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crazymadpassionatelove · 4 months ago

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Austin's It Girl

18+ for sexual situations mentioned

Want to refresh yourself with the beginnings of the Cool Girl saga? Click here!

Lots of love and thanks to my favorite ladies for their screams of love and support! @ab4eva @therealslimshakespeare @stylespresleyhearted

***

"Are you going to be the new It girl?"

“.... I'm going to be Mrs. Butler”

As the news of the engagement spreads like wildfire, Austin's rep is suddenly inundated with requests. Magazines, everyone from People to Elle, and TV stations want in on it too - Extra, E! News, even that fluffy third hour of the Today Show. There are podcasts run by former reality show contestants, even Martha Stewart herself is said to be interested….in meeting with you?

All this fuss makes you absolutely double over in laughter, snorting into a ceramic bowl filled to the brim with a Greek salad, the olive oil having come from a small farm and shop in Ojai, California. You and Austin had visited the day prior, the married older couple slyly stopped all others from entering and let you meander around their property, paps and onlookers unable to catch a glimpse for once. Maybe that's why Austin has decided that was the perfect time to hike down your high waisted denim Levi's and bend you over stacked wooden crates filled with peaches.

He was in gray sweats, he hadn't anticipated a farm sort of outing when you originally took off on a drive to wherever you could end up that morning. “Gimmie a little love before we get back in the car, huh baby?” Of course you oblige, is it wrong that you secretly want to be caught honestly? Suddenly your ears perked up at the sound of something ripping. Goodbye robins egg blue lace panties, one of your favorite pairs from Agent Provocateur. “Sorry doll, I just can't have anything keeping me from you. We'll get you a new pair ok?” You moaned in satisfaction, thrusting back until your hips were riddled with half-moon shaped nail marks and you were snarling, chasing your release. The sounds of skin slapping could be heard as the wind chimes blew in the wind amidst a gentle breeze. “Be a good girl” he huffed as he had throbbed within you over and over, teetering on the edge with his nose pressed against the nape of your neck.

You knew what that meant, he wouldn't cum until you came a third time. Some silly rule he had come up with after yet another all night passion-filled fuck fest. So you had arched like a pretty little kitten, covered your own mouth, came and shook but continued to thrust back, hard and soaked, to help him get there. He swore when he came and you couldn't help but wanna kiss him, no man sounded sexier swearing than Austin. Still gasping, he had been aware that the need to be discreet and get out of there without being caught was imperative. Still, you had fallen forward on your shaking, post orgasm blissed out legs and toppled over the aforementioned crates of peaches. Austin was wide eyed, embarrassed but laughing. With your torn panties shoved in your pocket, your cheeks flamed red when Austin tried to explain away just exactly what had happened to the lovely, you later learned, longtime married couple's fruit as you paid. “When we got engaged I was fairly weak in the knees too,” the wife had winked at you. So you left there with the olive oil and a stained glass peach, of all things, to hang in the kitchen.

You had actually just hung it when Austin's rep had popped by to deliver the news. Everyone wanted to talk to you. Nylon had declared “the hottest person to look at lately is no longer Austin Butler – it's his fiancè.”

“Well, well, well…my baby is the star now,” Austin had cooed, coming into the room wearing those fuck me style cotton shorts of his and a white v neck. It takes some coaxing from him, but you agree. One interview, help the chaos die down. You frankly would rather do cart wheels across broken glass, but the things done for love.

Absolutely dead set on preserving Austin's privacy, explaining to his team that your hardworking, diligent, dedicated man should not have to put on a public show for the press in his own home, you tell them that arrangements must be made for said interview to take place elsewhere. Vanity Magazine is the one you end up choosing. “You're gonna look hot as hell” on the cover Austin declared the night prior to your first ever solo interview, limbs so tightly wound and entwined you can't even sneeze without disturbing him. His fingers traced tiny hearts on your arms. “This is a one-time deal, don't get used to it,” you hushed him. “I'm only your private cover girl and you know how I prefer to be photographed.” He pecked your lips once, then twice as he yawned. Before drifting off he pulled down your panties, at least he didn't rip this pair. “Case I wake up and need ya..” he rasped as he drifted off.

The morning of the interview Austin finds you sitting cross-legged on the floor of your closet, wearing a Swiss-dotted semi-sheer white bra and matching panties. You're alternating between eating strawberry yogurt and nibbling on those caramel sea salt cookies you baked last night to bring to the interviewer. “Do you think that seems like a bribe?” you eye him as he settles down next to you, eyes still fuzzy with sleep. You're flipping through the magazine you'll soon grace the cover on, your outfit for the day hanging above you on one of the racks in the oak-paneled dressing room. He makes that gesture with his hands that always causes you to melt “C’mere…” and you tumble into his lap, curling up and letting his artwork-like sculpted fingers comb through your slightly damp hair. His voice is thick and that drawl that always seems to linger despite his agent's exasperation appears. “You're such a good girl doing this…I know ya’d rather not…I'm real proud of you…proud that everyone is gonna get to know and see my pretty girl now”. That's all it takes to calm your nerves really, the want and need to make him proud of you. You slip into your black boat neck dress that hits just above the knee. On each hip is a gold button that seems to tuck you in just right. One of the extras had worn it in the Elvis movie. You offhandedly mentioned how cute you thought it was, and then suddenly the next morning it had appeared in your closet. With there being a slight California chill in the air, he watches as you rummage through the racks. A blazer? Dress things down with a jean jacket? Finally you see one of his white dress shirts hanging from an event a few days prior. “Mind if I borrow that? Take a little piece of you with me?” You bat your eyelashes knowing there isn't a chance he'll say no. “Are you gonna let me shower with you? That shirt won't be the only thing of mine you take with you..”

97 minutes later and still leaking cum, you stride into the rental home in Beverly Hills where the journalist is waiting to meet you. Being around media isn't exactly new, you've shyly clung to Austin's arm on red carpets and answered a question or two in a high-pitched squeak. This is the first time you've ever had to deal with the media alone though. A pretty young journalist, blonde and clicking her acrylics on her iPhone awaits you in one of those ridiculous-looking modern chairs in the living room. The house had been staged with furniture just for this occasion and to fight off your nerves, you scan the open floor plan living room and kitchen imagining how you would have decorated the space instead. Jillian Zane looks like the sort of girl you'd asked if she had a spare hair elastic in a barre class. She smiles and compliments your dress, but she has a job to do. You hand over the cookies you made and you can tell that throws Ms. Zane for a loop. After some awkward laughs about your failure to find parking and her flat tire that morning, she gets down to business. “Here she is, everyone's new favorite It girl!” Jillian pulls out a pen and a leather bound notebook and you find that slightly endearing. You wave a hand dismissively and roll your eyes good naturedly. “Are you going to be the new It girl?” Jillian follows up. “I'm going to be Mrs. Butler…” you murmur and hold up the stunning stone for her to get a good look at your man's good taste in jewelry. You spend the next two hours peeling back the curtain just a tad, for nothing else than to make Austin proud. —

She shows up early, dressed like a doll, and with homemade cookies in hand. She is, A, Austin Butler’s new fiance and everyone's favorite celebrity fixation. Except – that's not how she sees it. She doesn't consider herself a celebrity and seems to have no desire to be one either. What does she want to do? Be his wife, and yes that is a complete sentence. East Coast A encountered Austin on the job, when she worked for New York’s famed Vibrant Vintage as their archives buyer. She sold Austin a pair of black motorcycle boots and then won his heart in return. Was she looking for love? “Oh I had spent my whole life looking for Austin – I found him not a moment too soon” her giggle alone now explains Austin Butler's near constant smile in recent months. She's no longer a working girl, spending her days with the couple's dogs, hand picking items for their new home together, and fussing after the Oscar winner to make sure he takes some vitamin C before all that travel he's done lately for his upcoming projects.

“Isn't he so dreamy?” she suddenly blurts out when I get her take on some new pictures of Austin and co-star Callum on set. When her lack of social media is brought up she shakes her head while grinning. There's no need for that. So is she aware of all the buzz she's getting? “It's so silly, he's the star!” A says so matter of factly….. -

What did you last Google?

The weather in New York

What's your favorite scent?

(Laughs) Austin….

What is the one thing in life you can't live without?

It's probably not polite to say that out loud (smirks)

New York or L.A. ?

Palm Springs

Favorite color?

Sea glass green

If you could only wear four designers for the rest of your life, who would they be?

Oh gosh, now this is a hard hitting question! (laughs) Um, I guess I'd have to say: Vivienne Westwood, Dior, Nasty Gal, and Alice + Olivia

If you were to move tomorrow, where would you go?

Maybe Ireland or Scotland

Something on your bucket list?

Privacy

One of your bad habits?

I drink a McDonald's Coke almost every day

A feature you admire most in a man?

(Smirks) Big hands

If you were to die and come back as an animal what would you choose?

Easy, a sparrow. Did you know, they mate for life and no matter how far one roams from the other, they always find their way back?

How often do you lie?

Who says everything I'm telling you now isn't a lie?

Do you believe in aliens?

Absolutely

What’s the most recent gift Austin has given you?

When he was in England, he bought me a tiara that once belonged to one of the royal families.

What were you listening to on the drive over here?

The Daisy Jones and The Six soundtrack

One thing about Austin that drives you crazy?

Everything he does drives me absolutely wild in the best way. But I will say, he hogs the blankets.

If you opened a coffee shop, what would you call it?

Golden Boy's Place

Now that Austin has played Elvis, do you think there is anyone else he should play?

President Kennedy (laughs)

Lastly, any wedding plan details you care to spill?

I can't share much, but Austin has his tux. It's going to be over the span of a couple of days actually, not just one night so that should be fun. If you'd like to go off the record though, I'll show you some pictures of my dress (grins).

*Edited to add at the time of print that our contributing editor, Jillian Zane, was privy to pictures of A’s bridal ensemble. All that to say, this may just be the wedding of the year*

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Tag list

@ab4eva

@therealslimshakespeare

@stylespresleyhearted

@msamarican

#austin butler fanfiction #Cool Girl saga #austin butler smut #elvis fanfiction #austin butler x reader #austin butler x y/n #elvis au #ashley finally writes #cool girl vibes #austin elvis imagine #austin butler

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martialartslover7 · 26 days ago

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Neji Hyuga - My Headcanons

I have already spent the past few months or so, writing my own titular, pre-Shippuden, Hyuga clan saga, and now, through a number of interactions with friends and followers on here, and on Twitter, I have gathered a number of headcanons, related to Neji himself. That also took shape for me, while writing the Hyuga Showdown story. Let me run it down.

Neji loves philosophical discussions

His life, as part of the Side Branch, burnmarked him, time and time again, for how often he got beaten down, just for being alive, and bearing a mark, that has done nothing, but repeatedly remind him, how "worthless" he is, according to the Hyuga council. And despite Naruto and Hinata having invoked a feeling of hope in his soul, you just know the nihilist part of his soul starts speaking through him, once he starts quoting famous philosophers, and asking questions about, wether life has any true meaning, whether it even matters, or why humans need the struggle to grow. He is just fascinated over how complicated and nuanced human beings can be, how they face adversion head-on, and choose to either be steadfast and morally upright, or choose to do harm, as a coping mechanism. The same way he used to do.

Neji is really fuzzy about how he presents himself

Neji, in spite of "macho" appearances, is very immaculate and deliberate on how the people around him perceive him. He takes great pride in his appearance, his hair, his skin, his overall posture and form, all of that matters to him, and he isn't even ashamed to admit it, flat-out. This is part in due, how the Hyuga clan generally approaches combat, and the philosophy of "intimidation, through not just discipline, but fashionable dress-codes, and orderly, personal hygiene". Going along with the idea that, you can strike fear and respect in your opponent, if you don't just fight at your best, but you also LOOK the best. That is one part of the Hyuga clan culture that Neji wears, like a badge of honor, and takes great pride in.

Neji is the biggest gentleman, you can ask for

Despite what some non-canon material showed, may it be played for laughs, or just to "slander" Neji's character, whatever, even with the Byakugan granting Neji X-ray vision, being able to look, even through a person's clothing, he never, and I mean, NEVER, uses it to spy on the girls, or look at their underwear. ...Except, maybe for Tenten, but that is to assume that, they are already working towards a relationship, and deep down, she wants him to look, but other than that: Nope. Neji is NOT a Peeping Tom. He is one of the few mature guys in the Konoha 12 group, who always remains respectful of a woman's boundaries. If anything, that title belongs more to Hinata. Because, y'know, she wants get in on some of dat... Fox tail. Know what I'm sayin'? Always beware of the shy ones, they are the most dirty-minded, life itself taught us all that lesson.

Neji is one hell of a bro, too

Not only is he popular with the girls, just for how mature and classy he remains with them, Hinata included, but when it comes to the guys, he is not making them an exception, he is always ready to help out, wherever he could. Even helping the other male comrades, if there is a more complicated problem to deal with, where his opinion is valued by a big margin. I guess you can attribute that line of thinking to how all these years, spending time with Lee and Guy, may have influenced his overall mindset on how to interact with people. Sure, he is stoic, silent and keeping to himself, but when he sees and smells bullshit, he will always be the first one to call it out, without exception, not caring about the feelings of those, who are out-of-the-loop, or the consequences, beyond his control. If Shippuden was actually, you know, GOOD and consistent with the characters, I seriously doubt that Neji would just stand there, and watch Sasuke's character get publically slandered by both the elders, the wannabe-journalists, and the Kage, ESPECIALLY the Raikage, who had the biggest grudge to bear, since Sasuke attacked Killer Bee (even though, that was a clone). But again, if Kishi had cared enough, Neji would have unapologetically sided with Sasuke, all the way through, since he is one of the few, who can truly sympathize with him, outside of Team 7. Not helped at all, by how the Lightning village had once tried to kidnap his cousin, when she was still a child. He wouldn't just stand around and stay silent, because these asswipes were pulling the same tactic that they once pulled on his family. Looking for an easy scapegoat, because it's convenient. He just wouldn't let it happen. He just wouldn't, he is one of the few shinobi, who has actual integrity and moral consistency.

Neji shares the same hair- & skincare products as his cousin

Again, referring back to him caring about his outer image, and how he presents itself, he will always be kindly asking Hinata, if he could rent her hair conditioner, because that long, immaculate mane of his won't be staying FABULOUS by itself. And not just that, I just remember reading one headcanon somewhere else, that he and Hinata keep trading their bodily care products between one another. Neji using Hinata's hair conditioner (I mean, her hair during the Blank Period, I lowkey want to bury my face in that), and Hinata using Neji's facial skincare mask, and you know what? I will stick to that. It just sounds so in-character for them. Dem Hyuga genetics, always looking photogenic without trying "too hard", or, so they say. No, darling! Fabulousness doesn't EVER come for free, damn it! But that also means, Neji is taking huge pride in maintaining that royal mane of his, if you cut it, ruin it in any way, or rip a strand out by force, he will curse you, all the way to your grave. It's just ridiculous, but then again, who doesn't have weird quirks and things one can take pride in, that makes them stand out?

Neji's love language is combing his women's hair

(Artist source)

Once the missions are over, or he is taking a break, and Tenten or Hinata happen to be in his team, or they just hang out in private, Hanabi included, Neji's way of showing how much he loves them all, is by volunteering to comb their long hair. Tenten, Hanabi and Hinata are the only ones to enjoy this privilege of having Neji being their "hairdresser", if you will. And every time he finishes, the girls always return the gesture, combing his long hair in return, too. It's a very one-of-a-kind action, that he purely reserves for those women, who mean the world to him. And yes, that includes Himawari (Screw you, Kishi, killing off Neji was a horrible idea, and no amount of rewrites will ever repair the damage you have done to your own story with the amount of retcons you pulled out of your ass, and what you did to Neji's character, especially post-mortem, so just for how disrespectful his entire death scenario was handled, just out of principle, I will just pretend, it never happened, it's only fair), and if she were alive, maybe even Kushina. He is not serving the Main Branch, he is serving his family, and them alone.

Neji is more of a stay-at-home parent, than Tenten or Hinata

(Artist source)

If there is anything I have truly grown to despise about Boruto, is that, every woman in the OG cast was reduced to JUST the role of a housewife, and barely anything beyond that, especially Hinata. No excuses, this is something, NO ONE, with an ounce of integrity, should have ANY tolerance for. The reason why this is so irritating to begin with, is because, Kishi is not exactly known for having favorable opinions on female characters, right off the bat, so stuff like this, is just annoying and on-the-nose. Not to mention, offensive, too. So, no, let us just get petty, and turn this entire concept on its head. Sasuke, Shikamaru and Neji are the stay-at-home-husbands, who mostly do the housework, while their wives are the core breadwinners. Nuff' said. Because these three, have worked and suffered the hardest (amongst others) in their entire lives, they deserve to just have some peace and quiet at home, keeping their children from making the same mistakes as them. And from Tenten's POV, Neji always felt more like a stand-in housewife, while she is travelling the country to present her inventions to all kinds of science fairs, and selling weapons like a real queen, with toys being the back-up plan. And Neji supports her in that endeavor, all the way through, while he stays at home, and sometimes works as a part-time sensei at the Hyuga clan.

Neji bears the Tiger Fist, while Hinata bears the Lion Fist

(Image source)

Side Branch members are represented, both in their souls and fighting style, by the tiger, while the Main Branch members are represented by the lions. Just a little fun visual on the side. And the Tiger Fist is more about proactive aggression, rather than a defensive, and slower battle plan, like what the Lion Fist has. Not to mention, it glows green, not blue.

Neji loves weapons and cool-looking toys like Tenten

That one is just for the soul. Neji is fully supportive of Tenten's dream of perfecting the arts of weapon-crafting, wanting to see how far her creativity and inventive spirit takes her, and doing anything he can to help. And like everything, the way to a man's heart, is either, through cool-looking weapons, or toys, that are just the coolest thing ever (transformative action figures, interactive toys, where you can press buttons to see something happen, that just tickles Neji's and Tenten's brain), just from design alone. And their kids will be having a lifetime supply of toys to play with.

And this is it. Just felt like doing this, because I felt like it. Because I can. All this for the Neji fandom, and a certain friend of mine, who knows, this was long overdue. And if I managed to make your day, thank you, you're not welcome. I did this for me, not for you...

...Wink.

@nejihyugamyreligion 😉

Anyways, smell ya later!

PEACE.

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parismemes · 1 year ago

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SENTENCE STARTERS FROM EPIC: THE MUSICAL - THE CIRCE SAGA

feel free to change/adjust sentences as needed !

PUPPETEER

"i have something that i must confess." "there's only so much left we can endure." "whatever you need to say can wait some more." "back so soon?" "by the gods, what happened to you?" "we are weak to a power like this." "what was it?" "come inside." "welcome to the best part of your life." "go ahead and rest wherever you like." "let me bring you something to eat." "i've got all the power." "i'm not a player, i'm a puppeteer." "this is the price we pay to live." "the world does not tend to forgive." "we have to go save them." "look at all we've lost and all we've learned." "let's just cut our losses, you and i, and let's run." "i can hardly sleep now knowing everything we've done." "what if she can't be killed?" "this is the price we pay to love." "i have to try."

WOULDN'T YOU LIKE

"i must say, what a brilliant speech you gave." "who goes there?" "wouldn't you like a taste of the power?" "wouldn't you like to use more than words?" "i'll help you conquer her." "all you need's imagination." "don't thank me, friend, you very well may die." "good luck!"

DONE FOR

"i hope that i've been misinformed." "did you do something to them?" "i've got people to protect." "i'm not taking chances, dear." "if you make one wrong move, then you're done for." "you must be a liar." "you and i are now evenly matched." "now there is no turning back." "you've lost." "you've given me no reason to bestow you with my trust." "everyone's true colors are revealed in acts of lust."

THERE ARE OTHER WAYS

"there are other ways of persuasion." "there are other means of deceit." "there are other roads to the soul." "you have so much left to learn." "show me that you're willing to burn." "who's to say with the mistakes i've made that they will be the last mistakes i'll ever make?" "don't be afraid." "i'm just a man." "there might be a way to evade him." "wait, you're helping us?" "maybe showing one act of kindness leads to kinder souls down the road." "i have been in love once before." "maybe one day the world will need a puppeteer no more."

#rp meme #rp memes #rp prompt #rp prompts #ask meme #ask memes #inbox meme #sentence starters

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scrapyardboyfriends · 2 months ago

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I know you said you don't want to speculate so sorry in advance but the thought of it being a dream sequence freaks me out. Do you have any wisdom about why that might be the preferable option?

I did make one post about this already but I'll expand further...

I just personally have a lot of questions about a "limited return" and sort of what point that would serve if Robert's just going to disappear again.

Say we do get Robron scenes out of this, if Ryan's not going to come back for real, then where does that leave Aaron? Does Aaron have to "choose" John over Robert like he chose Ben? If they have Aaron visit Robert in prison for whatever reason, I feel like that's likely going to show us just how much he's not over Robert and then what does that mean for his next relationship after this John saga. I just think if want people to accept Aaron moving on, putting him in a Robron scene just really starts him back at square one.

Plus, I've always been an advocate of Robert's ending. It allowed them to end obsessively in love with each other and it allowed Robert to do the "selfless" thing by letting Aaron go, which showed some character growth in a way. They were torn apart by circumstances, not because they fell out of love for each other. I would hate for whatever this brief appearance turns out to be to mess with that. And I'm not sure how it wouldn't if we get an actual Robron scene.

So Robert appearing in John's nightmares wouldn't mess with canon or Robert's exit, which would be a bonus. Plus, Nightmare Robert can do whatever he wants, be wherever he wants. If he's haunting John, he can be sassy and smug as hell, which could be a lot of fun. We can also have Robron moments in the nightmare if John is dreaming about Aaron choosing Robert over him. I just think there's a lot they could play with that wouldn't mess up the current state of things and that idea appeals to me if there's no permanent return in the near future.

I mean, that doesn't mean they'll do any of that or that they'll have as much fun with the nightmare concept as I would want them to. Plus there's Aiden and Nate stuff that can and probably will be part of John's nightmares so I don't know if it will even be a thing let alone as entertaining as I would want it to be.

I just think it's a interesting idea to play with and I like that it wouldn't ruin the ending that we got if there's not permanent return.

#emmerdale #robron

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kitchenisking · 4 months ago

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Hey guys, I know I've been MIA and I'll probably end up going MIA again cuz I'm starting to travel. I'm queuing as much as I can, so hopefully there won't be such long periods with no recs.

Visiting a farm by ancoraimparo_youknowwho - (Rating: Mature, Words: 5,890)

“So…. I heard from a little bird that you visited a farm!” He whispered.

“Yes, well… I suppose so” Eloise answered somewhat embarrassingly, remembering her conversation with her brothers a few years back.

“Did it… scandalise you?” Asked Benedict and it was Colin who answered as he sauntered up to them and deposited him on the settee across them. “Well, it surely scandalised me!”

This is how S4 should start for Polin because why not:

Eloise is back from Scotland and eager to meet Her bestie. But things start on a very wrong note because who the hell does THAT to their wife??!!! Right??

Or not!

Or maybe Eloise Bridgerton is surrounded by farm animals.

The Saga of Sir Bingley Bridgerton by femmenerd - (Rating: Mature, Words: 4,250)

Post-Season 3, Penelope and Colin get a cat.

The truth was that Colin would do anything within his power to make his wife happy, and watching her all tucked up in bed engrossed in a book with the extravagantly fuzzy grey and white tabby purring and burrowing into her side, there could be no doubt that Sir Bingley Bridgerton’s feline companionship pleased the new Mrs. Bridgerton.

It’s just that with Lord Debling off in the wilds of wherever and Colin’s ring on Penelope’s finger, he had rather thought he would be finished with competing for Pen’s affections. Alas.

Stained in Ink by canarysingingsweetly - (Rating: Not Rated, Words: 34,130)

Penelope Featherington hadn't meant for anyone to see the hastily scribbled note where she listed her desired requirements of a husband. When she accidentally leaves the note in a flower bed outside the modiste, she is frantic to recover it the next day. Luckily, she finds it ... only to discover someone has replied.

Meanwhile, Colin Bridgerton is apathetic about the prospects of another marriage mart season in the ton; but when he discovers an intriguing note dropped by an anonymous, clever gentlewoman, the idea of replying to her suddenly breathes a bit more excitement into his life.

of intimacy and soulmates by gingerwannabe - (Rating: G, Words: 759)

Colin watches his sleeping wife and ponders on their love and intimacy. Short 'n sweet.

Polin Missing Scenes (season 3) by GentleWriter44 - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 19,588)

Polin is my favorite Bridgerton couple and while I loved Season 3, there seemed to be some scenes missing that would have made Colin and Penelope's story richer and more complete.

This is a compilation of extension of existing scenes or additional scenes, adding (rather than replacing) the Netflix show.

Bathroom Confessional by Nevermore_red - (Rating: T, Words: 3,402)

Drunk Penelope, a mistaken identity, prayers to the porcelain God, and a love confession. What could go wrong?

eventually soulmates meet (for they have the same hiding place) by penelopecolin (sexymonk) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 51,787)

The end of Colin's engagement prompts him to seek comfort from the one person who would never forsake him. What happens when his alpha burns for Penelope even though she has every chance of presenting as a beta?

This Was Love by nerdyfangirl23 - (Rating: Mature, Words: 3,713)

Penelope finds out a few days before the wedding (post-entrapment comment) that she is carrying Colin's child. She decides that she will break off the engagement and flee London, thus freeing Colin of his obligations. But she doesn't get very far in her plan, and when Colin finds out that he is to be a father - and a father to a child to whom Penelope is its mother - he assuredly and fervently declares the love he has for her.

By the end of the night, neither of them will doubt the affections held for one another.

blossom by deadwriter16 - (Rating: G, Words: 2,505)

“Do you have any regrets?” Penelope asks Colin one day.

“Is there anyone who does not?” Colin answers.

“I suppose not,” Penelope closes her eyes. “I have been thinking about all of mine."

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or, penelope and colin talk about themselves, their regrets, and all the ways in which they grew to be better for one another.

Wine Glow by lukoleoleole - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 5,215)

Colin encourages Penelope to take time for herself and enjoy a night out with Eloise.

So what if she comes home to her husband a little wine-drunk and warm?

#polin #bridgerton #colin bridgerton #penelope featherington #polin ficrec #colin x penelope

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tobiasdrake · 4 months ago

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Not saying that it's doomed to fail or anything, but if Brave New World ends up being a bust box-office wise, do you fear Disney will blame DEI and start making moves to replace Sam as Captain America? Normally I wouldn't be nervous about stuff like this, but given the political climate right now it's a genuine worry to have...

No, I feel ya. I'm nervous too. The return of RDJ is already a clear indicator that they're becoming desperate to recapture past glory.

Unfortunately, Disney is a corporation. Their ideology is to follow culture to wherever the profits seem to be. For a time, LGBT representation was improving because of cultural shift. Art both reflects culture and reinforces culture.

This is why Disney's always flipflopped on exactly how much to support LGBT rights. Because the answer is, "The exact amount of support that will sell tickets to LGBT people but without alienating the customers who hate them." And everything Disney does is an exercise in negotiating where exactly that line is.

The main problem Marvel's having right now is that the Multiverse Saga just isn't any good. The multiverse can be interesting as a mechanism for telling individual stories. Everything Everywhere All At Once certainly proved that.

But as a substitute for the Infinity Gauntlet storyline? It sucks. There aren't any interesting moving parts to it. There's no sense of progression the way there were with each time a new Gem was established or we learned a bit more about them and Thanos. The only thing the multiverse can do is exist, so every time it comes up, it's just characters pointing at the multiverse and going "LOOK. An interesting movie's going to come out of that some day!"

Worse than that, they made the boneheaded decision to break up their universe into more isolated and disconnected stories in Phase Four, which completely destroyed the ongoing audience investment in their universe as a whole.

And then there is the box office poison that is the shadow of Disney Plus looming over their enterprise. A lot of people around the world subscribe to Disney Plus. But a lot of people don't. And they don't want to watch a movie that they think they need to have done homework in a separate medium for first.

I get that. I dropped Kingdom Hearts when they came out with two gacha games for mobile phones that are plot-critical to understanding future games. I did not get into this series to play gacha games on my phone. I could forgive the occasional genre shift on a handheld video game platform but that was a bridge too far.

If you told me that the next Captain America movie is going to be connected to the video game Captain America: Super Soldier for the Xbox 360, that would adversely affect my willingness to pay ticket prices. Marvel was insane to think that every filmgoer would be comfortable crisscrossing platforms between the theatrical films they're comfortable in and a paywalled set of television miniseries.

This is why Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Netflix shows originally had an exclusively one-sided relationship with film canon. Where the movies are canon for them, but they aren't canon to the movies. Where Sif might show up for an episode of Agents, but you will not see Agents Fitzsimmons popping in to Thor: Ragnarok to pitch in and fight Hela.

It was to avoid exactly this.

There's a lot of things going wrong for Marvel these days.

But. When a minority led movie does badly, the minorities are the first on the chopping block. Even when other minority-led movies did spectacularly. So. Yeah. I do worry about what lessons Marvel's executive team will learn from the recent performance of their films.

#marvel #marvel cinematic universe

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moongothic · 2 years ago

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You know I was wondering if Crocodile ever did have any kind of involvement with the Revolutionary Army in secret (lest the Government finds out and revokes his Shichibukai status), what kind of involvement would that even have been

And now, with both the Vegapunk/Ohara flashback and Kuma's flashback, it's being made very clear to us that the Revolutionary Army was broke as hell 22 years ago. Like the fact that this has been brought up twice now in a relatively short span of time is interesting to me, that's usually a sign it's not an unimportant plotpoint

But you know who would have had money to help fund the Army

A funny little warlord who would eventually go and build a fucking casino to run for funsies. A warlord who had to give the Government some of his Pirating Income to keep his warlord-status

Like Crocodile hated the Government anyways so why not help fund the Revolutionary Army in secret, out of spite if for no other reason

Vaguely related, but I keep on remembering this scene (post-Enies Lobby), which at first glance just seems like a basic Lore Dump

But then there's the

"Yet..."

(Or "however", she says "no ni" in Japanese and you could translate that in many ways, I would probably have gone with "however" but that wouldn't have fit into the speechbubble)

Mind you, the conversation just kind of ends there, next we see Garp realize he probably shouldn't have mentioned Dragon infront of such a massive audience, so wherever that "yet" was going to lead to we will never find out, because Oda conveniently changed the subject before we got to it

And you know. Like yes, Robin could be just expressing her shock over finding out that the leader of the Revolutionary Army had a child with someone

But also, Robin was a part of an organization that was trying to overthrow one of the founding countries of the World Government in an explicit attempt to go against said Government (compared to like, Blackbeard, who currently wants to make Fullalead into a "pirate country" that's a part OF the World Government)

Like you don't have to be a genius to look at Crocodile's ultimate goals and compare that to what Dragon is doing and find a few similarities here and there maybe

(Also like, Crocodile's equivalent in Romancing SaGa 2 is meant to be Wagnas, the queer-coded leader of the Seven Heroes (whom the OG Shichibukai are based on) who "hoped to help the world". You know, an interesting detail and all.)

Not to mention, during the time Robin spent with Baroque Works, if Crocodile was ever in contact with the Revolutionary Army at all, considdering she has the ability to easily spy on people and that she didn't trust Crocodile one bit, it wouldn't be unsurprising if she ever spied on Crocodile and/or just overheard a phone call or knew about Crocodile having secret spending habits or something

(Mind you, I'm not saying "she knew" Crocodile was involved with the Revolutionaries, more that she might've been Suspecting Things, that "yet" being about her connecting the dots while unsure if her conclusion was right or not)

Of course Crocodile's plans can't have been Dragon Approved by any means, especially considdering the Army had been looking for Robin for over 10 years (pre-timeskip)

Four years of which were with Crocodile. Like if he was FULLY allied with the Army and KNEW they were looking for Robin, surely he would've called Dragon and been like "hey I found the kid from Ohara, wanna come hang out" or something. But no, he had bigger plans and kept Robin a secret from the Revolutionaries and the Government alike

Also like, I have seen people question why the Revolutionaries weren't involved with Alabasta's rebellion at all, and "Oda hadn't come up with the Revolutionaries yet at the time of writing" (/"OP was meant to end at Alabasta at one point so there would've been no reason to introduce the subplot at that point") aside Between Baroque Works being a secret organization working undercover (thus the Army might not have been aware of the civil war being manufactured), the framing of the King making him look bad and very much the type of monarch that deserved to be overthrown in the Army's eyes, and Crocodile maybe lying through his teeth about what was happening in the country... Yeah, the Army's lack of involvement with Alabasta suddenly makes sense

EDIT Minor addition: Just realized that because Crocodile was technically working for the Government, if the Revs ever did send forces to participate in Alabasta's civil army and taking down the throne, the Government could've easily ordered Crocodile to step in to stop the rebellion and take down the Revolutionaries, right? Because he was supposed to be on the Government's side, right? And surely the Army wouldn't have wanted to fight against Crocodile if they were secretly allied (Croc's secret betrayal aside), and if Crocodile refused to fight the Revs the Government could've seen that as a reason to revoke his Shichibukai rights (which wouldn't be great if they wanted to keep Crocodile in a position where he could fund the Army?). So it could've also been a case of it being for the best for everyone's sake to let this one play out "naturally"

But my point is

I'm just deeply intriqued by these little details and wonder if I'm Actually Masterfully Connecting The Dots Like a True Genius or just seeing a pattern where there's none. Like this is far from confirming the theory, I'm just saying, the pieces do kinda fit together do they not

#Moon posting #OP spoilers #chapter 1097 #I'm just saying Crocodile being the Revolutionary Army's Secret Sugar Daddy would be hysterical #Not me having to tag this as OP spoilers because of one and a half panels from the latest chapter lmao #Also Croc and Iva knew each other etc etc everybody remembers that I don't need to point it out #((Although in Impel Down Iva-chan does actually tell Bon-chan about Crocodile being imprisoned at Level 6))#((Saying ''he's crazy too in his own way''. Which is an interesting comment. IDK what to make of it. But it's there))#((Like Level 5.5 was able to access news from outside Impel Down to the point they knew Bon-chan had worked under Crocodile))#((To the point Iva-chan was like ''weren't you and Strawhat enemies''. So like. IDK I'm just Intriqued))#You could also make an argument that this could also tie into Crocodile's good ol' trust issues #'Cause if his involvement with the Army was ever found out he'd have his Shichibukai Rights revoked etc #Also interestingly the Kuma flashback has very much skipped completely the period of time during Luffy was born #Going from the founding of the Army 22 years ago to Ginny's kidnapping 14 years ago #Crocodad Real etc (jk)#You know the derangement is bad when I look at one irrelevant line of dialogue and go like ''is this about my blorbo''#OP Meta

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aevellewritessometimes · 5 months ago

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So I'm insane and also multifixating, so here's my attempt at linking TOUCHSTARVED characters to songs from EPIC.

Note: Since little of everyone's backstories is known as of now, I'm going to throw in a decent amount of theory/speculation. Also, "linking" could mean anything from a whole song to part of a song to just the general vibes of a song

Suffering + Leander and Vere

The siren saying "I can take the suffering from you!" 🤝 Leander saying "If you ever need a reprieve from what haunts you, come find me." and Vere saying "I could give you something new to live for"

I can see them as both Odysseus and the Siren in this scenario.

On one hand, I can see them trying to lure someone in via fake promises or pretending to be someone else. Maybe getting a few details wrong while doing so, but still managing to be tempting regardless.

On the other hand, I can also see them pretending to be interested in someone/something that they know for a fact to be bait just so they can get information from whatever/whoever it is.

Different Beast + Mhin

Latching onto the lines: "Man-made monster", "Been away from home...", "Nah, you wouldn't have spared me."

"Man-made monster": Something finally managed to turn them to the darkside into a true monster. Maybe it was the little epiphany I mentioned in "Monster." Maybe they did something they believed they couldn't come back from. Whatever. Whether it be literal or metaphorical, they're a monster now.

"Been away from home...": They've been away from wherever their home was for who knows how long. Hell, there's a good chance that there isn't even a home for them to return to. I know what it's like to only have a place to sleep instead of a home to live in, it's not fun. Poor thing's probably suffering from that emotional turmoil on top of their very apparent guilt complex.

"Nah, you wouldn't have spared me": We've already seen them choose Poseidon's ruthlessness philosophy when dealing with the Soulless. But that's easy to brush off, they're probably called "Soulless" for a reason, right? Nah man (gn), I wanna see them adopt this mindset when dealing with the Senobium. I want them to decide that those mages aren't going to help them, so there's no point in allowing them to live.

Scylla + Vere and Mhin

Scylla. The one that made me want to do all this to begin with, at last.

Here's the casting for this one: Vere is Scylla. MC is Odysseus. Eurolychus is Mhin. The crew is the Senobium.

Vere's whole "They couldn't even begin to understand you. But I could." schtick. It very much reminds me of how Scylla was talking to Odysseus and saying that she knew his plan and that the two of them were "the same."

Mhin's introduction lore thing hinted that there's a chance they could betray the MC because they're "just as desperate for salvation as you." Well, if that's their motivation for potentially being a traitor and if MC is "equally desperate", why not turn the tables?

For this, let's say that MC is using Mhin to infiltrate the Senobium. And let's also say that Mhin did something to betray MC, or at least that they made an attempt, but they tried to apologize right before the break in. Like a deathbed confession without the actual deathbed.

But unfortunately, MC was already planning to do something that would betray them long before the two of them were even inside the tower to begin with. Now, they've just been given reason to alter their plan a bit so that they get Mhin killed. For revenge reasons.

Everything is going smoothly at first. Mhin thinks everything is going well, but only because they don't know what's coming. The Senobium is just as oblivious.

Who knows what exactly it was that Mhin and MC wanted to find in the Senobium. A potion? An artifact? A book? Who knows.

But while Mhin was looking for it, MC was trying to get the collar off of Vere.

That little factor is noticed just a bit too late.

MC might've given Mhin a last-second warning. Maybe it was because they had a change of heart l, or maybe it was because they wanted a chance at saving face in case Mhin made it out alive.

Mhin might've caught the warning. The Senobium certainly didn't.

Insert Scylla's... verse? Monologue? Whatever it's called here as Vere just starts slaughtering the clerics. Blood and gore galore. I'm pretty sure he ate a few of them.

And then it's over. Vere takes a moment to talk to a (probably very shell-shocked) MC, saying a few words to confirm what he already told them.

His tone sounds almost comforting, but both he and MC knows that's not his intent.

And then it cuts to Mhin watching from a distance as they realize that they weren't supposed to get out of that alive...

Mutiny + Leander

Ah yes. The great betrayal I've been hinting at in nearly every Leander speculation I've written down so far.

Maybe it was a job gone wrong; a few Bloodhounds died, but it was an accident. Maybe it was a job gone right; a few Bloodhounds died, and Leander inteded it. Either way, someone else in the gang (MC, perhaps?) feels betrayed, and they call Leander out on what just happened, leading the rest of them to turn on their beloved leader.

(Honorary mention to a vague Ais idea I pondered but was unable to make stick)

Thunder Bringer + Vere or Mhin

Well, I feel like the opening lines sound like a metaphor/innuendo that Vere would use, for starters. But onto the more serious reasons:

In Vere's case, I'm highlighting the "Please don't make me do this, don't make me do this" line.

Somehow I feel that a "The Senobium forces Vere to kill MC" bad ending is guaranteed to be included in the game. If he and MC were already close in this ending, then I'm sure that he'd be thinking something similar to that line, even if he wouldn't say it out loud.

In Mhin's case, I'm highlighting the "But we'll die" "I know" lines.

Like I said before, Mhin is "just as desperate" as the MC. It's likely that they're going to betray them. But what if they were already close with MC before becoming a traitor? Hear me out:

"...Mhin?"

"I need to be cured."

"But I'll die."

"I know..."

#touchstarved game #touchstarved theory #vere #leander #mhin #epic the musical mention

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starwarsmum · 7 months ago

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Day 18 and we have the end of the An Evening in Metropolis saga! Today's prompt is Headline

@maribat-calendar-events

Part 1 Part 2

The morning after the party, Marinette woke up with a mild hangover but toasty warm and not lying on the floor. The previous night seemed hazy first thing in the day and she groaned as she rolled over.

A glass of water was standing on the nightstand and she bolted up to drain it in one go. She felt instant relief as her throat gladly accepted hydration and only pouted a little when it ran out.

Stretching and looking around, she was surprised to see a tastefully furnished room with an adjoining bathroom and a desk to the side. She quickly surmised that she was not the one to bring her luggage in because it was neatly placed on the desk and not thrown haphazardly on the floor.

She hoped that she was the one to prepare herself for bed, however, as most of her clothes were strewn about the room and she was only in her underwear under the duvet. Embarrassed by herself and vaguely aware that she had been more than a little tipsy the night before, she opened her case to put on some fresh clothes.

Bracing herself, she stepped out of the room and found herself in a long hall. She glanced both ways down it before deciding to just walk in hopes of finding someone. Fortunately, a door not far down the hall opened and a man with dark hair stepped out. He looked at her but his eyes had dark circles under them so he didn't react at all to her presence.

“Um, good morning,” she said timidly, unsure of who she was talking to. “I, uh, woke up in the room back there, I don't suppose you can tell me where I am?”

He looked at her, nonplussed before he grumbled something about needing coffee and gesturing for her to follow him. She opened her phone once it seemed obvious that the man wasn't going to talk and found a barrage of messages from Alya.

Hey Mari, I know you joked about heading home with that guy but I can't find you and I wanna go home. Call me

Marinette. Pick. Up. Your. Phone.

If you actually went home with a guy you met tonight I'm going to murder you. If he hasn't done it for me!

Jesus, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, ANSWER YOUR PHONE.

Okay, I talked to Jon, who promised me that the guy you're with is not a serial killer, but if you don't call me in the morning I am going to force Jon to hunt you both down so I know you're not hurt

Okay, I know you sleep late so you have until 11:30 to call me before I start the search

Seeing that it was already 10:30, Marinette sent her a quick apology text, explaining that she was awake but not a hundred percent sure of her location yet. She assured Alya that she was unharmed and promised to call when she was free.

By this time, the man in front of her had pushed open a door that led to a kitchen that made Marinette envious. It had numerous appliances, a double oven and a marble countertop that made her wish she had time to whip up some snacks.

But best of all was the smell of coffee that had Marinette stepping towards it almost involuntarily. Thankfully, the exhausted young man pulled a second mug down for her and she gabbled her thanks when he poured the blessed drink out for her.

“Ah, Master Tim,” an older man wearing a suit stepped into the room, carrying a used breakfast tray. “I do hope you got plenty of sleep as Master Bruce has informed me that we shall have company for lunch. As for you, Miss, I understand you are a guest of Master Damian? He is due to come back from walking his dog shortly, so he will be able to help you get wherever you need to be today.”

“Oh, um, thank you,” Marinette squeaked, blushing as the name unlocked a barrage of memories from the night before. The tall, dark, handsome friend of Jon, who had spent the party talking to her. The offer for her to stay the night in Gotham instead of Metropolis. The car ride back where they had chatted about his pets and the work he did with animal charities.

Deciding that she needed a moment away from these two strangers - the younger of whom was staring at her openly now - she excused herself to call Jagged and let him know where she was for him to collect her for their lunch meeting. The phone rang for several moments before he answered in his generally energetic manner.

“Hi M! I was wondering when you were going to call, you sent a very cryptic message last night letting me know you weren't going to be getting to us quite as early but then nothing. We were getting worried about you.”

“Yeah, I maybe made an impulsive decision,” she said, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. She froze slightly when another door opened and Damian stepped through it, holding onto a great Dane's leash. He smiled warmly at her and she flushed before pointing at her phone. “I just wanted to let you know where to pick me up, for that lunch meeting? But it's just occuring to me now that I don't have the address…”

“Is he a native Gothamite?” Damian asked in a low voice and Marinette nodded. “Tell him you are at Wayne Manor, he will know where to find you.”

“Is that a joke Nette?” Jagged said when she relayed the information. He laughed openly, voices in the background clamouring for answers. “Kid, you have the strangest luck sometimes. Don't worry about it, we'll see you as soon as I finish this interview. Keep rocking!”

Marinette blinked at her handset as it disconnected, feeling like she had missed something important but not knowing what. Turning away from her phone, she saw that Damian was waiting patiently for her to say something and she flushed again.

“Good morning, thanks for letting me stay the night,” she squeaked, wincing at how high pitched her voice was. She tried to bring it down an octave as she continued. “I don't, uh, totally remember everything, but I know I can get a little cuddly when I've had something to drink so…sorry about that.”

“There is nothing to apologise for,” he replied smoothly before his hand tightened on the leash. “I believe you wanted to meet Titus last night and he has just been for a walk if you would like to accompany me in taking him upstairs?”

“I'd love that,” she said, heart melting a little as he smiled down at her. She glanced at Tim and shot him a grateful look. “Thanks for helping this morning, and thanks for the coffee!”

As they walked away, she just caught him spluttering to the older man but chose to focus on Damian and Titus instead. They fell into an easy chatter as they walked, Marinette talking about her plans for lunch and Damian asking about her plans for dinner.

“I mean, lunch is kind of a big deal for my uncle. He says he's known his friend since they were at school and he has several kids so I'm hoping they're around my age. I went to school with Jagged's daughter and dated his son for a little bit so his school friend should have kids about the same age, right?”

She knew she was rambling but now that they were approaching the lunch meeting she was getting more and more nervous. Jagged had been very tight-lipped about it all, and that in itself was unusual. Damian didn't interrupt though and asked just enough questions that she knew he wasn't just being polite.

They passed the remainder of the morning by looking through Damian's art and searching for his pets. Alfred found them there just before midday and let them know that there were now more guests in the manor.

Arriving in the foyer, Marinette launched herself at Penny with a squeal.

“You didn't have to come all the way in to get me! I promise I was paying attention to my phone enough that I wouldn't have missed your call. What time are we supposed to be meeting the others for lunch?”

“Well, Jagged's already with his friend,” Penny said with an amused look that Marinette couldn't decipher. The look quickly morphed into one of concern and apology which alarmed her. “So you know how you were trying to keep a low profile?”

“Yes, and I'm pretty sure we've been doing well, haven't we?” Marinette said, panic beginning to overtake her confusion. “I don't see what could have changed since yesterday.”

“It might be easier if I show you.”

Penny pulled out her tablet and opened a page before handing the tablet to Marinette. A short article, dated half an hour ago, with a large picture of Jagged at his latest concert and decked out in the outfit Marinette had made him took up the top half of the page under the headline:

Jagged's Mystery Designer Meeting With A New Client

Pinching her nose, Marinette read on.

In an interview this morning, about Jagged's latest album and concert, the rockstar was asked about his designer. As usual he was gushing with praise for his elusive fashionista.

What was unusual was that he took a phone call in the middle of the show. It became apparent to everyone when he called the person ‘M’ and proceeded to tell the person that he was concerned about their well-being that this was his honorary niece, MDC.

The short phone call was cryptic but from what we can gather the designer - also referred to as ‘Nette’ - is due to meet a new client today.

The rest of the article slipped past her as she began to spiral and try to think of a way to undo the damage her thoughtless phone call had caused. She held out the tablet to Penny who looked sympathetic (but still kind of amused).

“Okay, okay, this is not the best, but he didn't give my full name so as long as I'm not seen in public with Jagged any time soon nobody should be able to piece it together. Ugh, I really don't want to cancel on Jagged's friend, but I can't risk it yet! I have a whole plan to reveal it with a Christmas line,” she whined.

“Well, I have good news! You're having lunch at the friend's home,” Penny said brightly and with a slightly mischievous smirk. “Even better news, it's not far from here so if we get moving you can meet your client now.”

Marinette agreed and they started heading towards a door on the other end of the foyer. Given she didn't really know that layout of the manor, Marinette didn't think too much about the direction they were going, but pulled up short when she saw Jagged chatting with a man who reminded her of Damian but paler and older.

“I take it that this is your uncle,” Damian said, amusement colouring his tone. She nodded confusedly and he sighed, gesturing for her to follow him to the others. “Father, I believe this is your other guest for lunch today, Marinette. Marinette, my father Bruce.”

“Hi, a pleasure to meet you,” Marinette stammered, holding a hand out to Bruce. “Hey Uncle Jagged, did you have a fun interview?”

“Lil M! You know I always do. And this must be your youngest, he looks a lot like you mate,” Jagged said cheerfully.

“Yes, this is Damian,” Bruce said, eyeing the young man thoughtfully. “Damian, this is my old school friend, Jagged Stone. Thank you for showing his companions through, do you have any plans this afternoon?”

“If it's not a bother, I was hoping to join you for lunch,” Damian replied, shooting a glance at Marinette that made her blush. Bruce smiled at his son, though there was an edge of confusion.

“Sure thing, I'm sure Alfred would have made plenty. But I didn't think you were all that interested in fashion, chum.”

“Oh, it's probably not fashion he's into, mate,” Jagged said with a cackle. Bruce started and Marinette hissed at her uncle, even as she flushed even darker. “So this was your impulsive decision, hey Nette?”

Groaning, Marinette buried her face in her hands. At least her day couldn't get any more humiliating, right?

#maribat #mlb x dc #daminette december #daminette #damian x marinette #dc x mlb #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #fanfic #damianette #maribat event #daminette december 2024 #marinette x damian

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inspirationalucky · 1 year ago

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🐎 EPIC: The Musical: Act One, The Troy Saga sentence starters. Because the lines are just That Good. Going by the exact lyrics mostly, definitely change things to fit your muse's situation<3

The Horse & the Infant

"Ten long years they've killed us slowly."

"Your family wonders where you've been."

"They're growing old, and yet you're still here."

"Do what I say and you'll see them again."

"What do you live for?"

"What do you fight for?"

"I fight for us."

"What is to come cannot be outrun, can only be dealt with right here and now."

"Say no more, I know that I'm ready."

"I don't think you're ready."

"What sort of imminent threat does he pose that I cannot avoid?"

"If you don't end him now, you'll have no one left to save."

"He will burn your house and throne."

"He'll find you wherever you go."

"This is the will of the gods."

"Please, don't make me do this"

"The blood on your hands is something you won't lose, all you can choose is whose."

Just A Man

"I look into your eyes and I think back to the son of mine."

"You're as old as he was when I left for war."

"Will these actions haunt my days?"

"Is the price I pay endless pain?"

"Close your eyes and spare yourself the view."

"How could I hurt you?"

"I'm just a man who's trying to go home."

"I'm just a man who's fighting for his life."

"Deep down, I would trade the world to see my son and wife."

"When does a man become a monster?"

"When does the reason become the blame?"

"Forgive me."

Full Speed Ahead

"Six hundred men under my command with only one goal in mind: make it back alive to our homeland."

"The problem's not the distance, it's what lies in between."

"My kingdom is waiting!"

"We've run out of supplies to eat."

“Curse the war, our food store’s depleted.”

"Watch where the birds fly, they will lead us to land."

"Look! There in the distance!"

"Maybe they'll share some food, who knows?"

"Something feels off here."

"I say we strike first, we don't have time to waste."

"Gear up, you and I'll go ahead."

"We should try to find a way no one ends up dead."

"Give me 'til sunrise."

Open Arms

"I can tell you're getting nervous."

"Do yourself a service and try to relax, my friend."

"I know that you're tired of the war and bloodshed."

"Is this how we're supposed to live?"

"Why should we take when we could give?"

"You could show a person that you trust them when you stop and lower your guard."

"We're only here for food."

"Stay back, I'm warning you!"

"If we don't get back safely, my men will turn this place into blazes!"'

"This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms."

"It's a lotus, it controls your mind and never lets you free."

"That's what we'd get with open arms."

"I want to show my friend that kindness is brave."

"We'll be fine if we're leading from the heart!"

"I see in your face there is so much guilt inside your heart."

Warrior of the Mind

"Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?"

"Have you forgotten to turn off your heart? This is not you."

"I see you changing from how I've designed you."

"Have you forgotten your purpose? Let me remind you."

"I had a challenge, a test of skill."

"Maybe one day he'll follow me and we'll make a greater tomorrow."

"I know he'll change the world."

"If there's a problem, he'll have the answer."

"I know you're watching me, show yourself!"

"How can you see through me spell?"

"I was lying, and you fell for my bluff!"

"Well done! Enlighten me, what's your name?"

"Nice try, but two can play this game."

"Nah, don't be modest, I know you're a goddess!"

"So let's be honest, you are Athena!"

"If you're looking for a mentor, I'll make sure your time's well spent."

"I still intend to make sure you don't fall behind."

"Don't disappoint me."

#rp resources #rp starters #epic the musical #the troy saga #rp sentence starters #rp prompt

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amazingmsme · 1 year ago

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Restless ‘Til We Reach Home

A Lamb in Wolf’s Clothing (ch. 2)

AN: The long awaited second chapter & thunder saga is heeeere! I was getting ready to post it but stopped in my tracks when the thunder saga trailer dropped & realized how close it was & I knew what I had to do. Gotta say, Odysseus is real mean in this one. But hey, at least Hermes is there to balance it out!

Ch. 1 Ch. 3 Ch. 3.5 Ch. 4 Ch. 5

Polites felt as though he really needed to clear the air with Odysseus, but where to even start?

The captain was nowhere in sight, so he floated around the deck in search of him. He was still trying to get used to his new way of travel, but he liked to think he was getting the hang of it pretty well.

In the underworld, he couldn't fly. Then again, that was a place made for people like him. It was meant as a bastardized recreation of home, to provide the comfort of solid ground and company.

Polites thought back to Hades, and how despite how horrible he thought he looked, there was always someone around the corner who was worse. He had gotten used to the gruesome sights after a while. And as awful as it was to say, seeing them kept him humble. Because yes, things were bad, but at least he didn't have his entrails dragging behind him. Eurydice was one of the few who looked just as beautiful in death as she did in life.

Eurydice...

He wondered how she was holding up. It'd been hours for him since he'd left, but for her, who knows? Had only seconds passed, leaving her on the bank as she wondered what awaited him? Or had it already been a day, the loneliness beginning to set in? Even with the perspective of the real world, Polites found it difficult to gauge the passage of time down there. So wherever she was, however long it had been, he hoped she was doing well.

The sun was getting lower in the sky, inching towards the horizon. It would be dark soon. For now, the light shifted, reflecting off the clouds in vibrant golds and orangey pinks. It was the first sunset of his new life, signaling an end of an era and a new dawn on its way.

Night fell quickly, enveloping them in a blanket of stars and darkness. Polites looked for the moon in the sky, but it was nowhere to be found. Ah, a new moon.

If you were to ask him, he would say that the moonless sky was just as beautiful as a full moon night. He'd started various debates about it with other soldiers, encouraging them to just hear him out. Of course the full moon is beautiful, he never said it wasn't! The new moon may lack her silvery glow, but doesn't her absence make it all the more beautiful when she comes back? The darkness on nights like these provide the most clarity, offering to you all the stars you could ever wish to see.

Most people thought the night sky was only black, but oh how wrong they were. These are the impatient ones: those who never allow their eyes the time to adjust before they give up, going on about their night. But when you lay back and just allow yourself to study the canvas before you, the work of art will reveal itself with bold blues, greens, purples, and yes, even pinks.

Polites floated on his back, hovering mere inches above the deck as he stared up at the sky. By the Gods, how he'd missed it.

He didn't know he'd been crying until he heard heavy steps coming up the stairs, and he frantically wiped them away. He sat up just in time to see who was approaching.

Odysseus let out a startled yelp when he saw his friend's crumpled form lying on the deck, just as he looked before he died.

"Dear Zeus, you scared the shit out of me. What the hell are you still doing here?" he snapped, keeping his distance.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you, Captain," he said earnestly. "I-I was just watching the stars. It's such a beautiful night..." he mused, gaze turning upwards once more.

"I didn't mean why are you out here. I mean why didn't you go back to where you belong?" Odysseus asked in a harsh growl.

The warm, soft smile that had found his face was gone in an instant, "W-What?"

"If you're really Polites, you should be in the underworld. Isn't that right?" he cocked his head to the side, taking a threatening step forward.

Polites stared at him in complete and utter shock. "Odysseus... Why would you say such a thing?"

"Answer the question."

"I WAS IN THE UNDERWORLD! You were in the underworld! But- we made it out, together-"

"No, you stowed away," he clarified harshly. "There's a difference." He had backed Polites against the rail, continuing to advance until he was so close, their noses were almost touching.

"I-I thought you'd be happy to see me again!" he cried defensively. There was a flash of sadness, of forlorn longing across Odysseus's face, but it was gone in an instant. Polites continued, "I know I sure was... until you opened your mouth."

Odysseus scowled, "If you really are Polites... and I seriously fucking doubt it, then you have no idea what we've all been through since you left. So I don't much care for your holier than thou judgment."

Holier than thou-

"Is that what you think of me?" he asked, genuine hurt laced in his voice. "That I thought I was better than you?" His voice began to tremble, but he fought against it, although his words still came out in a wavering rasp through his weakened vocal cords. "Because I would never think that." He couldn't believe he actually had to tell him this...

Odysseus didn't speak for a long moment. Despite their close proximity, Polites had never felt farther away from his friend.

"I don't know what to think anymore."

Polites shook his head, eyes flying wide open. "No! Odysseus, you know me! You know better than to think that!" Said man rolled his head to the side, glaring at him from the corner of his eyes.

"Do I now?"

"You should..."

Another long stretch of silence. The only sound was the gentle breeze catching in the closed sails, swaying them about and flapping the fabric. Small waves lapped at the hull of the ship, creating a soothing sloshing sound.

"Yeah well, like I said. Things have changed." He inhaled deeply, letting out a long, suffering sigh. "I really wish I could believe you," he said, eyes closed as he addressed him. He shook his head, the movement barely noticeable. "But I just can't."

"But you can!" Polites reached out instinctively to hold his hand, but Odysseus jerked his arm away before he could. And then he noticed the way he was staring at him, as if he was some kind of threat- some kind of monster.

The captain quickly schooled his emotions, taking a moment to himself before addressing Polites.

"So... what made you follow us?" he finally asked. A hopeful smile broke out on the spirit's face. Maybe he could convince him to see the truth through the haze of paranoia.

"Honestly, it wasn't my idea, but my friend down there, she told me I needed to go. A-and I thought... just maybe... you were looking for me," he admitted shyly, staring at the ground. He didn't like the way he could see through his own feet to the deck below.

Odysseus let out a shaky breath. "I knew it..." This was it!

"You really aren't the Polites I knew."

And just like that, the world came crashing down on him. His eyes were welling with tears fast.

"H-ho-how can you even say that?" he asked as he slowly sank to the floor.

"Because Polites wouldn't be so stupid as to think I'd risk the lives of my crew to rescue a dead man!" he screamed, spit flying from his lips with the passion of his outburst.

Polites took a step back: through the railing. He held his hands out in front of him, as if to protect him. But there's nothing to be protected from anymore. Nothing except the newfound cruelty of his old friend.

Tears threatened to spill over, but he blinked them away, shaking his head frantically. "Nonono, you don't really mean that. Y-you're just upset! Odysseus, please tell me you didn't mean it like that," he all but pleaded.

Odysseus opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself short. He tried once more, but all he could muster was a simple, "I'm sorry." He hesitated before turning his back on him, marching off to patrol the ship.

Polites was left floating there, completely heartbroken by his reaction. Never in a million years would he have expected the venom shooting from Odysseus's mouth to be aimed at him of all people.

Polites let himself fade from reality, disappearing completely as he drifted up towards the crows nest. It had always been the most peaceful place on the ship, and tonight was no exception.

He floated on until he reached the top, sitting down in the tightest ball he could manage. He buried his face in his knees as sobs completely wracked his body.

Why would he say such horrible things? He knew he couldn't even begin to fathom how their journey's gone up until now, but it was hard to believe it would prompt such a dramatic change.

But the alternative; the idea that he had never truly know Odysseus, was a far worse thought.

He looked up at the dozens and dozens of stars stretching before him from every which way. He felt as if he were flying, falling up, spiraling out of control towards them. Would he be falling for an eternity? Or would the stars catch him in their net, allowing the darkness to swallow him whole and consume his soul?

How wonderful it must be, turning to stardust.

"Oh Eurydice... you were wrong. I never should've left." His voice was weak and strangled as he spoke, just as it had been in his final moments. He gasped through his sobs, swallowing the snot that rolled down his throat, making him shudder. His whole body shook with convulsions as he cried.

"They don't w-want me a-around anymore. I'm nothing b-but a f-freak to them," he spoke barely above a whisper, frantically wiping away tears and blood. He hung his head low in defeat and shame, "I should've just stayed in Hades with you."

"And she's what? Girlfriend, friend, come on fill me in," an unexpected voice rudely interrupted. Polites screeched in surprise, turning visible once more as he whipped around to meet the intruder. How the hell did someone climb up without a sound?

"If you'd like, I'll even give her a little message from you," the strange man smirked wider, twirling his long curly hair around a finger. Polites gasped and looked down to the man's feet just to be sure, and just as he thought: wings.

"Hermes? I-I'm sorry, but uh, what are you doing here, exactly?" he asked, his previous breakdown quickly replaced with confusion. Something he did not appreciate. He wanted, no needed to cry after all that. But even the Gods wanted him to suffer, it would seem.

"Well excuse you! Taking a page from the captain's book, I take?" he taunted before bursting into a fit of giggles. Polites stiffened and glared at the God.

"No. I'm just trying to mind my own business, can't you do the same?" he huffed, crossing his arms across his chest. Hermes squinted in the dark and gasped when he recognized the man before him.

"You're his little dead friend, aren't you? The one that used to be cute," he clarified in a teasing manner.

Used to be cute... That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Hermes froze, mostly out of fear, when he first saw tears. "Um, what are you doing? Stop that," Hermes ordered, sitting on the edge of the crows nest. Polites looked at him in utter disbelief.

"I'm crying Hermes, what's it look like?" he snapped, and true enough, tears were once again rolling down his cheeks.

"Well, it's not a good look. Nope, doesn't suit you at all, really," he mused, looking the mortal up and down. Polites chewed the inside of his cheek, trying to be patient as he continued to glare.

"Oh really? And what, pray tell, would suit a face like this?" Polites asked bitterly, pointing at himself as he blinked back more tears.

"A smile, for one!" Hermes cheered, plopping down next to Polites and throwing an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in close. Polites squirmed and shoved him away angrily.

"Leave me alone! I don't want to smile, okay? There's nothing to smile about! And you know what? Yeah, I'll say it! I was happier in the underworld!" Polites screamed, not caring how loud he was. In fact, he hoped a certain captain with his head up his ass heard him. He hoped the guilt ate him alive.

Polites hated the fact that he didn't really feel that way, that he was self aware enough to know it was just his anger talking. Because once it blows over, he'll be the one wracked with guilt.

Hermes reeled back from his words, a hand flying up to cover his mouth as he gasped in shock.

"Oh Polites, you shouldn't say such a thing! I mean, what if the Gods themselves heard you? Ahahaha!" he threw his head back, cackling at his own joke.

"I don't care anymore! Clearly I don't belong here! I-I should've just stayed..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was such a touché subject," Hermes apologized, seemingly meaning it. Polites remained skeptical. "But I'm truly shocked by your little outburst. You were always the happy one, were you not? So what's changed?"

"Everything!" Polites cried. "Are you blind? How can you not see that everything's gone to shit?"

"Careful now, don't forget who you're talking to," he warned through pursed lips, trying to hide his growing amusement.

Polites sighed in defeat. "I'm sorry Hermes, sir, but I don't really care right now."

Hermes shook his head, a small frown etching its way onto his face. "Oh my, this really is worse than I thought," he muttered to himself, resting a hand on his cheek. Polites couldn't help but roll his eyes and turn away.

"Tell me something I don't know..."

Hermes sighed, staring at the back of his head with pity. "Odysseus can be... stubborn at the best of times. He'll come back around. You just have to show him that same, chipper, adorable Polites he knows and loves," he tried to encourage him.

"But that didn't work..." he said, voice shy and meek.

"Oh! Um, well then... keep at it!" he chirped, slapping a hand on his back.

Polites was more than ready to tell him to get lost, but the touch on his back stole away all of his attention. He turned to meet Hermes face to face, eyes wide in a mix of shock and excitement.

"How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

Polites gestured at him wildly. "You just touched me! I mean like, actually touched me! I thought that was impossible!" Hermes opened his mouth to speak, but he rambled on, "Is that a God thing? Or can-"

"Shh, if you'll let me answer, I'll tell you!" he said before breaking off into giggles. Polites quickly shut up, hanging on his every word.

"It all comes down to intent. And, it works both ways. Here, shake my hand," he explained, offering holding it out for him to take. Polites looked at him skeptically before reaching out.

He tried to grasp his hand in his own, but phased completely through. "This is hopeless!" he whined in defeat. Hermes whistled and smacked him upside the head.

"Ow!" Polites yelped and flinched away, rubbing his head, more for show than anything. Hermes rolled his eyes at the dramatics.

"Oh please, I know that didn't hurt. Quit whining and try again." Polites grumbled under his breath, growing frustrated when he phased through once more.

"Try harder."

"I am!" he growled before taking a grounding breath. He tried again, and this time his hand firmly clasped around Hermes's wrist. A bright smile lit up his face as he met his gaze, "I-I did it!"

"Yeees, congratulations... You can let go now..." he prompted with a smirk.

"Sorry!" he immediately let go, yanking his arm back as if he'd been burned. Hermes chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"You're lucky it's me," he teased, breaking off into even more laughter. Polites couldn't help but giggle along with the infectious sound.

"I guess I am... So uh, t-thanks, for all that. I needed it."

"Desperately so," Hermes agreed. "But I single handedly saved the day, so you're welcome."

Polites snorted, "I wouldn't go that far, but you did make me feel a little better." Hermes cocked his head with an exaggerated pout.

"Aww, just a little? Are you sure about that?" he asked, and before he could answer, Hermes reached up to flutter a few fingers under his chin. Polites scrunched his neck with a barely choked back giggle, and the look he gave the messenger God was priceless. Hermes burst into hysterical giggles, flashing a sly grin his way, "Like I said Polites, it all comes down to intent."

He fished around in his bag, pulling out a gold drachma. "Catch," he said, tossing the coin his way. Polites reached out, snatching it in the air. Hermes gave an impressed grin, nodding in approval. "I expect you to practice. 'Til we meet again, ta-ta!" he waved farewell, hopping up on the edge of the crows nest and stepped off backwards. He swooped up in a backflip, definitely showing off as he flew away.

Polites stared at the coin in his hand, smiling softly. Maybe things would turn out okay.

~~~

Things always seemed better in the morning, Polites told himself. In the light of day, he would have a fresh start, a unique perspective. He just needed everyone else to come to terms with their new normal. So he went about the day like any other, floating down to the deck when the crew was called for breakfast.

He saw the few men spread out across two long mess tables, and he quickly spotted Eurylochus. He smirked and turned invisible, making his way over to him. He waited until he reached for his glass, and Polites placed his hand atop the cup, preventing it from being lifted.

Eurylochus stared at the cup with furrowed brows, giving it another tug. It barely budged under his hold. He looked around the table at the men around him, wondering if they had something to do with this. A few began to take notice and were just as confused as he was.

"Having a bit of trouble this morning?" Elpenor teased from across the table.

"Haha very funny," he said sarcastically, tugging on his glass one more time. Polites didn't fight back, and water splashed right in his friend's face. Anyone seated around Eurylochus had ended up in the splash zone as well.

The men who got drenched cried out angrily while everyone else erupted in wild laughter, and Polites joined them. But his laugh was loud and distinct, and a sound Eurylochus knew all too well.

He froze looked around the room, glaring at thin air. "Polites? Was that you?" he dared to ask. The unruly crowd suddenly grew silent, unsure if they wanted an answer. Then, a fork launched off of a plate, spinning in the air before it clattered to the table. Excited screams and cries broke out as some gathered around the fork, while the rest scattered as far away as possible.

"You think it really is him?"

"He answered us, didn't he?"

"Yeah, but what if it's a trick?"

"You're all playing with fire!

Not everyone was swayed, but it certainly planted the idea in their minds.

Polites liked pulling off these small, ghostly pranks. Mostly because, to him, it felt like magic. Just focus, and you can turn invisible. Focus even harder, and you can make things move. He had his favorite tricks of course: a self rowing oar, a lone mop swabbing the deck, but the funniest thing was when he'd hold something behind someone, only to hide it as soon as they turned around. And his audience seemed more than amused by all of this.

Up until the moment he decides to show his face again. Then it's all hushed whispers and adverted gazes, even from his best friends.

Elpenor frantically looked around his room for his other sandal. It had just been there a second ago, but now only one remained.

"O-okay, very funny. Now give it back," he demanded. He gasped and went stiff when he felt the mattress sink next to him, as if someone sat next to him. The temperature shifted.

"Looking for this?"

Elpenor chanced a glance in his direction. His missing sandal dangled from a mostly transparent hand. He gulped.

"Yes."

He reached for his shoe, but it was yanked out of reach at the last second, and again when he made another grab for it.

"Give it!"

"Then look at me!"

The request took Elpenor off guard. Polites sounded... desperate and sad. He had to look, no matter what the captain said. He wasn't here anyways.

He hesitated, but ultimately caved and looked at Polites. He didn't know what he was expecting, but it wasn't this.

Polites was smirking at him, a warm look in his glazed eyes. Yeah, he didn't look the same, but he still looked like himself. A sob caught in Elpenor's throat.

He snatched his sandal without warning, quickly lacing them up before rushing out of the room.

~~~

"I don't get it Eurylochus. Are they really that afraid of me?" Polites asked after five days of strategic avoidance from everyone on board. He took a deep breath, thinking about how he'd answer the question.

"Maybe so." Polites scoffed and looked him up and down.

"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, deciding to put him on the spot. He stiffened, keeping his gaze trained on the floor, and he didn't speak. Polites deflated, "I knew it."

"Polites, trust me, it isn't like that," he tried in vein to reassure him.

"Oh please. None of you can even look at me," he hissed through clenched teeth.

"Have you even seen yourself?" Eurylochus barked back, going on the defensive immediately. Polites floated a little lower to the ground, bottom lip trembling.

"Polites, wait-"

"No, no, I get it. I wouldn't want me around either."

Eurylochus had to force himself not to roll his eyes at the theatrics on display. This was typical for Odysseus, but Polites?

"I didn't mean it like that."

He looked up at him, and for the first time outside of battle, Eurylochus saw him look truly upset.

"There's not many other ways to take it, Eurylochus..."

Neither dared to speak for a long time. Polites took a shaky breath and finally broke the silence. "I guess I'll be seeing you around. But... you don't have to worry about seeing me," his voice sounded weak and strangled.

"Wait I'm-" Eurylochus spun around to stop his friend, but he was left alone on the deck. "Sorry..." he finished lamely, dropping his arm by his side.

He flinched when a hand squeezed his shoulder, but immediately relaxed after the initial surprise.

"It's okay, really. I-I think it's for the best if no one sees me for a while," he said, and despite being invisible, Eurylochus could hear the emotion in his voice.

"Are you sure?"

"M-mhm. I think if I stay, it'll just make things worse."

Eurylochus stared at the empty space the voice was coming from. "If you say so..." he reluctantly caved.

Barely anyone had seen Polites since. Sure, he made his presence known in other ways, and most of the crew seemed better off for it. But that's what hurt the most: he'd been right. Eurylochus was wracked with guilt, knowing it was their own reactions that drove him away. Even worse still, their captain didn't seem to care at all. In fact, it only seemed to upset him more with every interaction Polites attempted.

He stood behind Odysseus as he steered the ship. The men were gathered below deck for meal time, leaving the two of them alone for a rare moment.

"I know you're there."

"You should go down there. You need to eat too, y'know."

Odysseus couldn't help but roll his eyes. "What, and let you take the wheel?" Polites furrowed his brows.

"Would that really be so bad? I handled her plenty of times!"

"No, the real Polites did!" he snapped. For once, Polites snapped back, refusing to back down.

"I AM THE REAL POLITES!" he screamed, on the verge of tears. Odysseus merely gave him a cold, empty stare.

"Maybe if you were the first one we ran into down there, I could believe you," he admitted in defeat. There was something a softness behind his eyes that hadn't been there before, his shoulders heavy with grief.

"What will it take?"

"Huh?"

"Tell me what it'll take to prove myself," he pleaded.

They stared at each other for a long moment, seconds passing by in silence. "I don't think you can."

Polites refused to let it end like this.

"Your favorite color is red," he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Odysseus froze and turned to face him, a puzzled expression in place. He locked eyes with him and continued, "And your favorite food is Penelope's stew with fresh baked bread."

By now, Odysseus knew what he was trying to do, so he quickly closed his eyes in hopes of drowning him out. "Don't."

"You have a mole on your shoulder that looks like a comet, a-and you like sunsets more than sunrises, and you used to go pick flowers for Penelo-"

"Please, for the love of the Gods, just shut up!" he cut him off harshly. Polites snapped his mouth shut, obeying the command. Odysseus slowly opened his eyes and stared at his friend. "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked as tears finally spilled down his cheeks.

"I just want you to believe me," Polites insisted. Odysseus shook his head.

"I told you, I can't-"

"WHAT WILL IT TAKE?" he repeated, voice straining against crushed vocal chords. He was crying, and he didn't care if he was shouting. "You say you can't believe me, but you don't give me a fucking reason! And you won't tell me how I can win your trust back, and I just- I don't know what you want from me."

Odysseus thought long and hard about his answer. "I wish I could tell you."

"Then why don't you?" he pleaded.

Odysseus avoided looking directly at him, choosing instead to stare at a crack in the wall just over his shoulder. It was insulting how he thought Polites wouldn't notice.

"I don't know." Then, as if to add insult to injury, he marched straight ahead, walking right through Polites. It was just another way for Odysseus to assert the fact that he wasn't really "there." To prove to himself that he was right. And that hurt more than it had any right to.

But he was nothing if not persistent. When it became clear that Odysseus wasn't looking for a conversation, he thought maybe a few light hearted pranks were just what he needed to jog his memory, to open his fucking eyes and see that he was right there.

Polites could've sworn he saw him smile when he noticed the way he was making his cape billow behind him. The old Odysseus was still in there somewhere, no matter how hard he may be hiding.

But he was still more than skeptical.

~~~

Odysseus was making his way down to his quarters when he felt someone step on the back of his sandal. He turned around in annoyance, ready to chew out the culprit, but he was alone. He thought nothing of it and continued on his way. Then it happened again.

Odysseus sighed heavily, closing his eyes as he tilted his head back. "That you?" he asked in a disgruntled tone.

"What, can't even say my name?" he sassed in order to hide his true nerves when confronting his friend. He appeared behind him, arms crossed.

"Not sure it's really yours to say," he countered easily, the retort sliding off his tongue with ease. The smile he flashed him was cocky and vindictive; nothing like the way he used to grin at him.

Polites decided to go out on a limb and risk it, "Why are you so adamant it's not me?"

"Because if something's too good to be true, it is. But you know all about that, don't you?" he spat, words laced with poison. No, no, there was no way he was talking about that.

"Captain? What do you mean?"

"Oh I think you know," he said darkly. Polites didn't dare to answer. He only shook his head.

"The sheep, Polites. I'm talking about the sheep."

Polites couldn't believe his ears. He sucked in a sharp, shuttering breath in shock. "A-are you trying to say it's my fault that I was killed?" he asked in complete and utter disbelief.

"... If that's how you wanna take it."

He had no hope of fighting off the tears welling in his eyes.

"H-how can you be so- so cruel? It was a mistake!" he pleaded.

"Yeah? Well that mistake cost you your life! And not just your life! You think you can greet world with open arms, but you just can't. Only the strongest survive. And that's why I'm still here, and you're not."

The tears rolled fat and heavy down his cheeks, drawing clean streaks through the blood and grime smeared on his face.

"I-if that's how you r-really f-feel, then fine! B-be that way!" Polites was a blubbering mess as he tried to speak, and he couldn't stand it. He balled his hands into fists by his sides, squeezing his eyes shut as tight as possible. "Y-you'll never have to see me again, if that's what you really want!" he screamed back, allowing his own hurt and anger to boil out of him.

"Good!" Odysseus snapped, completely exasperated.

Polites was frozen in shock. "I don't even know you anymore..." he whispered, mostly to himself. Odysseus glared harder before he turned his back on him, marching down the hall to his cabin and slammed the door behind him. Polites was left alone in the room, feeling hollow and hurt.

Polites took a shaky breath. Why bother to fight a losing battle?

~~~

If barely anyone had seen Polites in the days prior, then he must have made himself truly scarce after his last confrontation with the captain. The playful, if unexplained, shenanigans were no more, and the crew fell back into their monotonous routine.

But remaining invisible for so long takes its toll, and he needs his moments of peace and quiet. And so, the crew took notice of the man sitting alone in the crows nest, his presence never faltering. At least this way, he can still be of some use to the crew while completely isolating himself.

By now, Polites hadn't moved from the crows nest in over a week. Even his practice with the coin was getting weaker. He sat with his knees pressed to his chest, desperately trying to shove the drachma across the planks. His finger phased through, making no impact on the piece of gold.

"How have you possibly gotten more pathetic than the last time we met?"

Fucking great.

#restless til we reach home #epic fic #epic #epic the musical #epic musical #epic the thunder saga #ghost!polites #polites #odysseus #eurylochus #elpenor #hermes

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