#and or hera's at a point where she limits her company

[mcsiggy]

are all gods into some polyamorous/open relationship stuff or are some of them off limits for us mere mortals?

[the-firebird69]

Hudson mailed all 10 letters or eight or so he knows how many they're eight nope okay there are 10 and everybody argues already now we have a fight okay they're all fighting over this and they're ridiculous and it's too much for us to Bear we need to straighten it out and to do so we have to clean out a bunch of areas of idiot it is terrible just to wait too many on Earth too and it's coming out of all of them they're ridiculous drugs horrendous assholes they need to leave now and we're going to round them all up that's what we have to do is way too many it worked

-there are several of these people around who are having the same gross things evil things we're going to I'm going to pull them in too and screw that guy he's a f**** what are you saying is you don't have to say it's such a whim but let's get rid of him

-the effect is abnormally strong meaning that it is pungent and very rude there's a lot of it and it is rampant and it is b******* too they're all full of s*** trying for stuff one person the sound of their damn business right yeah so people who want to have weaponry and ships for a plan they're going after these idiots and they can sit there and be nothing because they are it is amazing how many breathtaking it's all of the moron, and some other people too and crazy crazy stuff so we have a lot of work and we're doing it now

It's going on right now there's a huge huge huge Purge because of it massive numbers of them are being pulled in globally all of their hardware too and software and other being ripped out of their hands due to the nasty nasty attitude from the idiots and yeah they're stupid as hell

-it is massive okay any responses growing right now it's like 10% of humanity is responding to these tricks pretty soon it's going to be like 30% and they're going to get crushed it's a huge number who opposes these idiots huge

There are other effects punta Gorda is now being overrun by pseudo empire and they're coming in to shut them the hell up

Thor Freya

It's very useful experiment it's having very positive effects and the ones are bothering him and fisherman's village it's a good experiment for him to come here and they saw him take them out of the bike and boy they freaking losers this is a stack of loser.

Who did mention that if he had funds they would have a lot of fun running the money down and trying to go for social security and they try and use the money he gets and say it was in kind and for labor or it's from a company and they send the company check and say that he worked there before and did work they have plans like that but they're apparently whittling themselves down that's what they say

.

This is very gross and we are going to man up but boy how effective can you get amazing results across the board the silly ones in the bunker they're saying look see you have a problem all these videos are saying where the problem meeting themselves and it's going to be a little bit of a war right now and they're getting ready to go after them it's part of their plan

Olympus

I wish you luck today I know you'll be okay this is helping and it's my work and my idea and it's terrific she says I mean he says it's all right you and it is but okay

Hera

Zues and really I needed her cuz I lost it and I couldn't remember to do it she did it and I'm hoping it's early and they're saying it is because early is better and then my point is too and hers that if I don't get these out now and they're going out from what I hear that it might not be able to get them out and the only thing they could try and use the social security which is something that might be beyond the reach

..

That's one reason to do it we don't really want to do it but we're doing is just asking for what is rightfully his it's not a big deal and you put a time limit on it is helpful kind of goes back on and yeah I have to get some money would run it down where we were sick of this but really if he didn't send the letters out they might not ever get out and we're noticing it's not easy

And yeah we want to threaten him by him asking and all this other petty s*** they won't do anything but we're still going to do it all the way down the line

Trump

It's kind of gross that you keep doing this and it's wrong and everybody knows it even you do and you keep doing it and we asked you to stop and you won't we have to have these out and he's right they might get stuck here

Bja

[words-writ-in-starlight]

day 6: "touch starved"

It was a strange thing to think about, that Poseidon could barely recognize his own brother. In a way, Aidoneus had been his only company for years in the dark, but this person—tall, sharp-featured, wrapped in white bandages staining iridescent gold with ichor—was a stranger. The only thing that Poseidon recognized was the coloring. He remembered, hazily, being envious of his father’s deep blue skin, flecked with stars. He had looked like a king. Like the king of time and everything that bowed to it.

Aidoneus didn’t look like a king, Poseidon thought privately as he hesitated in the half-open door of the small shelter that Metis had transformed into an infirmary. His blue skin was a softer shade than Kronos’, and his stars were an illusion, nothing but flecks of ichor dried into glittering flakes of gold in his long hair and on his exposed skin. Aidoneus just looked—tired, and hurt, and shockingly small despite his feet hanging off the mat beneath his back.

“Um,” Poseidon said, awkward. “Aidoneus?”

The one visible eye flickered open, and then squinted shut again, a painful-looking twitch running down the arm nearest to Poseidon. Poseidon hastily shut the door behind him. It was after sunset, but before full dark—he had been so delirious with glee over his first day of freedom that he nearly blinded himself for good, and Metis had started limiting him to wandering around near dawn and dusk, to acclimate himself to the light. Aidoneus, she had told him quietly when he asked to visit, couldn’t even bear that much light, not yet.

“Sorry,” Poseison said hastily. “Sorry. I’m, um. I’m Poseidon? I guess we haven’t really—met.”

Aidoneus blinked at him, a flicker of interest ghosting across the weary planes of his face. Poseidon tried his best to grin down at him, and hoped it looked right. He’d been trying to relearn the trick of—people, and Metis and Hera and Hestia were kind enough to let him blunder and fuck up and fix it, and Zeus was a whole other force of nature. Poseidon had figured out quickly enough that it didn’t really matter how uncomfortable he was with talking to people, when it came to Zeus. He could just stand back and let his younger brother carry the conversation, and Zeus would take any remotely positive engagement as his due, and ignore anything else. Poseidon knew that Metis worried about Zeus overtaxing him, but it was perversely relaxing.

He was nervous about talking to Aidoneus. He felt like he needed to get it right, with Aidoneus.

Aidoneus’ lips trembled for a moment as Poseidon hovered uneasily just inside the door, and then he swallowed and raised a hand—slowly, so stiffly that Poseidon’s own bones hurt just watching. Aidoneus touched his own face, just under his exposed eye, and his lips pressed together on a letter that he couldn’t quite form. He managed a faint hum, like he was trying to force his voice into cooperating, and tapped his cheek again, more forcefully.

“Oh! I mean,” Poseidon said, scratching a little sheepishly at his own cheek, beneath the bandages hiding his eye. “I guess we technically met then, yeah, but there wasn’t a lot of time for small talk, you know? You were in pretty bad shape, you probably remember, and I was in shock, or something, and you were also, you know, bleeding out, so maybe you don’t actually remember. I’m not an expert or anything but I figured it was a ‘if he lives, we can hang out under non-mandatory circumstances where we can both talk and see things’ kind of deal, at the time.”

Poseidon shut his mouth with a sharp click on the words, realizing that Aidoneus was watching him with a steady gaze. “Sorry,” Poseidon said again. A cool flush was rising on his cheeks, and he could feel his fins threatening to make an appearance under that dark red stare. “You probably don’t want to think about it. Um—I talk too much. Metis thinks it’s like you not being able to talk, except the other way around. If I say something that pisses you off, maybe just point to the door? And I’ll leave you alone.” He swallowed his next words, and forced himself to think, to take a breath before he spoke. The silence between his words was a living thing, making it hard to breathe. Poseidon hated silence. “Do you want me to leave? You can just nod or shake your head.”

For a moment, he thought that Aidoneus wasn’t going to do anything—that he was just going to sit there and stare Poseidon down until he left out of sheer discomfort. But then, a tiny movevment, careful. A shake of Aidoneus’ head.

Poseidon gestured at the floor next to Aidoneus’ sickbed and asked, “Can I sit?”

A nod, this time.

Poseidon took a deep breath, let it out, and walked around Aidoneus so that he was facing the door, then dropped himself down on the floor. He could see the end of the wounds, on this side, the bandages stopping just above Aidoneus’ left wrist, and without thinking, Poseidon reached out and grabbed his brother’s hand.

Aidoneus went tense, hissed in a breath through his teeth.

“Sorry!” Poseidon released him so quickly he heard the bone at the bend of Aidoneus’ wrist knock against the floor, and he clenched his hands in his lap for fear that he might make it worse. “I didn’t think—I just, I don’t really like the dark? And it’s getting dark out, and I’m not really tired, and I didn’t think.”

That clear red eye was back on him, and Poseidon bit his tongue to shut himself up.

He remembered what it had been like, when Zeus first yanked him into a hug. Poseidon had felt like his skin was on fire from the simple act of being touched, really touchedby another person, someone he could see and feel and talk to. Zeus had thumped him on the back, and then left an arm slung around Poseidon’s shoulder as they watched Metis direct the others through stopping the worst of Aidoneus’ bleeding. They had both still had ichor on their hands, from holding Aidoneus together until they could get him real help, and Poseidon was holding a pad of bandages over half his face, waiting quietly for someone to be free to look at his wound, and somehow the thing that had sent him into a boneless pile on the ground was his brother giving him a hug.

The thing Poseidon had missed the most, in the lonely dark, was being touched. He had lived in fear of Kronos, of course, but Rhea’s hands had been so kind, the rare, precious touch of her forehead against his so warm. He had missed many things about the world, but touch—it was so simple, so essential, so shattering to have it restored after so long. It had probably scared Zeus half to death, when Poseidon simply crumpled out from under his arm and started sobbing.

And Aidoneus had been alone in that darkness, with no one but Kronos for company, for thirteen years.

Just thinking about it made Poseidon feel sick in every fiber of his body.

Poseidon didn’t realize that his eye was closed tightly until he heard, for the first time in his life, his brother’s voice. It was rusty with disuse, a broken stutter with barely enough breath to be audible, but it was a whole word.

“Hhh-h-her-re.”

Poseidon opened his eye, and—

Aidoneus was holding his hand out again. It was trembling from the effort of holding his hand off the floor, but it was there.

“I’m not gonna hurt you, am I?” Poseidon asked, already reaching out. “I don’t want to be mean, but you look really bad.” Aidoneus shook his head, hand dipping as if he was already running out of strength to hold it up.

He flinched again, just a little, when Poseidon took his hand, but this time, Poseidon didn’t let go. It took a moment, but Aidoneus’ fingers slowly relaxed in his.

Aidoneus’ hand didn’t feel summer-wind-hot, like Zeus’ did. Instead, it was cool, only slightly warmer than Poseidon’s own chill. Poseidon told Aidoneus as much, and Aidoneus watched him with that same solemn, steady gaze.

“I guess it makes sense,” Poseidon said. “I never really thought about what wealthwas like as a domain. Like, the ocean is a place, right? But metal is cold, and rocks are cold unless you leave them out in the sun. Hey, once you can stand sunlight, we should see if you hold heat, it would be like one of Metis’ things. An experiment. Has she told you about those?”

A head-shake.

“Oh, she was telling me about one the last time I got my bandages changed. Do you want me to tell you about it? I could shut up if I’m being too loud. Sometimes everything is so loud, but also, I hate it when it’s quiet. Everyone else is on a bunch of errands, and I was supposed to be letting you sleep, but it was really—quiet. I hope you weren’t actually asleep when I came in. I just figured maybe you weren’t, and if you weren’t, I would feel a little less stupid talking to you than I would talking to myself, even if you didn’t talk back, and—”

A light tug on their joined hands interrupted Poseidon mid-thought, and he looked back down at Aidoneus, startled.

“T-t-e-ll m-m—” Aidoneus couldn’t seem to get past the start of the second word, his hand becoming a fist in Poseidon’s grip as his face creased with frustration.

“Tell you—about Metis? She said that the new salve for your wounds was an experiment, I didn’t really pay attention to most of the details but I can try,” Poseidon said gamely. Aidoneus’ features slowly relaxed, and he nodded again. “Okay, so,” Poseidon said, tucking his feet under him so that he was sitting cross-legged, with Aidoneus’ hand in his lap and his other hand free to gesture. “She was saying that she found some plant, she called it comfy—or, um, comfurry, or something like that…”

[to00ch]

Hello! I love what you write! HC for Dorm Leaders with a reader who is a gentle and calm lioness who hates fighting, but is a descendant of the Nemean Lion from Greek mythology? (I think it's a priority that you shouldn't mess with her lolololol patience has limits and she wouldn't be against scaring the idiots with threats and putting them in their places hahahaha)

I just blasted my way through this cause hey! why not? Just listened to a podcast on Nemean Lion before I wrote this, its a pretty sad story— hera is the such a bij all the time but honestly if it weren’t for zeus, none of that wouldve happened lol

Anyway, I hope your request is granted love

Tags: nemean lion descent f!s/o x dorm leaders, fluff headcanons [that’s all I do mostly so far :’^)]

Characters: Riddle Rosehearts, Leona Kingscholar, Azul Ashengrotto, Kalim Al-Asim, Vil Schoenheit, Idia Shroud & Malleus Draconia

Riddle Rosehearts

“You better not come across Grimm, Ace and Deuce whenever they’re on each other’s throats,” he advised

He really couldn’t imagine how s/o would be if she ever got angry,,,,cause she’s always so,,,calm

Whenever he’s mad, extremely mad to the point where his face is red; he’d always go to s/o to rant

But it just from hearing her ask “Hey, what’s wrong?” gently, he started to soften up and regulate his breathing slowly in order to control his anger before he’d start talking to her about his day

He knows that s/o is a descendant of the oh so famous Nemean Lion, and honestly if it weren’t for how majestic and pretty she looked from the inherited features she got from the beast, he wouldn’t believe it; he wouldn’t want to make her angry at all

Once he was reading on the beast and said “The legendary Nemean Lion, is....her ancestor?......That can’t be right,” he’d be so skeptical and convince that maybe its not a direct ancestor

There was a time someone tried to mess with s/o, and she told Riddle that ‘it would be nice if I sent them a threat that I would rip off their heads like my ancestor did to a whole village once,’ she said that with a smile that sent chills down his spine

Leona Kingscholar

Leona should know best to never, ever, mess with a descent of the Nemean Lion

In fact, whenever s/o is around, his ego is well, lowered a little? That Leona? Lowering his ego?

He treats her with respect, and made sure no one from Savanaclaw messed with her, not that she would mind it, since she’s so patient after all; but he knew that patience has its limits

He’d still call his s/o kitten at times, and he loves napping with her on his side cause it helps him sleep easier than usual and in peace cause of the vibe she exudes

When he first found out that she’s a descent, he lowered his head in respect and said “My Queen,”

He loves how soothing and gentle her touch is, he really can’t wrap it around his head how delicate her movements are

When s/o said him what if she tore the throats of those who bothered her casually with a laugh, he’d clear his throat and sweat

Azul Ashengrotto

Even non-land creatures knew to never mess with a descent of the great lion regardless of their patience level

Azul felt that people with the highest level of patience are the scariest

He loved how s/o is always speaking in such a decent manner, so calm and even the words she chose elaborated on how majestic and beautiful her whole existence is

He’d hate it if anyone ever bothered her, it didn’t matter if she cared or not cause he cares

Sometimes Azul would show his vulnerable side to s/o, and talk about his insecurities with her and she’d give him a warm hug and stroke his head gently

“There’s something about you, I can’t pin out what exactly, but you make me tell things I can’t say out loud,”

His reaction to s/o saying she might threaten the people who messed with her is that he’d clean his glasses and tell her that she ought to not do so for he will get things done and he will

Kalim Al-Asim

Both Kalim and s/o are no-anger people dear lord everyone wonders how they’re able to manage that

“You’re a descent of the legendary Nemean Lion? That’s so cool! I wouldn’t want to make you mad at all,” he beamed at s/o

People wouldn’t feel like bothering the both of them at all cause they are just so happy people just back off ~positive vibe check~

Kalim gives her headpats, lots of em! He spoils her a lot and treats her like a queen

“Why I’m treating you like this you ask? Cause you’re my queen! You deserve to be treated like one,” he’d grin and say when s/o asks him why he spoils her sm

Kalim is her ult babbey, she dislikes fighting but if anyone were to fight Kalim bro, they’re dead; not literally btw, her glare and growl is enough to chase em out

Vil Schoenheit

When s/o wakes up, she’d have really bad bed hair, like a lion’s mane

Vil would go in first thing and comb her hair, he loves doing so cause she had rlly rlly nice hair; its the gene she inherited from the beautiful Nemean Lion’s golden fur

Vil’s facial sessions become more therapeutic with her around, so he often makes her do facial with him

“It’d be a waste for a being as pretty as you, to not take care of your appearance,” he paused “well, you’re still not as beautiful as I am though,” he’d clear his throat and look away

He envies how she don’t get angry at all?? Like okay sis no wrinkles to worry about?

He absolutely loves her graceful demeanor in literally everything she does? Its so eye pleasing! He loves watching it almost as much as he loves looking at himself in the mirror

If s/o is about to send threats he’d say that its a waste of her beauty so he prevents her from doing so

Idia Shroud

“A descent of the N-n-nemean L-lion? Why do people of status keep on coming here,” he shivered when he found out at first cause yay! more intimidating people!

When s/o first introduced herself she was definitely not what he’d imagine, he felt less intimidated but still,,,had troubles cause,,,communication

He’d try to avoid her at first but she really do be wanting to be friends with him, so he reluctantly just warmed up to her

But he loves how she doesn’t get into his space! She’s so considerate and understanding. She’s so gentle too, so it makes him feel more comfortable? Maybe?

Idia has a hard time leaving his room, but with s/o’s gentle words and voice, he’d eventually give in somehow

Also he has a strong urge to play with her lion ears cause,,,,they’re so cute,,,,

He knows that she would probably be a very, very scary person if she’s mad, ‘probably as strong as those OP boss charas’ he’d say to her, which she chuckled and poked the tip of his nose, saying that he’s exaggerating

Malleus Draconia

“A descent of the Nemean Lion huh? But you’re oddly so cool headed, ah, not to be stereotypical, I just find it interesting,” he’d smile at s/o and nod his head

He appreciates how she never forgot to include him in things! Sometimes she’d also join for his strolls, he doesn’t mind it of course. It’s good company

S/o always mentioned how she’d prolly be offended if she kept on being forgotten like Malleus

“You? Offended? I doubt so,” he chuckled “I think you could handle the situation better than I could, you are well, a person full of patience,”

Malleus acknowledges s/o’s lineage and knows very well that she is strong, even if he is one of the top mages

Also gives s/o headpats, which, she loves very much

One time s/o scared away some people cause they were messing around with her too much, and Malleus found it adorable, ‘even she can get mad huh’ he’d think to himself with a smile

[aeroargonic]

My thoughts on Lore Olympus

Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault and pedophilia.

I've kinda been getting into the Webtoon scene recently. Out of all the comics that I'm keeping up with, I find Lore Olympus probably gets the most attention here on Tumblr. Obviously, I can see why it appeals to a lot of people; combining Greek mythology, a very popular Greek myth at that, with a modern twist and some really beautiful art. I am not gonna claim to be an expert on Greek mythology because my own knowledge on it is spotty at best lol.

As much as I want to enjoy Lore Olympus, there's a couple of things in the story that jump out at me and are really hard to ignore. This is where we get into the trigger warnings so I'll put this under a cut just in case.

BTW, please keep in mind this might be a one-off thing. I am not turning my blog into a Lore Olympus blog.

The biggest issue is obviously the age gap between Hades and Persephone. I have no problem with them having a big age gap, but she's barely an adult. Even Hades calls her a teenager at points. There's also the fact that she's an intern at his company...where he's the boss. So far, we've seen very little of her actually doing the work she'd be assigned as an intern and Persephone herself even notes that she may not be entirely qualified to do all the work. There's the age gap, then there's the power gap. There's just too much opportunity for Hades to take advantage of a vulnerable Persephone for their relationship to be as healthy as the writers want it to look. For a comic that seems to pride itself on its progressiveness with body types and healthy relationships...

Yeah. Persephone is severely sexualized. Now let me say that there is nothing wrong with her body type at all; everyone matures and grows differently. What I do have a problem with is that a lot of her clothing either just barely covers her butt, or leaves a decent amount of her cleavage exposed. While she is a grown adult and can dress herself however she pleases, please refer to my earlier point where Hades calls her a teenager. A lot about Persephone's appearance and personality seems to suggest a childish sense of immaturity. Legally and physically, she may be an adult. But she looks and acts so much like a teenage girl that she might as well be one.

Then there's what happened to her and Apollo. Personally, I think the writing sexual assault the way it was written in the comic is a sign of lazy writing. By the time it happens, Apollo has been established as having no redeemable qualities whatsoever, and the seriousness of the scene is constantly danced around, as if the sexual assault was only intended to exist for shock value and nobody is too interested in exploring the repercussions and trauma that come from this. There seems to be a reoccurring theme where any male god or character in the story shows a certain amount of interest in Persephone. Obviously, Hades and Persephone are the endgame and Apollo believes that he's somehow entitled to have her. Ares makes out with her, Hermes seems to have a crush on her, and even Thanatos can't bring himself to hate her.

Speaking of Thanatos and those who are against Persephone, I wish we could go a bit deeper as to why Minthe and Thetis feel the need to ruin Persephone's relationship with Hades. Having it just be jealousy is pretty shallow and kinda reduces Minthe and Thetis as characters. So much of both their personalities revolve around being in relationships with their bosses. Again, somewhat lazy writing to me. Minthe had potential to drop Thetis and change for the better, but she just went straight back to Thetis the second the opportunity to get dirt on Persephone came up, which ruined the point of a couple of chapters beforehand for me.

Many of the female characters in this story, I find, seem to get shafted in terms of development. If they're not entirely on Persephone's side, like Hera, they get a negative portrayal of sorts. Minthe and Thetis are jealous bitches, Hestia is a hypocrite, Demeter is controlling, and Artemis is a meathead who is completely oblivious to Persephone's plights. Even those who are on Persephone's side, such as Daphne, are noticeably lacking in the characterization department. But for a lot of these characters, both male and female, a good chunk of their development revolves around Persephone. Granted, she is the main character is a wanted fugitive, but I do think this amount of obsessions is silly and takes up too much personality from a lot of characters.

Am I calling Persephone a Mary Sue? Well, not quite. But she's this sweet and innocent and pure little bean with a bite when she needs it. Obviously, whenever she's mean or snarky or turns someone into a plant, there's always a justification for it. Basically, rarely is anything actually Persephone's fault. She doesn't seem to take a lot of responsibility for her actions and while it might not be in Hades's character to get seriously mad with her for the plant thing, he had no problem yelling at her earlier for a less serious deed. Persephone's anger is a mess storywise. We're supposed to believe that she has limited control over her powers and her act of wrath was an accident (because, as I've established, she's supposed to be this pure and innocent woobie), but she was well aware of her actions and intentions when she turned Minthe into a plant.

I realize that I've been saying quite a lot of criticisms against Lore Olympus, so I'll throw some positive things that I do like about the story. I like the concept of Olympus being much more modern than the mortal realm. It's been hinted at that some nymphs are treated worse than others, and I hope we get an opportunity to explore that further. I genuinely was excited when Minthe snapped back at Thetis to see Minthe get redemption of sorts and learn to change her ways for good. Alas, that potential plot appears to be thrown out the window. Also, I love Eros and Athena. They've got to be some of my favourite characters.

So, here's all my ramblings and rantings about Lore Olmypus. Not to call myself a stan or anti or anything, because I believe you can still enjoy or participate in content while keeping a critical eye on it; the way I see it, you should never blindly follow or hate upon a work. Nothing is perfect and Lore Olypmus is not perfect. There's a lot that could be improved and added or retconned. It clearly isn't going to follow the original myth entirely and I don't feel well-educated or familiar enough with the original myth to talk about how faithful Lore Olympus is. Same with the art. I think the art looks lovely, although there are some obvious oversights with colouring and body proportions. I'm certain someone else can sum that up better than I can.

But hey, if all else fails, Punderworld exists. And that's a really good comic too.

So for now, I'll just follow this work and see what happens next.

[littlesparklight]

A Handful of Escaping Sweetness

It's a sunny afternoon in late spring the day the world ends.

There's no one present but Paris and his cattle to feel the grinding shift in the air, like a storm rolling in from the sea, whipping the tops of waves high and white, threatening to upend the little boats out on the water surprised by the rush of chill, rain-heavy wind and clouds. The cattle around him, previously the picture of bovine unconcern, low and shift around, come huddling together and calling their new calves to themselves.

Paris, sitting on a rock, eye them with some concern for whether or not they'll be liable to start stampeding, and when he glances back he's looking up at a young, smiling face with dark, dark blue eyes, the smile a twinkle on his face. Paris can't breathe. He makes himself breathe.

"Prince Alexander of Troy, for your exemplary judgement you have been chosen to stand arbiter in a small dispute the Father of Gods and Men feel must be judged by an outside mind."

Paris glances beyond Hermes, sees the goddesses - it doesn't matter if he recognizes them or not, but of course he can't not know who they are, as shiningly, painfully obvious as they've made themselves, the very light settling about their heads like crowns, the air quivering in bending obeisance to their passing, daring not to disturb the fine fabrics of their clothing or beautifully tumbling tresses - and sees his death.

"A dispute, Lord Hermes?" Paris asks, light as if he doesn't feel light-headed, from lack of air, from the three piercing sets of eyes beyond the veiled, gentle darkness of Hermes' gaze. Hermes offers him a golden apple - it could be a ripe quince if not for the metallic shine of the skin, and Paris takes it unthinkingly, curious despite himself. Somewhere marginally safe to rest his eyes and attention. There's writing on the apple, and this is not safe.

"All three wish for this apple, Prince Alexander. Your fair mind and eyes shall be the judge as to who deserves it best."

Paris stares at the apple in his hand, silently reading out Kallistei and understands all too well what isn't said, what isn't meant to be understood. They will offer rewards, kingly, divine, as anyone should to a judge having offered the best and straightest judgement, but they have come here from anger, and if he can only award one of them the apple, he will soothe one but stir deeper anger in two.

They are goddesses, they are all breathlessly beautiful in their own ways. Paris could sing their praises with complete earnestness for years and not run out of words for it, from the flashing eyes of Pallas Athena, the broadness of her shoulders emphasizing the fall of her simple dress, the thrust of her nose the easy way she carries her helmet; from the milky shade of Queen Hera's skin, her shining eyes and rich tresses stars in the sky and jewels to her crown; from the supple gracefulness of Aphrodite's stance, her dainty feet stepping just so, the intoxicating edge to her little smile. Hera is, of course, the queen. Paris isn't sure why this is a contest at all, the answer should be clear. Not that it matters what the right or wrong answer is; there are three goddesses, one apple.

One winner, two losers, and since this is a dispute, he should lose no matter what.

"Deathless Ones, honouring me beyond what any mortal could ask for. While I am of royal blood, my family having welcomed me back past warnings, and am related to Father Zeus' own blessed cupbearer, I am also nothing more than a neatherd. My judgement may be true, and I would not deprive the winner of her fairly awarded judgement, older men than I have more experience, kings are well-versed in standing between quarrelling sides and have the authority to offer a solution." He stands up, slowly. Holds the apple out and is already shifting his weight away, towards taking that first step that will have him running, when Hermes' hand, light as a feather, more weighty than chains, come to his shoulder.

"Your blood is flawless, and you didn't hesitate when Ares won over your prize bull," Hermes says, and now the twinkle is gone from him eyes, he's serious as the coldest night. The squeeze is as reassuring as it's restraining. "Father Zeus has deemed you the most suitable."

It doesn't matter what he might choose to say; there's no way out of this, and he can't refuse.

And if he can not refuse, if he should anger two goddesses no matter what, should he not take the reward that might please him the best?

Paris of Troy isn't without ambition, but war has never suited him. He cares little for the respect to be gained through battlefield slaughter, the riches amassed through weapon skill and sacking of cities, so greater skill in such matter, though some who lacked such would surely leap upon the chance, holds little attraction for him. And while a throne of his own, vaster than any could dream of, wealth to rival the limits of man's ability to possess stir him more, Alexander of Troy is, down to his core, a romantic.

Aphrodite offers the most beautiful mortal woman in the world, and Paris thinks she wouldn't offer her if they wouldn't be compatible. If there couldn't be joy and pleasure in their meeting and joining, she would not make this her reward. He can't win, and two of the three goddesses will lose, and so Paris stays true to the foolish, gentle heart and hope of him; the mortal striving for as much pleasure as mortals can hope for in a world that will mostly offer cruelty.

When he first lays eyes on Helen of Sparta, even understanding that she's already married, Paris hopes even more to find his wishes for the reason Aphrodite offered Helen as her reward for him choosing her fulfilled. She stares at him, for a brief moment wide-eyed - an expression matched by half by her husband, too - and looks to the tall, reddish-blond man to her side before looking back at their guest.

"And what son of the blessed immortals are we welcoming into our home?" Helen is half joking, half deathly serious, and blinks, caught breathless for a moment when Paris denies himself any god as a parent with a smile.

At a hunt three days into the visit, the queen of Sparta having come with their great, baying company, Paris leans in close to her, whispering not for any flirting words or voiced wishes to kiss that rosy, fair skin, but because he's saying something entirely more dangerous even than openly lusting after another man's wife.

"How far have you gone, my lady? How much of the sky have you claimed, for your own pleasure?"

Helen goes a little pale, but where she could refuse to answer, when she glances to him, Paris quiet and attentive, leaned in close but not touching, she cracks. "... Not as far as I might have wished, once upon a time."

"Great, shining daughter of Zeus and Leda, why shouldn't you have all you want?" Paris touches not Helen, but his own chest, the spot above his heart, while shaking his head. "If you want more, you should have as much as your husband, at the very least, shouldn't you?"

Helen glances at him, looks away. Paris lets himself be drawn into the hunt, and that evening, sits in the middle of loud, cheerful noise, beautiful music and attended by two very great and beautiful people lamenting his trip will have to end at some point, and thinks of the laments made for a dead warrior, mother, sisters and daughters arranged around the great man, now cold and empty.

This is a funeral feast, and only Paris knows it.

This is the best it will get, from hereon out. Not that there won't be pleasure, won't be happiness - he should be given to some small amount of joy more, shouldn't he? - but when Menelaos has left for Crete, when he comes to Helen's chamber and she opens the door before he can knock, when they finally reach the shore and board the ships and when they land on Cranae over a day later, and she comes with him, into a shaded hide made secret by blooming myrtle bushes, their eyes meet as Paris turns Helen to face him.

They stare at each other, still for a moment, knowing the weight of the next action, and both know this is the most fragile, perfect happiness they will get.

Helen sighs, sweeter sound there wasn't, and leans in. Paris meets her, pulls her closer, and Helen throws her arms around his shoulders; such kisses are worth dying for.

*** Helen grows up in Sparta wanting for little and yet wishing for more.

Theseus scares her small and quiet, for a little while at least. And then she is just angry - why should he be allowed to do such things, why should he be able to, just because he is a man? The world is vast and yet she's allowed to hold so little of it.

It's not so displeasing, she almost forgets it when the two royal refugees come from Mycenae. The younger one is cuter, possessed of a sweeter mind, a more pleasant disposition. More patient than Agamemnon, and he even wrestles with her once, incredulous that she would want to, but not refusing her out of hand. It's not repeated, but Helen treasures that moment, treasures the startled, warm brown eyes on her when she's pinned Menelaos to the ground.

She can feel his eyes on her, earnest emotion behind every word he speaks to her while trying not to be too obvious and yet she can hear what some of the servants are whispering too, the pleasures found at his gentle hands, and Helen swallows down unfairness. Why can he, without repercussions, but not her?

Still, when her father finally marries her away, when Menelaos and Agamemnon have been back in Mycenae for two years already, Helen isn't displeased when Menelaos is proven to be among the suitors. By the amount of wealth sent as gifts, she would've been worried it was Agamemnon, but he married Clytemnestra last year. It's not. It's Menelaos, and it's Menelaos who wins out, Achilles too young to make a claim in person and Peleus refraining from making the claim for him.

Helen, led across the threshold and knowing little what to expect, only what she's observed so far, only hopes knowing the man better will bring more sweetness than not.

She isn't much fond of being pregnant, she finds. Too, what she can grasp of the world seems to shrink further, even when her heart has only grown, for tender hope has been buoyed by jokes and the laughter her husband has drawn from her, has grown high and sturdy from gentle touches and Menelaos welcoming her knowledge of city and its lands. It helps, in its own way. Makes old, secret wants sink down into the bottom of her heart, to be little thought of.

Until they received their guest from Troy.

Women cannot take, cannot do, what men can, and Helen has been living her life like that, not quite accepting it but enduring it. But then there is Prince Alexander of Troy, who whispers call me Paris, and he smiles at her and she can suddenly understand what the rest of the world must be seeing when she smiles at it.

Still, she knows her duty; she has a life, her daughter, though hard and heavy to carry as she was in her womb, makes her insides melt, and her husband's hand around hers is warm and steady. She is not unhappy.

But she wants.

She wants and has been wanting since she was young, many things, but this is one of them, and she might have confessed, once or twice, quietly, with Aphrodite there to hear. And so, whether she'd planned it or not, when Menelaos leaves for Crete and Paris comes to her chamber, she opens the door before he can reach to knock, and instead of sending him away she welcomes him.

The world does not end in the grievous fire of a city falling to its enemies, torn apart stone by stone by furious divine forces. It ends on a sunny spring afternoon, it ends in the gentle darkness of Queen Helen's chamber, it ends on Cranae under the sweet-smelling blossoms of the myrtle bush. Sometimes we take even knowing we shouldn't, and sometimes there's no choice either way, Aphrodite spreading her golden veil over the new lovers and smiling sweet enough there's the illusory hope the bitterness might not taste as sharp later.

[oceanera12]

Star Wars Pizza AU

You read that right. In my defense, I saw a post about someone ordering pizza and their order was number 66. I decided to read the comments for a laugh. And then my brain exploded. Whoops.

Dominos (aka the Clones)

The franchise was technically bought by the owner of Little Senators years ago, but no one knows about that except the original owners (*cough cough* The Kamino family *cough cough*) who pretend they’re still in charge for a large hunk of money (ILLEGALLY)

Their best store (the one that makes the most money and has the best reviews) is in the city named after the Kamino’s (Kamino) and is run and operated by a different family, the “Fetts” (and no one is sure how it is legal, but so far no one’s gotten sued so...)

It’s a joke that the “Fetts” will run out of workers at some point but so far it hasn’t happened.

Also, weirdly enough, all of the employees are boys and look a lot alike

The manager’s name is Cody. He’s very strict on the dress code, very fair to the customers, and loves his job.

His brother, Fox, manages another Dominos across town and the two of them will often team up on especially large orders and hold a (friendly) yearly competition between the two stores (Cody’s team has won the last three years, something he will bring up whenever he can)

They have another brother, Wolffe, who manages another store as well, but he’s across the country so they don’t see him as much.

All three were taught how to make pizza, run the storefront, etc, by their grandfather (Ninety-Nine), who passed away a few years back. Their grandfather was one of the original managers during the franchises’ early years

Rex is the younger brother of Cody and acts as an assistant manager to him. Rex hopes to be promoted one day but he’s happy where he is right now.

Boil and Waxer (the cousins) are the best chefs they have. The kitchen is filled with bickering and teasing with flying dough and toppings but everything comes out perfectly (somehow).

Kix and Jesse are the head delivery boys. They are in charge of training the newbies and take the furthest orders (Jesse is known to run the speed limit at one point going 90 down a 35. Kix knows the city like the back of his hand and knows all the short cuts)

Nicknamed, “The Domino Squad” (aka, the thing that started this AU idea), is Fives, Echo, Hevy, Droidbait, and Cutup. (Fives and Echo are twins, with Droidbait as a little bro while Hevy and Cutup are cousins of theirs. All are nephews to Rex and Cody) Cody and Rex quickly learned the five of them could handle the day shift all by themselves. (hence the nickname) 

Fives is excellent on the front end, taking orders and answering the phone with a friendly smile and pleasant attitude.

Echo is the best on the register, his mind able to add up the order and give back change very quickly and efficiently. He also keeps the orders straight and has never given anyone the wrong slip/pizza.

Hevy can run the kitchen on a busy shift with help from Cutup (who doubles as a janitor when needed).

Droidbait is one of their fastest delivery boys and manages to rack in a lot on tips and good reviews.

Hadcase and Tup are also delivery boys, with Dogma helping in the kitchen. Tup is also trained on register and is quite good at it.

The advertising team is nicknamed “The Bad Batch” because why would anyone in their family go into advertising over pizza making? (Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Crosshair would, apparently)

Pizza Hutt (aka bounty hunters and scoundrels) 

Jabba is the owner (who else would it be)

Their best store is in the town of Tatooine, which is weird given how hot the climate is.

The manager is this really creepy guy named Bib Fortuna.

Employee of the month (most of the time) is the delivery boy Boba Fett (who deserted from Domino’s after his dad died in a car accident or something). Bobba is known for always delivering on time and with the food still hot. He’s also really good at getting extra on his tips.

The employees come and go on a regular basis, some staying for several years, others only a few days. Jabba is very particular about his place and if he doesn’t like the worker or how someone is doing something, he’ll fire them. Usually with no notice.

On the plus side, Jabba is known to give some pretty good bonus’ if you do a really good job.

Every once in a while, the company offers a special topping. No one is a hundred percent sure what it is but it tastes really good so it sells well. (Don’t ask me what it is)

The employees are not allowed to interact or affliate themselves with any of the other pizza places or Jabba will fire them. He’s very jealous of his company and will not risk losing his secret recipies (hence why only a few people actually know it)

Han and Chewy work there for summer jobs.

Little Senators (later Little Empire-- aka Palpatine and pals)

Palpatine “bought” the franchise years ago (he persuaded the previous owner to basically give it to him with some blackmail and a few other shady business moves, but hey. If no one can trace them, it never happened)

Their best store is in Coruscant (which also happens to be one of the biggest cities in the country) and are considered one of the largest franchises in pizza (if not the largest)

There are two managers that stand above the rest: Dooku and Padme.

Dooku runs the southern Coruscant Little Senators while Padme runs the one in the little off branch city of Naboo. Neither like the other one.

Dooku’s store is known to deliver on time and never mix up orders. The actual pizza’s taste fine, but they are a little haphazardly thrown together.

Padme’s store is known for having the “better tasting” pizza and their food is always hot. If the order is mixed up, they do full refunds and deliver the proper order with no charge.

Dooku’s store is one of the first experimenting with robotic help at the counter and in the kitchen. It goes... well enough.

Padme’s assistant manager is Bail Organa and her best employee is her daughter, Leia Amidala.

When Palpatine brings out the new name (Little Empire), Dooku fully supports it and continues under the franchise.

Padme doesn’t support it or the new company regulations (”These new rules and regulations are tyranny!”) and quits (along with Bail) to start their own pizza place (it’s like a local family joint, not a franchise but who knows). They call it “Pizza Rebel”.

Papa Yoda’s (aka the Jedi)

I can’t stop laughing at the name of this one, help

Yoda is the owner (duh) and most of the employees believe he’s at least a hundred and are shocked he’s still alive. And working. He’s short, walks around with a wooden spoon and will whack anyone who tries to eat the toppings. And yes, he is still involved in the kitchen (and hasn’t retired)

He taught Dooku all about the business of making and selling pizza’s. Dooku grew in skill and then one day left the company without a word. A few years later he showed up as a manager in Little Senators. Ever since then, Papa Yoda’s has been struggling to stay a float.

Some managers worth mentioning: Mace Windu, Obi-Wan, Plo Koon, and Shaak Ti.

Obi-Wan runs the store in Naboo, which had been run by his teacher, Qui-Gon Jinn until his sudden death several years ago. He is the youngest employee made into manager to date. His assistant manager is Anakin Skywalker, who really wants his own store but Yoda thinks he’s not quite ready (which he isn’t). Their best employee is Ahsoka Tano, who can do it all (cook, deliver, and serve) followed closely behind by Luke Amidala (who Anakin claims he’s not related to, but everyone knows otherwise)

(Anakin has been secretly married to Padme of Little Senators but when she leaves the company there’s not much of a reason to keep it a secret. Turns out it really wasn’t a secret because everyone in the store knew-- they also knew about Luke and Leia, apparently)

Mace Windu runs his store alone, but runs it efficiently. The closest thing he has to an assistant manager is his head cook, Deba Billaba. Caleb Dume (Kanan Jarrus) is their best delivery boy who has recently decided to start training some of the newbies (Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, Garazeb Orrelios). The front end is run by Hera Syndulla (who may or may not be dating Caleb, it’s a running bet).

Plo Koon and Shaak Ti run their store together (as business partners that’s it) and are known to treat their employees, customers, and their rivals with consideration and kindness. They have a shop very close to Wolffe’s Dominos, which does cause some contention at low points but for the most part, they get along fine. (Plo and Shaak Ti absolutely love the family dynamic between Wolffe’s “pack” of employees). The two will often help Wolffe and his crew in outside business affairs (finding open apartments for employees, helping buy a first car, etc) and they will do the same for the two managers. Most people don’t get how Dominos and Papa Yoda’s are both still open because of this relationship, but they are. (In the future, someone finally figured out Dominos had some legal issues in it’s ownership and was forced to merge with Little Empire or shut down. Wolffe chose to shut down and he and his pack were immediately offered jobs at Papa Yoda’s. They accepted.)

Yoda actually manages a store as well. It’s the “first” one he ever opened and he uses it as a training grounds of sorts for future managers and other job positions. He’s patient, but strict and will often speak in riddles which is annoying to no end. He finds it a great way to weed out the ones that don’t want to be there, and the ones that do.

Order #66 has been banned as an order number. The “why” is never to be spoken of ever again and all the newbies are confused and will ask, but no one will tell them because “they don’t talk about it”

[shels-kpop-main]

Zeus and Hera: The Hermes Complication (Pantheon AU)

The story of Hera and Zeus (John) continues. This story brings us up to present day, so my next Takeover Night will be with these two! Let me know what you think!

Word Count: 4,927 (holy shit)

Warnings: Violence, murder, mafia activities, brief mentions of sex

**Trigger Warning** for infertility, pregnancy, cancer, hospitals

From then on, Hera and Zeus were a unit. They were unstoppable individually, but when working operations together, the pair were a force to be reckoned with. They each gained their own favor with the Titans, with Prometheus and Hyperion eventually calling the two into their office. It was then that Hera and Zeus were offered the shared position of Underboss.

From then on, the two Olympians (now in their late twenties) were referred to as “Your Highnesses”. Hyperion was second in line, should anything happen to Prometheus. But Zeus and Hera were groomed for the crown, and it was expected that they would eventually take over from the Titans. They were given executive clearances, responsibilities, and greater command.

A year after that, Zeus finally dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. They had been dating for nearly nine years since that first kiss in the firing range. And their engagement was a long-overdue occasion.

It was only four months later, when Hera and Zeus were married in front of their friends, remaining family, and esteemed guests from the Pantheon and other allied organizations. News of their wedding had even reached affiliated mobs across the Atlantic, with the American Church and South American cartels sending their own guests to join the celebration.

Hyperion officiated the wedding, and attendees had the option of staying at Mount Olympus as long as they desired. The only condition was that all business affairs would be left at the gate. Still, the grounds of Mount Olympus were abuzz with activity the entire week, as the Titans welcomed company from across the world. Prometheus was all atwitter at the prospect of playing host to almost a hundred people, and busied himself with creating the greatest celebration Europe had ever seen.

Hera and Zeus were married in the Central Garden of Mount Olympus on a cool afternoon in late summer. Hera wore a simple, white gown with a long, lace veil and a delicate tiara gifted to her by the Titans.

...

“Your Divinities,” Hera said, breathless, upon opening the box handed to her by Hyperion. Prometheus wore a satisfied smile, and stepped closer to her. “I can’t accept this. I don’t deserve it,” Hera finished gently, in disbelief. Prometheus’ face became a little more stern.

“I have decided you deserve it, and therefore you must accept it, darling,” he told her smoothly. Hera’s wide eyes met Hyperion’s. He gave her a small nod. “You already have something old, and this is your something new,” he said, his eyes twinkling. Prometheus hummed in agreement.

“Believe me, dear Hera, you have more than earned a little sparkle on your wedding day.”

Hera took a moment to calm herself, and admired the diadem in its dark velvet cushions. She couldn’t deny; it was beautiful. Hera allowed a small smile, and Prometheus took that as a victory.

“It’s a platinum setting,” he told her, admiring the tiara next to her. “And God knows how many carats of diamonds.”

“Thirty-two,” Hyperion answered next to them. “Thirty-two carats. And all of them are flawless.”

“A crown befitting a queen,” Prometheus concluded.

Hera looked between them.

“Your generosity knows no limits, my Lords. Thank you.”

When Hera was dismissed from the Titans’ presence in the courtyard, she returned to her room, cradling the velvet-covered box to her chest. Once she was alone again, she sat on her bed and took another look at it.

It was an intricate thing, nestled gently into its cushion. Just as Hyperion had said, it was a delicate arrangement of dozens of flawless, white diamonds. The platinum setting shone between each cluster of glittering gems, and glinted with every turn. It would certainly make Zeus’ jaw drop.

And drop, it did. Zeus’ eyes fell upon Hera the moment she appeared at the end of the aisle. His eyes widened, and his mouth fell open.

Hera looked every bit the goddess, with her hair pulled back into an elegant up-do, topped by the crown given to her the previous night. It glittered in the sun, and reflected rainbow prisms. Her dress was off-the-shoulder and a pure white silk, followed by the long veil train. She carried a bouquet of scarlet and pink lilies, and Zeus’ heart soared when he saw it. They were her favorite flowers, and had been since the day she graduated high school.

But the moment he saw her face… John ceased to think because the only thing occupying his mind was the vision in front of him.

Hera looked up at him, and smiled.

That was the moment that John thought of when he was sleepless and exhausted. It was the moment he thought of when the stresses of his job started to get to him, and he wondered what he was doing all this for. It was the moment John thought of when he needed something good to hold on to. Because he had always done it all for his best friend, for his partner. For his love.

The ceremony was relatively short, but the guests celebrated all night in Mount Olympus’s Grand Hall. Hades and Demeter delivered their speeches as Best Man and Maid of Honor, and Prometheus made a toast to the couple as everyone cheered. Hera and Zeus had their first dance as one of the Muses sang “At Last” with an orchestra set.

The revelry went well into the night, at which point the non-Olympian guests retired to their rooms. But the gods and goddesses of Olympus made a show of carrying the newlyweds to their new, shared quarters, as per tradition.

And the following morning, Hera and Zeus set off to Italy, where they would spend the next two weeks on honeymoon. All of their work during this time was deferred to other Olympians, so that the two could enjoy a fortnight without the stresses of criminal life.

It was the happiest Zeus and Hera had ever been, both as individuals and as a couple.

The pair returned to Greece with slightly darker skin and a myriad of wonderful memories made. They resumed their duties, and continued to build their reputations as two of the most dangerous people in Europe.

Hera assisted the other Titans in upholding established territories and acquiring new ones. Zeus continued to learn under Prometheus, slowly absorbing knowledge on how to run a criminal empire, and run it well. He found that he was particularly good at balancing finances, while Hera learned that she had a proclivity for settling territorial disputes--whether it be through negotiation or force. And they settled into the life of high-ranking criminal underbosses, finding moments of peace between shootouts and tense meetings. In their free time, they would watch the news and discuss politics, and go hiking in the mountains. Not to mention the nights they spent in each others’ arms, trying desperately to turn their pair into a trio.

But Prometheus was assassinated three years later. Hyperion, in his grief, abdicated the throne and abruptly retired, leaving the Pantheon to Zeus. Zeus took up the figurative crown, and named Hera his Right Hand shortly after. And all thoughts of starting a family were set aside.

Both of them were natural-born leaders, and had been well-prepared to run the Pantheon. They just didn’t think it would happen so soon. But still, Hera and Zeus managed to soothe the chaos and distress left behind by the death of Prometheus and the abrupt departure of Hyperion.

Hera maintained territory lines and actually brought two new regions under her control in the following year. Meanwhile, Zeus held the helm at home, making sure that their existing networks would not falter because of the disturbance. It was difficult, but together, they pulled it off.

And for a year, things were stable. Calm. Good, even.

Until the morning that Hera got sick. She had been feeling a dull ache in her lower abdomen for quite a while. But this time, the pain came in an intense streak, radiating across her pelvis. Hera doubled over from the pain, tears pricking at her eyes. A strong wave of nausea washed over her, and the papers she was holding fluttered to the floor.

It was another twenty minutes before her secretary found her.

… 

Zeus was in his office just down the hall, talking through enforcement policies with Hades, when someone knocked on his door. But the two gods were engrossed in their conversation and didn’t register the sound.

There was another knock at the door, to their annoyance. Zeus was about to allow the person in, when his secretary Athena burst through the door.

“What are you doing?” Hades began to confront her. It was very much against protocol to enter a superior’s office without allowance. But Athena looked frantic, and Zeus waited for her to speak.

“Your Majesty, it’s the Queen,” Athena gasped. Zeus’ heart dropped into his stomach.

“She’s in the hospital.”

And then his heart stopped beating altogether.

Hera was transferred to a hospital in a nearby town. The medical unit in Mount Olympus lacked the equipment to properly diagnose her pain. By the time a gurney carrying Hera was rolled into a proper hospital, she had begun to bleed. Hours later, and after many tests, MRI scans, and a cervical screening, a doctor entered Hera’s room. Hera was sitting up, supported by pillows. Zeus was sitting next to her, eyes bloodshot.

“Mrs. Deacon, have you ever been pregnant?”

Hera, although stable, was exhausted, and her answer was a whisper.

“No.” A tear rolled down her cheek when she said it, and Zeus squeezed her hand.

“Okay.” The doctor flipped through some papers on his clipboard. He had a thick accent, but spoke as clearly as he could.

“What’s happening?” Zeus was impatient. The doctor looked at Zeus, then Hera again, and took a deep breath.

“Miss, I am sorry to deliver this news. But it appears that there is a mass in the wall of your uterus.”

Hera’s eyes went wide. Zeus went numb.

“We will have to operate to remove the tumor. I would urge sooner rather than later for this, because of the bleeding.”

“A mass?”

John looked at Hera. Her voice was so small. The adrenaline was beginning to course through his veins. 

“Yes, ma’am. We will have to biopsy it after removal to confirm that it is cancer. But it is my educated opinion that the growth is malignant.”

“But you can remove it? You can get it all out?” Zeus’s voice was strained. Hera’s mouth was a hard line.

“I am confident that we can remove the mass entirely.”

Zeus let out a sigh of immense relief.

“However,” the doctor exhaled wearily, “the cervical screening showed precancerous cells throughout the cervix and uterine cavity.”

“What does that mean?” Zeus asked. The doctor swayed his head in thought.

“It means we have two choices.”

Hera’s breathing was becoming heavy as she fought back tears. John just held her hand, feeling unbearably useless.

“We must remove the growth, that much we know for certain. But it is up to you whether we remove the uterus in its entirety. If we do, you would not be able to bear children in the future. If we remove the mass, but leave the rest of the organ, there is a high risk of developing cancerous cells later on.”

The room was silent after that, with the exception of Hera’s rapid breathing. The doctor stood up and patted Zeus on the shoulder.

“I’ll check in with you tomorrow morning. In the meantime, please let the nurses know if you experience more pain.”

Hera watched him go, and Zeus watched Hera. When the door clicked shut, Hera stared at the wall across from her for a brief moment before crumpling. She leaned forward, and would have fallen over, had Zeus not stood up to hold her steady.

Hera sobbed into Zeus’s shoulder until she could no longer recognize the sound of her own crying. She felt her heart breaking into smaller and smaller pieces, until she couldn’t feel anything at all.

It was the cruelest trade. Her life for the possibility of having a child. A choice no one should have to make, but there she was, collapsed in John’s arms. In utter despair over the choice she had to make.

And Zeus wasn’t doing much better. For the first time in his adult life, he cried. He held his shaking wife, his best friend, as she was hurting in every way possible. And the tears flowed from both of them.

Zeus didn’t go home that night, choosing instead to crawl into bed next to Hera. It made it easier for him to hold her, and easier for her to listen to his heartbeat. For the next seven hours, it was the only sound that grounded her. It was her only comfort as she was forced to accept the decision she’d made. The surgery took place the following afternoon.

… 

Hera was released from the hospital four days later. By then, preliminary biopsy results had confirmed that the tumor inside her had been cancerous. It was a cruel comfort, to know that she had made the right decision to have a complete hysterectomy. But horribly bitter to know she would never carry her husband’s child.

Zeus supported her in her decision. He would have stood by her, no matter what she decided, but he was relieved to know that her life would be spared. From this, anyway.

When the two Majesties returned to Mount Olympus, Zeus resumed most of his duties. But he assigned Hera’s work to Aphrodite and Demeter for the following two weeks so that she could stay in and rest.

Hades still took care of some of Zeus’ assignments, allowing the latter to leave his office early each day. Zeus would go to his and Hera’s rooms, and spend the spare time with her. He was never good at finding the right words to say, but one thing he could do was to stay with her. So he did, spending every evening with his wife until she regained a sense of normalcy.

Three weeks after first going into the hospital, Hera looked up. She was sitting at the bar in their kitchen, watching Zeus cook dinner.

“I want to go back to work,” she told him firmly. Zeus finished stirring the vegetables and set the spoon down, turning to face her.

“Really?” He didn’t look skeptical. Just concerned, and a little curious. Hera nodded.

“Yes. I’ve sat around here long enough.”

“Alright,” Zeus replied, “I’ll have your secretary make arrangements this week.”

“Tomorrow,” Hera corrected him quietly. Zeus looked at her, eyebrows raised.

“Okay.”

“I think if I stay here any longer, I’ll get depressed. I don’t like wallowing.”

Zeus crossed the kitchen to sit next to her at the bar. He took her hand, playing with her fingers idly.

“You aren’t wallowing. You’re recovering.”

“And I feel better now. I promise,” Hera assured him. Zeus picked up her hand and kissed it.

“Alright, love. I’ll send word to Clymene. She’ll be waiting in your office tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you.”

Zeus gave her a soft smile, and moved to stand. But Hera held onto his hand, tugging it lightly.

“For everything,” she told him emphatically. Zeus studied her face, saw the earnest look in her eyes, and felt an overwhelming surge of love. He leaned over and kissed her firmly, holding her face in his hands.

“Of course. I love you,” he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. “More than anything.”

Hera walked into her office the following morning wearing a particularly ravishing dress. She always wore formal wear to work (humorously referring to it as her “uniform”), but she needed an extra boost that day. So she opted to wear the crown that Zeus had given her on their one-year anniversary. It was a ring of delicate, golden branches littered with diamonds. It was by far the most Grecian of her jewels, and truly did make Hera feel worthy of her name.

She sat down behind her desk, and sifted through the papers brought to her by her secretary. Clymene organized Hera’s schedule and caught her up on everything she had missed in the three-week interruption.

Hera spent most of the morning on the phone, looking at maps, and being debriefed by Aphrodite and Demeter. Just before she was going to go downstairs for lunch with them, there was a knock at the door. Clymene answered it, and turned to the three goddesses.

“His Majesty.”

Hera nodded, and Zeus entered the room. He was holding a bundle of purple and white flowers, tied together with silk ribbon.

“I’ll meet you downstairs,” Hera told the two goddesses seated in front of her. Demeter and Aphrodite gave respectful nods, and left the room.

“You’re too kind,” Hera said, smiling softly. Zeus crossed the room as she stood--slowly, as to not wind herself.

“Thought I’d bring a few flowers from the garden to brighten your first day back,” Zeus replied, smiling shyly. Hera met him in the middle of the room.

“You brightened my day the moment you walked through that door, my love.”

Zeus chuckled a soft ehehe and kissed Hera on the cheek. She took the flowers from him and examined them.

“Mallow. And fennel,” she recited, identifying the flowers with ease. Zeus nodded.

“Aphrodite helped me pick them out based on meaning,” he confirmed.

“Fennel is for strength,” Hera thought aloud. “But I don’t remember the meaning of Mallow flowers.”

Zeus looked at his feet, then up to her.

“Undying love.”

Hera was lost for words. She was comforted. For the first time in weeks, she felt okay. Her return to work, and the love she felt from Zeus, were enough to make her feel normal. She snaked her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. Zeus kissed the side of her head, and held her for a moment.

“I don’t want to keep you. You all enjoy your lunch,” Zeus said, pulling away slowly. Hera smiled at him, hands still resting on his waist.

“We will. We’ve got our eye on a new territory,” she announced confidently. Zeus cocked an eyebrow.

“Is that so? Which territory?”

“Monaco.”

“That would be an impressive catch,” Zeus acknowledged.

“It would.”

“Let me know when you get it,” he told Hera, at which she smirked.

“I will. In the meantime, would you walk me to the dining hall?”

“It would be my honor,” Zeus answered, and held out his arm.

…

Zeus stayed in his office for the rest of the afternoon, taking phone calls and dealing with a minor disturbance in Albania. It was after 6 by the time he left his office. The sun had started its descent to the horizon, casting a yellow light across the grounds of Mount Olympus.

Zeus strolled home at a leisurely pace, feeling a small amount of peace now that Hera was back--truly back. He walked down the wide, ornate halls that separated the business wing from the residential wing. Just as he entered the last corridor, Zeus heard footsteps behind him.

He instinctively reached inside his jacket for the gun he kept there. But when he reached the top of the stairs, a loud, familiar voice rang through the hallway.

“Your Majesty! Just who I was hoping to see.”

The voice belonged to Hermes. Hera’s twin brother.

Zeus turned, sighing. He just wanted to go home and be with Hera. But here he was, waiting as her male counterpart sauntered up to him.

“How can I help you, Hermes?”

Hermes stopped in front of Zeus, looking every bit at ease despite Zeus’s cold demeanor. He was dressed sharply, in a fitted suit, with gold glittering on his fingers.

“I just thought I’d see how you’re doing. After everything that’s happened,” Hermes explained, gesturing in the general direction of Their Majesties’ rooms. Zeus’s eyes narrowed. He hadn’t even bothered to ask about Hera.

“I’m alright. I’m sure your sister would appreciate a visit from you, though. It’s been two weeks since she came home.”

“Oh, she’s fine, I’m sure. You said she was having, er, feminine problems, and I’d rather not have to witness that.”

Zeus’s fist clenched inside his pocket. The audacity. But Hermes was impervious.

“I guess it figures, though. I always have been the more successful one,” Hermes continued. He didn’t realize it at the time, but he was digging his own grave. Zeus looked at him without emotion, as if examining a small bug.

“I do feel for you though, my Lord. No prospect of an heir in the future...it must be rough.”

Zeus just stared at him, confused. Truth be told, he wouldn’t have considered any future children of his to be heirs. Zeus only ever wanted children because he wanted a family of his own.

“Perhaps it’s a good thing,” Hermes posited, glancing toward the door to the apartment. If he had been paying attention, he would have noticed that it was cracked open slightly.

“At least now we know only the good genes will be passed on, eh?”

And he laughed.

Zeus wanted to pull the pistol from his blazer and shoot Hermes in the mouth right then and there. Or perhaps the testicles. Or to forgo the weapon altogether and just tear him limb from limb.

But he didn’t. He blinked, twice, and took a deep breath.

“I will give Hera your regards.”

And Zeus turned on his heel and left.

. . . 

Hera was bristling when Zeus pushed open the door. She was leaning against the wall next to it, arms folded. She had evidently heard everything.

Zeus closed and locked the door behind him. He was fuming, too, but said nothing. After a moment, Hera looked at him.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice was small, almost as quiet as it had been that first night in the hospital. Zeus frowned at her, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

“What on earth are you sorry for?”

“He’s right. You deserve children.” Tears fell from Hera’s eyes as she spoke. Zeus felt as if the air had been knocked from his lungs. He reached out and took Hera by the arms.

“And I can’t give them to you,” she finished with a sob. Zeus pulled her to him, and held her tightly. Hera cried into his shirt, arms folded against his chest.

“It’s alright.”

“No, it isn’t. You deserve a family.”

“Listen to me,” Zeus said firmly, pushing Hera back a little to look at him.

“I have a family,” he told her. “I have you. I have our friends. I have everything I need.”

Hera looked at the ground and the tears started rolling again.

“But we can’t have kids.”

“Yes, we can. We can adopt. We have so many options,” Zeus consoled her, pulling her back to him. Hera hugged him back with all her might.

“Your brother is a shit,” Zeus remarked, his voice muffled by her hair. Hera frowned, and hummed in agreement.

“And nothing he said was true. Besides,” he chuckled, “You’re better than him at literally everything.”

Hera exhaled sharply through the nose. The closest thing to a laugh that she could muster. But Zeus took it, rubbing her back gently. They were silent for a moment, and Zeus could almost feel the anger bubbling within her.

“I hate him,” Hera muttered resolutely into Zeus’ chest. Zeus knew it would have been wrong to echo the sentiment, now matter how much he agreed. He needed to support his wife. But at that moment, he decided two things.

Hermes was a problem that needed to be eliminated.

And he was never going to hurt Hera again.

It was another year before Zeus did anything. He wanted to give Hera time to fully heal, emotionally, from the ordeal of the previous year before taking care of the Hermes problem. But he never forgot, and he never lost his resolve.

Hades was surprised to see Zeus at the door of his office that morning. Zeus almost never came down to the Underworld, so he knew it must have been important.

“Brother,” Zeus nodded as he passed the threshold. Hades stood to welcome him.

“My Lord. How can I help you?”

“I have a problem I’d like you to take care of,” Zeus told him pointedly. Hades caught on immediately, and sat down to take notes. Zeus smiled to himself. He’d never known anyone in the Mob to take notes, with the exception of Hades.

Nerd.

“I have two Nymphs on assignment, but the rest are here and ready to work,” Hades reported, placing his hand on the phone next to him.

“No, no,” Zeus corrected him. Hades lifted his hand.

“I want you to do this for me. Personally.”

Hades blinked. Zeus typically just let Hades assign kills to the Nymphs and sometimes Hades would do the interesting ones himself if he was bored. Zeus had never asked him, specifically, to carry out a hit.

“It’s...an internal matter.”

“I see,” Hades nodded. Zeus paced around the room as he explained himself.

“Hermes has ...been a problem for quite some time,” he began. Hades wasn’t surprised. Hermes didn’t have a great reputation in the Pantheon--or anywhere else.

“As you know, he’s been embezzling money from the Pantheon’s travel fund for the past year.”

“Yes.”

“It’s my belief that he took advantage of my absence when Hera was in the hospital. It was around that time that money started vanishing.”

“My Lord?” Hades couldn’t help but express a little bit of disgust. This was a new low, even for Hermes.

“Yes, you heard me correctly,” Zeus confirmed, a bitter taste creeping into his mouth.

“If I may ask,” Hades began, “Is that why you sent him away last year?”

“Yes, among other reasons.”

“My Lord, may I ask why we’re acting now, all this time later?”

Zeus nodded, and looked at his friend. Hades’s tone wasn’t critical; only concerned.

“That was a temporary solution. I couldn’t eliminate Hermes so soon after Hera went through everything that happened. She hates him, but he’s still her blood. I wouldn’t put her through more pain so soon.”

Zeus turned to look out the window, his expression hardening.

“But it’s time for a permanent solution. I can’t let him steal from the Pantheon.”

“I understand, my Lord. Consider it done.”

Zeus nodded resolutely, and excused himself. But he stopped just before exiting the office.

“Oh, and one more thing,” he spoke, causing Hades to look up again. “Take Persephone with you. Her services will be needed.”

“My Lord?” Hades asked again. Zeus looked at him with malevolent intent in his eyes.

“I want him castrated first. And bring it to me in a box.”

Hades almost grinned. He had never seen Zeus to quietly furious. And he knew Persephone would be more than happy to assist in the murder of everyone’s least favorite god.

Zeus knew this, too. So it was no surprise to him when, six days later, Hades and Persephone walked into his office. Hades was holding a small metal box. Zeus nodded at him, and Hades deposited the box on his desk.

“Thank you both. Your rewards will be deposited tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

And they were gone. Zeus called his secretary into the room.

“Your Majesty?”

“Athena, please clear my schedule for the rest of the day. I need to visit the Queen.”

…

Hera didn’t take it as well as Zeus thought she would. In fact, Hera didn’t take it well at all. Zeus broke the news as gently as he could, but Hera wasn’t pleased to hear that her brother was dead. Hermes, whom she had hated with fire and venom, was dead, and Zeus couldn’t fathom why Hera was screaming at him in her office.

But for all her anger and upset, she didn’t cry.

Because Hera wasn’t sad that her brother was dead. She hadn’t even considered him her brother for almost a year. She hadn’t spoken to him since overhearing his conversation with Zeus in the hallway.

But Hermes was dead now, and not by her choice. She grieved for him a small amount, yes. Because he was her blood. But still, she couldn’t bring herself to be sad.

Instead, she settled for anger. She was angry at Hermes for belittling her infertility. She was angry at her parents for always favoring her brother. She was angry at Zeus for killing him without her.

No. She could never admit that. She could never admit her relief at hearing of his death. It was wrong of her to feel satisfied knowing that he had been stripped of his manhood.

And yet, she was satisfied. But she couldn’t say that to Zeus. She couldn’t say that to anyone.

So Hera withdrew into herself. She ignored Zeus’s voice as she moved her belongings into her old rooms. She threw herself headlong into her work, almost doubling the size of the Pantheon’s trade networks over the following year. She worked away from Mount Olympus, choosing to settle territorial disputes personally, instead of sending diplomatic representatives.

In doing all this, it was easier for Hera to forget the cancer, the family she could never have. It was easier to forget how much it hurt to not be with Zeus. But it was easier to go away than to admit that she was glad Hermes was dead.

Zeus could do nothing except wait for her to come home.

Taglist: @deacytits, @anotheronebitesthedeaks, @rogers-sweatbands, @briarrose26, @lovehelpmewrite, @zodiacal-dust-and-curls, @lv7867, @dreamer821, @happy-at-home, @doyoudobroadway

[rebelsofshield]

Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron-Review

Alexander Freed resurrects the X-Wing novel in Alphabet Squadron, a rousing and emotionally complex adventure that ranks among the best in the current canon.

(Review contains minor spoilers)

The second Death Star is destroyed. The Emperor is dead. The Empire is falling and its forces are scattered and desperate. For the first time since the Galactic Civil War began, the Alliance, now the New Republic, is winning. However, as a galactic government collapses and a scattered militia group begins to take its place, it turns out that the waning days of the war may be more chaotic than anyone anticipated. Among those caught in the chaos is Yrica Quell, a former Imperial TIE pilot of the infamous 204th Imperial Fighter Wing aka “Shadow Wing,” who herself just one of thousands of other former soldiers looking to escape to the otherside of a losing war. After Yrica attracts the attention of New Republic Intelligence agent Caern Adan, she is drafted into a makeshift working group to hunt down and eliminate her former wingmen, whom have become a major thorn in the burgeoning Republic’s side. Overseen by Adan, New Republic general Hera Syndulla, and a reprogrammed Imperial torture droid, Yrica helps to form a group of misfit and war addled pilots to help save the New Republic from dying before it even begins.

At Celebration Chicago, Alexander Freed said that he was inspired to write Alphabet Squadron by the classic Expanded Universe X-Wing novels written by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston. While Freed’s pilot focused narrative and thrilling action sequences are sure to evoke memories of this series, the book that Alphabet Squadron seems to brush shoulders with most after first read is Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath trilogy. Like Aftermath, Alphabet Squadron is the first in a trilogy following an ensemble of misfit characters in the waning days of the Galactic Civil War and the fallout of the Battle of Endor. Wendig’s trilogy always boasted an impressive scope and stylistically impressive prose, but the first installment of Aftermath struggled due to characters that failed to make an impression and an unfocused narrative. Each novel in the trilogy improved on the one that preceded it, but it is hard to deny that Aftermath got off to a rocky start. Conversely, while Alexander Freed’s dense prose may not appeal to some readers, Alphabet Squadron launches out of the gate with fully formed characters and a sense of purpose and place.

Like his previous Star Wars novel, Battlefront: Twilight Company, Freed excels in making the Galaxy Far, Far Away feel lived in. As previously mentioned, his dense writing style may turn off some readers, but it does an incredible job in helping this setting come to life. It’s clear that Freed put extensive thought into helping to realize a galaxy in this degree of turmoil. In the months immediately following the Battle of Endor, there truly wasn’t a seat of power in the galaxy as both The Empire and the New Republic are each in periods of transition and internal upheaval. The Empire finds itself lacking in direction and leadership and facing a long collapse that seems unlikely to turn in their favor. The New Republic must not only contend with forming a new government but transitioning from a guerilla military to an expansive force capable of finalizing a war it never really prepared to win. Alphabet Squadron in the process evokes such classic pieces of desperate military science fiction like Battlestar Galactica and even The Last Jedi. In the aftermath of such devastating canon events as Operation Cinder, Freed captures the fluctuating and unstable state of the galaxy with descriptive settings, well thought out dips into everyday life of the average galactic citizenry, and first and foremost the characters at its center.

As any good novel should do, it is truly the characters of Alphabet Squadron that make this book sing. Freed brings together an ensemble of damaged and diverse pilots to make up the titular Alphabet Squadron. Fittingly each of these characters not only feel as unique and varied as the ships they fly, but they all realistically bear the scars of beings who have spent their last years embroiled in war. For better and for worse, Freed frames much of the narrative around the reader and the characters gradually learning about the pasts and motives of the different pilots and their commanders. While Freed maintains a rotating third person limited point of view, it becomes quickly apparent that what we learn from each of the characters isn’t necessarily to be trusted. These are damaged people that are hiding things not only from their teammates but from themselves and it is this obscuring, while at times perhaps a bit too illusive, that adds a larger sense of discovery and engagement to a narrative that by and large follows the familiar “learning to work as a team” structure.

Of the five main characters, Yrica is undeniably the most intriguing and fraught. Unlike many classic Imperial defectors, Yrica joined after the Battle of Endor when Palpatine’s regime was already collapsing. While her motives for seeking out the New Republic are mostly self-serving, Freed succeeds at making Yrica a sympathetic protagonist, if an undeniably flawed one. Her narrative becomes one not only of finding a purpose or direction in a galaxy that wants nothing more than to cast her aside, but of deprogramming from fascist doctrine. “Think like a rebel,” becomes a mantra that carries its way not only in the cockpit but to the cantina, to her therapy sessions, and in learning to be a leader to her team.

The rest of Alphabet Squadron are similarly impressive. Nath Tensent is a classic Star Wars style rogue, a mix of pirate, rebel, and early Imperial defector, with a charisma that easily wins over reader and co-pilots alike. He’s the type of lovable bastard whose true intentions are often hard to read and frequently underhanded but nonetheless is capable of incredible moments of humanity and empathy for others.

Wyl Lark and Chass na Chadic hail from two formerly paired squadrons, whose long, tortured final mission takes up a large portion of the first act of the novel. Lark becomes Alphabet Squadron’s heart, bringing a boyish sense of naiveté but also empathy to his fellow pilots. Smartly, Freed knows how to show the dangers of this though and demonstrates how Lark’s inherent good nature sometimes leads to personal danger and overstepping his bounds in the care of his teammates. It avoids cynicism while also teaching the value in trusting the independence of others. In particular, this is demonstrated with Wyl’s relationship Chass na Chadic, the music blasting Theelin pilot, who joins Alphabet Squadron alongside him. Given their shared trauma and different manners of coping, Freed frames the frayed relationship between these two particular characters as a central arc of the book and it works well, especially given how well drawn both characters prove to be.

And Kairos? Kairos is the resident, silent badass. Cloaked in rags, armor, masks, and mystery, Kairos remains the closest to an enigma at the novel’s conclusion. What little we learn of her hints at a past filled with trauma and strife which not only comes about in cold mystery but short bursts of intense violence. She feels not unlike the fan favorite animated bounty hunter, Embo, with a dash of Wolverine-esque tragic past. It makes her brief moments where she opens up to the other members of Alphabet Squadron linger for pages afterward.

Even supporting cast members spark with their own sense of personality and life. Caern Adan tows the line between grandstating jackass and pragmatic foreward thinker in a way that makes him feel realistic if not empathetic. Chass and Wyl’s former squadmates before joining Alphabet Squadron shine through with individual quirks and personalities and their presence becomes particularly haunting and painful despite their relatively little time on the page. Even Adan’s mechanical assistant, an Imperial Torture Droid turned team therapist, is a standout with an unexpectedly endearing sense for emotional sensitivity.

Fans of Star Wars Rebels are also sure to enjoy Hera Syndulla’s meatier than expected role here. Freed paints a picture of a war weary Hera that is driven by duty and longs for the days of Ghost family. Her maternal caring for those under her command shines through and her moments of guidance to the Alphabet Squadron team rank as some of the most emotionally affecting beats of the novel as a whole. Those hoping to see Jason Syndulla or some of the other members of the Rebels may be disappointed, but any fan of the Spectre Two is sure to get a lot out of this book.

Freed also succeeds in bringing these characters into action. While his prose while the characters are grounded is often dense with detail and minutiae, Freed somehow finds an incredible balance when his characters step into the cockpit and begin fighting off TIE Fighters. Dogfights feel energetic and kinetic and Freed manages to block these with a sense of action and pacing that feels clear and exciting. Alphabet Squadron even gets creative in just how a squadron of five different types of ship would function and the resulting set pieces feel both imaginative and surprisingly practical. Given the strong work done to fleshing out these characters and their chaotic world in the quiet moments, it gives the beats where blaster bolts are flying and starships are exploding an extra oomph of tension and emotion.

It may not be immaculate, but Alphabet Squadron is a truly engrossing and affecting read. Between Freed’s incredible sense of setting to his well-drawn characters, it’s hard to find a more satisfying book in the current Star Wars canon and the wait for the next installment of this series in 2020 feels like an eternity away. The sequels may be ending this winter with The Rise of Skywalker, but the next great Star Wars trilogy may have already just started.

Score: A-

[anathtsurugi]

The Colder the Winter, the Warmer the Spring - A Kalluzeb Fic

Word Count: 95,449 (know what the funny part is? I think we’re only at about the halfway point with this)

Chapters: 9/?

Rating: M

Pairing(s): Alexsandr Kallus/Garazeb Orrelios (Kanan Jarrus/Hera Syndulla, Rex/Ahsoka Tano)

Summary:

With that, the image widened and Zeb could see that Kallus was holding something in his arms, and as the Lasat inspected the image, he gradually began to realize that it was a baby – a Lasat kit.

"Zeb...help me."

"Oh, karabast."

Excerpt:

A regular watch was maintained around Chopper Base. Those brave individuals who fought for freedom against the tyranny of the Empire wouldn't be worth much to anyone if they couldn't even manage to protect their own base. So watch was kept at all hours of the cycle, and it was kept well, but in defense of the stalwart members of Phoenix Cell, they were looking for something to come toward the base. Not for something to move away from it.

So the watch could hardly be expected to notice when a tiny figure crawled away from the rebel base in the middle of the night.

It would be difficult to say what was going through little Arkalia's mind as she crawled away from the safety of the base and out into the wastelands of Atollon, as her mind did not function in the same way as an adult being's did. Perhaps there was nothing in her mind? Or perhaps she was the only one who truly understood. It could not be said, one way or the other. So she crawled out into the darkness, unseen by the watch and ignored by the roving bands of krykna who moved through the planet's shifting stone and sand. She crawled, unafraid, guided on by something unknown...until a shape amongst Atollon's strange formations, nearly appearing to be just another mass of stone in and of itself, began to move. The massive figure shifted until a pair of distant, moonglow eyes were looking down on the baby Lasat. When the Bendu finally spoke, the surrounding stone rumbled with the force of its voice.

"So this is the child that has caused such a stir," it said as it looked her over, laughing quietly while tilting its head in curiosity. "Such a lot of trouble over such a little thing."

"A child always is," a gentle voice trickled from the shadows that surrounded the ancient Force-user – until out into the moonlight stepped Ahsoka Tano.

"Well, I suppose you would know, little mother," the giant being said, inclining its head down toward the infant strapped to the former Jedi's back.

"Yes," Ahsoka agreed, smiling tenderly down at the kit as she lifted her own little girl from her carrying sling. "I wasn't exactly expecting company, but I'm sure Mira will be glad of it," she said, lowering herself into a cross-legged position with the baby in her arms.

Though little Mira was distinctly Togruta in appearance, she still had a markedly different look than others of her mother's people. Her skin was much lighter than Ahsoka's, closer to that of her father, and where other Togruta younglings would have had patterning of some kind, the little nubs that would one day become her montrals consisted of smooth white skin. There was no other like her in all the galaxy – Ahsoka's precious daughter.

Mirjahaal Tano.

Rex's daughter.

Upon catching sight of Mira, the uncertainty that had lingered like a gathering storm cloud around little Arkalia's head dissipated instantly. Crawling forward with a curious coo, she came right up to them, reaching out with a single four-fingered paw to bat at Mira's tiny arm.

Mira was younger than Arkalia by several months, but the little half-Togruta was no less excited to meet someone closer to her own age. She smiled a wide, gummy smile at the little Lasat before letting out a happy squeal, reaching out with her own hand.

Ahsoka smiled warmly as she watched the two little girls play, speaking in their own language only they could understand. She couldn't say what it was that had called Arkalia to them. She was not Force sensitive so far as the former padawan could see. Perhaps it was just Ahsoka's presence here? A piece of space-time that didn't quite belong.

"It is of interest to me that you would risk coming here now, Ahsoka Tano," the Bendu said in its ever-contemplative tone. "After all, it would take little more than the wrong brush of a stone for the entirety of our reality to unravel around you."

"I know that," she returned with a small shrug. "And while I find that to be an over-dramatization of our actual state...some things are worth the risk."

"Love, perhaps?"

"Perhaps. I've already let too many I care about die. I can't let it happen again. Not when I have power to stop it," she responded fiercely, her hold on Mira briefly tightening.

"But do you have power?" the Bendu asked her. "You cannot, after all, affect events as they are. Not without risk of harm to this tenuous balance."

"I have more power than you can understand, even if it isn't much. I'll do what I can while I can still do it."

"Having experienced a death or two of your own, what death is it you now wish to prevent?"

Ahsoka shuddered at the press of the ancient being's intent. It knew already, she had little doubt, but wanted her to give voice to it for whatever reason.

"I have- seen things...in my meditations. While I understand that the galaxy does not turn on one small life...I feel he deserves better. He deserves to have his faith rewarded," she said, drawing Mira up to rub her cheek reassuringly against hers. At the loss of her new playmate, Arkalia looked sadly up at them, pawing at Ahsoka's knee while Mira tried to reach down to her.

"This is what you feel? Even though you know it was through the effort to avert such a loss that your own master was lost?"

"Even so. It's not the Jedi way...to choose attachment...but..."

"But...as you are so fond of pointing out, you are no Jedi," the ancient being said with a faintly sardonic smile.

"Exactly."

Jedi or no, she understood the risk she was taking. The girl she had been when she'd first known Rex would have charged in lightsabers blazing in order to save her friend; consequences to the fabric of reality be damned. The woman she was now understood that such a direct interference would ultimately harm the man she wanted to save more than it would help him. She was limited in what she could do from the outside of their paralleled timelines, but what power remained to her, she intended to use. She was not going to let Rex waste his life needlessly.

"At a time like this, they would say that you must learn to let go of what it is you fear to lose."

"And the Sith?" Ahsoka found herself asking, though she couldn't quite help giggling when Arkalia started to climb her body to get up to Mira. "What would they say?"

"The exact opposite, of course. It is not in a Sith's nature to let go of that which they perceive as belonging to them. The more they can possess, the stronger they believe themselves to be. What you will not let go, no one will take from you," it said, gazing pointedly down at her.

"What about you?" Ahsoka pressed, returning the intent stare without a shred of fear. "What do you say? What's the way in the middle?"

"I?" The Bendu raised an eyebrow, considering her for several long moments before continuing. "I say that to define love as a mere attachment...is to misunderstand what love is. What attachment is. If you believe that love is something that can be possessed or released upon a whim, then you do not know love."

The young mother nodded. The more she came to understand what was between her and Rex, the more she was inclined to accept that sort of definition. The Jedi Order had somehow come to conflate love and attachment as the same thing in its twilight years, when they really weren't the same thing at all. The code forbid attachment. It did not forbid love.

"Well," she started as she disentangled the two children from each other, carefully tucking Mira back in her sling before lifting Arkalia into her arms and climbing to her feet, "I hope that way is good enough for the Force, because that's the way I'm taking."

"Then much good may it do you, young not-Jedi," the Bendu said to her as she turned and walked out into the desert. "I shall look forward to our next meeting."

"As will I," she called over her shoulder without looking back.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14700105

[scientistforhire]

Wolf 359 High School AU

Okay, I know this has to have been done before, but I don’t see it and I have Ideas

Eiffel and Minkowski are juniors in high school and lab partners who get in trouble after knocking over science equipment and are sent to Principal Cutter’s office

Daniel Jacobi is also a junior who starts a fire in his chemistry lab and is sent to the principal

Lovelace was a junior, but missed her entire senior year due to family issues and is now a senior

The four of them meet in Cutter’s office where he gives them a specific kind of punishment to “build cooperation and test their limits”

It’s a science fair project

He’s making them join the science fair

Kepler is Cutter’s adopted son, but he was originally from China. He’s instructed with overseeing the project

They have until February to send a satellite into space

Cue a bunch of fluff and nonsense because No One Dies In This One (under the cut)

Eiffel and Minkowski are Bisexual Solidarity

Jacobi and Maxwell are neighbors and best friends

Eiffel and Hera are best friends

Jacobi and Eiffel get into an argument over who has the better nerd once they realize they’re stuck

Jacobi definitely has a “oh shit, he’s hot” moment when he first meets Kepler

Lovelace was the soccer captain and plans to rejoin the team, regardless of Cutter’s stupid project

A meaningful discussion of aromanticism because Kepler likes to use it as an excuse to be a Terrible Human Being and aro/ace Hera is having none of that

They blow up a lot of stuff trying to build a rocket

Like, a lot

The neighbors are pissed

Jacobi has the best parents who helped him transition when he was young and are eternally supportive

They love all of his weird friends

At one point, Minkowski made a group me and Eiffel gave everyone nicknames

That moment where they’re supposed to be working on a class project and they accidentally bond

Hera talks in like, 90% vine references that only Eiffel understands (until Jacobi comes along and gives her a run for her money)

Hilbert is a chemistry professor who hates teenagers

Hera and her older sister Rhea are the children of Vice Principle Miranda Pryce

Rhea was in Lovelace’s year, but now she is a freshman at Yale

Lovelace’s old friend group are living it up in college, but they come to visit Lovelace pretty often and give her tips on applying to college

But Wait, There’s Plot!

The science project was two-fold- send something to space and use a transmitter to see if transmissions can be reached bouncing around in the atmosphere

This is mainly because Eiffel is good with radios and wants to see if aliens exist

Everyone else does it to humor him, but Hera and Alana want to see if they can hack government satellites

Anyway, Eiffel starts getting weird messages and Alana starts doing some research on the materials Cutter gave them

“Warren, how well do you really know your father?”

Goddard Futuristics is a failed company that Cutter worked with, and the science project may or may not be sinister

Some stuff happens that ends with Eiffel in an air duct, walkie talkies, lockpicking, and government conspiracies, plus the FBI!

But yeah, Wolf 359 high school AU. Lots of possibilities.

[the-firebird69]

The Rum Runner Island Hopper 500

500 miles of mixed terrain and it is sand and dirt to water to sand and dirt to Pavement to send in dirt to water across many islands to the Dominican Republic where the finishes but tomorrow is just to the Grand Bahamas the West Grand Bahamas actually and we have the airport as a landing place and we're setting up now with real buildings which are ancillary for health and for rest and recuperation and to ship the bikes back I think we're going to do it one way because just to see how it goes and the next day we might do it both ways but we are setting up Hilo pads and other things for emergency services and we're going to have cooling base buildings and cooling cuts and we can have a whole bunch of camp Sim campers out there and it's going to be very nice but it is a formal race and tomorrow is an exhibition only and there's no prizes and there might be some private wagers and but it's just for fun and to work The kinks out and to sit and meet and figure out how to make the race work.

As of now I'll agree that it's limited to the Hard knock kicker 5150 three Enduro version only and that is because of the look and the style but mainly it's because on the Dominican Republic we have several plants there and we're building this bike and one of them is up tonight and it's a mass production line and we're also producing parts there and we are producing tons of them for up in Orlando Florida for Sebastian and others who are running the plant same people we mentioned and their assembling the bikes there and all sorts of Hard knock kicker 5150 and it is a business and they're making money and they're opening them in other places as well now it is a very smooth operation you supply the equipment and we supply other things that are ancillary Jackson lifts and all sorts of products that are for safety and health and intercoms and practically the whole building system and we can retrofit in an old building or provide a new one and they are running theirs and they built several of them all over Florida and they're building more now and it's going to be a bike that he'll probably be able to buy because he's sort of had the idea to have them do it and Sebastian's been pretty kind and he's been kind enough to drive them around and for a rather than a small money and Chris decided to give him a little bit more then Chris said I don't have much money but he understands that it's ridiculously small amount of money he has and people trying to get him his money but it's proven to be difficult and here we go tomorrow for the race we've agreed on a Time 11:00 a.m. for a check-in and we're going to start the race at 12:00 noon and at check-in we're going to inspect the bikes we're going to inspect the gasoline and make sure that the bike is safe and make sure it's sturdy and make sure it will of course do the job pretty much the whole distance we don't want unfortunately it's not an amateur race you may practice on your own and you may try afterwards like the English channel but we we really don't want a lot of amateurs down there this is for a professional race and we are welcoming sponsors the other riders for welcoming sponsors and if you need a spark plug or Red Bull or Budweiser or Wicked ale and he's going to sponsor her and The witches Brew and she's smiling and laughing because she's never had a sponsor from us and he said that's okay I just want something else but most of my advances are kind of cookie Antonio my invention you can put a patch on and she says okay and we're going to do that too and they atonium sponsor and it's the toy making company so my husband's doing it and I agree I accept thank you and you're welcome and I think invited several bikes and outfit them several different ways and by the time you sign up to do the exhibition you'll be on the fastest one and I agree so we'll get back going and of course I'm going to sponsor you with poor pirate that would be for all these poor Pirates going to be following you and seeing the big poor pirate emblem in the back that's for one on mine if you want to sponsor me no I can just put it on there...lol. no I will I'll pick a sponsor you'll like it okay and I'm going to leave room for women's products I guess I forgot about that almost and then we have something to make up maybe Kat Von D could her tat shop. I agree with that one too and Ken wants to put a sponsor in and accept it so getting all these sponsors because I probably need some help and you can help me engineer and design it we'll work on it together you have several ideas and it has to lock up and it has to go fast you have to be aerodynamic so I sort of understand what you're saying it's going to have lift to go fast in the road 80 miles an hour I'll take it off

Hera Zues

We like it and Fred is sponsoring me I feel great I feel like just sitting here and waiting for something like some beef stew or something not beefing it though so I'm getting psyched and we're going to spend it on some r&d and might do this idea and making a few bikes and testing them see when which one's work and the dirt end of it will come later but we really need to account for that and she's right and he's right so they're kind of fly bike if you put the right paddle in

Thor Freya

What kind of idiot is coming up with this race and there's going to be these bug legs address they're Wicked far down so I'm going to go ahead and sponsor myself no here comes Lori she's sponsoring me she's got her a book company and she's going to buy a bike and I'm going to have a few she says that I can buy one and I'll fit it and another sponsor from her a big company and she's going to buy one and build that and I'm going to sponsor her and we're going to wear these outfits with the sponsors on them it's going to be a lot of fun it's going to be a famous race and he's got alcohol on there and I just discovered something this is where Rum Runner comes from that blows up one of my ships so I better get in there okay who's Rum Runner I think it's this gay boy next to me Chris says I might have to get you a gay boy

Mac daddy or it could be Jason so Justin's helping with that

I'm in all in and it's going to help out because it's pointing out this thing that's going on probably tonight and it's going to help us out with the issues oh you're good we're going to drink her own blood no no he says this is a Rum run so each of us probably has to have a little rum case attached to the bike and it's not with rum in it probably has some emergency flotation device but it'll look like rum and we suddenly agree with him it'll float the bike and you can hang on to it so we're going to go ahead and do that make it sturdy and design it and build it we'll have it for tomorrow tons of people have site I've never seen anything like this it's going to be so damned weird it's not Tommy doing it quite a bit alone but this is a race and it's a race it's going to be across several islands all the way to the Dominican Republic it is the weirdest thing they've ever seen so he's going to call his brother on the joker line it is going to ask him to pump out a whole bunch of Hard knock kick her 5150s after you use the spies to steal the design cuz he got him out of jail and from Dominican and if he does that he's going to ship over the cigar so he can sell them from there it's agreed to he can send over like 5 million refugees and see how many make he says that sucks and he says I'm sorry old friend I can't accept the cigars from off Island it's just tradition that they have to come from here Cuba and he agrees with the JC says. So we're going to do this it's going to be a lot of fun this is an amazing race what an amazing race it's like the Baja 500 but it's a lot more fun like that humbug

Thor

What an idiot but he's our idiot and no I mean you CAA

Freya

Okay hold the phone why are you calling you an idiot he's a genius

Hera

It's very smart but he's got us doing this stupid stuff instead of work but he says that you need a break and if you don't have one we're going to turn into the evidence or Scrooge and Scrooge everybody so I don't like that and he's right it's a little bit forward and odd and I should have said it but I did and I kind of meant it but now I see what you're saying it is in a weird time and it's going to a decent idea it's a little bit off but we have engineers and stuff you know but we're racing it's only exhibition okay

Freya

Ok close enough we're going to have to Ward you off I'm going to have to get involved he's waiting like a lady or something so I get that Jesse can pull it off cuz ghwv can help you agree with that it's kind of a cool idea that other stuff too that'd be great

Hera Zues

[gavetawrtes]

hello, beautiful people!! here’s me back at it again regretting ever leaving and asking for plots because i actually missed this blog and i suck i know. but heyyyy the important thing is to share love rightt??/ right??? hah ahah hah ah pls forgive me for sucking and gimme plots

imma drop some plots under the read more and if you would like to plot like this so i can message you or im me. i love mumus tho i idk if people still do mumus 1x1 bc of all the mumus rpg that showed up but if you feel like dropping all your characters on me honestly i am here 

highkey like if we’ve tried having a plot and i’ve disappointed you in some way aka i got busy or we ended up not finishing it feel free to like this we could totally give it a second try

mumus. mumus. gimme mumus.

a demigod mumu. honestly. gimme. those. heroes of olympus. ocs.

a mumu that is like set like early 1900s kind of like supernatural and like we can have dark characters involved with the supernatural set in london and it can be like real ghost or fake or like some of the characters could just not believe in ghost while others spent their whole life searching the supernatural and something happen like someone dies and they all go there to see what happens and supernatural shit start to happen or anything else idk hmu with ideas.

okay but like……. give me a mumu with lots of characters and different plots and different connections and where we don’t have a limit of characters and we can create things out of the blue whenever and send each other headcanons and scream and be friends and i will give you cookies and hugs and smiles and any fc you want and i mostly just play males but i will give you whatever you want if you give me this 

space pirates mumu where they are all stuck in a ship going around the universe stealing things and killing aliens and being badass and steering up an unbelievable amount of drama for a ship

space savior?? mumu where they all work for some space company and it is like star treek and they are all different in some way and we could go real creative and do whatever we want with like alien races and we could also have like drama like the captain and the first commander or married or they used to be married or just idk honestly i just love space

a mumu of like friends or riverdale or like 13 reasons why you know where we got like a group of friends and they all have real strong connections and like share lot of things and we could go a darker route and have some secrets and drama or like just friends and make it all like let’s have adventures and have fun and people start falling in love or??

greek gods mumu just okay so modern version of them stuck between humans not really knowing who they are. zeus as the ceo owner of a airline with some cheesy propaganda like the king of the skies and hera as the most badass wedding planner and people are always asking her like how’s your marriage so perfect?? and she is like hahahah ah a ha a i hate him bc love hate relantioships between real rich people is my jam. and like poseidon as the surfer dude brother who lives near the beach and hades as the older brother who wears leather jackets and is honestly just tired of everybody’s shit and he owns a night club called the underworld with his wife persephone who wears pretty dresses and flowers crows but is 300x more dangerous and unforgiving than her husband and they own three pit bulls that they treat like puppies and i hONESTLY honestly just gimme pls pls gimme

scooby doo mumu and we could have actual mystery for them to go after and it could have actual supernatural things maybe and them being friends and also the relationships and i’ll give you cookies

okay so inside out mumu and it sounds weird i know but hear me out okay they are all friends and fear is the one worried about keeping all of ther friends safe, and fear doesn’t really want to participate in whatever everyone else is doing but they get dragged around bc Must Keep Them Safe and joy loves everyone too much and she Cares and she just goes and does things cause she is carefree and happy but also a lil reckless/impulsive and disgust is someone who is rlly confident and knows lots about fashion and somehow always knows exactly what to say to get what she wants, and sadness is some fightened lil angel who is the cutest of them all she just wants hugs and to sleep and everyone is like ?? must protect at all costs ?? and anger, anger is the rebel who wears leather jackets and fights for people’s right and will fuck up the system bc the system is fucked up and i honestly just imagine how many interesting dynamics? ??

celebrities mumu but something like muse A is in a fake relationship with muse B for the views bc they made a music video together and everyone started shipping it and the gossip magazines are great for their careers but muse A is actually in a relationship with muse C but they can’t be public about it cause cause muse C is famously and universally shipped with muse D and the media is all over that but wow plot twist muse D really does love muse C and they used to be together but are not anymore and muse D wants them back and honestly i can keep going up to how many characters you want to have and we can have actors and singers and even like soccer player and youtuber and gossip so much gossip and jealousy and secret flights to see each other and talking up to three am and we started this just for the fame but i spent so much time with you and you are actually amazing i may be failing for you or i can literally not look you straight in the eyes i don’t know how the fans think i am in love with you and and shipping all over their feed and i love my fans so much i don’t want to disappoint them but i can’t live without you

1x1

two bffs who live together, work together, and know each other better than anyone else. who tell each other everything from the big ant they saw that morning to their biggest fear. (bonus points if they are youtubers/tv show stars and people ship them.) it could stay platonic or develop into something else idc

some arrogant famous singer who has a heartbreaker reputation starts dating this girl who looks shy and cute and the media is all over it saying he is playing her but actually she is da boss and she is manipulating him to jump start her career as a model or singer or smth. and they start actually falling in love but wow he finds out her initial intention

two single dads who are hot af and all the moms in the school are highkey hearteyes shameless flirting @ them and everyone thinks they are friends but they are actually fwb. they started doing it cause it was lowkey and cool and their kids were friends and it could be super cute with them taking the kids to have fun together and like going out together and ofc that is totally for the kids, and they take their children to watch some pixar movie but they talk all the way through it cause it seems like they can’t get enough of each other even if it is the dumbest of conversations. and also angsty bc maybe one of them isn’t exactly on terms with his sexuality or maybe they both have some terrible sob story with their previous partner or one of them wants the relationship but the other just wants the fwb thing and then arguments and tears and wtf this stopped being easy but it shouldn’t stop being easy we started this bc it was easy

[goldstarnation]

DECEMBER 2017 GOLD STAR MEDIA SCHEDULES & REVIEW

Note: As always, individual schedules are up to roleplayers within reason. Any major individual schedules, especially those related to points claims, should be cleared with the main first. These schedules may be updated throughout the month if new information needs to be added.

*This will be updated as more items are announced.

Overall company

Out of the three companies, Gold Star Media is the one giving the most artists the most time off this December. They consider this year one where they put out more quality than quantity and as a result are doing well financially, with interest from investors only increasing as 2017 ends. Some artists have busier schedules than others, but overall executives don’t have any complaints for any specific artists and are focused on finalizing their plans for 2018. Gold Star Media continues to work and plan future endeavors with BC Entertainment and Dimensions Entertainment. 

The new girl group is planned to debut this month just before the end of the year and are hard at work preparing.

December Company Schedules:

December 15 & 16: All artists optionally invited to Dimensions United Concerts.

December 17: All artists required to attend Dimensions 15th Anniversary Gala.

December 22: Digital release of Gold Star Nation Christmas song.

Silhouette

Silhouette wraps up latest comeback, which Gold Star is decently pleased with. Although they would have liked a viral hit, it charted well and won a music show. December is a less busy month for the group, with most of their schedules only being fansigns and photoshoots.

December Group Schedules:

December 7: End of DDD music show promotions.

December 9: Fansign in Yeouido, Seoul.

December 10: Fansign in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.

December 23: Fansign in Incheon.

December 24: Fansign in Anyang.

December 27: Photoshoot for February issue of Arena Magazine.

December 31: MBC Gayo Daejejeon at Ilsan Dream Center.

Aria

As Aria’s Twinkle promotions end, their schedules thin out. Having their two senior groups promote at the same time resulted in a music show win for each, but Silhouette did better than Aria this time around, which was unexpected. Nevertheless, Aria remains in the company’s good graces.

December Group Schedules:

December 10: Fansign in Yongsan, Seoul.

December 12: Morning radio show.

December 14: End of Twinkle music show promotions.

December 27: Release of Japanese album “Pink Stories”.

December 31: MBC Gayo Daejejeon at Ilsan Dream Center.

Origin

The strict rule enforcement and image management on the group continues, as well as their packed schedules both in South Korea and overseas, although they are not currently promoting. Their Wings tour comes to an end this month, and between Japanese outreach and end of the year activities, the group won’t get much of a holiday break.

December Group Schedules:

December 1: Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong.

December 2: Melon Music Awards.

December 6: Release of Japanese single album “MIC Drop/DNA/Crystal Snow”.

December 8: 2017 ORIGIN LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE Ⅲ THE WINGS TOUR THE FINAL in Seoul.

December 9: 2017 ORIGIN LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE Ⅲ THE WINGS TOUR THE FINAL in Seoul.

December 10: 2017 ORIGIN LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE Ⅲ THE WINGS TOUR THE FINAL in Seoul.

December 13: Origin Japan Official Fanclub limited Release Special Event in Yokohama Arena.

December 18: Individual handshake party in Tokyo.

December 19: Individual handshake party in Kobe

December 22: Performance at Music Station Super Live in Japan.

December 25: SBS Gayo Daejun at Gocheok Sky Dome.

December 29: KBS Gayo Daechukje at Yeouido KBS Hall.

December 31: MBC Gayo Daejejeon at Ilsan Dream Center & Broadcast of pre-recorded performance for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Impulse

Impulse has a freer schedule this month than the past few months and the group will mostly focus on preparing for wrapping up their Japanese tour at the end of the month.

December Group Schedules:

December 1: Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong.

December 7: Release of 7 for 7 Present Edition.

December 21: Impulse Japan Tour 2017 "TURN UP" Tour Final in Tokyo.

December 22: Impulse Japan Tour 2017 "TURN UP" Tour Final in Tokyo.

December 25: SBS Gayo Daejun at Gocheok Sky Dome.

December 31: MBC Gayo Daejejeon at Ilsan Dream Center.

DIARY

DIARY gets a relaxed schedule this month like several of the artists under the company, mainly making appearances to keep their name out there.

December Group Schedules:

December 9: Immortal Songs 2 Broadcast.

December 11: PyeongChang 2018 Torch Relay City Celebration.

December 13: Peformance at KBO Golden Glove Awards.

December 23: Episode 1 of Hwayugi starring member Hera airs.

December 24: Episode 2 of Hwayugi starring member Hera airs.

December 29: KBS Gayo Daechukje at Yeouido KBS Hall.

December 30: Episode 3 of Hwayugi starring member Hera airs.

December 31: Episode 4 of Hwayugi starring member Hera airs.

December 31: MBC Gayo Daejejeon at Ilsan Dream Center.

Element

Element continues to promote for most of the month with regular promotion schedules. Ideally, Gold Star would like this comeback to significantly strengthen their fanbase so that the introduction of the company’s new girl group doesn’t have a negative effect on either group’s rise to success.

December Group Schedules:

December 10: Fansign in Mapo, Seoul.

December 11: Morning radio show appearance.

December 13: Fansign in Yongsan, Seoul.

December 15: Morning radio show appearance.

December 19 & 20: Photoshoot for @Star1 Magazine.

December 21: End of You in Me music show promotions.

December 22: Fansign in Sinchon, Seoul.

December 24: Member Mina releases Gold Star Portal song “Galaxy” with WISH member Vivienne.

Soloist 1

With an Album of the Year award from MMA this year on her shelf and her tour of South Korea coming to an end, Gold Star remains proud of the household name they have under their company, and as usual, she is offered more control over her activities than most artists, but still remains semi-active after the wrap of her tour.

December Schedules:

December 3: Concert tour in Cheongju.

December 9 & 10: Concert tour in Seoul.

December 19 & 20: Morning radio show appearance with Gold Star Soloist 2 & Gold Star Soloist 3 to promote Gold Star Nation Christmas song.

December 25: SBS Gayo Daejun at Gocheok Sky Dome.

Soloist 2

She is mostly on break at the moment.

December Schedules:

December 19 & 20: Morning radio show appearance with Gold Star Soloist 1 & Gold Star Soloist 3 to promote Gold Star Nation Christmas song.

Soloist 3

A lighter schedule is permitted this month as work as work on his next future album continues. A single will be released at the end of the month.

December Schedules:

December 4: Release of Gold Star Portal song “Hello” with BEE member JiJi.

December 19 & 20: Morning radio show appearances with Gold Star Soloist 1 & Gold Star Soloist 2 to promote Gold Star Nation Christmas song.

December 27: Release of single “Hold Me”.

[gondalsqueen]

Scenes from Yavin IV--Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Time (linked from Archive of Our Own here)

Rating: General Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M, Gen, M/M Fandom: Star Wars: Rebels Relationships: Kanan Jarrus/Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus & Hera Syndulla, Kallus | ISB-021 & Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios Characters: Kanan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla, C1-10P | Chopper, Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios, Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, Original Characters Additional Tags: Slice of Life, Friendship, Homesickness, Family Dynamics, Yavin 4, Pre-Season/Series 04, Post-Episode: s03e21-22 Zero Hour

In which Kanan and Hera make time, but not enough. 

...

Kanan and Hera don’t see each other for days at a time except when they both fall into a bunk exhausted at the end of a work shift. At that point they’re so tired it’s hard not to snap about any little annoyance. Neither one of them likes this situation, but they have work to do.

That’s how it is when Kanan rearranges his schedule to copilot with Hera on a standard cargo run, out to a nearby scrapyard and back.

“I thought you were looking for Jedi relics in the temples,” she says.

“I thought you were training pilots,” he responds.

“Yeah, well, they need all the cargo ships to haul supplies, and the only other person I trust to take the Ghost through this trash heap was doing Jedi things.”

He puts his hands on her shoulders and rubs, but she’s double checking the indicator panels before takeoff and she’s not in the mood for anything but business right now.

His fingers work into her neck. “I just wanted to spend some time with you.”

“There’s no hyperspace leg on this trip,” she tells him, and he stops, hurt.

“Fine. That’s fine. I wasn’t trying to start anything. I just thought you might like the company.”

Ouch. She hadn’t meant it to sound so snappish. “I’m sorry, love. That didn’t come out right. Pull up a copilot’s seat.”

He drops into the chair next to her, calls up a display, and plays music jockey. She wavers between feeling irritated by the noise and charmed by the songs.

First he puts on an old Coruscant Industrial Defense Complex album.  “This?” he asks.

Hera makes a face for her own benefit and says “no” for his. “Something with words.”

So he puts on a Dia Penavi ballad for her benefit, Dia’s smoky voice weaving a duet with the music from her melodium.

Hera considers. “Pretty, but play something for flying.”

Faster, then. Kanan drums his fingers on the dash for a minute, considering.  Then he dials up “To the Moon and Back.” She hasn’t heard it in five years.

Not one line in they’re belting it at the top of their lungs, just like they used to on these monotonous runs.

Hera misses a phrase, muttering the lyrics until she gets to the end and shouts out “—Moon!”

Kanan grins sideways at her and taunts her with the next line: “Pretty little girl got too tough too soon.” Then he grabs her side, tickling, and she shouts with laughter—partially because she used to think that line was so patronizing, partially because Kanan’s the only one left around who knew her when she was that girl. Also he missed her side and grabbed her shoulder and breast instead, completely by accident, and that’s somehow much funnier.

“Hey, hey!” She tilts the sticks and the ship obediently lolls starboard, tossing Kanan against the far armrest. “Hands off the pilot, now.”

He laughs unrepentantly with that old, brash charm. She’s missed him so much lately.

The album sees them all the way to the debris field. Then Hera needs to pay attention to where they’re going, and Kanan cuts it off.

In the sudden silence, his stomach rumbles.

“Go get something to eat,” she suggests.

“Yeah.” He stands. “You hungry?”

Saliva wells into her mouth. Now is not the time. “Starving. I’ll grab something as soon as we’re past all this junk and docked.”

“Uh huh. I’ll bet you will.”

Still hungry and tired, she’s about to fire back a response, but he makes himself scarce, presumably to the galley.

When he returns, he’s got two giant flatbread rolls.

“Just eat it to the side so I don’t have to look at it,” she tells him.

“I’ve got a better idea.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

He feels for her chin, drawing on the Force to give him a good idea of where she is, and holds a sandwich just in front of her, folds of meat and blue cheese and greenery and some kind of sauce rolled up wider than her mouth. “Still starving?”

As a general rule, Hera doesn’t allow eating in the cockpit. But sometimes she does.

“Yes!” She keeps her eyes on the monitors as she leans forward and takes a bite. “Mmm. That is amazing.”

Kanan takes a bite of his own roll, and they chew in companionable silence.

But with the next bite he moves the sandwich closer…and closer…until she’s forced to take bites so big that she can hardly speak around the food to mumble, “Why are you doing this to me?” He’s grinning and she’s laughing helplessly, crumbs shooting from her mouth. In her cockpit. Yuck.

“Because I don’t think there’s a limit to how much you’re willing to bite off!”

He tries to pass it off as a joke, but it’s not really, and suddenly this sandwich is a metaphor and not at all funny anymore.

She crosses her arms at him, but he can’t see it. She can’t say anything for a solid minute, but when she finally swallows that sithawful bite, she simply says, “Kanan.”

And he waits, because neither of them is sure whether she’s extending sympathy or rebuke.

“Kanan, I—”

“No, I’m sorry Hera, that wasn’t fair. I…don’t think we can do anything differently. What you’re doing is right. And I wouldn’t leave this cause, even… Well, no matter what.” He frowns, perplexed. “And anyway, the only way out is through at this point.” His mask covers his face so she can’t see the muscles around his eyes, but his mouth has that pressed look. He’s thinking about the fact that one day they won’t make it through. Determined to see out the day no matter how long or lonely.

We’re not there yet, she wants say. We’re HERE. This isn’t the endgame yet and you don’t have to be so sad and alone. She wants to tell him: Take off that mask. It’s just the two of us. I wish you would let me see your face. But the mask and the sadness are his business, and it isn’t her place to decide what makes him comfortable.

Instead she squeezes his hand and holds it. “Let’s just keep flying together, okay?”

He nods, a tight thing that doesn’t look satisfied.

“What, love?” Hera asks.

“It’s nothing. It’s foolish. I just…wish we had more time together.”

She could say: Life won’t always be this busy. She could say: We’ve been together for eight years, and I’m not even thirty yet. She could say: Remember 22? We’ve come a lot further than we thought we would.

Instead she says: “Me too.”

[kairoskrp]

                                                   — On the wicked wings of time, thy kingdom comes

Meet [ Lee Sangbi ]

She is a [ twenty-five ] year old  [ bartender at the red light club ] currently residing in [ nanjin duplex, #302]. Visit  and greet  her today!

Personality: 

A smile is only truly deafening when it’s shielding a damaged psyche. She is but a flower unable to wilt or concede to the twisting winds of fate no matter how much she craves death.

There are two faces to our darling, Sangbi.

She feels everything to the utmost extent of her petite being. She loves as hard as she hurts. She is both overwhelmed and underwhelmed.

In her manic state, she is everyone’s favorite person to be around. She loves to love and cares for others in ways you can’t even imagine. She gives her all to every being she’s ever met. And, it shows in the way she beams from ear to ear at almost anything and nothing at the same time. She’s beautiful, outgoing, and quirky with a penchant for feeling needed.

Now, when depression sets in and she’s grappling with her demons, she’s nowhere to be found. It’s like she dropped off the face of the earth and landed in a dark, grim pit of despair. Chains of melancholy hang off her and her only company is a dark figure looming above her. She hides it, though. She does her best to seem able and it chips at her in ways she can never imagine. Her love life is as much of a turmoil as she makes it out to be and why she can never hold on to someone no matter how much she loves them. Being lonely is as synonymous as living, nowadays.

Hobbies are for people that can function before 2 pm. She leads the lifestyle of the languid and disinterested. Her clothing consists of nothing but black because of work but she’s deeply impressed with all things pastel. Music is her passion but she can’t sing, dance, nor work an instrument. On her off days, she can be seen toting a book of poetry or some five hundred paged novels. She’s social with a touch of forlorn. She’s beauty with a tint of anguish. She’s happy but fragile. Take things by stride, child. Sangbi loves but wonders why she can’t step closer to those that care for her.

Spirit: Hebe

Power: youth and vitality restoration

+ she can essentially restore youth and rejuvenate any living matter (even when faced with the near grips of death) to their peak state of existence.

+ delayed aging – ever since she reached adulthood, she always appeared a bit younger than she really is

+ her bronze orbs would flicker gold whenever her powers would course through her.

- it is linked to her wellbeing and lucidity. If she’s suffering from a depressive phase, this power of hers is considered obsolete. If she’s experiencing a manic high, it makes a sporadic appearance.

- basically, Hard to contain if Sangbi does not have complete control over her emotions.

- distance, mass, and precision depend upon Sangbi’s knowledge, skill, and strength, and her power’s natural limits

- the effects are only temporary as anything that she has stimulated will eventually revert to its original state or take on an even worse outcome: extermination.

Biography: (tw: child abuse, self harm)

“Pain is a beautiful color on you.”

She made excuses for her father: this was how children were raised.

Sangbi was beaten into submission and forced to make choices with fear and pain as her catalyst. If she made a mistake, she was met with fists to her chest. If she didn’t listen, pipes were rammed into her backside. If she didn’t cry, she was beaten even harder until tears flooded her vision. This was how things were in her household. Clouded by a childhood of suppression, she truly believed that being in this much pain was normal. Fear spiked every cell in her body as she bled with each teardrop rolling down her cheek. Her heart ached like it should but her mind told her that this was all justified. To this day, she has never felt hatred for the man that beat her well into puberty. Pity and sorrow filled her every time he crossed her mind. In the face of others, he strived to be generous and kind. However, his demons overcame him to the point where he oppressed the people he’s meant to love.

Looking back, unease used to set in when she realized that she bore a remarkable resemblance to her father. At times, resistance seemed futile but it’s the will to do so that keeps her sane…mostly.

“Change begets change.”

Sangbi wasn’t professionally diagnosed with bipolar disorder until she was a junior in college. It was autumn. She remembered because of the way the burnished leaves danced outside her therapist’s office.

The night before, her mother had found a collection of blood tainted single edge blades in a shoebox under her bed. It was then that everything kind of fell into place. The fresh cuts on her thighs and arms were brought to light. Tears were shed as her mother blamed herself for not seeing the signs. Well, who could? She was meant to be happy. Sangbi was beautiful in every sense. She was accomplished and a pinnacle of her community. When she wasn’t doing volunteering at the animal shelter, she was writing some award-winning prose about human inequality. She tried so hard to be the perfect child because she knew that pain awaited her if not. Sangbi lived the better part of her teenage years manipulating people into thinking that she was okay. And, if she ever slipped or felt out of place, she had to create her own pain. It hurt less than being beaten by her father.

When push came to shove, the truth unraveled.

She was mentally unstable and formally medicated for manic depression.

No one can pinpoint the exact time Hebe spread her wings and unhatched herself in Sangbi. But, it had to be around the time the child was suffering and at her lowest.

That’s what Hebe did. She makes one realize that there is something worth living for. She reinserts a sense of pulchritude and peace of mind back into one’s life. It’s then that you’re the best version of yourself. Youth isn’t only synonymous with appearance. It’s the vitality that runs through you. It’s your perspective of the future and how brightly it presents itself to you. You need to learn that forgiving yourself and others around you doesn’t make you weak. It gives you strength.

And, until Sangbi realized that, she would never truly be Hebe, the goddess of youth, vitality, and forgiveness.

“Have or have not.”

Dropping out of college was odd. It wasn’t exactly a lucid choice. She just remembered that she stopped caring about classes, grades, or anything, really. One could say she was swept in yet another crestfallen mood. Honestly, that could have been reason if it weren’t for that painful stabbing in her chest. She made the choice to ignore her pain because she was used to it. Pain had become such a norm for her that it just made sense to look past it. Now, if she had considered it, she would’ve discovered that there was nothing physically wrong with her.

That “pain” was the awakening.

Sangbi was enjoying a cup of dark roast when this neon yellow flyer got caught up by the wind and blew her way. It took all of five seconds for her to decide. In her predicament, one might say it was an obvious decision. She had no job, home, or car. Her parents took it all away when she quit with only a semester left to graduate. So, it was easy. Bartend or die.

It was a nod to Hebe’s role in Olympus. She was the cupbearer of the gods and served them with nectar and ambrosia. The daughter of Zeus and Hera, she dedicated her life to nurturing and serving them.

Now, that didn’t mean that Sangbi was subjecting herself to the whims of Hebe.

Twenty inches of wood stood between her and everyone that she met. She didn’t have to impress them in any way than being good at her job. There were no facades and she smiled only when she wanted to. Guys liked her because of those bedroom eyes and girls liked her because she didn’t give a shit what any guy thought of her.

It would’ve been nice if it stopped there. Sadly, when you’re harboring the soul of a goddess, contentment is a fool’s dream.