#all my books are just like oh yes here is this Ancient Greek and this is what their clothes are called

[englishlotusflower]

Trying to design period accurate costumes for Antigone for my Drama A level.

WHY DOES EVERY REFERENCE BOOK TREAT ANCIENT GREECE LIKE ONE COHESIVE WHOLE!?!?!!?!?!?!

Like, I know there's got to be a difference between what they would have worn in the Mycenaean age and what Sophocles-era classical greeks would have worn and Hellenistic Greeks would have worn and so on and so forth. Human beings won't be wearing the same thing without variation for over a thousand years. I know that from my other forays into fashion history.

Yet, nothing I can find is telling me about this difference, and I'll get the marks whether I can communicate the singularity of 400BCE fashions or not, but I want to KNOW so that the costumes can be RIGHT, rather than just tossing off the popular Greek silhouette.

The examiner probably won't care if there are archaic elements in there, but I would really rather do it right than counting on the examiner not being an expert in Classical Greek fashion history.

So, um, if anyone knows about the identifying features of what would have been worn by Athenian or Theban Greeks in the early 400s BCE, please please please help a very lost and confused child.

[thepersonnamedsam]

she got this - op81

pairing: oscar piastri x academic!girlfriend

summary: oscar visits his girlfriends bachelor thesis defending

word count: 1.3k

face claim: phoebe bridgers

warnings: a swear word, some angst - mentions of a panic attack

note: this is for my baby @lissyontour, you got this, pls wish her good luck for today <3

oh and it’s my first oscar fic, hihi, enjoy it

and there is some of the bachelor thesis… i had to include some of it, thanks to chat gpt

masterlist / taglist

Fuck, was she nervous. Her head was spinning and her legs were jelly - no, scratch that - her legs were liquid.

Her eyes were trying to focus on something, just something that would help her back to reality. She knew she was somewhere else right now, somewhere where she shouldn’t be.

Why wasn’t Oscar with her? Why was she alone? This was not how she planned it!

Her heart was beating, she felt it nearly pop out of her chest. It almost hurt. Oscar should’ve been here with her, but a last minute meeting with Zak just threw her plans overboard.

Her breath quickend and her hands searched for the only safe thing she could think of, her phone. Her fingers quickly glided over the screen and Oscars answer made her hold her breath for a second.

Standing in front of the auditorium, the heavy red doors made her uneasy. It’s gonna be time soon.

Oscar had to hold himself back not to text her that he was actually sitting in the front row and waiting for her to enter the room. He knew it was cruel. But he just had to do it.

He was so much more nervous than her. He watched her write that bachelor thesis for over six months now. At every race she was sitting in his drivers room with at least ten books and her laptop. Only just for the last five laps she came out of the room to watch him race.

He appreciated her coming, she could’ve just stayed at home and studied, but she always came with. Multitasking her way through her studies. And he was so proud of her. There was no way he would miss her final step of the way.

And he knew his cruelty was all worth it, as she stepped into the room and her eyes spotted his. Her whole face lit up and he could almost spot some tears of relief.

„What are you doing here?“, she mouthed. A small smile on her lips. „Supporting you“, he mouthed back, matching her smile.

„Welcome Ms y/l/n!“, her professor welcomed her. „I am exited to hear you defend your bachelor thesis about; How Greek Mythology influenced modern literature.“

She smiled at her favourite teacher and took out her thesis. She closed her eyes for a second, breathed in and out again. She was ready. Oscar knew she studied English literature and oh did that make her sexy.

But he had no idea of Greek Mythology or modern literature by any means. Yes, he read her thesis at least twice, but did his brain understand anything she meant? It did not. Being the smart one was all her job.

„Welcome Professor McAllister, dear colleagues, guests and friends. I hereby welcome you dearly to my defending of my bachelor thesis: How Greek Mythology influenced modern literature.“

Oscar listened intently and always smiled when she looked at him for reassurance. His heart was swelling with proudness. He soon had a girlfriend with a bachelor degree.

„In the vast tapestry of literary evolution, Greek mythology stands as an enduring thread, weaving its timeless narratives into the very fabric of modern literature. As contemporary authors navigate the labyrinth of inspiration, they find themselves entwined with the rich tapestry of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures that originated in ancient Greece.

The resurgence of interest in Greek mythology can be traced to its profound impact on archetypal storytelling. From the lofty heights of Mount Olympus to the depths of the Underworld, these tales resonate with universal themes that transcend temporal and cultural boundaries. Authors draw from the exploits of Zeus, the sagas of heroes like Achilles, and the tragedies of figures like Oedipus to explore complex facets of human nature. The gods' capriciousness mirrors the unpredictable forces that shape our destinies, while the struggles of mortals against divine intervention echo the perennial human quest for agency in the face of cosmic uncertainty.

Prominent literary figures, from James Joyce to J.K. Rowling, have paid homage to Greek mythology, infusing their works with echoes of ancient narratives. The hero's journey, a concept rooted in the mythic structure of heroes like Perseus and Hercules, serves as a narrative template for protagonists in contemporary novels. These echoes are not mere nostalgic nods; they represent a perennial dialogue between past and present, a dialogue in which timeless themes find new expression.

Moreover, the enduring allure of Greek mythology lies in its malleability. Authors wield the myths as allegorical tools to explore issues ranging from power dynamics and hubris to the nuances of morality. The Hydra of Lerna becomes a metaphor for societal challenges that sprout anew when seemingly eradicated, and the labyrinthine trials of Theseus mirror the complexities of modern ethical dilemmas.

In essence, the enduring influence of Greek mythology on modern literature is a testament to the universality of its themes and the perennial resonance of its characters. As authors continue to delve into the wellspring of ancient tales, they discover not relics of a bygone era, but rather a living reservoir of inspiration that fuels the imagination of generations, perpetuating the eternal dance between the ancient and the contemporary.“

Her voice angelic as it could be, drew in people who never even heard of the topic. You didn’t have to be interested in Greek Mythology to listen to her thesis, because she delivered her speech that even Oscar understood and left him wanting to know more about it.

My god was he proud. He was in awe, his beautiful girlfriend standing up there, speaking about her passion and delivering it in a way he never thought she could.

Even the look on Professor McAllister made him proud. She looked at his girlfriend with a proud smile, nodding along with her and reassuring her. She was gonna ace this.

Oscar was snapped out of it when the whole auditorium clapped. She was standing with the biggest smile on that stage. Oscar just had to get a picture of her. His new wallpaper.

„Thank you, Ms y/l/n. This was magnificent! We‘ll just discuss real quick and we‘ll be back with your grade. You can be proud of yourself, Ms y/l/n“, Professor McAllister told the young woman on stage.

And as soon as they left the room, she squealed and ran to Oscar. He opened his arms and let the girl spring into his embrace. „Hi“, he whispered. „Hi“, she whispered back. „I thought you weren’t coming?“

He laughed, a real deep belly laugh. „I had to surprise you!“ She hit his shoulder and said: „I hate you, but I’m glad you came.“

„You did so well, my love. I am so proud of you! We have to celebrate afterwards, anything you want.“

The time together was cut short, when the door opened again and the four professors walked in again. „Ms y/l/n, please, have a seat“, her professor said and pointed to the chair sat in front of the four.

She nervously walked over to them and smiled at them. „No need to be nervous, you did well, you can be proud of yourself.“

They talked stuff Oscar didn’t understand. But when he saw a big smile form on her face, he knew she received the best grade she could’ve. Proud, that’s the only word that came to Oscar’s mind.

„I love the boys“, she told Oscar. He smiled up at her and said: „I know you do, but only I can celebrate with you today.“ She giggled and would’ve almost kicked her feet, if it weren’t for the others in the room.

Professor McAllister handed y/n her diploma and told her they’d see each other at official ceremony. After that, Oscar and his girlfriend almost sprinted out of the auditorium.

oscarpiastri

liked by yninsta, landonorris and 82‘729 others

oscarpiastri how did we get from that to this?

view all 22‘219 comments

yninsta the first one is NOT me, idk where you got this from

user1 weren’t we all at that point during our studies?

user2 yes, yes we were

yninsta glad i wasn’t alone…

oscarpiastri so it was you

yninsta oop-

landonorris congrats, y/n! when we gonna get a lecture about greek mythology from you?

yninsta any day you want

landonorris now?

oscarpiastri no, now she’s busy with me

landonorris ewww, my eyes are scarred, don’t ever come back to the mclaren garage

oscarpiastri i didn’t mean it that way

yninsta he did

landonorris you’re just kids

user3 we love an academic wag

user4 so proud of you, y/n!

mclaren congratulations, y/n, next podium is for you 🍾

yninsta thank you, admin

yninsta thank you, baby

oscarpiastri i am so proud of you, darling

loganseargant i cannot believe i have a friend with a bachelors degree…

yninsta better believe it, american boy

user4 do u even know what a bachelors degree is..?

user5 american slander, we love it

alex_albon we are all proud, y/n

user6 we really are

yninsta thank you all so much, i love you guys so much

georgerussel63 oh no, she’s getting sentimental, let’s stop here guys

°°°

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[thewebcomicsreview]

welp, after years of comics where nothing actually happened, tatsuya finally had someone kill a jewish person on-screen

I'm not posting the strip, obviously, but I've gotten a lot of asks about it, so fine.

Let's recap, for context: The last three months or so of Sinfest have portrayed the Greeks (oh, yeah, Sinfest takes place in ancient Greece now for some reason) as heroically arresting all gays, liberals, BLM protestors, antifascists, and especially trans people and burning all their books and flags (yes, Tats is literally portraying book burning as good here). All of these evil gays are, naturally, controlled by Jewish caricatures who are doing all sorts of evil because "It's in their holy books". These caricatures, abandoning their LGBT/left/etc puppets then poison the water supply out of pure cartoonish evil. This leads to the death of a baby.

One of the caricatures, caught in the act, is going to be hanged but the Anti-Defamation League (portrayed as literally Nosferatu) intervenes. In today's strip, the mother of the baby cuts through the crowd to pull the lever, and the Jewish caricature falls although there's like a 50-50 chance he ends up escaping because Tats always has to lose in his own violent fantasies in order to stay aggrieved.

This is, obviously, Nazi shit. Literal Nazi shit, in fact, glorifying the extrajudicial murder of anyone and everyone Tats hates, full on Day of the Rope shit, an explicit call for a holocaust to kill literally all Jewish people.

I don't know if it's really an escalation, to be honest. Sinfest has been full-on Nazi for months. "Hackshaw1041" on the Sinfest reddit even made this handy chart.

In my mind, Tats has been calling for the murder of Jewish people so explicitly and for so long that actually depicting it on-panel isn't a meaningful change. Apparently a lot of people feel differently, though, surprised and appalled that he went there. The Sinfest subreddit (which is hate-reading rubberneckers, btw, not fans) is having a debate about whether they should continue posting Sinfest strips even to mock and document it, and I've got a bunch of asks. But, like, Ishida has been here for months and he hasn't been hiding it. There's no cutesy wink and nod stuff here.

Tatsuya Ishida is a racist, an antisemite, a homophobe, a transphobe, and basically every kind of bigot imaginable. He's not even comparable to the other big "Bigot Webcomics". Leasebound is a boring slice-of-life comic that dips into transphobic caricatures to be edgy and trial to go viral. Stonetoss is smart enough to avoid being so blatant. Tats is just F.A.T.A.L. now. Which is a comparison I've made before, and it's still true with only a slight update:

Sinfest is a tattoo on Tatsuya Ishida's ass that's a picture of Adolf Hitler's ass.

[alatismeni-theitsa]

There are many things I will never forgive Rick Riordan for but the number 1 (one) thing I will always hold against him is how he treated WWII in the entire series.

To quote the PJO wiki, "[...] World War II, in the books, is described to be a huge fight between the children of Zeus and Poseidon on one side and the children of Hades on the other.

The events of World War II resulted in the pact of the Big Three, because their children were affecting the course of history too much. It was decided more demigod children would be dangerous for the mortal world."

Just. What the fuck. There are so many things that are wrong with this.

There is nothing that he can do to excuse or salvage this. He could rewrite the whole series, I don't give a fuck. This should not have happened in the first place.

I don't care if he wrote the first book in 2005, he was and still is a grown ass man with a high education from what I've read, he has no excuse. WWII has affected millions across the globe with the descendants of all too many families even having to deal with the generational trauma that came from that time period alone AND dealing with heavy deniers of the many atrocities and war crimes that were committed whilst their grandparents and great-grandparents are having hallucinations of all of their traumatic experiences (can you tell i'm speaking from experience?).

Ironically he holds (Ancient) Greece on such a high pedestal, calling it the birthplace of Western Civilisation (it isn't), and yet you can tell he obviously knows very little about the damn country whose culture he's been appropreating for almost two decades now. Making Hades the father of 3 (three) terrible war criminals in the war that, you know, Greece had been and still is greatly affected by to this day. Which is, you know, his fucking home. That he and all the other characters supposedly care about oh so much (I have so many bottled-up negative emotions about these books and absolutely no safe space to let them out, theitsa, you have no idea).

You may think I'm overreacting or taking this too seriously but I honestly couldn't care less. This is not a topic you can just joke about or treat light-heartedly. Yes, it was mentioned as an atrocity in the books, but it was still mainly treated as just "Hehe silly fight between gods! Secret History ooo!~".

Simply saying that WWII was bad is not enough, Rick, it's actually the bare minimum. You need to show it at the very least some respect by not undermining its consequences to simply "This is why we don't have kids anymore!". But you're obviously not ready to hear that yet. It still baffles me that his fans are just now discovering he is not the saint they thought he was. "How could he be a zionist ??" they all ask in unison, meanwhile the signs were all there since 2005 (at the very least).

Anyway, you don't have to answer this ask if you don't feel like it, I understand it can possibly be overwhelming. You're the first person I've seen that's actually not afraid to point out Rick's bullshit despite initially liking his books, and also the fact that you are a Greek educating people on actual Greek culture, so I felt safe sharing my thoughts with you. Thank you for your time! Καλές γιορτές! 💕

You're overreacting, especially when it comes to the World Wars! In ww2 1 in 10 Greeks died in the famine, and almost everyone I know had someone in their family executed or tortured by the Germans/Bulgarians/Italians triple occupation (not to mention getting hurt or killed in battle). These situations traumatized generations of Greeks, but Rick had the immense privilege of not considering this while writing! He treated the wars like they were play-dough for his little cutsy lore, he made our arch-enemies the children of our gods, and he can go to hell for this.

I am here for all the righteous Greek αλάτι, so if you have more thoughts, bring it on!

[shine-reblogs]

I've started reading the Odyssey because of EPIC and here go some of the thoughts I've been having while reading because I just realised I could annoy you all with them xD

(you're gonna get the first several chapters/books in a pack because I started doing this late lol)

Books I-IV

-"Oh, Muses, tell us the story of the man who [insert half the stuff that happens to Odysseus]" this would give a heart attack to people who change the plot when the audience can guess it lmaooo

-Gods why is this written using so much archaic language

-Why are all the gods so afraid of going against Poseidon? They literally go "we all love Odysseus, but Poseidon hates him so... Quick! Let's help Odysseus while the god is away at Ethiopia!" Like, couldn't you take him? (In a fight)

-Every time someone is mentioned they use an epithet, adjective, or short description (which was probably more cool in ancient greek and with the story recited/sung along music, but right now it's only low-key annoying)

-Misogyny is in the air~

-Why every time someone's mentioned they have to tell me their whole lineage? I forgot what we were talking about by the time they're done

-Woe! Infodumping be upon ye!

-Seriously if I wrote some of this stuff today my writing teachers would have critiqued the shit out of it lol

-Some literary devices that make sense for poetry are so not working for the translated version, where it reads as weird and annoying purple prose

-Like the constantly repeating structures and even whole sentences

-Everyone is said to 'resemble the gods'. At this point this sentence has lost all meaning by how much it's repeated

-Omg who snitched about Penelope's ruse with weaving by day and unweaving by night to the suitors?! And why?! (I guess for more drama)

Books V-VIII

-After 4 books/chapters I'm starting to get used to the archaic language, but I still have to read some sentences several times in a 'I understand every word individually but wtf does this mean?' situation sometimes

-Also, I just realised I was reading a century old translation, so I tried switching into a more recent one... and was disappointed to find it's still written in archaic language with minimal improvement

-Omg we're finally getting to Odysseus!! Starting by him leaving Ogigia

-Athena is actually playing a very active role, although she doesn't dare manifest to Odysseus because what if Poseidon notices

-Odysseus covering his junk with a branch/some leaves (because he came out of the sea butt naked) before approaching people for help was not on my bingo card

-Like. This moment is kinda funny knowing he will fight the suitors completely naked later lmao

-No, Odysseus, don't start eating and drinking a lot and quickly after days of fasting, you will upset your stomach!

-They just told me the names of everyone running out the palace to participate in the games and I haven't processed a single one of them lol

-"Eh tú, pringao, a que no hay huevos a participar en los juegos?" "Que no qué, panda de niñatos?!"

-Sorry for switching to spanish, I had to xD (also, if things were actually translated using that kind of language I would be so much more into the story lmao)

-(btw a rough translation would be: "hey, you loser! I bet you don't have the balls to join the games!" "I don't what now, you brats?!")

More in the reblogs, I will link to the final version here once I finish reading and sharing my thoughts about it xD

Here it is

[enbysiriusblack]

queen - saintcurse (mary x pandora) pls 😞

"Um", Mary walked up to Pandora. The girl had stacks of books precariously placed on her small desk. Pieces of parchment filled with messy scribbles littered the floor around her.

Pandora glanced up, "Hi?"

Mary took a seat at the desk next to Pandora and frowned, "What are you doing?"

"I'm researching ancient magic. Well, right now, I'm specifically focused on ancient Greek wizard's use of magic."

Mary scrunched up her nose, "What class is that for?"

"None", Pandora shrugged, "My own interest."

Mary grabbed a book, flicking through the pages, "What language is this?"

Pandora smiled, "Ancient Greek."

"Oh", Mary hummed, shuffling her seat forwards a bit, "Well I've been looking for you."

Pandora glanced back over to her, "I've been here since breakfast."

"Right", Mary smiled, "So do you want to take a break?"

"Not particularly."

Mary sighed, "But I just finished making this dress for you to wear tonight."

"What's tonight?" Pandora asked.

"Well, if Gryffindor wins the match against Hufflepuff then we're throwing a big party."

"And if they don't win?"

"Then we'll still throw a party. Sirius will want to try to cheer up James, so he'll make everyone continue on with the party anyway."

"So you made a dress for me to wear to this party?"

"Yes!" Mary smiled, "And, I was wondering if you'd like to go with me?"

"Oh", Pandora shut the book she currently had open, "Yeah, of course."

"Great!" Mary held her hand out.

Pandora took it quickly, and let Mary lead her out the library.

Mary glanced back to Pandora's messy desk, "Wait, do you not need to put all your stuff away?"

"Nah", Pandora smiled, "Madame Pince knows I'll go back to it tomorrow so she won't mind."

Mary beamed at Pandora, "You're wonderful."

[nardialrose]

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint SPOILER review

Few years ago, I actually tried to give Greek myth retelling genre a chance since despite my dislike for it, I can't vouch my complaints if I didn't even touch it. Plus I like the myths of Ariadne and Dionysius, so I expected to be entertained.

Err it's not.

I don't know how Jennifer Saint fared well myth accuracy wise compared to other authors like Claire North and Pat Barker in the genre. As far as that's concern, Jennifer is okay or decent? I'm only saying this for Ariadne and not her other books as I didn't read them. From her interviews and the stories she adapted, it is faithful and she did a decent job weaving several myths and accounts to one narrative. The minotaur, Ariadne's abandonment by Theseus, Dionysus and Perseus' battle (yes I'm still waving we should get more stories off this). To an extent, Jennifer also adapted Phaedra's story.

Now the writing on the other hand... hoo boy. I can see why this has an average rating compared to the other books in the genre on Goodread.

Imo the book is a good example of that one author who despite researched and know their stuff, they can't write. The thing is that Jennifer has a lot of materials in her hand as while it makes it up hard to messed up the myth accuracy, she has to conformed to that version and thus the execution of getting to that point makes no sense.

Ariadne is as interesting as a blank sheet of paper. She has little to no personality other than being kind and hates seeing murder including animal sacrifice (which makes no sense cuz it's Ancient Greece and she's born as a princess). There's no reason why Dionysus fell in love with her. I guess Ariadne is "not like other women" he has ever met? Either way, their relationship is never interesting in the book and doesn't help Dionysus spends a good chunk being absent cause he has to do "god stuff".

The only character I like is Phaedra and i hated what happened to her. Unlike Ariadne, she has a clear goal and and is more interesting. Jennier's Phaedra dislikes being a mother and wife while she was married to Theseus, and even though she engaged more political duties, that didn't absolved her misery of being confined. That's cool and I loved the sibling love between her and Ariadne. That's honestly the only real feminist thing that happened in the book.

...and then Hippolytus comes in and the writing went downhill.

All of a sudden, Phaedra falls in love with Hippolytus (btw the gods were not involved much, so no Aphrodite curse here). It's because Hippolytus is "not like other men" who doesn't treat women as cattle, so Phaedra went crazy over him. So the only major change Jennifer Saint made here is not include Phaedra's false accusation which she said it doesn't aged well and still reflects very bad in the #metoo movement era now. I'm not gonna dwell on whether this a good choice or not.

But either way, it changed to Theseus believing Hippolytus did something nefarious to Phaedra and is gonna punish him. Phaedra committed suicide and Hippolytus died by the wave just like in the myth.

Oh and the ending is so anti-climatic. Dionysus' attempt to take over Argos and fight Perseus happened so fast and short in the last 2 or 3 chapters. Ariadne found out Dionysus is "like other gods" who demands respect and worship by violent means, with the final nail in the coffin is brainwashing the women to ripping their infants to shred (which I don't blame Ariadne for this case tbh). Another thing I like is here Dionysus' isn't waterdown with how much he can be cruel in the myths which a lot of people don't know.

Ariadne died by Medusa' gaze and the epilogue said she becomes the goddess of women and childbirth? It's so vague so idk if it's meant to be taken literally. Now that I think about it, Ariadne didn't spend a lot of time with other female characters other than her sister, so uhh where's the feminism??

All in all, so bland and forgettable and that's likely my only attempt on the genre that is so mid.

EDITED: so rechecking Phaedra's myths, and found this, but it has no citation, so idk if it's taken directly from the book :|

[byegonnagocrynow]

An ode to the love lost

And I sit here, burned by grief of what could've been only if one of us would accumulate the courage to live our truth.

'I wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through his curls'- I didn't realise I had voiced that thought. Maybe I said it in a released sigh or a whisper, maybe i yelled, either way I don't remember. It was a harmless fleeting attraction, or so i thought. He was pretty, yes, but he was also beautiful and intriguing in its highest sense. The kind of beauty uncharted waters offer. Mesmerizing, even. He'd leave you in a trance once you set your eyes on him. Or maybe you were exaggerating. Maybe, as pointed by many to you, you simply put him on a pedestal and romanticised him. Maybe he was just another boy with toned muscles, a smile that could light up cities of darkness and hair so tangled that hung loose on top of his forehead. His eyes, oh God, his eyes! His eyes were in resemblance of late autumn leaves that brought in the joy of it being cold and festive again. His eyes were the shade of brown that feels safe enough to confide in. Those irises alone would make you want to confess your dirtiest sins, in assurance that you'd be forgiven regardless. Yet, they were treacherous enough to doubt. The kind that swirl like sweet nectar. Brown, copper eyes that held in some kind of Greek tragedy. His eyes were gentle, almost vulnerable, like a fleeting gazelle's, one fleeing from potential predators. You'd see him staring right into your soul and you couldn't help but look away. Until you'd look back at that familiar warmth of christmas socks and hot chocolate on a chilly morning while you wrote letters to your lost lover by the fire. Destined for a grand tragedy. You'd look back, timid to hold eye contact, wondering what if it was all too good to be true? Men weave beautiful blankets of lies, you were aware. But you'd find his eyes breathless, as if after a passionate kiss and you'd know. You'd know that boyish grin by heart. You'd have it memorised as if it were beats you've hummed for months. You'd know he was luring you but you had known for a while now that that allure wasn't one of malice. What you wouldn't know was if he'd ever reciprocate this affection, and that would terrify you. So much that you'd never bring yourself to confess. And just like that, a love that could've been one for the history books, died suffocating under the ruins of ancient cities.

[booksanddarkchocolate]

So here are my live reactions on the pjo finale:

- I’m not mentally ready for this yet

- Long episode tho :)

- Omg Luke opening gave me chills

- OH THEY DID HAVE THE SWORD TRAINING I WAS SO CONFUSED ABOUT THAT FIRST

- But why are they flashbacks and not just something we saw in ep2?

- I’m still confused on why they chose to reveal the Kronos thing already

- Why is Percy not wearing Annabeths necklace yet 🥺

- Damn slay Percy

- The fight didn’t disappoint I’d say

- Wait are they on Montauk 🥹

- The “please” 😭😂

- “I’m done running from monsters” babes you only just started

- AWWW there is the necklace 🥹

- I feel like Luke mentioning Annabeths arachnophobia is so random even tho he explained it 😂

- Oh hello Zeus

- That is one hell of a good casting choice for Zeus, appearance wise

- Okay Zeus letting Percy go already felt way too easy lol

- Percy you are so lucky

- They’re making Poseidon way too good of a father tho I’m sorry

- Oh I’m gonna listen to their Ancient Greek convo later and slower because I love nitpicking hihi

- I’m not sure whether I like that they changed the Greek coming natural thing, because on one side it feels like an unnecessary change, but on the other side I can still be delusional and think I’m a demigod, because Ancient Greek does not come naturally to me at all sadly

- Wait but does that still mean all demigods have dyslexia (and adhd)? I don’t remember whether they talked about it earlier in the series

- I will be so mad if Annabeth doesn’t have dyslexia and adhd (and still is also a bookworm, we’ve seen her being a nerd but not necessarily a bookworm)

- Awwww Percabeth hug

- Annabeth and Lukes relationship in this interaction was done perfectly

- Does Percy already suspect Luke now?

- That’s one hell of an accusation Percy

- But you know since he figured out about Kronos too it makes sense

- Backbiter name drop yas

- “This isn’t you” okay but how long do you actually know him Percy lol

- I’m very confused on what Luke is doing honestly

- What is he opening? And is the H on purpose, supposed to represent Hermes?

- Oh oh Annabeth is here

- Oh don’t know how to feel about that

- I do know that Leah made me cry, gods the betrayal in her eyes 🥺

- Really not doing the “names are powerful” thing huh😂

- Jason is so perfect for Dionysus

- “It’s a tree, Seaweed Brain, it doesn’t express opinions” 😂

- Leahs hair is so beautiful

- It feels so sudden that she goes to see her dad now, but I don’t remember whether it was less sudden in the books lol

- Annabeth not know what Disneyland is, oh my baby 🥺

- FREDRICK YOU BETTER SHOW HER A MOVIE THIS TIME

- “Go, be a kid” Percy is saying what we’re all thinking

- The trio is trioing 🥹

- What is happening

- That is FOUL

- What is happening part 2

- Yes please listen to your mom, don’t call him grandpa 😂

- I am patiently waiting for the Medusa Gabe scene here

- Please tell me there’s an after credit scene and it happens then

- Every time I watch the credits and every time I feel like it’s not the same

- YES ITS HAPPENING

- I have thoughts on the changes of Gabe turning into a statue but I cannot formulate them yet lol

- Ohmygod there’s a documentary

- Watching that tomorrow

Now the season is done I do wanna make an actual review of what I like and dislike both adaptation and just as a show wise

[berrypass-de-murdler]

2-48 The Secret Chamber Secret

I... need to talk to someone 😭 I'm so scared and hopeless

hmm well me and fletch are larping as aureolin and lady violet again today cuz halloween

(warning this episode has some needlessly graphic descriptions don't read before eating)

DON'T READ THE EPISODES WITHOUT READING THE BOOKS!!

VOICE: GOOD JOB. GOOD JOB. YOU SOLVED THE RIGHT MURDER. LOGICO: I hate that!! Why is there a robotic voice in this ANCIENT TOMB?

Pythagoras’ grave tilts upright and opens, revealing a tunnel!

LOGICO: And automation?? What the fuck- IRRATINO: [squeal] THIS IS AMAZING!!

They go creepy-crawly into the deep chamber. The further they go, the bigger it gets! And the more surreal… Irratino is in heaven.

They finally approach the end, discovering puzzles encrypted on the wall, and a broken statue of the Greek God himself. (YES I KNOW PYTHAGORAS WASN’T A GOD STFU)

But before they can reach the door, another puzzle stands in their way! (A murder.)

LOGICO: Gross. There’s nobody even here! How am I supposed to solve a murder with no suspects?

You see Logico, in the real world, homicide detectives don’t generally HAVE their suspects conveniently standing before them. But that’s beside the point. Irratino hears some muffled voices.

IRRATINO: Wait, Logico, listen!

The sound seems to be coming from a crate nearby. The two creep up on it, ready to strike, and throw open the top.

They find Seashell and Sable crammed in there in the worst positions, along with a snake.

LOGICO: OH GOD!  SEASHELL: out please SABLE: [squeaking]

Irratino struggles to pull them out. Seashell is like 7 feet tall, so all his bones crunch as he emerges and he cannot stand.

SEASHELL: I need to be… manually pressed… Logico help me… LOGICO: Absolutely not.

Sable however rolls out with ease once Seashell’s out. She uncurls to reveal an incredible purple velvet gown!

LOGICO: Oh, Sable! Where did you get that? SABLE: I’ve been travelling the world, searching for myself… and I finally found me! When Lady Violet showed me the aristocrat way, I knew I could never go back.

Logico is sad. Now she’s turned into just another one of those.

The snake comes out of the box too.

LOGICO: Were you two kept in there with that as some kind of torture chamber? SNAKE: Naur! That’s racist!

The snake has arms and legs, and is a person. She showcases her Archaeologist Ecru badge, and explains how she only wanted to steal that fresh body, but was kidnapped.

LOGICO: Who were you kidnapped by?? SEASHELL: We didn’t see. They were completely masked… SABLE: I can’t believe my quills are unstable.

Logico already can’t stand this ‘new’ Sable. Regardless of who the kidnapper was, one of these three is the murderer. And Logico doesn’t even need to prove it!

While Logico searches for clues, Ecru tries to force Seashell’s spine back into place, and Sable stands around pampering herself. Ecru throws a lump of dirt at her out of spite.

SABLE: AAH! Why did you do that?! ECRU: Because you’re a pansy. SABLE: Now I have to iron AND cleanse this dress! 

Irratino decides to obtain crucial information through palm readings. 

SABLE: No, don’t touch me! I can’t possibly have any more germs on me… LOGICO: SNAP OUT OF IT, SABLE!

It’s not that weird until Seashell makes it weird because he’s still lying on the ground. And being weird.

SEASHELL: Oh, that tickles… Would you mind punching my hand? IRRATINO: WHAT?

Ecru smashes the fish’s hand between her fists. There’s an awful crunch, like someone stomping on a corn chip.

SEASHELL: Ah, that feels so much better! [he says as his hand turns purple] LOGICO: I can’t take any more of this. You’re the killer! IRRATINO: Logico! You can’t assume that! SEASHELL: No he’s right. IRRATINO: Oh.

There’s not much point to that, and Logico pulls a lever on the wall. The door at the back of the chamber opens… revealing the greatest thing in the entire world!]

LOGICO: Irratino… do you think you can get one of your friends to let me address the Convocation of Countries? IRRATINO: [squee!] YES!

Logico is going to stop the upcoming war! (and P.S. - I don’t think that was really Pythagoras’ grave.)

The end!

me: i hate myself when i draw, I can't draw no matter how hard I try, why do I even bother

murdle2: hmm yes the perfect time to introduce a new character

The power of Goat Lord compels you!

See you next time murdlers!

[specialagentlokitty]

Giles x teen!reader - a demigods fate

Part 5:

The rest of the week passed and you finished all your tests, and finally you got your scores back, so you made your way to the library.

Walking in, you made your way over to the librarian and handed the paper over.

“What’s this?”

“Guess I’m not being expelled, but apparently I know have to study with you every week, so that’s great fun.”

Giles unfolded the paper and he gave you a bright smile.

“This is wonderful (Y/N), I’m so proud of you.”

He handed it back over and you shook your head, waving your hand dismissively.

“Keep it I don’t care, can I have those books?”

“Oh.. oh yes of course they’re in my office.”

Giles made his way to his office, pinning your results to the board on the walk he grabbed the books you were after and brought them out.

Giles set them down and sat with you, watching as you picked one of them up.

“What exactly is it you’re looking for?” He asked.

“I’m hoping that one of these will have something about why my monsters want the hellmouth.”

“Still no word from the uh.. what do you call it?”

“The oracle, and nope, not a damn thing.”

Giles slid the jar over to you and you put a dollar in it.

“That wasn’t even a fucking swear word.”

“No, but that was, hence the dollar.”

You huffed, rolling your eyes as you went back to reading.

“Do you not have anything that may be able to tell you more?”

“Hermes is delivering all my books to me today, he’s dropping them off at my apartment then he’s bringing one of them here.”

Just as you said that the doors were opened, and the god walked over, handing you a book then some paperwork.

“Seriously?”

“Sorry kid, rules are rules, what do you even want with this?”

Taking the clipboard you signed it and handed it back over, waving your hand dismissively.

“Come on, I went through all that effort to bring to that here, can’t I know?”

“Not unless you have anything to tell me.”

He sighed, shaking his head.

“Sorry, still no word. I’ll let you know if there is any, Chiron said he would send me with any message since apparently any demigod that comes this way gets killed.”

“Now there is no need to bring that up.” Giles said sternly.

Hermes glanced at him, and Giles quickly looked away.

“It’s coming kid.”

With that he left and you looked at the book you were given before you held it out to Giles.

“What’s this?”

“It’ll help you translate Ancient Greek, I can’t always be your point of call, learn the language, could be helpful.”

He took the book, opening the first page to see the alphabet with the translations under it in English.

“This will help a lot, thank you.”

You leant back in your chair, closing your eyes as you tilting your head back.

Giles carried on going through the book, carefully reading through some of the pages. He was going to have to spend some time studying it but he was sure he would be able to read Ancient Greek in no time.

He closed the book, setting it aside, looking at the hellhounds that were exploring the library.

It had become customary at this point, but it still made him feel at edge slightly knowing one wrong move could be the very end for him.

You had explained everything to them, and he knew because of the mist nobody else could see them thankfully.

“You can pet Rig, he’s the most calm out of the trio.”

“Oh.. oh I see..” he mumbled.

He looked down at the hellhound who had walked over at the mention of his name and he gently touched Rigs head, scratching behind his ear.

“He’s cold.”

“The have no regulated heat like real dogs, hellhounds are created from the deepest, darkest depths of the underworld, shrouded with shadows which lets them travel with me.”

Giles could see the shadows moving around his hand, and when he moved his hand away it was gone.

“They walk through the shadows like you?”

You nodded.

“All three of them Oris, Rig and Titan.”

The three hounds sat in front of him, and he couldn’t tell them apart.

He narrowed his eyes, and looked between them.

“So, how do you know which is which?”

“Rig is the smallest, Oris is shrouded by the most shadows and Titan is the fastest.”

“So, what if they’re all sitting like this?”

You opened your eyes to looked at them.

“Just say their names, they understand you. They’re smart. They understand, and if they think it’s important they’ll listen

“Right I.. I see.”

Giles reached out to scratch their ears, and he looked at you.

“Will you be going to the bronze with the others later on? I think it will be good for you, a nice break if you will.”

“No, I’ve got things to do.”

“Hunting?”

You shrugged, closing your eyes again, leaning across the table so you could lay down, resting your head in your arms.

“Or research.”

“You really need to take a day off, you aced your tests, you’ve been fighting monsters nonstop with Buffy, or on your own. You should be a teenager, go.. go party or whatever it is the teenagers do now.”

The doors were opened and the trio came wondering in.

“Oh the puppies are back!” Willow gasped.

She rushed over, sitting behind them so she could let them all and hug them tightly.

Xander and Buffy sat down, looking through the books you had been reading.

“Some light reading before bed?” Buffy joked.

“Not for me, for (Y/N).” Giles said.

Buffy looked at you.

“Sleeping on the job again?” Xander asked.

“Let them sleep Xander, I think they’ve earned it.”

Giles covered you with his blazer, knowing it wouldn’t have much affect on you.

“We’ve been trying to figure out why the monsters keep coming for the hellmouth, (Y/N) had more books delivered. Have you come across anything else?” Giles asked Buffy.

She shook her head, leaning back in her chair.

“No, they’ve been killed all the Greek monsters so I can deal with the vampires.”

“They’re exhausting themselves.” Willow mumbled.

Giles sighed, nodding his head.

“I know but they won’t take a rest, there is no other demigods coming to help, all we have is (Y/N), and we need to help them.”

“How? They won’t let us get close enough to help.” Xander said.

“Well, we start with the hellmouth and what we know about it.”

They all began discussing what they knew about it, about the vampires and demons coming towards the town, and it all came down to power.

That was the same for the monsters, they wanted that power for something, they just weren’t making it clear what it was or why they wanted it.

It wasn’t like vampires or demons you couldn’t just ask, most of the monsters didn’t talk, and if they did they just went on about the hero and the killing the hero.

Willing looked up from where she was laid on the floor surrounded by the hounds.

“How do we even kill the monsters? All Buffy can do is run them off.”

“I believe it may have something to do with (Y/N)s sword, I don’t know exactly what it’s made off but I suspect there will be something in the books.”

Everybody turned to you.

“You three take them home.”

“We would but we don’t know where the live.”

“Ah.. yes.. right… Uhm..”

Giles looked around and he spotted Rig sitting there, head titled in what he could only describe as curiosity.

“Rig, help them take (Y/N).”

The hound barked, getting up with the other two, and they paced back and forth as they waited for the three teenagers to follow.

Xander picked you up, and Buffy tried to pry the blazer from your hand.

“Take it with you I’m sure I’ll get it back in no time.”

The hounds walked to the darkest corner of the room.

“We can’t.. we don’t have that kind of power..” willow mumbled.

Titan barked, walking around her, a circle of shadows at her feet, the the other two hounds did the same thing before walking to the shadows.

The teenagers followed the dogs, and they appeared in your apartment.

Xander set you down on the couch and they began to look around, but the hounds wouldn’t let them explore too much.

“Alright, we’ll go.” Buffy said.

They left your apartment and the hounds laid near you.

After about an hour, Rig got up walked through the shadows and back to the library, laying himself at the librarians feet.

“Hello, what are you doing here?”

Rig looked up before resting his head down again.

Giles turned his attention back to the book, mumbling to himself as he tried to work on the translations.

Sighing, he got up, stepping over the hound to make some tea, and the hound followed him.

“Why do you insist on following me?”

Titan had done the same thing, trailing behind the trio happily as Willow scratched his head.

“Why does it keep following us?” Xander asked.

“Maybe it’s something to do with the monsters, we should go back and talk to Giles, see what he knows.”

So that’s what they did, they made their way back to the library, walking in to see Giles trying to walk away from the hound.

“Oh you’ve got a follower too!” Willow giggled.

“Too? You guys have one?”

Willow pointed to the hellhound next to her.

“Any clue?” Xander asked.

Giles shook his head, sitting down.

“Not a single one, I had thought perhaps it had something to do with (Y/N) being in the library, but these two seem to be wondering in their own unless their under orders.”

“Orders?” Buffy asked.

“Well, they do belong to and answer to (Y/N). Either they were told to follow us, or they’ve decided to pass some time by stalking us.”

“Can’t you find something about them?” Buffy huffed.

“I’m not exactly ancient Greek Buffy, I’m still learning how to translate these texts I’m sorry.”

Titan and Rig looked up at the books, and they jumped on the table, sniffing around until Titan found the book and knocked it to the floor.

“Oh great, they have a mind of their own, we’re going to be killed by hellhounds.” Xander complained.

Giles looked down at the book on the floor.

“Not exactly, (Y/N) did say they were smart. I think I know why they’re here with us.”

He picked up up, setting it on the table next to the translation book and a notepad.

They all crowded around while he translated the page, which took a little longer than they were hoping for but finally it worked.

“Oh yes, it all makes sense now. The hellhounds are from the Greek Underworld, they are shrouded by the mist so nobody else sees them.” Giles said.

Everybody turned to the hounds.

“Aside from Buffy, the rest of us still can’t see through the most clearly, it will take some time. So, these two hellhounds are here to give us an early warning if something is there that we may not be able to see.”

“Well that’s great and all, but there’s three of us that can’t see through it properly and two hellhounds, explain the math here Giles.” Xander said nervously.

“Oh that’s true…”

Willow knelt down next to Trigger, scratching him behind the ear.

“Is there more if you? Because we.. we could really use another for me or Xander.”

Titan let out a loud bark that shook the room, and two more hellhounds appeared.

“Great, more. The hellhounds can summon more.” Buffy mocked.

One sat next to Xander while the other sat next to Buffy.

“Great, now we all get hellhounds isn’t that just adorable.” Xander said nervously.

“Well, now at least we all have a fair chance of knowing what is beyond sight.” Giles said.

“Well, what do we call these two?” Willow asked.

Giles walked over, crouching down in front of the two new hounds who were holding parchments in their mouths.

“Let’s see…”

He took one, and opened it, taking it to the book.

“Xander, yours is called Cyrus. Buffy yours is called Shadow. Very original.”

Shadow sat next to Buffy.

“So… do we have to feed them?” Buffy asked.

“Uhm… I don’t believe we do, apparently the hounds can eat if they want, but it isn’t necessary for their survival.” Giles replied.

They all sat down, the hellhounds laying at their feet.

“So, they just follow us?” Xander asked.

“Come on guys, I think it’s cute! I mean look at their little faces!” Willow gushed.

“They’re made of shadows.” Xander grimaced.

“But they’re so cute!”

“Children, now is not the time to be debating if hounds from the underworld are cute or not.”

Everybody turned to Buffy.

She looked down at Shadow.

“Though it is pretty adorable.” She mumbled.

“You three should go enjoy yourselves, remember nobody else can see them, so, you should have no issues with getting in anywhere or anybody questioning you about the hounds.”

“What about you?” Buffy asked.

“I will carry on with these books, see what I can learn, I’ll let you know if I find anything helpful.”

They nodded and left, and Giles gathered all the books so he could head home.

Sitting on his couch, he carried on going through the translation book you had given him whole Rig sat there staring at him.

Sighing, he set the book down.

“What is it?”

Rig titled his head.

“If anybody saw me talking to a hellhound I would most certainly be shipped away…”

Rig whined, flattening his ears, looking around.

“What is it Rig? Is there something out there?”

The hound stood up and so did Giles, the moment the man was on his feet the hellhound was on the couch, curled up in his spot.

“Oh for god sake..”

Oris looked at the door before looking back at you, resting his head on your stomach, whining a little as you moved, letting out small pained noises.

You shot up, sweat on your forehead, and you swung your legs off the couch, letting the hound rest his head in your lap so you could pet his head.

You looked at the blazer in your hand, and you folding it neatly, holding it out.

“Return it.”

Oris took it and ran off while you walked to your map, looked at the few new marks.

Walking to your kitchen, you got yourself a cup of water and leant on the counter, running a hand through your hair as your stomach grumbled.

You flicked through some takeout menus that you had, trying to find something interesting.

A respected demigod, feared, and you didn’t know how to cook a single thing.

You grabbed your jacket and your wallet as you left your apartment, going to find somewhere decent to eat at

[ohtobealady]

October Prompts

4 October: Pyre

Robert scratched out his signature — Earl of Grantham — and, before reaching for the blotter, turned in his chair to take in the scene of giggling children behind him.

“Will you show us?” Little George had asked in his small, gruff little voice, and Robert chortled as he saw his wife hold up the magnifying glass to her eye. She widened it, her blue eye now quite large in the lens, and their grandchildren laughed.

Marigold reached out her small fingers to it, and Robert watched as, with a smile, Cora relinquished the magnifying glass to her.

“You must be careful. It’s heavier than you think,” he heard her caution as he turned back around and blotted the letter.

This, their sitting with the children in the library, felt warm and familiar to him. They’d done the same thing with their girls, him working at the desk here, Cora showing them some books or other, speaking to them in soft tones. Eventually one of the girls would wander over, quietly, and rest her head on his arm, watching as he worked. He turned around again and looked at the three children behind him: Marigold holding the magnifying glass up before her and giggling as George made large chomping motions with his mouth, Sybbie sitting near Cora on the sofa, pointing to a picture as Cora stroked her arm.

Yes. This felt like home.

“And that’s this?”

He felt himself chuckle a little at the sound of Sybbie’s insistent curiosity.

“Ah!” He chuckled further at Cora’s equal enthusiasm. “That’s the Gokstad ship!”

“What’s Gokstad?”

“Well, I think it’s the name of a place, darling. It’s where they found this ancient Viking ship. Can you see how large it is?”

He smiled as Sybbie’s hair tickled at her chin as she nodded.

“Is that treasure?”

“Mmm,” his wife nodded, too, and Robert studied the resemblance between them. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

He turned back to his work, locking away in some part of his mind the lovely sounds of his grandchildren’s quiet giggles, the susurrus of turning pages, the lilt of Cora’s voice she used with the children.

“And what’s that?”

“Oh, it’s called a pyre. It’s something the Vikings did.”

Robert stilled, and he listened over his shoulder.

“A fire?”

“Yes, from the Greek … or Latin, perhaps. Pyra. A large fire.”

“Like we have here in the library?”

“No.” Robert listened as his wife moved on the sofa. He listened as the page of the book was turned. “A pyre is for a funeral, darling. The Vikings thought that the smoke would help the soul of their loved one get to Heaven.”

“Like my mother?”

Oh.

Robert felt colder. The warmth that the familiarity of the afternoon had brought had been snuffed out of his chest, though the sounds of his other grandchildren still whispered and laughed softly.

It’d always been Sybil to rest her head on his arm.

“Did my mother have a fire? To help get to Heaven?”

“No,” Cora said again, and Robert turned in his chair and looked for her.

She blinked, her face turned down to her lap, and he watched as she took their granddaughter’s hand in her own.

“Your mother didn’t need any of our help to get to Heaven.”

“So no fire?”

“No. So no pyre.”

And just as he thought she might, Cora brought her eyes to his; and with his heart softly breaking, he offered her a small smile.

I love you.

She broke away. “Speaking of fire…” She stood, still holding Sybbie’s hand. “Marigold, bring the magnifying glass. I have quite a trick to show you, but you must promise to only use this great power for good, hm?”

The children jumped, smiling.

“What is it!”

Her lilt had returned. “The magnifying lens has a curve. And we can use the curve to bend sunlight to one tiny spot…” She was walking away with the children, George hopping behind her, Marigold hugging the magnifying glass tightly to her chest, Sybbie holding her hand.

“…and make a fire, Granny?”

Robert chuckled again at George’s gruff voice, now in the Great Hall, and thanked Heaven and all those in it, that the warmth had returned.

“And make a fire.”

[archoniluthradanar]

I woke up this morning to find you gone

I woke up this morning to find you gone : a Volturi one-shot

The Twilight "Zone" series-these stories have a bit of strangeness about them.

Caius' human mate - First person POV

Caius' mate goes to bed with him, then falls asleep with him at her side as he is most nights. She awakens the next morning to find him gone. Not away, but really gone. And no one in the Volturi castle has ever heard of him. Or her. How will a human convince the Volturi she belongs there, and that her mate is real and is now missing.

oooooooooooooooooooo

My name is Allie Carson. I was an American who had lived in Washington state all my life. It was a fairly normal life, that is, until I met Caius. He was handsome, almost regal in his carriage, rude when it suited him, and an old-fashioned gentleman when he chose to be. I could tell right off he was...different.

I had bumped into him on the street, literally. He had been sent, he later told me, to keep an eye on a local family here in Forks.

"Are you a cop or FBI agent? I asked him, curious.

"Nothing so mundane," he replied curtly. "Why do you care?"

I ignored the snark. "Mundane? Now you have me really interested. I would never say the work of a detective or an agent of the government was mundane."

He only smirked, which intrigued me more. I told him I was on my way to have lunch at a local diner and asked him to join me. He agreed after looking around the main street. I briefly wondered what he was looking for, but by the time we reached the diner, my mind was on the hamburger lunch deal my stomach was demanding.

We sat at a table, and the waitress came by with two glasses of water. She set them down and took out her pad. "Hello, Allie, I see you found a friend. Stranger around these parts?" she asked Caius, her eyes obviously admiring him. "What can I get you both?"

"Marsha, I'll have the hamburger lunch deal, with a Coke." I looked at my impromptu companion. "Can I get you anything...uh?"

"Caius," he said, finally smiling.

"Caius? Ok then, Caius...did you want anything?"

"No, thank you. I've eaten already," he replied, leaning back against his chair.

There was that smirk again. "I guess I'm the only one eating, Marsha." After she went to put in my order, I looked the blonde man over. "Caius is a strange name."

"It's an old family name. I rather like it," he said.

"Oh, I do too. Unusual names run in my family. Even though I ended up with 'Allison', dad once told me he wanted to name me Athena, but mom objected."

"The Greek goddess," he said knowingly.

"Are your parents historians or something? Your name, the fact you instantly recognized one of the Greek gods."

"Actually, I am a historian so to speak. I...read a lot about history. Do you like history as well?"

I was so impressed to meet someone like Caius. Here in Forks, the library had minimal books on ancient history, so I had to buy a lot of used books online. "Yes, I love history, I don't even care what era. It all interests me."

His brilliant blue eyes lit up at my words, so I must have said something right. Just then, Marsha came by with my lunch plate and a glass of Coke.

"Here you go, Allie." She turned to Caius, asking him, "Sure you don't want anything?" When he shook his head, she nodded and left us alone.

We talked about anything that came into our minds until I had finished everything on my plate. "How long will you be in town?" I asked my lunch companion.

"Two days, maybe three. Then I'll return home."

"Where is home, if I may ask." I wasn't sure if he had to keep that secret, his job and all.

"I'm from Volterra." He must have seen my frown, since he immediately clarified. "Tuscany region, Italy.

"Wait. So you're not an American officer? Interesting." His accent didn't sound Italian, but perhaps he was a transplant.

We left the cafe together, but I had to get home, and Caius seemed distracted, his eyes again scanning the streets. We bid each other goodbye and went our separate ways.

I walked across the street, still watching Caius. A young man, whose face I didn't recognize, walked up to him. They seemed to speak to each other as if they knew one another. The stranger was dressed in what appeared to be clothing from another era. He was handsome as well, and I wondered who he was. I sneezed, which forced my eyes closed. By the time I opened them, Caius and the stranger were gone.

The next morning, I left my house to find the blonde stranger standing on the sidewalk out front. He smiled when I walked over to him. "I just wanted to see you before I left," he said.

We spent the rest of the morning together. I asked him if he could reveal the name of the family he was watching. Were they criminanls, I asked him. He laughed.

"Not exactly criminals. The Cullens tend to do their own thing with no concept of the law."

Did he mean Carlisle Cullen? "Caius, Dr Cullen is highly respected here in town. We feel fortunate to have such a...a skilled physician in our small hospital, when he could find a better paying position anywhere in the country. And his family's great. I don't know them very well, but we have spoken at times. Alice is so sweet, and Emmett is a hoot."

"They've done nothing wrong...yet. I was only sent to watch them," Caius replied, trying to reassure me.

I admitted to myself I was intrigued by this man, a foreigner to my country. But I was stunned when the last day of his stay, before he was supposed to leave for good, Caius demanded to see me. Demanded.

We had gone for a walk into town and ended up at the park. We sat on a bench beneath a tree. I didn't say much, unsure how I felt about his leaving. His next words stunned me.

"I want you to join me in Volterra. Come with me and be my mate. I know it sounds strange, but it won't when I explain everything."

"It's been three days! I hardly know you, Caius! What is this all about?" I looked up at him while he stood and paced in front of me.

"I cannot tell you everything, Allie. You have to trust me when I say we belong together. I confirmed this with Marcus."

"Who the hell is Marcus? Caius, are you crazy?" I shut up when he took my hands in his and sat beside me.

"I...work with Marcus. He has a gift of recognizing relationships between people, a hundred, fifty...two. He told me you and I are destined to be mates."

"Mates. As in spouses?"

"If you wish to call it that. All I know is what I feel when I am with you. My previous mate died long ago."

Long ago, he said, when he barely looked thirty years old. My head was spinning, yet when he suddenly kissed me, my brain took the time to stop thinking while I let this man gather me in his arms and continue to kiss me. When he pulled back, I gazed at him in shock. Yet could it have felt more natural.

So I left Forks forever, binding my life with Caius', before I even knew much about him, or what he was.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

It was like any other night, Caius and me lying in our bed while we talked about the day's events. We were laughing about something that happened, when he moved to hover over me, pressing his lower body against mine. I smiled up at him while wrapping him in my arms. then kissing him. I was still human, so he had to be careful he didn't accidently bite the tip of my tongue off. Soon he would change me, and he would not have to hold back any longer.

We made love until I was tired out. He let me lie against him, our fingers entwined. "I love you, my heart," I said.

"I love you, amore mio," he replied, pulling me closer.

I closed my eyes and Caius held me until I fell asleep.

Sunlight poured through the window, waking me. I turned to my left to see an empty spot in our bed. I sat up, calling for Caius. Maybe he was in the shower, but he usually asked me if I wanted to join him. I got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. No Caius. I touched the shower wall. It was dry.

Had he been summoned by Aro for a last minute meeting or trial, and didn't want to wake me?

I quickly dressed and went in search of my mate. I entered the door of the throne room, and found no one. Perhaps they had gathered in the larger audience hall. I was on my way there when strong arms grabbed mine, pulling me back against a tall, marble-hard body.

"Felix, you startled me." When I turned to look up at him, his expression frightened me. It was as if he didn't know me. When he grabbed my arm, I struggled against the pain. "Felix, you're hurting me." Even the fearsome Felix had never harmed me since I arrived here. This was very much out of character for him.

I was unceremoniously dragged to the smaller throne room, where Aro now sat with Marcus on the dais that lacked one chair. This was crazy. Where was Caius' throne?

I was about to ask what was going on and where was Caius, when Aro rose from his throne and walked down the three steps to stand before me, Felix still holding my arms but less tightly.

"Who are you and how did you get inside this place?" His red eyes bore into mine.

"Aro, I've been here ever since Caius brought me here. And where is he, by the way. What have you done to his throne?"

I saw Aro glance back at Marcus, who was sitting still, as he usually did. The quiet one merely shook his head.

"Aro, can you please ask Felix to let me go."

Aro gave the tall guard a blink and Felix stepped back, but not far from me.

I rubbed my arms and glanced around the room to see most of the top guards standing against the wall. They all looked at me as if they didn't know me.

"What is your name, my dear," Aro asked.

I had to laugh. "You know me, brother. I'm Allie, Caius' mate?"

Aro looked aback when I called him brother. He stepped back, turned and walked slowly back to his throne, sitting once there. 'You say you are Allie, mate to Caius. Yet we know no Caius...nor you."

This was insane. I was in a nightmare it seemed.

I pointed down the line of guards. "That's Demetri, Chelsea, Afton, Santiago, Jane, Alec. Heidi is most likely out fetching tourists for your next meal. You're Aro and he's Marcus. If I hadn't been here awhile, how would I know your names or theirs? I also know you're vampires." I looked over at the empty far corner. "Where is Caius' throne? It usually sits there, at your left."

"There has never been another throne, my dear. Marcus and I are the sole leaders of the Volturi. There are no others." He spoke gently, as if to a child.

"Yes, there is! Caius helped you form the coven ages ago." I had lost my composure by now.

Aro asked me a question, I think to test my story. "And who are you to this Caius?"

"I'm his mate, from America. He brought me here 10 months ago. You promised me one year before you insisted I be changed. I have two months left. And now I don't even belong here, so it seems."

I gave a pleading look at Marcus. who was always kind to me. He stared back at me as he would a stranger.

Aro appeared to be thinking, when he suddenly stood, walked down the steps, and grabbed my wrist, saying tersely, "Come with me."

I was suddenly afraid. "Where are you taking me, Aro?" Very afraid. "Aro, please don't kill me. Give me a chance to explain!"

"Foolish human, I'm not going to kill you, or you would have been dead already." We stopped in front of our chambers, mine and Caius'. "You say these are the rooms you shared with this Caius?"

I opened the right door and walked in. "These have been Caius' rooms for longer than I know. I have lived here with him for the last ten..." My heart dropped. I looked around to find an empty set of rooms. The furniture was gone. Our belongings were gone.

I ran to the bedroom, then searched the massive closet. It was empty of our clothing and the large jewelry case Caius had bought me to hold all the beautiful necklaces, earrings and rings he had chosen for me over the months. There was nothing left behind to bear witness to his extreme generosity.

I turned to Aro. "I don't understand. It's all gone. But it was here when I woke up this morning. I dressed and left to look for Caius." I thought for a moment. If Caius had disappeared from this place, perhaps time itself, all the things he had bought for me would be gone too. It was a logical assumption that if he never existed, anything tied to him would never have been here. And I would not be here. But I was. I am.

I started to walk back to the outer door. While I stood in the corridor, I felt Aro move behind me. I awaited execution, but instead, he took my elbow and led me back the way we came.

"You're not going to kill me, Aro?"

"I said I would not. You know too much, but what you know proves some of your story. For now, Marcus wishes to speak with you."

"No problem. I know the way." He let go my arm and we walked side by side to Marcus' chambers. When we came to his doors, Aro left me there with a pleasant expression, reassuring me.

I reached up and knocked on the heavy wooden door. It opened to reveal the tall melancholy vampire.

"Welcome, my child. Come in." He stepped aside to allow me in and led me to the settee. I sat down and tried to get comfortable.

"It's good to see you again. Marcus. I'm glad you asked me here since I want to ask you, do you see me with your gift? Am I with anyone?" Caius maybe.

Marcus looked a bit surprised that I mentioned his gift. "Yes, I know about your gift. When I arrived here from America, you confirmed with Caius and me, that we were mates and belonged together. Why don't you remember that?"

Since I had arrived here in Volterra, Marcus had always favoured me, and his lack of emotion basically made him more relaxing to be around. When Caius was off on some mission with the guards, Marcus would invite me to his rooms and read to me while I lay my head on his lap. Sometimes he would comb my hair with his fingers in a soothing manner. Anything to calm me during my mate's absences.

"Sit here, child. Aro asked me to talk with you about your delusion..."

"Marcus, it's not a delusion! I'm telling you all the truth. Caius met me in America, and we spent some time while he was in Forks. He asked me to go home with him because we belonged together." How many times did I have to say it. "He checked with you, telling me you have the gift to see relationships." I shut up, too tired to speak anymore.

"I have something to ask you, child. If you want to stay here, Aro has given his permission, as long as you stay with me. Eventually if you wish, you can become my mate and I will change you myself. For now, I will ask nothing of you."

I knew what he meant. I looked over at Marcus. Dear Marcus. I had no where else to go. I nodded silently.

I stayed with Marcus for the next 4 days. He was true to his word, asking nothing of me. Instead, he did what he could to make me feel better.

He had chosen a favourite book, reading to me while my head rested on his thigh. His fingers caressed my head while he played with my hair. His soothing voice became an even drone of words.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

I must have fallen asleep. I rose up on one elbow and looked around me. I was back in my bedroom, Caius' bedroom. Everything seemed as it should be. I turned to see Caius walking from the bathroom as he was drying his hair with a towel while completely naked. I stared up at him with what must have been a look of utter shock, before I jumped out of bed and ran to him, grabbing him and kissing his face and mouth.

"Oh my god, where have you been? I have been looking all over for you and no one knew who you were and everything here was gone..."

Caius dropped the towel when I had grabbed him. "Whoa, my love, what is all this? What do you mean I was missing and everything was gone."

"Am I dreaming now?" I grabbed his hands and looked at him, my expression serious. "I woke up five mornings ago. You were not in our rooms, so I went in search of you, thinking perhaps Aro had called for you. Felix found me and dragged me to the throne room. I asked Aro about you, and he acted like he had never heard of you. No one had. I was sure he was going to kill me since I had no reason to be here and was still human. I think the fact I knew so much convinced him I had been here for the last ten months." I would have rattled on hysterically had Caius not stopped me.

"Allie, shhhh...slow down, love." Caius cupped my cheek gently, then pulled me to him. He was here, back with me, and yet it was like five days ago all over again, only Caius was the one who didn't believe me.

"I spoke with Marcus and he offered to take me in so Aro would not have to kill me. He promised me if you never came back, he'd take me as his mate and change me himself."

"Wait, Allie, what are you talking about?" He gripped my upper arms with his hands. "Who the devil is this Marcus?"

Frowning, I looked at Caius in disbelief. "God, not again."

[ladyinbooks]

Hiii! Which is your favourite stage of Greek history? Also, how would you rank the Greek gods and why?

PS: Have you read Percy Jackson? 👀

Hello lovely anon! Ahh what a wonderful question! You have given me an excuse to rant about my love, so thank you! ❤️

My favourite stage of Greek history... part of me wants to take the high road and say the Classical period (there is a lot of fascinating politics going on in the 5th and 4th centuries BC in Greece). However, although the Classical period (and to some extent the Bronze Age) were my first loves, my absolute favourite stage?

Hellenistic period.

I know my choice is completely unsurprising, but there is a lot of politics going on during this period; a lot of propaganda; a lot of warfare; a lot of clever, clever tactics and a lot of change and betrayal. I'm counting the Hellenistic period to include Alexander the Great (there's some debate on if the Hellenistic period kicks off with his death, or with his life - I tend to go with during his lifetime). There is just so much happening, and it's so fascinating. It's a period of history that completely reshapes and rewrites the Greek and Persian ancient worlds (and ultimately gives rise to the Roman Empire because of the shape the Hellenistic kingdoms ultimately take after Alexander's death), and although by this point we are out of the 'golden age' of places like Athens and Sparta, there is still so much happening in terms of literature and art too.

Greek god rankings! (This is the part where I get hit by lightning...)

I'll stick with Olympian gods for now, but my number one is:

Apollo (love the fact he's associated with the sun, with healing, with music and the arts, but also with plague, with death and with danger).

I also love Athena (multi-faceted and wise and complicated and it never ceases to amuse me that Odysseus and Diomedes both are her favourites - and both know it - and sort of resent one another for it).

For the gods in general though, it is fascinating how even the Olympians aren't specifically gods of one thing, and their representation and uses change depending on your locality. (Using Athena again as an example, she's the patron goddess of Athens - protector of the city, polias - but she's also the goddess of craftsmen, and in other Greek city-states, her role differs even more.) In short: very localised mythology gives rise to gods who have different aspects of themselves given your geographical area of worship, but even though different attributes are assigned to the gods dependent on where you are, still somehow there's a universal agreement that it's still sort of one god when you talk about 'Athena' or 'Apollo'.

The adoption of smaller local gods into a larger Greek ideology and pantheon is something I won't get into here (I will ramble too much), but there's also something quite magical about a Greek wandering halfway around their world and going 'Ah yes, a goddess of fertility. Aphrodite. Cool. Oh yes! A head god. Must be Zeus.' And then local practice and Greek practice ending up as a weird hybrid where it's mutually understood that these two technically separate gods represent the same (or similar) things, so it's all good. (A great example: see Alexander's adoption of Zeus-Ammon as his father.)

I have not read Percy Jackson (I've somehow managed to miss it completely!), but it's a book series that sits permanently somewhere on my 'I really should read this' list!

[randoimago]

Hades for ask game

So freaking excited for Hades 2, ngl

Ask Game Here

3 male characters I love: Zagreus, Dionysus (those freaking thighs oof), Achilles

3 female characters I love: Artemis (I literally simp for her in the game. She gets all my nectar and I get nothing 🥰), Persephone (mommy sorry mommy sorry mommy--), Nyx (same thing as Persephone ngl)

3 romantic ships I love: Orpheus/Eurydice (the amount of nectar and time and love I spent to get them to sing together), Achilles/Patroclus (the amount of nectar and time and love I spent-), Zagreus/Thanatos/Meg (Hades 2 better have a poly as well is all I'm saying)

3 platonic dynamics I love: Zagreus/Minotaur (I really do love the convos and the mutual respect they have even with Theseus's bitch ass there), Skelly/Zagreus (the fact that it's the same voice actor still kills me every time, kind of like how I kill Skelly--),

3 favorite moments in canon:

Being tricked into thinking I had to fight Cerberus and feeling my heart break only for me to let out the biggest sigh (and then deal with the most annoying enemies in the game. They've killed me more then freaking Hades has)

First time hearing Orpheus sing and it's the same song Eurydice sang. The chills I got from his version and how unbelievably sad it sounded. I made a 3 part fic just because of this damn song and the different versions.

The record scratching and music completely stopping after stealing from Charon's shop. I just saw it and didn't even think about it. I barely saw that it said "Steal?" before I had already clicked it. It was just so fucking funny and I definitely let out an "Oh shit" and died to him the first time cause I was not ready.

3 favorite headcanons:

This is another series that I've done so many romantic headcanons for (and I ended up being swamped in requests too, fully expect that for Hades 2 as well)

Hypnos sharing his autograph book with Thanatos. He's just so proud and happy and saying things like, "Well, I got the Asterius's autograph" and Thanatos staying quiet even though he's definitely met Theseus and Asterius several times.

Persephone getting Hades and Zagreus a "Get Along" shirt. No way in hells would they wear it, but it would be such a funny thing for her to do and then she'd explain about the memes of the mortal world (which I can only imagine the memes of ancient greece)

Zagreus trying to teach Thanatos and Meg how to fish. Thanatos actually does a good job, but Meg gets frustrated a bit and scares off the fish (they all cheer when she does eventually catch one).

3 least favorite things about it:

Zeus is in it 😔 (yes I understand that Zeus would be in the game based on greek mythology, but anyone that's into greek mythology or knows a bit about it knows that Zeus is the literal worse).

Apollo isn't in it (I love sun daddy so much. I know he's going to be in Hades 2, but I really would've loved the interactions with Zagreus and choosing one sibling over the other. I just hope Hades 2 Apollo isn't like Lore Olympus Apollo)

I wish there was some more variations with the cast. Like I know there's different dps effects or you get more based on certain things, but I wish that it could have some aesthetic changes depending on which deity you have a boon from.

[breakingmyreverie]

so i finally watched the pjo finale after a long day of school (spoilers below the cut)

LUKE'S VOICEOVER OH MY FUCKING GODS 10/10 NO NOTES

finally they showed luke training percy, it would have been more meaningful at the start spending more time at camp though and showing more interactions with annabeth to establish that bond

it was really interesting seeing luke talk to percy about the gods. good foreshadowing and LOVED luke's analogy to spiders, fucking slayed.

THE WAVE THING THAT HAPPENED DURING THE ARES FIGHT!!! 10/10 NO NOTES (will be using this phrase a lot sorry not sorry)

returned the helm. hmm good yeah

annabeth giving percy the necklace!!!! ahhhh!!!

grover's 'this could've been an email' is so relatable fr

olympus looks kinda cool ngl, like a slightly modernised ancient city. i loved the brewing storms over the empire state building but it would've been better if that weather was there throughout the whole quest since that was mean to show how pissed zeus was.

i would much prefer olympus in its glam and glory from the books and the bright white tones that pretty much set olympus apart and made it so intimidating.

percy bowing his head and returning the bolt. hmmm yes shows the gravity of his meeting.

i loved zeus' whole vibe during this scene, no longer pissed about the lack of plane ride since it was perfectly made up for with zeus' insistence to continue the war. hmm the things really do come together here.

percy telling him about kronos and zeus being like 'i don't need a lecture about my father' was honestly amusing to see but delivered like percy was about to be smited just for bringing him up, yesss, really shows how zeus really doesn't want to deal with it.

is it just me or does zeus' indifference towards kronos rising and him being like 'yeah we do that sort of thing all the time' feel weird to me? maybe i'm reading into it too much because one thing that i noticed in the books was that he really doesn't like talking about kronos and acts like he still fears him (see: hades being frightened about it when percy brings it up). idk i'm prolly just nitpicking

'i will not be weakened by my brothers' 'you already are. your family's a mess' PERCY FUCKING SLAYED THE HOUSE DOWN 10/10 NO NOTES.

percy: *tells zeus that his family doesn't love him and that he needs therapy and that his daddy will come put him into place* zeus: yeah this little shit needs to die. (loved that, btw)

POSEIDON STOPPING ZEUS FROM KILLING PERCY AND SURRENDERING FOR HIS SAKE????? 10/10 NO NOTES (also the bolt looked really fucking cool in this scene)

'[percy] is a forbidden son, he shouldn't exist' 'neither should your thalia' YOU TELL HIM POSEIDON

guys we finally got the ancient greek convo that zeus and poseidon had in the books!!!! this is everything i've been wanting for ages!!!!! (also i'm no expert but it sounded really good to me, ofc i have no reasonable information to base my judgement on so don't come at me)

zeus wanting to embarrass poseidon in front of the council?? hhhh the dysfunctional relationships are dysfunctioning!!!! and looking at poseidon's face, you can see how upset he is at having his pride crushed like that but it's all worth it!!!

also zeus 'family business' is one way of describing your father returning from his retirement home to kill you all.

very flashy exit from zeus. disappointed that the 'your uncle has always had a flair for dramatic exits, he would have done very well as the god of theatre' line didn't make it. again i'm just nitpicking but i loved poseidon's sheer sass in that comment.

you can tell from my extremely detailed analysis that the olympus scene was my favourite out of the entire show. what can i say, 10/10 no notes.

lance reddick as zeus, you will always be famous. may you rest in peace

that being said, i hope whoever is recast as zeus should the show continue matches lance's portrayal because it's fucking perfect to me.

the sheer intimidation and prideful rage we saw from zeus??? the divine fury?? that needed to be established for all the gods, especially ares and hades.

the interaction between poseidon and percy was so good!!! toby stephens really gets poseidon so well

poseidon calling ares a moron is so fucking funny btw. nothing like good old uncle-nephew beef

also how the fuck did sally 'high school dropout' jackson teach percy classics-grad level ancient greek??? why would he have not learnt it at camp like poseidon assumed??

'do you dream about mom?' OH MY GODS THE POSALLY IS POSALLYING

really weird for a sea pearl to return percy in the middle of a fucking field near camp. like not even a lake???

percy staring at thalia's tree was sooooooooo (screams)

loved the welcome back that percy received but would have been more impactful if percy had spent more time at camp and we saw how he was kinda ostracised as a forbidden kid

luke requesting a meeting in the woods???? i see...

the betrayal scene was really good but i'm a little disappointed about not getting the scorpion because it felt so much more serious i feel like.

loved luke trying to recruit percy though

was backbiter always able to open portals??? i don't remember it's been like a month since i reread the pjo series.

loved how luke switched from recruiting to fighting percy right after he said 'i met your dad' hhhhhhhh so good

annabeth throwing the dagger?? slay

wow no one in that godsforsaken writers' room wants annabeth to have a single emotion. this is supposed to be the girl who says 'family, luke, you promised' and justifies luke any chance she gets. she should not be this stoic, i think.

loved how luke ran away instead of fighting annabeth. no one messes with my girl.

chiron's discussion with percy hmmmmm, feels a little early to have percy realise luke was right. like yeah in the books he heavily disagrees with the gods but it's not until heroes of olympus where he's like 'you know what, luke had a point'

dionysus being surprised at percy's name was so funny btw. and so was him yelling at the campers to get the fuck out.

PERCY ASKING ANNABETH ABOUT THALIA'S FEELINGS AND ANNABETH GOING 'percy, it's a fucking tree' FHJSFHKJSD

annabeth being scared of disney world is so funny. poor girl is still recovering from waterland

also can i just say she looks so pretty in this scene, i love the hair

percy's 'just be a kid' hhhhhhhh

grover's searcher's licence being a flower??? lmao

percy being so done with kronos in his dreams is so real of him

'did you have another nightmare' 'yeah, grandpa' 'ew don't call him that' so funny by the way

it was an interesting detail seeing that percy was telling sally about his dreams, i like it tbh

'he told me don't forget to tell your mom you love her' 'kronos, lord of the titans, said that?' 'he could have' percy jackson, you will always be famous

percy's final narration is really good, it's more optimistic than in the books, where he was like 'if you think you're one of us, that's not good' but here he was like 'yeah you're probably right, and we might need you'. it's not bad, per se, but the tone it sets is very different.

the change with sally and gabe. hmmm. well what else were they going to do? not fucking surprised.

FINAL THOUGHTS

the finale was overall so good as an episode, where the fuck was this energy for the rest of the show??? it's like they put all the action and tension into just this and ran out of it for the rest of the show. i hope the show gets renewed so i can see my babies walker, leah, and aryan again but i'm scared to see what else they (rick riordan and co) would fuck up.