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cartoonfangirl1218 · 5 years ago

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Winner’s Curse Ch. 19

Well this came as surprise to me. Literally, the whole idea came to me before I was going to bed so I wrote it the next morning, and here we are. Features some Aladdin quotes, see if you can spot them. Enjoy!

“And then Icarus, what a guy, he is so convincing as Hades, Pain and Panic start following him!” Calix hooted.

“No way, man that didn’t actually happen.” Jay challenged Calix’s story.

“No, no I’ve heard Icarus’ Hades impression, he’s good.” Aziz confirmed, “Hey, remember Icarus’ Hades impression after three drinks at Dionysus’ bacchanal?”

Calix gulped back the drink Circe had left in their shared room and where he, Aziz, and Jay were passing the time sharing stories while waiting around for Uma and Jordan’s arrival.

It had been a pretty placid three days since Jordan reversed Jay’s hypnosis for Malik’s last wish. At first there was a panic when they realized how suspicious it would be if Jay was no longer under Jafar’s thrall but they fixed that with Jordan giving him glowing red contacts. Allowing them to have another infiltrator at the Coven meetings besides Jade, Calix and Uma.

The door opened and Jordan slipped into the room, gingerly cradling her lamp in her hands. But no Uma behind her.

These three placid days had driven Uma to distraction since they were laying around on their asses and not doing anything so she arranged for this new meeting so they’d find something else to do besides eavesdrop for news of what was happening at next week’s Summer Solstice.

But even though this meeting was so important that she felt the need to threaten them with slow, graphic strangulation with her tentacles while Harry used his hook to disembowel him, apparently their leader was late.

“Where’s Jade?” Calix asked, throwing back another shot. It was a fair question since Jordan’s lamp was still technically under Jade’s possession. Or so the Coven thought.

“Showing makeup techniques to Lala and Malik.” Jordan answered.

“Oh right, Lala mentioned that to me this morning.” Aziz warily eyed the fifth shot Calix gulped down.

“Oh, she did? You talk about things other than the plan?” Jordan smoothly slid between him and Calix, her voice was suspiciously too nonchalant.

“Yeah, conversations spawn into different topics. That’s what happens when two people hang out with each other.” Aziz said a little testily with how Jordan was scanning his face like she was searching for some secret that he’d be careless enough to slip.

“Oh you and Lala hanging out together.” Jordan pursed her lips lightly, sounding way too similar to a disapproving aunt, “Can we have a private conversation in my lamp.”

Before Aziz could suss out whatever she was trying to pull and where this was coming from, Jordan had transported them into her lamp.

“Do you have a crush on Lala?” She blurted out accusingly.

Aziz decided to go for a joke, “I-I don’t know about me crushing her, bu-but I can’t blame her if the reverse is true. I mean, look at me.”

Jordan stared with an unamused raised eyebrow.

“Aziz, I know you.” She started, as if that explained why she was so sure she found the romance of the century after two innocent sentences, “I've seen you go through this before. You’re just hanging out with a girl but then you start talking about every topic under the sun. And then you get a crush and you’re all like “She's smart and fun, she’s got these eyes that just...and her hair wow! And her smile!”

“Then you go on a date that doesn’t really go anywhere for whatever reason and get pushed aside. Remember, Lonnie, and Ruby, and Alexandria and Alfonsa, and Arabella, and her twin sisters, woah! Now that I list them out, you date a lot of Triton’s granddaughters.”

“What is your point? What does that have to do with me and Lala? Not that there is anything happening.” Aziz felt himself gulping back the nervousness that he knew exactly what she was talking about even as he denied it.

“Oh please, you’re half smiling while you say her name!”

“I’m not!” Aziz unmanly squawked and cleared his throat into a deeper contralto, “I do not.”

“My point is it’s one thing to date an Ak. You get your heart broken. But a Vk? She’ll try to steal your throne and break your heart.” Jordan said.

“Steals your throne and breaks your heart. Sounds the title of a sex tape. Do you want dibs or can I have it?” Aziz took a shot in the dark to try joking his way out of this again. “Now is not the time to joke about the title of our sex tapes. This is serious!” “You’re still hung up on, “Can your friend do this?” It’s a bit obvious.” Aziz pointed out.

“Oh, you wanted to call your first sex tape, “A whole new world,” like that’s original.” Jordan shot back. “And the “Welcome to the Cave of Wonders” piece you did with Calix was a unique one?” Aziz retorted.

“For your information, I couldn’t choose any title but that because.. wait wait wait? Now is not the time.”

“Aziz Ali iban Aladdin, explain yourself right now.” Jordan crossed her arms. “Jordan, we’ve been over this. You’re not my mom.” Aziz huffed at the use of his full name. “You’re right, I’m not. Your mom doesn’t know about what happened in Odiferous during spring break. Now I have a phone and I have video. So tell me about your feelings for Lala.”

“You’re jumping to conclusions.” Aziz said exasperatedly which was no use since she was ignoring anything that came out of his mouth.

“When did you first feel something more?” Jordan demanded.

“Rarw. Rrrawr. Meow? Are you understanding me at all?” Aziz asked the stony faced leopard man.

Aziz had to admit some of his attempts to talk to the leopard-men was out of boredom. He was starting to get a bit stir crazy being stuck in the castle all day pretending to be Jade or Lala’s slave boy. He could understand why Uncle Genie hated being in the lamp. It was so boring, having to wait for permission to do things and the things you were allowed to do was stuck inside. No running around the corridors and flipping off roofs with wind rushing through your hair or the pit in your stomach when you almost break your neck.

He missed it.

And although Lala was pretty focused in studying the Atlantean texts her mother laid out for her, even she seemed to be getting bored because at random moments, she would angrily shut her book and demand to hear Aziz talk about Agrabah.

He had to admit that if he had a choice, he’d rather be with Jordan and the others trying to make a plan to escape or at least go outside. Talking about Agrabah was getting to be the highlight of his day.

He had started with daring adventure stories about the things his parents used to get into before the Great Uniting like when they had to fight a landshark or the time his dad literally lost his head to the decapitated wizard, Caliph Kapok, and they had to get body and head back together again. He had lots of those stories, Genie often said they could create their own tv series, possibly an animated one for kids to enjoy.

And then, upon Lala’s numerous aside questions, he started describing Agrabah with its alluring spices, chests of gold and diverse and eccentric cast of merchants and travelers that lived in the Seven Deserts. He described the bad like the previous-rampant poverty that seemed similar to the Isle albeit with more head chopping from fellow humans than from a bitter decapitated wizard. It was embarrassing but one time he looked at the ornate diamond-encrusted sand-dial and saw that he had passed over an hour talking about his home. He hadn’t meant to but it just came out. He loved his home so much and describing it felt like he was back there on the dunes for a little while.

He had never talked to anyone about his home before. Jordan already knew what it was like obviously, and no one at Auradon Prep cared beyond the merchandise they could buy at the kazbah. It was so much more than that to him. Living there was an experience, an adventure. You never knew where the smell of spices could lead you or what the secret nooks and crannies would reveal.

The thing was Lala seemed just as enthralled with the place as he was. Usually when he discussed his home, people would shudder in horror at the thought of being accidentally turned into a rat due magic gone wrong and seeing the world from down below or cringed at the thought of getting sand in uncomfortable places after intense competitions of sand surfing.

But Lala looked at him with a sparkle of excitement in her eye and would occasionally point out fun variations to try like horse racing only instead of across the desert, race under the desert, jumping to the few dry spots that were present in the muddy underbelly.

He hoped that if they succeeded in defeating the Coven, Lala would visit Agrabah one day. He had a feeling that the adventures they’d get into together would be amazing. Potentially life threatening. But fun nonetheless. He’d love to watch her go against Fashoom. Or better yet, back to back against the giant scorpions guarding kanz quadim. With his wits and knowledge and her skill and cunning, they’d be an unbeatable team. It’d be fun to go with someone who wanted to be there.

Normally, he went with Jordan but she said it was only because it was her obligation to keep him from breaking his neck and/or all the bones in his body. Her words. And his few Agrabah friends who would be game to go, were commoners who had to work during the day and it would be unfair for him to ask them to ditch just because he wanted some fun.

Yeah, it’d be fun to explore the hidden valleys of the Seven Deserts with her. He looked back to the white-haired girl where she was still bent over a book of indecipherable Atlantean words and figures, so he turned back to Kaj II, Usulan II and Muviro II. Lala’s leopard men she had named after people she knew would annoy her mother.

Aziz growled with two purrs spaced between like he had heard Raj do but the leopard men looked at him like he was an idiot. He wasn’t sure he was even speaking cat-language but it was better than accidentally challenging him to a fight so he’d take it.

“Will you stop with the ridiculous sounds, you’re not speaking leopard. Better stick to monkeys.” Lala cut through his attempts at conversing.

“How would you know? You said you don’t speak leopard.” Aziz shot back, happy that there was some element of human conversation. How the hell she lived in a jungle for days on end without human interaction was beyond his capabilities. “True. However, I know what a leopard sounds like and you don’t sound like a leopard. More like a sick alley cat.”

“Excuse me, priestess” Aziz rolled his eyes, and made another purr-growly sound at the leopards just to be contrary.

When could he go outside? When? When? When?

No, it was stupid. He couldn’t go outside and risk looking like he was escaping and ruin the whole damn mission requiring the others to get his ass out of the dungeon again.

He shuddered, gingerly touching the cheek where Staqauit had struck him numerous times, the malicious laughter of the cat twins taunting him about his impending death.

He needed to do something. Being stuck here with just his thoughts was going to drive him insane.

“Hello?”

“Huh what?”

“I said,'' Lala cleared her throat, “If you want to sound more leopard-like, start with a growl in your throat while meowing and add like you’re going to scream.” She demonstrated her leopard yowl which did get the leopard men’s attention as they looked around for sign of attack or danger.

Aziz tried to mimic what Lala did with her instructions but failed part way through as a tickle caught in his nose before his attempted scream and he fell into a coughing fit, painfully hacking his throat.

Aziz panted, catching his breath while Lala had the grace to look back at her book and pretend not to be amused, “Okay maybe talking to cats is not my thing. But you got a leg up me with your feline self.”

“Feline self?” Lala cocked her head curiously, bringing once again to Aziz’s mind, “Curiosity killed the cat.”

“You know, your eyes, the leopards, the-”

“You think I was born with these eyes? You think I’m part cat?” Lala questioned. “Nooo,” Aziz hedged, already seeing he was going to be wrong, “Not anymore. It’s just your mom has the same eyes so I-”

“It’s spell.” Lala explained, “My mom did it when she got her staff. She did it to me when magic got through to the Isle. It helps me understand the leopards and for them to understand my orders, and it helps my reflexes. There is always a way to improve. Not that I needed improving, but I’ll admit some leopard senses are better than human’s. Like smell. Now I can smell everyone’s scent a mile away.” .

“Scent?” “Yes, your natural scent. You smell like all that baklav Jordan’s been giving you.” She sniffed the air around him again, “Sand. Jasmine. Musk.”

“What does Jordan smell like?” Aziz asked curiously, and a little relieved that he didn’t smell worse like blood and sweat and general stink from not showering for two weeks.

“Hmm I can’t get a clear smell. You know, not objects per say. But she smells like pheromones, sometimes like fire, sand and wind. Mainly reeks of desperation.”

“Well we’re all in desperate straits here.” Aziz chuckled even though it wasn’t really that funny. Well sort of. Jordan absolutely hated not being in control. Or at least looking like she wasn’t in control. She’d freak if she knew that she quote unquote “reeked of desperation.”

“What about Jay?”

“Sweat, oil, grease, brass, musk, dirt. Something else I can’t tell which usually means someone’s hiding something or lying. Not a surprise there. He’s lucky no one else can smell him, the stench of oil and deceit is unbearable on him.”

“Yeah, good thing. I doubt he’d have a lot of admirers around him if he did.” Aziz said, feeling his mind wander off to too familiar but inevitable train of envious thought.

“Admirers? He has admirers in Auradon? I thought you people didn’t like thieves and bad guys. Why is he popular?”

“He’s good now.” Aziz reminded her, but couldn’t stop the bitterness creeping into his voice as he thought of the crowds praising Jay as he scored yet another goal. All the girls and some guys ooing at him and being utterly charmed as he showed off that he stole their wallets. Or if he executed a pretty decent backflip. The guy looked so cool and attractive no matter what he did. And that bad boy act made him even cooler in everyone’s eyes.

“He’s a good thief like Aladdin,” he remembered hearing someone say and Aziz had burned. Good thief?! Jay wasn’t a good thief! Jay wasn’t stealing things in Auradon because he was hungry or wanted to give to the poor. He stole because he was greedy. Aziz could steal too, Dad taught him the tricks, but when he showed off, he got no applause. They thought he was being inappropriate for a prince of his station.

Or now that Jay was here, it was a second-rate kind of steal. He could steal a watch from someone, but Jay could steal a person’s computer and lunch bag. He got the bigger score.

“People love him and his parkor and stupid tourney goals.” Aziz genuinely growled. He felt his blood pump at how everyone were magnets drawn to his presence while he waited in the wings of the tourney field. They did all the same activities, but Jay was better. People were saying he was equal to Aladdin.

If he was forgettable before Jay came around, now he was just invisible.

And honestly useless compared to Jay. He knew Jordan invited him on this mission because she trusted him and it would be breaking unofficial rule that if one of them went on a life changing save the world adventure, the other had to come too, that was just how things were done. But had he really done anything useful?

No, he had gotten captured. They all had gotten captured but he was the only one who had almost died. Because he was mortal, untrained and weak.

The thoughts came again. Had really been less than a week since he had been in the dungeon? Less than a week but at times he still could feel it as if it had been hours ago.

He could remember it all, some of it was blurred darkness. The only thing registering was that he was in pain. But he remembered the beginning.

Staqauit wasted no time grabbing his throat with one hand and choking him, Chimera and Illusion wrapped their arms around him almost as if they were giving a comforting hug. The thought was quickly diminished as their claws tore through his shirt and dug into his skin, he could feel it, feel the slight curve of their sharpness like a hook that wouldn’t be able to get out. And they didn’t no matter how he fruitlessly thrashed.

But it was only the beginning…

Just as he saw the world fuzz around the edges Staqauit threw him to the ground with Chimera and Illusion still stuck to him.

“Squish” Aziz wanted to scream at the pain that entered his torso and at the sickening sound of his blood squirting out. It felt his insides were dipped into boiling water.

But he didn’t, he stubbornly refused to cry out. He was supposed to be a hero, he would not admit weakness like this. He would use his wits to get out of it.

But he had barely time to think up a clever escape as he vainly scrambled to stop the blood from gushing out more. He didn’t recall any of the princes or his father ever being stabbed mid-battle.

Chimera and Illusion extricated themselves from him, their low voices purring contentedly at the pain wrought.

Aziz tried to get up but he couldn’t. He felt the stabbing pain even though he wasn’t being hit anymore. He couldn’t concentrate. He just felt the agony. He struggled to his feet but the muscles in his legs gave out as he slipped on the puddle of his own blood that was seeping the floor.

“Ah ah ah, you think I’m done with you?” Staqauit’s accented voice sneered, “That was only a minor surface wound.”

Aziz didn’t look at the man. He was too concerned with trying to stand up straight again, but that was for naught when he felt the scraping cement of what seemed to be a boulder dropped on his back.

“Carry this to the other side of the room. Double time.” Staqauit ordered, his rapier scraping the ground in front of Aziz’s face.

Aziz didn’t know why he thought it was a good idea. Perhaps because he truly couldn’t think of what else to do. He rationalized to himself in some irrational way that if he did this, maybe Staqauit would get bored. Maybe he’d survive. So he did as Staqauit ordered. He tried to lift the boulder.

He felt his hands bleed as they scraped and tensed to keep the boulder steady on his back. Bent down so low that his knees touched his chest. Pressing hard on the wound.

“At least it’s stopped bleeding,” was the sole hysterical thought in his mind. His lungs felt they were burning and just pounding his chest as if to get out of his body. Blood rushed in his ears and the slow smack of Staqauit’s whip on the floor, keeping time, sounded like gunshots to his ears.

He wasn’t breathing right. He knew that. Aziz felt like he had been running for miles. His throat felt the need for oxygen and his eyes watered. But he managed to get one foot forward, his thoughts running wild.

Where were the others? When was Jordan going to come back? For he knew Jordan would come to him the moment she could as she had since he was 4. What if that ruined the mission? That she failed because he was too weak to save himself?

Then his mind took a turn to what he had been suppressing the moment Staqauit got hold of this throat. What if this was it? What if this was how he was going to die?

His knees buckled at the thought and he fell to the ground, allowing the boulder to drop from his back to feel the sting of the whip. This time he didn’t hold back the scream.

That scream was like a whistle for them as Chimera and Illusion pounced, their punches, scratches and kicks indistinguishable from one another.

And there was more…. he remembered the water boarding vaguely but he was glad he mostly blacked out of that, the boulder and the choking was enough for him.

But when he woke up and saw Lala, all he felt was shame that he had to be rescued.

Like every fight, he thought of what he should have done after the confrontation was over. When Staqauit was choking him, he should have kicked him back in the stomach. The stomach area was always a quick disable to an opponent. Staqauit would have let him go and then he could have parkored and fought his way out with the weapons that were stationed around the dungeon.

But he hadn’t done that. He had thrashed and took the assault and hadn’t been able to think up anything on the sly like he knew Jay was infamous for.

With that thought, some defeated admittance slithered into his voice. Not that it was much of a defeat. It was barely a competition when Jay was naturally better and Aziz could never match no matter how hard he tried. “People love him, he’s strong and fast.. everyone wants him or to be like him…..I wish I could be like him too.”

He hated how much it was true.

“Why?” Lala scrunched her nose in confusion.

Aziz sighed, wishing his explanation didn’t sound so pathetic, “I’m forgettable in Auradon. I’m the third in line for the throne so I’m not inheriting the kingdom like all the other guys in my class. And I’m not that talkative. Believe me, in Auradon that is not a good thing if you want people to notice you. Or at least not be forgettable, and Jay can...” he trailed off. He didn’t want to get into the time in the dungeon. She had been there, she knew he was weak.

“And how does Jay fit into this?”

“He’s like me, I guess. Only better in everything. Better thief, better at tourney, more witty, better at flirting. I just blend in...I don’t want that anymore it sucks.”

“Blending in is a good thing. It allows you to skulk and learn your enemies’ tactics so you can ambush them.” Lala said.

“Great. But that’s in the wild. I’m not willing to move to the jungle just so my introvertedness can be an asset.”

“Okay maybe the ambush thing isn’t important but it is still applicable. It’s good that you’re not as outgoing like the others. Look at those people bragging and flirting and trying to garner attention onto themselves, they’re annoying. It’s always them, them, flash and boasts. They would never survive in life because they are always thinking of themselves. They don’t observe their surroundings, they miss the details that could help in the future. Like- like? I know-A fool who does not observe will fail. They will fail and try again and fail and try again. But a person who does take in their surroundings will learn the lesson once and remember it.”

“You don’t dominate the conversation but when you do, it is sensible and important. You don’t waste words. Same with your actions. You don’t talk the talk, you let your actions show how you get things done. I wouldn’t trust those extroverted people with my life. They’re too bold and impulsive and think with their fists. I ca-People can respect you. Trust you. You are genuine, and witty because you think so much, you will be successful later on.”

“I guess so.” Aziz smudged the dirt-packed floor with his foot, watching the sight of a small mealworm that had been habitating there, crawl out, “But it sucks. I get being successful later in life but what about now? In Auradon, no one takes a second look at me. You have to be a really sociable or talented person like Jay to get noticed. I can’t do that. I try but I- And, and what about in the dungeon, my observation skills gave me nothing! If I act a little more like Jay maybe I wouldn’t be the weak link needing to be rescued.” Aziz blurted out.

Lala didn’t speak and Aziz cringed, staring at the ground. But the silence was growing so long he had to look back to gauge her reaction and saw Lala was waiting for him to look at her.

Then she spoke, “You didn’t escape but you did survive. That takes a special inner strength especially when your enemies wish to demoralize and destroy you. And it is useless to ponder what others would have done when they weren’t been in the situation. You did what you could, and if you are so concerned about your aptitude, I’ll teach you. You have the strength, you need to practice better technique. Stop the self pity it’s a disgusting habit.”

Aziz tried to protest, but felt himself only mouthing the words as a damn nervous blush starting crawling up his neck. He still felt like he should have done better but he appreciated Lala’s words. He knew she held herself and almost everyone else on the standard of their physical skill and made it known when she thought someone was weak. For her to claim that he was strong even after she healed him, rescued him and saw him beaten bloody and battered, it meant something.

And what she was about to say earlier? That little slip-up. She respected him. He hadn’t thought earning her respect was something he had wanted, but as she said it.. he felt so good that he did.

“As for the others, fuck them.” Lala interrupted, “Isn’t Auradon a place where you’re not supposed to be shallow? See beyond first impressions and get to know them? If they don’t do that, fuck them. You shouldn’t even be complaining that people don’t notice you because it means to ones who do, actually care. You’re less outgoing than others. It’s not your fault that they don’t try to see beyond.”

Lala was still talking but Aziz stopped listening. What she said, “It’s not your fault” hit him like a sandstorm. The images of his attempts to try to be better. More funny. More entertaining. More talented. More outgoing. Things that people would want to talk to him like they gathered around his father or around Chad and the other royals.

Yet he was outshone by someone better. His constant overthinking working against him as he talked, praying that he didn’t look like he was trying too hard as he was. Praying that he wasn’t going to be forgettable to people. He failed. He wondered what was so wrong with him that made him invisible. He wondered how people like Lonnie and Jordan could insist he was so fun to be around when he couldn’t make his presence known when he was in the room with the likes of Jay.

But it wasn’t entirely his fault. He was born to be more of a listener than a doer. He preferred being one on one with people. He couldn’t change that. But he could accept it. He could accept that he was never going to be the star of the room and that people may not give him a second glance.

If so, then fuck them. Because it was true. If they could write him off as just forgettable, then he didn’t need their attention anyway.

His shoulder moved and he snapped back to realize he had zoned out in front of Lala. He felt a blush crawl up his neck, making him flush more. He hated how obviously red it was against his olive skin. “Sorry I- I was listening. You really.. I realized..I mean. You’re right. You’re absolutely right, Lala. You don’t know how much I needed to hear that. Thank you.” He leaned forward to hug her but held back. Touchy-feely was not the norm on the Isle, but he felt so grateful for her words that it felt wrong just to say thanks. So he settled for leaning close and smiling. He was pretty sure it was the smile of an idiot but he did it anyway. The nice thing was Lala gave a small-closed lip smile in return and roughly booped his nose.

“I know you needed it. Anyone who is considering to act more like Jay needs to be talked off the deep end.”

Feeling a bit more generous now that he was coming around to accepting he didn’t need to be as cool as Jay to be noticed, Aziz snapped back into psychologist mode, trying to see his observances of Jay through a more objective, less jealous lens.

Not that he had much time to observe Jay since he got hypnotized which was surely a traumatic betrayal on its own since it came from his father’s snake staff. Which spoke to how uncaring and domineering Jafar must be as a father if he felt the need to control his son.

“I don’t know. I think Jay is more than the impulsive idiot you take him for. I believe it's just a facade he puts up.” Aziz mused “To annoy people? It works.” Lala rolled her eyes.

“What went down between you that you hate him so much?” Aziz asked.

“I don’t hate him, I dislike him. He’s annoying. He stole my spears for himself, he thinks he’s so great he tries to fight Mabaya on his own and almost gets both of us killed because again, he took my weapons and then broke them! What idiot tries to chuck a spear out a charging elephant? It does nothing. If he had to throw the spear, he should have aimed at a vital joint or his eye at least. I can’t respect such idiocy.” Lala huffed.

“I understand but he was a bit out of his element in the jungle and it is his fall-back to try to boast and impress. Usually people who do that are trying to hide something.” Aziz said. Then he thought of a saying of his mother. It was a bit of what Vks called, sentimental Auradon crap, but he felt it should be said, “Sometimes we only see how people are different from us. But if you look hard enough, you can see how we are all like.”

“Whatever.” Lala yawned.

“What happened to not judging people? Look beyond the surface.” Aziz teased.

“That was for you. I’m a bad person, I don’t need to follow that rule.” Lala sniffed haughtily.

It would have been so easy to take that as another little joke in their back and forth, but his observing skills struck again. She sounded haughty but her eyes were downcast, and considering what she said that she was too like her mother… she felt it was true.

“You’re not exactly like your mother, you know. I don’t think so at least” Aziz said softly in case Lala didn’t want to broach the subject and could pretend to ignore him.

“I know I’m not exactly like her. I’m only as close to her as she allows me to be. She’s always one step ahead.” Lala muttered, not looking at him. “If I was like her she’d have me be the princess of Opar. But I’m not good enough for that. Not like Tarzan’s children.” “I don’t know Tarzan’s children that well but I don’t think Queen La would find them worthy heirs. I never saw Kerchak swing from a tree or pick up a sharp object in my life. And Victoria-”

“No. Not Tarzan and Jane’s children. Tarzan and my mom’s. The ones she’s planning to have in the future. They don’t even exist and I’m not as good as them according to her because I got one stupid scar and I’m claustrophobic.” Lala scowled, smacking the ground in anger of her own weaknesses.

“You seem to be handling your claustrophobia.” Aziz encouraged.

“As long as I don’t think about it. That’s why I study so hard. It’s because it takes my mind off where I am, not because it requires my intense study. Trust me. But at night…” Lala inhaled deeply and tensed, “I hate this place. I miss the fresh air and space. Every time someone closes the door, I feel like it's going to be lock with this air that-” She inhaled deeply again.

“Let’s go to a window,” Aziz suggested motioning to leave the room. Lala took the offer eagerly and they bounded up the stairs to Lala’s room, the leopard men obediently behind them.

Lala threw open the windows to the balcony and breathed deeply. A blissful smile enveloped her features as her body relaxed. The wind was out today, and unlike Auradon, this wasn’t a refreshing light breeze. On the Isle, when the wind blew, it blew like a gust and Aziz was impressed that Lala stood straight without bending to its battering assult. But it fit her. Lala was the person who could stand strong against natural forces. Her face perfectly serene as the wind whipped her white braid about and ruffled her long sleeves.

Aziz stood next to her, keeping a hand to the side of his face as the gusts constantly pushed his bangs into his eyes and mouth and became a general nuisance. “I don’t think you’re exactly like your mom. Not just because you can’t live to her caliber. You’re not shallow considering you speak to a guy who hasn’t rung any animal by his neck. Despite your wish for a kingdom, I don’t think, at least I’m guessing, you don’t have a real desire to lord over others like a tyrant.”

“From what I’ve observed, and I’m a pretty good observer if I say so myself. You’re reserved because you know that’s the way to survive. But I also think it speaks to how genuine you are. You don’t deal with bullshit, if you respect a person you show it, if you don’t, you don’t. A little blunt but honesty is better than fakery. You seem to actually like learning and challenging yourself with the Atlantean magic. You laughed at my jokes which shows you have a brilliant sense of humor... And despite what you say, you did care about your siblings. You can’t live up to her mom and her imaginary children? Then fuck her. You’re pretty formidable by yourself. You’d be successful as a warrior or a priestess or whatever. You’d have awesome adventures no matter what you do because you’re a badass warrior princess.``

Although she wasn’t looking at him, he could tell she was listening. He could see the corner of her mouth twitching up and down, fighting a smile. So he decided to return the favor and nose boop her to get her attention.

She batted his hand away but a small laugh escaped her lips. “Badass warrior princess. Hmm you observed me very well.”

“Eh little observations here and there, some is just gut instinct. Some people may think a person’s reserve is them being stuck up but I get your’s is more than that.” Aziz coughed as a piece of his hair blew into his mouth.

“People may think you’re forgettable, but I understand you’re more of an observer.” Lala pursed her lips, catching her braid as it flew to hit Aziz’s cheek.

Aziz rubbed his cheek, his mother’s saying popping into his head again. He shrugged, feeling oddly self-conscious and nervous about repeating the quote. Which was weird because he said it about Jay just a few minutes before. But saying it, to Lala, seemed more..more meaningful somehow.

No, he was overthinking all of this again so Aziz ignored it, “Sometimes we only see how people are different from us. But if you look hard enough, you can see how we are all like.”

Lala smiled at him and there was something.. a something in the air. Energy, a vibe, he wasn’t sure but it made the fact that even though they were in the blustery air, he felt as if he were enclosed in a small world between the two of them. Time to change the subject then! “So speaking of observing, I haven’t really had the chance to do it around here much, but isn’t it fascinating to watch the people here?” Aziz asked. People watching was his go to subject for most conversations. Not that many people had much to contribute. People watching was not a thing most people engaged in which he thought was a shame. It was the most fun ever! People had such weird idiosyncrasies even when they did a normal thing like walking past whether it was an odd head bop or having feet pointed in first position or the like. Lala shrugged and Aziz nodded understandingly. He knew the topic wouldn’t probably go anywhere but then...“What's people watching?” “Oh it’s this thing where you just sit and watch random people. You know observe their habits, stuff that they do.” Aziz sighed. It was a lot more interesting action than in explanation. “Oooh!” Lala nodded understandingly, “Like observing your prey and enemies. I’ve done that lots of times. It’s entertaining.” Aziz’s eyes widened, “You think it’s fun too!”

Lala looked at him as if he was crazy for suggesting otherwise, “Yes. It’s a useful skill and people do such weird stuff.”

“Such weird stuff!” Aziz said at the same time, and then he tried to dial down the enthusiasm in his voice when Lala made the “calm down” sign, snorting at his excitement. “Remember when we were at Gaston’s bar and that Hun guy was fighting Stanley? I noticed in other fights that he does this thing with his head.. ugh I can’t describe it. But like he’d almost twist his...” ———————————————————————————————

That had been three days ago and they almost talked for an hour when Kaj II growled his warning that Queen La was arriving and Aziz had to swing off the balcony and climb against the wall to the correct balcony that would lead to Jade’s room.

Not that he had realized it but in hindsight, that might have been the moment he developed a crush on the warrior princess. Ever since then, he just… he just wanted to be around her a little more compared to the others. He wanted to hear more about her opinions or stories or anything she had to say.

And whenever she smiled at his jokes even if she rolled her eyes because it was corny, he felt like he won a tourney victory or something. And she was so..so graceful. Not cat-like graceful but beautiful, every move she makes was stunning.

Not that he allowed himself to think about it too much. There were more important things at stake like saving the world, and if he thought about how he had a crush on Lala then he’d get self-conscious and nervous and he didn’t want that. Their friendship was just fine for him. He was even teaching her monkey.

Not that it was any of Jordan’s business.

“It’s not important.” Aziz said.

“It better not be. You can try to deny it but I can see that “Can you feel the love tonight” nonsense from a mile away. Why don’t you just forget crushing on mermaids and.. and maybe a nice girl from Agrabah. Or a nice boy. You had such a good time with Mena, remember.”

“Mena was...Honestly Mena was the only guy I.. I can’t. I keep comparing other men to him which is— Can we not talk about him?” Aziz growled, partly from the memory of his sole boyfriend who had used him for the status of dating a prince and had been cheated on him the whole time, and partly because Jordan was bringing him up even though she knew it was a touchy subject.

“I know he didn’t work out but it’s like you told me, you can’t give up on the whole male population because of one cheating boyfriend. Cheating would be nothing compared to this. This crush is a mistake.” Jordan huffed.

“Why is it a mistake exactly?” Aziz raised an eyebrow at Jordan’s judgemental attitude. Usually she was all for Aziz meeting someone and start planning their dates even though her tastes were a bit extravagant like setting off fireworks when he leaned in for a kiss.

“I get the appeal, really. She was a mysterious stranger swinging on a vine. But she’s the same stranger who broke Calix’s arm! He’s lucky that he has magic on his side and could heal the arm that she broke. If he was mortal, he’d be doomed. There’s no hospitals here, we’d have to cut it off.”

“That’s not how unattended broken arms work, Jordan.” Aziz rubbed his temples at her wildly dramatic reasons why having a crush on Lala would be bad, “It doesn’t matter, I’m not going to do anything when there are more important things at stake.”

“I know. I’m just saying you shouldn’t even pursue this when we get back to Auradon. Think about, Aziz. Really think about it. Imagine what would happen if you even got together? She’s the daughter of Queen La. Allah knows that if she got jealous, she’d murder the other person and kill you for looking a for wandering eyes.” Jordan said.

“Then I guess you both have something in common.” Aziz said sarcastically, “Like when you sent your ex a box of scorpions when you found him cheating on you.”

“That’s completely different! He deserved it! You don’t deserve to feel pain. I’m telling you it’s not good to act on love at first sight.”

“Love at first sight?” Aziz scoffed. Did she not even know him? They always joked about people who thought they fell in love at first sight.

Sure, for some it was true. Auradon was practically built on it but more often than not it could lead to a very difficult marriage. That’s why Snow White took that job as a reporter so she wouldn’t be around King Florian so much.

Jordan should know him better, he may get a crush at first glance, but he wouldn’t act on it unless he was sure there was more.

“I’m not in love with her. I’m not doing anything with her.”

“You’re hanging out with her!” Jordan cried.

“I’m also hanging out with Jade. With your logic, I could be crushing on her. She’s clever, she’s daring, we have things in common, we can do parkour together. Plus she’s the daughter of one of our families’ enemies. Star crossed lovers and all that. It’s a perfect fairytale romance.” Aziz breathlessly mocked.

“Jade is not… she wouldn’t use you like Lala.”

“She’s a Vk, who says Jade wouldn’t.” Aziz pointed out.

“Jade’s like you and me.” Jordan defended lamely.

“How? What? Because she’s descended from Agrabahians?” Aziz cried. He knew she could be judgemental and superficial but really? This?

“No. I mean technically yeah but no. She and Jay. She cares about him. They’re like us.” Jordan said meaningfully, grasping his hands and looking lovingly in his eyes in a way that made Aziz feel small and childish.

He hated it when she got like this. Acting like she was so much more worldly and knowing because she was a genie. She had a duty to protect him, the poor sheltered mortal prince who didn’t know any better or understand the morally grey areas of life. He survived torture in the damn dungeon!

Which now that he thought about it, beyond the hug Jordan hadn’t asked him a single thing about the incident. It seemed to have completely slipped her mind. Yeah, she cared about his safety. But for all the wrong reasons.

“So? If that was true then why don’t you trust Jay if his bond with Jade is so much like our bond.” Aziz asked, pointing out the hole in her little argument.

“Well um I, Jay’s Jay’s complicated and I mean I don’t distrust him, it’s just after he said that thing about me giving..”

The epiphany dawned on Aziz before Jordan finished her sentence. How could he not have realized it before? It was all Jordan ever worried about.

“It’s because Jade hasn’t asked you for wishes and Lala has. That’s it.”

“She probably figured out that I’d back out of my promise so she’s trying to use you so you could convince me to give her wishes!” Jordan cried like a detective solving a case with her convoluted logic.

“And you think she’s going to seduce me to do that? Do you have so little trust in me?” Aziz used the calm steely tone that he knew would annoy her most. Not only did she act like he was a sheltered, naive mortal but a weak willed one too.

“NO no I do trust you! I know you would never intentionally do that to me. But I don’t want you to get hurt just because she’s manipulating you to get to me!” Jordan screamed, stamping her foot childishly that he was not giving into her.

“How self-absorbed can you get? Jordan, the world doesn’t revolve around you and your powers. Is it such a crazy thought that she might actually fall for me?” Aziz matched his volume to hers.

“Why wouldn’t she want me? I have phenomenal cosmic power and convenience for everyone. A lamp that forces me to obey their desires. You can’t offer her that. You’re just..you.”

Aziz stared at her, the sentence hitting him like a gut punch. He couldn’t believe Jordan of all people was saying this to him. She was the one who always helped him out on dates and assured him that anyone would fall in love with him after

….Maybe all that helping out wasn’t just from the goodness of her heart? It was because she secretly thought he couldn't get a girl on his own. Why would he with his so few talents? He wasn’t debenoir or charming enough like Jay. He wasn’t going to inherit the throne like other princes. What did he have to offer that the other boys at Auradon Prep couldn’t offer or even top? All he had was a genie friend who’d make “a whole new world” dates.

Moreover, it hurt. His best friend in the world also thought that he wasn’t good enough on his own. She thought he needed her to survive through life and love and all those trials.

Now he was glad he told Lala how he felt ignored. Clearly his so-called “best friend/wingwoman/sister” was too oblivious and selfish to comfort him. Not even that. She secretly shared everyone else’s opinion that he was forgettable!

“Me? What does that-“ Aziz snarled.

“I-I just don’t want you to spend so much time with her.” Jordan seemed to sense his anger and began backtracking, “You know I don’t have a lot of people to hang out with. So many people just want me for my wishes. You-you don’t want to use me. You’re my best friend. That’s why I need you. After everything I’ve done for you, all I’m asking is for you to be my friend.” Aziz heard her but didn't listen, her hurtful words still ringing in his ears. Besides that was completely unbelievable. She was afraid of losing him? That was a ridiculous idea and she knew that. If she was going to lie to his face, she could try to make it believable!

And what? It wasn’t like he owed her for everything she had done for him. That wasn’t how friendship worked! He didn’t ask her to do things and join adventures. She did it herself because she was his friend.

Or he had thought it was because they were sibling/friends. Apparently it was because she believed he needed her.

“You need me around forever to sooth your constant paranoid insecurity. I get it.” Aziz rolled his eyes sarcastically.

“It’s not a paranoid insecurity. It’s a fact.” Jordan claimed.

“Jordan, have you ever thought, maybe the reason people will only look at you for your wishes is because your general personality is unbearable to deal with. That’s why no one wants to be your friend. There’s nothing likable to be friends with but thank Allah, at least if they hang around long enough they’ll get wishes out of you.” Aziz snapped.

Jordan froze, clearly hurt by the sound of the crack in her voice, “Do you feel that way too?”

Aziz didn’t give himself time to think. She didn’t deserve any amount of comfort from him after what she just said. She didn’t need to act like she knew everything about life and treat him like an incapable, forgettable mortal. That was what he was to her, a mortal. And he knew from all their talks together just how little she respected mortals. And apparently he was no exception.

“Yes, sometimes I do.”

For a brief eerie moment, the wind was sucked out of the room and silence reigned. Oppressive, weighty silence that he could literally feel pressing against his chest and head and the rest of his body. He began to wonder if he should try to escape, that Jordan was about to do something they’d both regret.

“GET OUT!!” Jordan screamed.

“I can’t get out. You control your lamp.” Aziz hissed through his teeth to keep from yelling again.

“Fuck you.” The sight of Jordan giving him the finger was his last vision before pink smoke and sand fogged up his view and he rudely fell to the floor.

He glared at the lamp, imagining its arrogant, selfish, all knowing, cosmic occupant pacing the floor, creating a mini sand storm in her anger. Fine.

“Fuck you too.”

#jordan #aziz #jay #lala #my fanfic #my fanfiction #winner’s curse #calix #ocs #disney descendants #chapter nineteen

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dumbledearme · 6 years ago

Text

chapter ten—trials and tribulations

read Child of Land and Sea here

Act II — Heart Of The Ocean

Part II — Trials and tribulations, you know I’ve had my share. But I’ve climbed the mountain. I’ve crossed the river.

Andy led Tyson to the pavilion. “Who invited that?” someone from the Apollo table shouted.

“Well, if it isn’t Andy Jackson,” said Mr D. “My millennium is complete.” He glanced at the man beside him. “You need to keep an eye for Poseidon’s spawn.”

The man was horribly thin and wore a orange prisoner’s jumpsuit. “I’m Tantalus,” he said coldly. “On special assignment here until my Lord Dionysus decides otherwise. And you, Andromeda Jackson, I do expect you to refrain from causing any more trouble.”

“Trouble? Me?”

Anthony grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away. “Tantalus is the spirit from the Fields of Punishment,” he whispered in her ear. “The one who stands in the lake with the fruit tree hanging over him, but he can’t eat or drink. He’s done something horrible to be given this fate. Don’t push your luck, Seaweed Brain.”

“Go sit down, Jackson,” said Mr D, very loudly. “I believe your table is that one over there - the one where no one else ever wants to sit.” Some campers laughed.

“Come on, Tyson,” she called ignoring the noise.

“Oh, no,” Tantalus said. “The monster stays here. We will decide what to do with it.”

“He is not a monster!” she raged. “His name is Tyson and he saved the camp.”

“Leave us,” Tantalus waved her away, “while we decide the creature’s fate.”

Tyson looked at Andy with fear in his one big eye. “It’s alright,” she lied to him. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. They’ll find you a good place to sleep tonight.”

Mr D and Tantalus laughed, but Tyson whispered: “I believe you.”

“Well,” said Tantalus as everyone sat quietly. “And here on my first day of authority, I’d like to say what a pleasant form of punishment it is to be here. Over the course of my time here, I hope to torture, er, interact with each and every one of you children. You all look good enough to eat.” Mr D clapped. “And now, some changes. We are releasing you from most of your regular activities.”

There was an explosion of excited conversation.

“But, sir!” Clarisse looked nervous, but she stood up to speak. “What about patrol duty? If we drop everything-”

“Ahh, the hero of the day!” Tantalus exclaimed. “Brave Clarisse, who single-handedly bested the bronze bulls.”

Clarisse blinked and blushed. “Um, I didn’t-”

“And modest, too,” Tantalus grinned. “Not to worry, my dear. We are here to enjoy ourselves and not to-”

“But the pine tree-”

“And now,” he cut, “Andy Jackson and Anthony Chase have seen fit, for some reason, to bring this here,” he pointed at Tyson. “Cyclopes have a reputation for being bloodthirsty monsters with a very small brain capacity. Under normal circumstances, I would release this beast into the woods and have you hunt it down with torches and pointed sticks.”

Andy felt her anger rising. “Now, wait a minute-”

“But who knows?” Tantalus continued. “Perhaps this Cyclopes is not as horrible as most of its brethren. Until it proves worthy of destruction, we need a place to keep it. I’ve thought about the stables, but that will make the horses nervous. Hermes’ cabin, possibly?” Silence at the Hermes table. “Come on. The monster may be able to do some menial chores. Any suggestions as to where such a beast should be kenneled?”

Suddenly everyone gasped. Swirling over Tyson’s head was a glowing green trident. There was a moment of awed silence.

Tantalus roared with laughter and the others followed. “Well! I think we know where to put the beast. By the gods, I can see the family resemblance!” Everyone laughed, except Anthony who didn’t look surprised at all.

Tyson didn’t seem to notice people were laughing at him. He was too innocent to understand how cruel people were.

But Andy understood it alright.

She didn’t mind Tyson moving in with her; they got along quite well. She could even deal with the fact that he was her half-brother. Dealing with other people’s hatred was the hard part.

Andy sat beside Anthony on the sand, in her favorite spot, watching the sea, when some jokers from Aphrodite’s cabin walked by and asked her if she needed to borrow some eyeliner for her eye.

“Yeah, good one,” said Andy raising her thumb.

“Ignore them,” Anthony suggested. “It’s not your fault you have a monster for a brother.”

Andy turned on him. “What is your problem? He is not a monster!”

He raised his eyebrows. “Don’t be mad at me! And yes, he is.”

“You gave him permission to enter the camp!”

“To save your life! I didn’t expect Poseidon to claim him! Cyclopes are the most deceitful, treacherous-”

“He is not! Stop bullying him! You’re just as bad as everyone else.”

Anthony’s ear turned pink. He stood up and stormed off without another word.

Andy wasn’t alone for long. Tyson came to keep her company. “Are you mad?” he asked softly, sitting beside her.

“Yes.”

Tyson sadly looked at his own hands. “Am I a monster?”

“Don’t say that.” Andy lifted his chin so she look him in the eye. “You are not a monsters, Tyson. Not matter what they say.”

The cyclops shook his head. “It’s okay, Andy. I’ll be a good monster. Then you won’t have to be mad anymore.”

“I’m not mad because of you.” Andy didn’t know how to make him understand. “Tyson… You don’t go around hurting people for fun like they’re doing to you. They’re the monsters! They’re the ones who should be ashamed. Don’t you ever believe what they’re saying about you. It isn’t true.”

That night Grover spoke to her in her dreams. “You have to help me, Andy,” he begged. “I’m stuck in a cave. On an island in the sea. I don’t know where exactly! I went to Florida and turned left.”

A monstrous voice called for him. Grover flinched.

“Just a moment, dearest,” he shouted back to whoever it was. “It’s a trap, Andy. It’s the reason no satyr has ever returned from this quest. He’s a shepherd. And he has it! Its nature magic is so powerful it smells just like he great god Pan. The satyrs come here thinking they’ve found Pan, and they get trapped and eaten by Polyphemus!” Grover took a deep breath. “I need you, Andy. Come help me! I’m in the Sea of Monsters.”

Then Grover seemed to remember something else. “Oh and… by the way… just so you know… I’m really sorry about this. This empathy link… well, I had no choice. Now our emotions are connected. If I die… Let’s just say, you should hurry. Don’t let us die!”

Andy ran inside the Athena cabin. The kids there looked at her as if she had a seriously contagious disease, but showed her where Anthony was hiding. He was in this tiny living room, sitting on an armchair, reading an architecture book. “I’m busy,” he said when she walked in, without even looking at her.

“We need to talk.”

“Oh, now you want to talk?”

Andy sighed. “Please, Anthony.”

Something strange happened to his face. It was like he was having this inner battle. He looked like he really didn’t want to talk to her, but something was stopping him from saying so. “What?” he said finally.

Andy told him about her dream and Grover’s message.

He sneered. “Oh, please. Like Grover would just happen to stumble across the one thing that could save the camp.”

“What do you mean?” Andy asked. He rolled his eyes. “I’m not making this up,” she insisted. “He’s in trouble.”

Anthony hesitated. “If he really found it…” he murmured, “And if we could retrieve it…”

“Can you tell me what you’re talking about here?”

He closed his book. “You know the Golden Fleece?”

Andy blinked. “Have you met me? Of course not.”

Anthony scratched his head. “Okay. Have you heard about Jason and the Argonauts at least? Three thousand years ago, Jason went to find the Golden Fleece.”

“Well, I do know the movie with that clay skeletons.”

Anthony finally smiled. “Gods, you’re hopeless. There were these two children of Zeus, Cadmus and Europa, okay? They were about to get offered up as human sacrifices, when they prayed Zeus to save them. So Zeus sent this magical flying ram with golden wool, which picked them up in Greece and carried them all the way to Colchis in Asia Minor. Well, actually, it carried Cadmus. Europa fell off and died along the way, but that doesn’t matter.”

“I bet it mattered to her.”

“The point is, when Cadmus got to Colchis, he sacrificed the golden ram to the gods and hung the Fleece in a tree in the middle of the kingdom. The Fleece brought prosperity to the land. Animals stopped getting sick. Plants grew better. Farmers had bumper crops. Plagues never visited. That’s why Jason wanted the Fleece. It can revitalize any land where it’s placed. It cures sickness, strengthens nature, cleans up pollution-”

“It could even cure Thalia’s tree.”

Anthony nodded. “But it’s been missing for centuries. Tons of heroes have searched for it with no luck.”

“But Grover found it,” Andy argued. “He went looking for Pan and he found the Fleece. We can rescue him and save the camp.”

“What if it’s a trap?”

“Do we have a choice? It’s Grover.” Anthony still seemed unsure. “Will you help me or not?”

“Andy.” He said her name in this weird, fragile way that shocked her. “Polyphemus is the worst of the Cyclopes. And the Sea of Monsters… Searching for one tiny island in monster-infested waters-”

“That’s why you have me, Wonder Boy. Daughter of Poseidon and all that jazz.”

He knit his eyebrows. “We’ll have to talk to Tantalus, get approval for a quest. He’ll say no.”

“Not if we make an spectacle out of it. Let the whole camp hear it. They’ll pressure him. He won’t have a choice.”

That night, after dinner, Andy waited until Mr D left the pavilion to speak. She called out for Tantalus in front of all the others. His eye twitched. “Something to say, Jackson?”

“We have an idea to save the camp,” Andy said, standing up. Thankfully, Anthony stood with her. “The Golden Fleece. We know where it is.” And she told them all about it.

“Nonsense,” Tantalus said when she was done. “We don’t need saving.” Everybody stared at him. “Besides, the Sea of Monsters? That’s hardly an exact location. You wouldn’t even know where to look.”

“Actually, I already do.” Andy ignored Anthony’s glare. “The Fates gave me sailing coordinates. 30, 31, 75, 12. Latitude and longitude.”

“She’s right,” Anthony frowned. “30 degrees, 31 minutes north, 75 degrees, 12 minutes west. That’d be somewhere in the Atlantic, off the coast of Florida. We need a quest!”

The campers took up the chant. “WE NEED A QUEST! WE NEED A QUEST!”

“Fine!,” Tantalus shouted. “I shall authorize a champion to undertake this perilous journey, to retrieve the Golden Fleece and bring it back to camp. Or die trying.”

Andy’s heart filled with excitement.

“I will allow our champion to consult the Oracle and choose two companions for the journey. And I think the choice of champion is obvious. Someone who has earned the camp’s respect, who has proven resourceful in the defense of the camp. You shall lead this quest – Clarisse!”

The Ares cabin started stomping and cheering.

“Wait!” Andy shouted. “She can’t go. Grover is my satyr. The dream came to me! This is my quest.”

“Right,” said Clarisse. “How silly, we’d forgotten how everything’s about you, Jackson. Thank you for reminding us.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“You had your chance last year. Now beat it.” Clarisse stood up. “I accept the quest. I, Clarisse, daughter of Ares, will save the camp!”

The Ares campers cheered even louder. Anthony protested and the other Athena campers joined in. Everyone was shouting and arguing, until Tantalus said, “Silence, you brats,” in a voice that chilled Andy to the bones.

“Sit down,” he ordered. “I really do hate children, you know? Once upon a time, there was a mortal king who was beloved of the Gods! He was even allowed to feast on Mount Olympus. But when he tried to take some ambrosia and nectar back to earth to figure out the recipe, the gods punished him. They banned him from their halls forever. His own people mocked him. His children scolded him. He had horrible children. Just like you. Do you know what he did to the ungrateful little bastards? Do you know how he paid back the gods for their cruelty? He invited the Olympians to a feast at his place, just to show there were no hard feelings. No one noticed that his children were missing. And when he served the gods dinner, my dears, can you guess what was in the stew?”

No one dared answer. “The gods punished him in the afterlife,” Tantalus croaked. “They did indeed. But his children never again spoke back to him or questioned his authority, did they? Now, then. Are there any more complains before I send Clarisse off on her quest?”

Silence.

“The Oracle,” he told her. “Move along now.”

Andy sat on the beach on that spot where she was beginning to grow roots. Tyson was a little further away building a sand castle. It was almost dark, the stars were appearing. Andy didn’t know what to do. Although she didn’t think Clarisse was a failure, she felt she should be the one out there. She needed to help Grover. After all, she’d be the one doing the dying part if something happened to him.

Suddenly he was sitting next to her. He was slim and fit, with salt and pepper hair and a sly smile. Handsome, but in a goofy sort of way. “I haven’t sat down in ages,” he said. “This is kind of wonderful. Peace and quiet… Such a long time since I’ve gotten to relax. Do you have a favorite constellation, Andy?” he asked glancing at the sky.

Andy was staring; he looked so damn familiar. “I don’t know… I guess, uh, Hercules.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “He had rotten luck. Even worse than mine. Makes me feel better.”

The man chuckled. “Not because he was handsome and brave and famous and all?”

“I don’t like people because they’re handsome,” she said, trying to keep Luke away from her thoughts.

The guy seemed to read her mind. “Really? Interesting.” He gave her such a familiar smile that made her throat tighten and she understood who he was.

“You’re his father,” she accused.

Hermes pursed his lips. “Not how I’m usually introduced. God of thieves, yes. God of messenger and travelers, if they wish to be kind. Now, Andy, what do you intend to do about the Fleece?”

She didn’t trouble herself with how he knew that. “I don’t have permission to leave the camp.”

“Did that ever stop you before?” he gave her a mischievous look. “There was a baby boy once,” he said. “One night, when his mother wasn’t watching, he sneaked out and stole some cattle that belonged to Apollo.”

“Did he die?”

“No! What kind of story would that be?” Hermes shook his head. “No. To make up for his theft, he gave Apollo an instrument he’d invented – a lyre. Apollo was so enchanted he forgot to be angry.”

“That’s nice and all but I don’t think I see your point.”

“I don’t think I have a point,” he seemed confused for a moment. “Ah! How about young people don’t always do what they’re told, but if they can pull it off and do something wonderful, they might escape punishment. How’s that?”

“You’re saying I should go,” Andy guessed, “without permission.”

Hermes handed her a stainless steel canister – an old-fashioned thermos. It was freezing cold on one side and burning hot on the other. When Andy turned it, the cold side remained facing the ocean. “A compass?”

Hermes was surprised again. “Is it? Well, I’ll be damned. All I know is that if you uncap it, you will release the winds from the four corners of the earth to speed you on your way. But don’t let them all escape at once, that could be bad.” Next, Hermes handed her a plastic bottle filled with chewable vitamins. “Don’t take one, unless you really, really need it.”

Andy eyed him suspiciously. “Why are you helping me?”

He gave her a melancholy smile. “I’ve hope that you may save many people on this quest. Not just the satyr.”

“Luke?” she offered. Hermes didn’t answer. “I’m sorry, but- He can’t- I mean, h-he hates you. He has so much anger. Why would I try to save someone like that?”

Hermes gazed up at the stars once more. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the eons, it’s that you can’t give up on your family, no matter how tempting they make it. Isn’t that what you told your friend once upon a time? People can change. But they need help.” He made two backpacks appear before Andy. “I must go now. If you ask nicely, your father might help you reach the ship.”

“What ship?”

Hermes pointed. There was a big cruise ship cutting across Long Island Sound. As Andy watched it, the god disappeared.

#andromeda #andy jackson #fem percy jackson #fanfic #genderbend #dfcrosas #heart of the ocean #child of land and sea

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estler · 3 years ago

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Thoughts

- I've missed books with fun chapter names

- I love the just complete lack of the fourth wall

- I always hated enchilada day in the cafeteria. Whole wheat tortillas and 1% "cheese" is not the way to go.

- "Looking back on it, I wish I'd decked Nancy Bobofit right then and there." (Riordan 3-4) holy shit calm down dude you're like 12

- Percy "devil spawn" Jackson

- "...and tossed the pen through the air." (Riordan 13) not a pen, the pen

- I like the dynamic of Grover protecting Percy from the Greek threats and Percy protecting Grover from the New York ones

- Ugliano? That's unfortunate

- I forgot how genuinely he loves his mom. Reading it, its like you truly feel the tone and colors shift as soon as she is mentioned.

- also, I kind of picture Percy with just a slight new york accent. Like something that you don't really hear too much until he says something like "lay off"

- "...meaty toddler hands..." (Riordan 40) ???

- the minotaur is wearing fucking Fruit of the Loom boxer briefs what the hell

- "...shaking his meaty fists." (Riordan 54) oh so theres a trend with this awful descriptor okay

- so Percy killed a minotaur, had to watch his mom supposedly "die" and then feels guilty for not sharing his drink with his best friend. He's just a good kid trying his best

- Annabeth is "a couple inches taller" than Percy. I have literally only ever seen her drawn shorter or the same hight as Percy

- yeah, dionysus used to be a god of chaos before he became the god of wine and such didn't he? I've seen that overly sarcastic productions dionysus video

- god I barely survived 6th grade. I can't imagine having to do that 6 fucking times absolutely not

- I know that it's a kids book, but they really should have let Percy curse

- oh so the "field trip" is how that one dude took the lightning bolt

- Percy "devil spawn Peter Johnson" Jackson

- after a few days at the camp he's started to use their lingo, like "gods forbid"

- sharkbait hoohaha

- Perseus "Percy, devil spawn, Peter Johnson, Son of the Sea God" Jackson

- Grover stress eats trash

- EYYYY first seaweed brain!!! Page 147

- Perseus "Percy, devil spawn, Peter Johnson, Son of the Sea God, seaweed brain" Jackson

- headcannon: Grover knows classical music because that's how he was taught how to play music. Grover knows Hillary Duff because he unitonically listens to Hillary Duff

- Annabeth's crush on Luke would be even cuter if I didn't know that he ends up being a huge dick

- headcannon: Annabeth just has a library of themed insults in her head to use on the other kids and probably has a bunch ocean themed insults but never had the chance to use them until Percy showed up. This is also partially why she wants to go on the quest so bad.

- so it's the titan that wants the bolt (I can't remember his name)

- okay I know it says that Ares has a crew cut, but with the whole bicker aesthetic, I can really only imagine him with a thick, greased pompadour

- dude really tried to bargain his life with water bed deals and intrest rates

- Cerberus is a Rottweiler

- sounds like hades needs a vacation with his wife

- so Luke took Annabeth's cap, stole the bolt on the winter solstice, gave it to Ares, gave the shoes to Percy, then Ares gave the bolt to Percy with the magic bag, with the intention that once they got into hades, the shoes would bring him to the titan (I still cant rememberhis name), and consequently, the bolt

- Kronos

- Percy really went "Oh, he hit you? Welp, time for him to die" and honestly, I don't think he's in the wrong here

- YES SHE'S GONNA KILL THIS DUDE GOOD FOR HER

- aww I'm gonna miss Grover

- George Washington???

- he judges the gods for being overzealous enough to not feel the need to keep their stuff more secure and then says that the reason he lost the bolt to Ares was because he was overzealous and got his weapons knocked out of his hand. He speaks as if humans don't make the same mistakes as the gods do. Where do you think humans got it from? And where do you think the gods got it from? The titans. Overthrow the gods and what? Replace them with half-god humans who make the same mistakes as the gods? Or the ancient beings who made the mistakes before the gods? Yeah, yeah. Good plan Luke

Thoughts while reading Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief

I read the Lightning Theif, like, five years ago and I think I saw the first movie at some point but I don't really remember it.

Things I know about Percy Jackson

- Percy has dyslexia and sass

- Annabeth is smart and has sass

- Grover is a goat and has sass

- there's this whole thing about how "the big three" can't have kids because they'd be "too powerful" or something

- some dude is actually a horse-dude in a wheelchair for some reason

- and eventually nico and will show up, but I know that that's later in the series

#percy jackson #percy jackon and the olympians #percy jackson and the lightening thief #currently reading #literature #rick riordan

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algolrasalghul · 7 years ago

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A Summary of the Centaurs by P. Sedgwick

Centaurs by definition originate in the Kuiper belt whose orbits come inside the outer planets. More specifically a Centaur possesses a perihelion distance greater than the mean orbital distance of Jupiter from the Sun (5.2026 AU) and a semi-major less than that of Neptune. (NOTE: Several Centaurs exceed the semi-major axis of Neptune. Recent astrological consensus implies that if the semi-major axis is less than or about that of Pluto - 39.537 AU - then the object could still considered a Centaur). The Kuiper Belt consists of a yet undetermined number of objects made up of frozen gas and dust that orbit in the general vicinity of Pluto and Neptune. The Kuiper Belt initially was the speculation of astronomer Gerald Kuiper, who in the 1950's speculated about its existence.

Loosely known also as the Oort Cloud, a collection of gas and dust known to spawn comets and named for astronomer, Jan Oort, the Kuiper Belt may contain thousands of objects. When the objects gain enough mass and become gravitationally perturbed by larger influences such as Neptune and Jupiter, they may be pulled inside the orbital realm of the outer planets. Technically Pluto and Neptune's moon Triton are Kuiper Belt Objects (KBO's) or Trans-Neptunians (TNO's, not to be confused with the theoretical planets used in Cosmobiology). Chiron, now known to be a comet, is a Centaur having its roots in the Kuiper Belt.

To date, the following Centaurs exist: Chiron, Pholus, Nessus, Asbolus, Chariklo, Hylonome, 31824, 32532, 33128, 44594, 1994 TA, 1995 SN55, 1996 AR20, 1996 RX33, 1998 QM107, 1998 SG35, 1998 TF35, 1999 HD12 ,1999J V127 , 1999 XX143, 2000 CO104, 2000 EC98, 2000 FZ53, 2000 GM137, 2000 QC243, 2000 SN331, 2001 BL41, 2001 KF77, 2001 SQ73, 2001 XZ255, 2002 CA249, 2002 CB249, 2002 DH5, 2002 FY36, 2002 GO9, 2002 GB10, 2002 GZ32, 2002 KY14, 2002 PN34, and 2002 PQ152,

Ultimately these unnumbered objects will receive minor planet numbers followed by a names, but only after astronomers are relatively sure of their orbital parameters.

The KBO names refer to the year of discovery, followed by a letter to designate a two week interval of the year, then another letter indicating order of discovery and if necessary a number to add final order clarification. For instance, 1995DW2 appeared before astronomical observers in the 4th interval (D = letter 4) of the year 1995, the twenty-third object in that interval.

Astrologer Melanie Reinhart speculated that Centaur 1993HA2 deserved the name Nessus only to find out that a short time before it had been so named by the discovering astronomer(s). More astrological research will set the stage for appropriate name considerations or we just have to wait until the astronomers figure it out - their traditional right. Recently 1995DW2 upgraded to minor planet number 10370, and was finally named Hylonome, largely at the suggestion of astrologer Zane Stein and others in communication with Dr. Brian Mardsen of the Minor Planet Center. What a breakthrough!

Centaur loosely translates to "those who round up Bulls." These half-human, half horse creatures bore a well deserved reputation for wildness, lechery, lewdness, wanton ways and an uncontrollable fondness for wine. Mavericks and sexual profligates in behavior, two notable exceptions to the debased tendencies existed.

The more evolved Centaurs were Chiron, of whom astrologers have become appreciative, and Pholus (Pholis means scale like as in snake). Pholus maintained a reputation for being more skilled in augury than any of the other Centaurs. Versed in divination and noted for his wisdom, Pholus also kept the sacred wine left in his possession by Dionysus. One day Hercules came to visit. Hercules, after a feast of cooked meat (though Pholus ate his raw), persuaded Pholus to uncork the good wine in honor of his visit. The aroma of the wine filled the air and attracted all the Centaurs. They came armed with trees and objects of destruction demanding wine. Hercules drove them off with his arrows, killing many, though a good number fled. During this incident, according to some accounts, one arrow in this battle passed through the arm of Elatus and struck Chiron in the knee (thigh/hip). Pholus emerged from his cave to witness the aftermath. Fascinated by the power of the Herculean arrows he picked one up to examine. Excited, he dropped the arrow on his foot and died immediately. Like Chiron, also wounded from an arrow of Hercules. Unlike Chiron, Pholus experienced immediate death and endured no long term suffering. Symbolically, this Centaur refers to relinquishing the need for penance concerning an act of wrong doing. Though, the opening of the wine was not a well thought act, no long term punishment was required. The concept of euthanasia fits with this Centaur. The act of ending pain and suffering, no matter how it occurs, stands as a Pholus metaphor. This image could suggest the consultation of an oracle for mental and emotional relief. The process of medical intervention for physical relief or even the ending of life fall under the auspice of Pholus. Regardless, the concept of maintaining an attachment to sin and wrong doing must fall by the wayside.

Silenius, father of Pholus, tutor of Dionysis, a part horse figure that rode an ass, often told drunken stories of far away Utopian cities. Though he generally did not tell the truth, he spoke of two streams meeting near a whirlpool. On one side trees withered and died. On the other everything flourished and people reversed in age until they achieved non-existence.

Combined with the snake derivation of his name and the metaphorical maelstrom, Pholus represents a timelessness. This reversal of time suggests the ability to, within consciousness - altered or otherwise, to return to a primal sense of self and restore purity of soul and reclaim innocence. Given that Centaurs at large contain bulls, they herd the beast (within), control negative urges and bear a responsibility to the symbolic bulls-eye. This marksmanship returns to the concept of original sin - missing the mark, also denoting distance from God. Pholus implies the restoration of innocence, self forgiveness of sin, release of infatuation with power and destruction and pure, primal activation of the coiled serpent (Kundalini). Pholus, incidently, along with Asbolus remain two of the reddest colored objects in the solar system.

Noteworthy in the Pholus myth is the fact that the Centaurs' sense of smell detected the intoxicating aroma of the wine. Those things that travel through the air with strong influence come to mind. Presently the world wonders if Saddam Hussein possesses the weapons of chemical warfare and if he will put Anthrax in the water (the Centaur Pylenor washed himself of a Herculean wound in the river Anigrus and left a peculiar odor behind) or Nerve gas in the air. Perhaps this bears out the sayings that, "electricity is in the air", or "emotion is contagious" and leads to possibilities of mass hysteria and emotional intoxication. Consider the vast amounts of people presently sedated by the benefic (?) pharmacology of antidepressants.

Pholus maintains an intrinsic implication of the shedding of skin, a transformation metaphor. The exfoliation stands to signify important points of demarcation within the awareness of one's personal power. This awareness seeks a higher, well intended use, lest it be self-damaging through unwitting self-destruction. In its worst case, ego posturing, over embellishment of personal attributes and strength prevail. In optimum, Pholus notes ones need to help others through similar growth intervals. Given the serpent reference of scales, the methods of homeopathy remain particularly strong as Pholus healing tools. Those the nature of Pholus possesses the capacity for attack of adversaries, Pholus, seeks at all cost to avoid personal conflict of a negative/nature. Pholus would rather retreat, than confront. However, if cornered, Pholus will attack and attack swiftly and potently. Here it is best not to provoke the transformation of another prior to their willingness to accept the evolutionary process.

Pholus, in client studies, strongly indicates the effort to reduce or altogether stop consuming alcohol (or caffeine). In many cases involving Neptune transits to Pholus and another personal object, especially the Moon, individuals made marked progress in recovering from alcohol misuse or abuse.

Nessus, on the other hand, did not exemplify the state of evolved consciousness of Chiron or Pholus. After the Pholus/Hercules debacle Nessus fled to the river Evenus and became its ferryman. Nessus was approached by Hercules and his wife, Deianira, seeking safe passage. Hercules went on his own way while assigning Nessus to carry Deianira across the river. Overcome with lust, Nessus violated Deianira. Hercules turned about to witness the deed and struck Nessus with one of his arrows, poisoned with a concoction created by Chiron. Nessus, mortally wounded, gave his blood and semen to Deianira, assuring her it would guarantee Hercules' faithfulness to her. One day as Hercules departed for a tournament, Deianira gave him a cloak anointed with Nessus' fluids. When Hercules donned the article, he experienced excruciating pain and suffering, agonizing to his death.. He raged through the land destroying everything in his path. He begged to die in dignity on a pyre of oak and olive branches. Elevated to Olympus, he was cared for by Hera, who had at his birth, sought to kill him with serpents. What goes around comes around.

Melanie Reinhart in her wonderful book, To the Edge and Beyond (CPA Press, London), notes a Saturn-Pluto relationship with Nessus. Hercules died at the hand of Chiron and his own action of retaliation in defense of the honor of his wife - a Saturn to Pluto image. In the Nessus myth clearly emerges Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), AIDS and those diseases transmitted by blood, like hepatitis in all its grades. Importantly, the dignity of an AIDS death must be preserved under the influence of Nessus' demise.

A study of AIDS patients and their Centaurs as well as those patients of Jack Kevorkian, aka Dr. Death, who receive a death of dignity, is warranted by Nessus.

Asbolus became the next named Centaur. A seer, he foretold of the massacre of the Centaurs in the battle against the Lapiths during the wedding of Pirithous. Asbolus attempted in vain to dissuade his colleagues not to engage in the battle.

Like Pholus, a peaceful effort extends into the implications of Asbolus. His attempts to prevent conflict and save lives reflects a somewhat noble concern for fellow Centaurs (humans). Possibly a Centaur of negotiation, arbitration and conflict resolution, Asbolus deserves initial recognition as a peacemaker.

The North Node and Perihelion points of Asbolus render the following possibilities: Need for self realization because of deeds done. Desire for reputation and acclaim. Negative: Reckless regard for reputation, lack of integrity, impulse driven without sense of consequence. Inability to take compliments. Positive: Impeccability in action. Known as solid and consistent. Accepting of praise with humility.

Chariklo, the next named Centaur, was not a Centaur at all but the mermaid wife of Chiron. Together they had a son, Karystos, of whom little is written. Also they had two daughters, Melanippe (black mare, also called Euippe - good mare) and Endeis or Thetis depending upon whose mythological family tree you follow. Melanippe had an illegal love affair with Poseidon (see Caeneus myth below) and elected to no longer live among mortals as a consequence. Like her father she appealed to the gods and was set into the night sky as a star.

Chariklo shows up in very few references of note. Once she attended Athene (Pallas Athena) with her bath when Teiresias, who hunted with his dogs happened upon them. Teiresias saw the breasts and legs of Athene. The goddess placed her hands over the young man's eyes and blinded him. Chariklo, full of remorse appealed to Athene to show mercy. Athene declared Teiresias a prophet and cleansed his ears so he could hear and understand the voices of the birds. She also gave him a staff of cornel wood so he could walk as if he had sight.

Chariklo, like Pholus and Asbolus, demonstrated compassion and a love of fairness and peacefulness. She appealed to her goddess with goodness, mercy and fairness as tools. The justness or equality of punishment to transgression seeks balance in her delineation.

The orbital contacts (Node and Perihelion) for Chariklo offer the following: Need for definition between intimacy and personal space. Seeking definition of human interaction and boundaries. Desire to help without co-dependent interference. Negative: invasive, manipulative, solicitous without intent to respond, aloof. Positive: an shoulder to cry upon, well defined relating agenda, counselor of independence vs. intimacy.

Hylonome - One of the rare female centaurs, Hylonome was wife of the Centaur Cyllarus. Cyllarus was killed by a javelin thrown by an unknown warrior at the debacle of the wedding of Pirithous. Distraught with her loss, Hylonome thrust herself onto the javelin that killed her husband, thus ending her grief and pain.

Intrinsic in this Centaur comes the distinction of ego and self separate from relationship. Value of self as a function of love, relating or interaction becomes confused in the interest of regaining a clear perception of the value of self.

The processes of ending pain and grief - a consistent Centaur theme - clearly reside here. Zane Stein and colleagues suggest that their research implies Hylonome to be significant in charts of suicide. This does not imply that transits to or from Hylonome increase the danger of self destruction. Actually such patterns seek resolution of what ever causes pain in life because of loss of self esteem, or loss of love. Healing of previous loves no longer present also come to the table of resolution.

Following are key point delineations for the yet unnamed Centaurs.

1999 UG5 (31824) - Expression of self and ego through word and writing. Positive: Excellent communication, articulate, precise. Negative: Verbose, boastful, shallow in conversation.

2001 PT13 (32532) - Relational and professional attitudes based upon one another. I am what I am because of my career status or relationship ornament. Positive: Balance between relationship and work, money and sexuality. Negative: Object oriented, status seeking, mercenary in work ethics, stunned by glamour and beauty of partner.

1998 BU48 (33128) - Conflict between ego and material possession, identity as a function of resources. Positive: confidence in inner resourcefulness, which allows for use of all talent. Negative: materialistic, avaricious, beliefs possessions equal identity.

1999 OX3 (44594) - The power of knowledge comes to light. Those who know rule the world. Positive: sharing of wisdom, ideas and concepts to increase the greater good. Negative: secretive, hoarding ideas, arrogant flaunting of knowledge never revealed, intentional misinformation.

1994 TA - The need to assert one's accomplishments (generally professional) in the interest of recognition. Positive: sense of self accomplishment, legacy oriented, a mentor. Negative: solicitousness, bragging, indiscriminate flirting.

1995 SN55 - Urge to establish self value regardless of relationship status. Positive: Warm, supportive, nurturing in one to one relationship. Negative: Needy, self centered to a fault, showcase relationships.

1996 AR20 - The urge to understand unresolved questions and mysteries through discussion. Positive: Highly insightful ability to ask questions. Negative: Incessant questioning and banal fixations.

1996 RX33 - A balance of individuality for the purpose of soul fulfillment, regardless of ego. Positive: Confident and self assured in expressing uniqueness and ingenuity. Negative: Cranky weird, contentious, highly rebellious.

1998 QM107 - Balancing emotions and ego as a function of professional status. Positive: Giving, nurturing and sharing to and with coworkers with extraordinary capacities. Negative: Demanding, infantile in work relationships, flaunts social status as a result of accomplishments, showcases with past laurels .

1998 SG35 - Need and ability to heal the ego by overcoming criticisms, both self imposed and external. Positive: Clarity, impeccability and loyalty to personal and emotional needs, praising, complimentary. Negative: Critical, judgment, condemning both of others and self, defaming, blasphemous, solicitous.

1998 TF35 - Sense of value, self worth, economic freedom with spiritual emphasis. Positive: Wealthy eccentric, affluent, humanistic, generous, spiritual involved. Negative: Selfish, demanding, greedy. Manipulates with karma or projected spiritual status.

1999 HD12 - Acceptance of whole and pure nurturing. Positive: Acceptance of support and responsive to praise. Negative: Rejecting of those attempting to help. Constant complaining about the lack of fundamental care in life.

1999 JV127 - Primal sense of self. Developing a healthy self referential attitude. Positive: Confidence in raw talents. Self assured nurturing instincts. Negative: Overly subconscious in motivations. Subjective and projective. Extremely protective.

1999 XX143 - Maintaining a balance of individuality and others within the domestic environment. Positive: Feeling accepted by family and close friends. Negative: Portraying black sheep image. Isolated and sullen at home. Doing it for family to the extreme.

2000 CO104 - Emotional intensity, passionate creativity, inspirational capacity. Positive: Uplifting, stimulating, infinitely artistic and creative. Negative: Addicted to emotional drama, emotionally controlling and manipulative.

2000 EC98 - Cosmic picture vs. detail orientation. Abstract logic vs linear logic. Positive: Balanced perspective of overviews combined with essential detail. Negative: Picky, judgmental, cantankerously weird, ungrounded.

2000 FZ53 - Acute relationship awareness. Ability to negotiate relationship conflicts. Positive: Clarity in relationship communication. Honest, direct, self assured in interactions. Negative: Clingy, dependent, holds back on communication based upon perceived reactions.

2000 GM137 - Extreme inquisitiveness and cat-like curiosity. Relationship communication clarity. Positive: Questioning and open minded. Negative: Overly scrutinizing specializing in Pandora's box scenarios.

2000 QC243 - Use of complete compassion and forgiveness toward others. Positive: Understanding, compassionate, forgiving, tolerant. Negative: Full of guilt and shame - projected onto others.

2000 SN331 - Highly questioning nature. Asks surface level questions seeking the greatest depth in the answer. Positive: Seeking, questioning unafraid of shadows. Negative: Diverting, avoiding, asks questions to answer a question.

2001 BL41 - Perceptions of an abundant Universe. Positive: Generous, available and sharing. Negative: Greedy, hostile regarding work position and money earned. Desperately competitive.

2001 KF77 - Claiming of soul urge. Development of pure confidence and self assuredness. Positive: Strong, inspired, non-competitive, motivated. Negative: Possessive, insecure, ego proclaiming, pouting, fearful.

2001 SQ73 - Quest for ultimate individuality. Confident in all aspects of self. Positive: Iron will and certainty of healthy eccentricity and imaginative ability. Negative: Weird just to be contentious. Overbearing ego. Sense of intellectual superiority.

2001 XZ255 -The quest for pure self expression. Positive: Clear, articulate, assertive, confident. Negative: Accusatory, meddlesome, laborious in conversation.

2002 CA249 - Complete, uninhibited self-expression. Positive: Innovative, confident, inspired, pleasantly odd. Negative: Narcissistic, self-absorbed, strange for shock value.

2002 CB249 - Integrated spirituality within worldly awareness. Positive: Comprehends parts/wholes theory, uses crisis/chaos to the good. Finds upside in all things. Negative: Victim consciousness, resentful, critical.

2002 DH5 - Perfection seeking, looking for Divine Order. Positive: Accepting, tolerant and compassionate. Negative: Scrutinizing to a fault, viciously critical, intolerant, mean spirited practical jokes.

2002 FY36 - Seeking understanding of sacred and profane in balance. Positive: Unique blend of linear and abstract minds. Negative: Mentally biased and opinionated with no tractability.

2002 GO9 - Need for relational support without reservation. Positive: Renders and receives in relationship in healthy balance. Negative: Co-dependent, turns intimate relationships into parent- child scenarios.

2002 GB10 - Balance of emotional/nurturing give and take. Positive: Encouraging, nurturing, responsive. Negative: Whining, needy, clinging. Emotionally manipulates closeness, then withdraws from it.

2002 GZ32 - Seeking kinship with those of great self reliance. Positive: Confident, giving and supportive. Strong sense of bond with those of similar spirit. Negative: Sullen, withdrawn but emotionally aggressive.

2002 KY14 - Definition of absolute truth. Conviction to principle without zeal. Tolerance of all beliefs. Positive: open-minded and sharing especially in religious, philosophical matters, knows the ecstacy of knowing. Negative: zeal, fanaticism, religious intolerance, bigotry, social stupidity through biases.

2002 PN34 - Quintessential grounding. Practicality without being buried by life's demands. Positive: willing to shoulder responsibility, effective in time/work management, grounded and with lofty visions and aims. Negative: materialistic, greedy, wasteful, resentful, inefficient in use of time, prone to laziness motivated by belief "the world owes me."

2002 PQ152 - Creative weirdness at its best. Contemplative and deliberate in spiritual exercises. Positive: clear self-understanding through retreat and silence, willingness to share positive eccentricities. Negative: off the wall, contentious, arrogant and bitter.

Many stories about clouds prevail in Centaur mythology. The air again gains significance with these creatures. The scent of wine traveling through the air caused one the major Centaur incidents, as did words traversing the air. Similarly, myths involving the contamination of water exist. Overall, an environmental impact begins to form in Centaurian symbolism. Can the emphasis of the bull - money - real estate - greed be tamed? Or will developments, population and over-building polish off what's left of the purity of earth? Our air and water falls to industry and toxins. The ozone, depending upon which side of science you choose, collapses exposing Earth to more dangerous radiations from space. The Centaurs declare the need to care for the Earth and reverse the effects of toxic contamination.

What about all this concern with sexuality, drinking, drugs and morality? Since 1992 with the discovery of the Centaurs, and an issue in the 1992 elections in the United States, the restoration of value was called to return. A philosophical bent to Centaurs originates in the knowledge of Chiron and Pholus. The Centaurian evolution implies re-establishing clear thinking as a criteria for deciding about personal or moral situations.

Many difficult questions now face humanity. The Centaurs scratch the iceberg of the these considerations. Can the animal instincts alive in human nature be controlled? Or should we go capture our own bear? Are we obsessed with the power of weaponry? Can we overcome alcoholism and drug addiction as the Centaurs demand? What about the issue of sexual harassment? Is it out of control or is balance being achieved? And these bodies contribute to our healing of relationship conflicts, physical healing and offer sanction for the difficult process of grieving.

Yes. Yes! YES!! The Centaurs hold the keys of knowledge required to transcend the human struggles. Each individual's Centaur placement work with Jupiter and Neptune (those planets bracketing Centaur orbits) to establish a clear sense of personal morality and choice independent of collective pressures. The prevailing Centaur positions relate the focus of people at large and cause re-assessment of beliefs and convictions, whether original beliefs are restored or new ones chosen.

Many questions come at us from the depths of space near the origins of the illusive Neptune and probing Pluto. The Centaurs point out the areas of difficulty. And as we know from augury, within the question lies the answer.

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amongushq · 8 years ago

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Welcome to Among Us, RAL! ECATERINA BRÂNCOVEANU ( with the faceclaim of ALIA SHAWKAT ) has found shelter in NEW ATHENS, where we hope SHE will fit in nicely. Please make sure to check the “after applying” section of our navigation here!

Hunters of Artemis being immortal, there’s always a great opportunity for a deep, well-researched, intense backstory and this is exactly what you have delivered with Ecaterina. The immersion into the different time periods shown in her app was excellent, both technically and in terms of writing style. Not to mention the spot-on Artemis and Apollo, who added levity to the whole thing -- thus reinforcing Ecat’s anger, outrage, and trauma. The latter isn’t discarded or handled too lightly, instead becomes an inherent part of who she is while not defining her completely. Her personality shows through both the backstory and sample parts of the application, and we can tell she’s someone the others can count on to fight back and take action. Because of her terrible experience, her opinion of the Recall is logical, a cold rationale we wish didn’t make as much sense. While it makes no doubt more people share her point of view, we’ll be watching as this Hunter tries to wake people up around her, and make her voice heard over Zeus’ order.

AND YOU ARE…?

Somewhere in a small village in Lesser Wallachia, December 13th, 1568

“Have you heard? That gypsy girl Amira is in labour.”

“Gypsy? I thought she was one of those blasted Ottomans.”

“I heard her skin darkened after she copulated with the devil. The child will have skin dark as the night and black demon eyes.”

“Does it matter? That cursed coloured witch is about to give birth. On Friday the 13th. If she survives the birthing, it’s clearly blood magic. God would not spare such an abomination during childbirth unless there were dark power involved. The child won’t last long, that’s for sure. God will damn her and her spawn, may He save us all.”

Amira’s baby girl wasn’t born with ash black skin or completely black eyes, but with light brown skin, a face full of moles and freckles- “marks of the devil!”- and deep, brown eyes. She nor her mother were neither gypsies, Ottomans or witches, but descendants of a family of Arab traders. The father was thought to be a young Wallachian man with a family too ashamed to be associated with “a gypsy whore” or a demon lover. Neither options were right, but no pious man or woman would even consider the father to be the Greek god of music.

The mother named her newly-born girl Ecaterina, a beautiful Wallachian name, in the hope she could blend in easier. It did not work.

Amira and her daughter went on to live in a caravan on the outskirts of the village, close to the woods, far away from the villagers with their sharp tongues and judgy eyes, where Amira could raise Ecaterina in peace, where she could teach her the secrets of nature and the art of palm reading. They might not have been gypsies, but Amira was smart enough to play on their reputation. Tarot cards, palm readings, medicinal herbs, you name it, they had it. And the villagers, despite their gossip and prejudice, couldn’t resist a glimpse into their future or something to delay their journey into an early grave.

–

The same village in Lesser Wallachia, January 4th, 1587

“They’re witches, clearly,” a farmer says to the crowd of people around him. It started off with mostly curious, nosy women and a couple of Godfearing maligners, but slander attracts all sorts of people, quick.

“The girl is possessed by a demon! That’s why she has such accurate predictions. I’ve seen her tremble and black out- a possession! She’s possessed!” a furious woman shrieked, almost delirious.

One by one, people joined in accusations- who cared if they spoke the truth or not.

“They make potions under the disguise of medicine!”

“The girl is a sodomite. And she has the devil’s marks all over her!”

“They can transform into black cats!”

A loud shout pierced through the murmur of the angry mass of people. “They belong in Hell!”

The whole crowd erupted into madness. “In Hell,” they all screamed. “In Hell!”

–

Amira’s caravan burned down the same night. No one bothered to go looking. No prayer for the dead was uttered.

Soon, Amira and her daughter were forgotten.

–

Somewhere in the woods close to the small village in Lesser Wallachia, January 5th, 1587

A list of things Artemis expects to find in the Eastern European woods: wild blueberries, a sizeable deer population, coniferous trees.

A list of things Artemis does not expect to find in the Eastern European woods: her shirtless brother dancing with naked nymphs, a priest in the middle of self-chastisement, a young girl rolling around, groaning in pain.

Unfortunately, the former happened more often than she would like it to. Actually, she should expect it by now.

Finding Ecaterina was a first-time experience. Artemis could smell burnt skin. The girl was covered in dirt and old leaves, letting out deep grunts of pain, breaking out in cold sweat. Even though she undoubtedly was in an immense amount of pain, Artemis could feel the girl’s strength, her determination to die with dignity. The pain didn’t allow the girl to speak, but the Goddess understood. It was a cry of help.

Artemis could use her.

–

“Salutations, sister of mine. How can I be of service for you today?” Apollo was shirtless and glowing, far too happy to be in the presence of an injured human.

“Aide her.”

“No, ‘if you please?’” All he got as an answer was a silent glare. “No? Then let us help this young lady. I can never resist a beautiful damsel in distress.” Apollo crouched down next to Ecaterina and poked her cheek. Again he was met with a glare, albeit this time with more pain in the expression. “Touchy. She shall survive, however. I will tend to the wounds on her back and give her ambrosia, that will suffice. It will stop her physical distress. I cannot prevent scars however. The burn runs deep. What happened, did they tried to burn you at the stake?”

He meant it as a joke, but the girl’s glare and attempt to punch him was a clear indicator that he’d just truck a nerve. As long as he did not hit any literal nerves later. Not that he would, ever. He was a genius.

He missed the times where there were shrines dedicated to him everywhere. Those were the good times. Now they all believed in only One God, who was good and sinless and boring.

–

“I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt.”

“Welcome, Hunter Ecaterina. May you enjoy the company of your fellow hunters and always remember the oath you recited.”

–

Bethel, New York, August 17th, 1969

A list of things Apollo expects to see at the Woodstock festival: good music, drugs, Dionysus talking three girls into an orgy with him.

A list of things Apollo does not expect to see at the Woodstock festival: right-wing conservatives, all-black outfits, his sister.

“Yo, sis! What are you doin’ here? And you brought your pretty Hunters too!” He shook his golden curls and gestured animatedly with his hands. Once again he was shirtless, but he was not the only one by far. Apollo was pretty sure he’d spotted a topless girl just five seconds ago. He loved it here.

“Dad sent me to look after you again, and Dionysus. See that you don’t get into too much trouble.” Artemis was wearing a long, flowy dress, round glasses and beads in her hair. He felt the need to document this so he could taunt Artemis with this for the years to come. Her Hunters were dressed similarly, blending in seamlessly with the rest of the hippies. They all were trying to look like they weren’t excited to be there, but most of them failed- their eyes were twinkling, one girl was tapping her fingers on the rhythm of the beat, another one was staring admiringly at the musicians on the stage.

Apollo scoffed. “I’m being a good boy. I’m just enjoying myself. As should you. This is a historical event, so go and be part of history.” He took off his sunglasses and winked at the nearest Hunter, a freckled girl with wild curls in an oversized floral shirt. “Hey, I know you. You’re the girl I helped in the woods. Wanna help me with some wood now?” He waggled his eyebrows and ignored the shouts of protests of Artemis and her followers. “You’re all so boring. Go have fun, sis, if you’re even capable of doing such thing.”

With a short huff, Artemis turned around- in the direction of the crowd, not towards the exit. Ha, Apollo thought victoriously. Got ya. Her Hunters followed suit, except the one he winked to. “Ah, so you are going to help me with my w- no hitting immortal deities, dear. Or anyone, actually. This is a no violence zone.”

The girl sighed. “What did you mean earlier? You helped me?”

“Yeah, I did. When Artemis found you, she asked me for help, and you should thank me, because otherwise you’d be dead by now! Well, I mean, of course you’d be dead by now if you hadn’t been immortal, three decades have passed, but anyhow-“

“You healed me? But you’re incompetent.”

Auwch, that hurt. “Incompetent? What kind of crap is my sister telling you? I’m incredibly smart! I’m a walking work of art. I’m a genius and incredibly handsome, I’ve invented all the instruments and then some, and I’m a true lover at heart.“ He paused to wait for the applause. The girl just raised an eyebrow. "It’s a limerick. I visited Ireland a while ago, and a quick tip, avoid the North. But you see? I’m a genius.”

The girl stared at him, her eyebrows furrowed. She did not look impressed. “You really are as annoying as Lady Artemis has claimed.”

“That hurts, girlie.”

“Ecaterina. Not ‘girlie’.”

Apollo waved her comment away. “Yeah, yeah. Any more questions, Kitty Cat, or are you done?”

She looked ready to yell. Apollo grinned widely.

“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth. “I am- having these visions. Lady Artemis said you could help.”

“Visions? Like prophecies? Don’t tell me you are my next Oracle.”

“Not prophecies. I just see quick flashes, like someone I know doing something, and then I faint. I excelled at palm reading and tarot cards, however.”

“Hm.” Apollo tapped his chin. He felt like he was missing something. “What else can you do? Music? Healing? Archery?”

“I’m the best archer we have. I don’t seem to have a musical talent, except some basic rhythm. And every hunter heals easily.”

“And when were you originally born again?”

“1568. In Romania- well, Lesser Wallachia at the time.”

“Did your mother’s name start with an A? Arianne or something?”

“Amira.”

Apollo clapped in his hands. “Amira! Right! She was one foxy lady. Well, sorry to tell you, kiddo, but you’re one of mine. Seems like you have an aptitude for divination and that’s what the flashes are.” He spread his arms wide. “Now come and give your father a hug!”

Ecaterina looked absolutely shocked. “You are my father?”

“’Fraid so.”

The realisation was visibly sinking in. When the girl finally understood that he wasn’t kidding- even though he had a great sense of humour- she promptly turned around and walked away.

“That’s no way to treat your father, young lady!” Apollo laughed. Artemis was going to be so pissed when she found out.

#accepted #ecaterina brâncoveanu

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