed bloody murder.

"GET YOUR RACCOON-DOG AWAY YOU SEA DEVILS!"

i completely forgot that i was supposed to post this on here :9 it's a couple days late but here you all go <3

[astrolocherry]

from the complete tales and poems of Edgar Allan Poe

~ Aries: "Who calls you now - Arise! from your dreaming. In violet bowers, These star-litten hours- Up! Shake from your wing Each hindering thing: the dew of the night could weigh down your flight;"

~Taurus: "But now, my soul has too much room - Gone are the glory and the gloom. The black has mellowed into grey, And all the fires are fading away"

~ Gemini: "The noblest name in Allegory's page, The hand that traced inexorable rage; A pleasing moralist whose page refined, Displays the deepest knowledge of the mind; These names when rightly read, a name known Which gathers all their glories in its own"

~Cancer: "At midnight in the month of June, I stand beneath the mystic moon. An opiate vapour, dewy, dim, Exhales from out her golden rim"

~Leo: "Look round the now on Samarcand! - Is she not queen of Earth? her pride Above all cities? in her hand Their destinies? in all beside Of glory which the world has known Stands she not nobly and alone?"

Virgo~ "And by strange alchemy of brain His pleasures always turned to pain - His naïveté to wild desire - His wits to love - his wine to fire"

~ Libra: "The ring is on my hand, And the wreath is on my brow; Satins and jewels grand Are all at my command, And I am happy now!"

~ Scorpio: "Death has reared himself a throne In a strange city lying alone Far down within the dim West Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best Have gone to their eternal rest While from a proud tower in the town Death looks gigantically down"

~Sagittarius: "By a route obscure and lonely Haunted by ill angels only, From a wild weird climb that lie, sublime, Out of Space - out of Time But the traveler, traveling through it, May nit - dare openly view it; Never its mysteries are exposed To the weak human eye unclosed"

~Capricorn: "It was my choice or chance or curse To adopt the cause for better or worse And with my worldly goods & wit And my soul & body worship it..." ~Aquarius ~ "A green isle in the sea, love, A fountain and a shrine All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers, And all the flowers were mine"

~ Pisces: "And thus my memory is to me Like some enchanted far off-isle In some tumultuous sea Some ocean throbbing far and free. With storms - but where meanwhile Serenest skies continually"

~extracts from the complete tales and poems of Edgar Allan Poe (Capricorn Sun, Virgo rising, Pisces Moon)