#it’s because of odysseus’s love for penelope

[samishiperfixatedagain]

The thing that I adore the most is

Penelope doesn't include herself when she says she also knew about the wedding bed being carved and all.

This, to me, has to meanings:

She wanted to make the moment fully about Odysseus, for him to focus on himself (notice the whole 20 years there's been NO self-care, prolly not even baths or eating well. As well as the whole: "I can't die bc Penelope and Telemachus." But what about "I can't die bc I'm the king of Ithaca and I'm strong and I can do this". (That's how Penelope sees him, and she wants him to see himself that way too)

OR

She's saying that bc he's such a dork (like Jorge) when special interests. What I mean is:

Odysseus: ranting about the olive tree measurements and the way the angle of the bed means their love and they're gonna have a thousand children just because the tree had X number of leaves

Penelope: yeah, only my husband would know this

Odysseus:I'm not the man you married but would you fall in love with me again?

Penelope:...

Odysseus:...

Penelope:(Narrows eyes suspiciously) Move my wedding bed.

Odysseus:(Pissed off) The only way to remove it, is to destroy it-

Penelope:Exactly you idiot of a man, only my husband would know that. Now shut up and kiss me, my husband that I LOVE.

Bonus:

Telemachus and Athena outside the room

Telemachus: You never told me who your friend was that I remind you of.

Athena:...

Athena:You know what maybe you don't remind me of him.

[sunshines-child]

odysseus goes "waiting, waiting for love" and penelope goes "waiting, waiting for you". she doesn't care how much he's changed because she just wants odysseus- all of him, his demons and his past and the blood on his hands. i may ill.

[messymoonmad]

(TW: TALK OF S/A)

1st:

just watched your "Hold Them Down" animatic and HOLY SHIT I LOVE IT! Antinous is such a shameless bastard and seeing Odysseus get pushed out the way was funny as hell ngl (don't tell him I said this) also I agree with the others Anrinous is such a sassy king 💅💅

2nd:

Normally I when to check out when watching Hold them down animatics, or at least look away during Penelopes part, but with you animator I front feel the need to. Yes it made me sick to my stomach but you represented how S/A can be in such a realistic way (coming from a survivor of S/A myself)

The corruption of innocence and consuming of flesh, I know the subject is dark BUT YOU DID IT SO BEAUTIFULLY!!!

I await your Odysseus animatic with bated breath, if you even make that is

About the SA part. I take that matter very seriously, i knew that if I were to draw the act graphically and raw it would not serve any pupose at all. (i'd be even ashamed to draw such a scene)

Also i dont want anyone to look at that segment and think "smash" because of the beautiful voice of Antinous and the handsome charadesign, it would RUIN the song for me.

Whats important (to me) is to portray penelope's suffering gracefully and with dignity. So i opted for psychedelic colors to show the intensity of the moment and the feelings. All the meaningful symbolism are there to distract you from the action and make you think about the mental state and the consequence instead. Its a heavy topic it must be handled with the utmost care.

Also I'm a big hater of sex scenes in mainstream movies and shows wether its SA or just horny out of nowhere.

[somereaderinblue]

Does Aphrodite also make Odysseus go and take care of Paris after he gets injured in battle against Penelope?

Yes.

And this-this is making me insane. Because imagine, the (1) time Odysseus shows any form of physical care/reverence for Paris, it's when he's hurting & bleeding from wounds left by Odysseus' true love, Penelope. Odysseus is there, but at the same time, he's not & like every other time, he's not loving Paris.

In canon, the red string between Odypen is a perpetually unfinished shroud & an olive bed. Here, it's the violence they feel the need to inflict on the same person who's the cause of their separation.

Those calloused hands are gently tracing over Paris' wounds, the other steadily applying salves & bandages, but the prince can see the hunger in Odysseus' eyes. The restrained desire to dig his nails into the damaged skin & tear it further apart. Will bet that he takes perverse pleasure in getting Paris' blood on his hands after countless nights spent fantasizing seeing it spill.

"Does it hurt?" Odysseus, man who knows so very much, asks.

"Yes." Paris settles on honesty. He has no energy for anything else.

"What was she like?" there, a hint of vulnerability from him too.

Paris could say nothing. But then, he would be left with nothing, not even this artfully crafted moment of superficial care.

So he tells Odysseus everything. He spares no details. And Paris doesn't need Aphrodite's blessing to know that with every word, Odysseus falls in love with Penelope all over again.

[sporadicallyanenthusiast]

It's interesting, because I'm reading a Brazilian Portuguese translation and I've been finding some differences from the English one, which I suspect may be truer to the original Greek. For example, in Portuguese, Menelaus is described as a blond instead of a ginger, and Athena is described with green eyes instead of gray. So I think that's the reason there might be a misconception on my part, since in the scene when Menelaus tells Telemachus what he knows about Odysseus, he says Proteus told him so after Menelaus captured him, instead of it being a dream.

I mean, if it had been described as a dream, it'd be very understandable why he wouldn't say anything! That's not trustworthy information you just go sharing out of nowhere, indeed. But since it was a prophet God that told him that (in the book I'm reading, at least), I thought it was a bit jarring he didn't try to warn anyone, you know?

Especially after he told Telemachus he liked Odysseus so much, he'd empty the island of Ithaca and relocate all of its inhabitants to Laconia, make a whole new kingdom for Odysseus there, just so they could rule nearby each other. Which is why I made the gay joke, by the way haha It's my first time reading Ancient Greek mythology and I admit I was caught off guard by such an earnest expression of Menelaus' love for his friend. Honestly, I get it, I would do the same for my best friends! Haha And I agree, I don't ship them either (even tho I haven't read the Iliad yet - yeah, I know 🥲) and I think it should be more normal to express how much we care about our friends the way Menelaus does.

Regardless, you are right the poor man had enough on his plate already.

And when you put it like that, indeed it's an awkward letter lol

Still, maybe I'm projecting too much here, but if I were in Penelope's or Telemachus' place, I'd like to know something, anything. As useless as the information may sound. They knew Odysseus didn't die in the Trojan War, so what happened? I'd find some semblance of comfort in knowing someone heard my loved one is still alive and he wants to get back to me. I can understand where Menelaus would be coming from, if he thought knowing wouldn't help Penelope of Telemachus at all, but if it were my husband or my father, I'd be furious no one told me.

And maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but who knows, Penelope might have had some leverage to hold the suitors back in that scenario. It would be extremely disrespectful to try for the Queen's hand if there's a chance the King's still alive. And maybe then Telemachus would have had a chance to prove himself earlier, to show he is already a man and capable of taking over the throne, if he had traveled to look for his father sooner. I mean, Athena herself goes to Telemachus and essentially asks him "Why don't you finally kick those men (the suitors) out of your palace? Why don't you go try to get information about your father?". So maybe having a lead earlier on may have had saved them some of the trouble. At least that's what I was thinking when I read that scene.

And yes, you're right! There is a chance Menelaus did try to send a letter and it never arrived. And maybe he thought he ought to "repeat" the whole story to Telemachus, since the poor boy went through the trouble of getting to Sparta and asking him about Odysseus in person.

Well, at the end of the day, you are the scholar here, I'm just reading those myths for the first time hahaha. To be honest, I wrote the og post as a silly joke when I was half asleep, I didn't expect it to get any attention at all. So I apologize for any misinformation I may have spread on accident!

Telemachus is so much stronger than me for real. Cause if I had traveled for days, by sea AND land, arrived at the palace of my father's friend and my mother's cousin to humbly ask if they know anything about my missing father and instead of just fucking telling me already, this mf started a monologue about how gay he is for my dad and about the time he captured a God that granted him wishes three, I'd already be telling him to Hurry The Fuck Up. IT'S BEEN TEN YEARS, I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY.

But if the same motherfucker then turned around and told me that he had known FOR YEARS NOW that my dad is trapped on an island AND THE MOTHERFUCKER DIDN'T TELL ANYONE!!!! NOT A SINGLE LETTER!!! I would have already strangled Menelaus with that fucking blond hair of his in front of his wife and children, unhelpful son of a bitch.

[ginger-snap-talkin-nonsense]

Now that you watched EPIC, I really wanted to hear you talk about what you liked about it. It's nice reading you talk about things you like :D

I think they made a really smart move in centering their core theme around how what we call people determines what they are to us. This is one of the many themes present both in the source material AND the musical, but it's certainly my favorite for this particular retelling.

From the obvious and infamous Nobody scene to the infinitely discussed but seldom discussed in this context change from Athena calling Odysseus friend.

My favorite use of this is actually a scene a lot of people take in good fun (myself included), but that I haven't seen many talk about: The Olive Tree.

For those unaware, in the musicals final song "Would You Fall in Love With Me Again?" Penelope tests Odysseus by asking him to move their marital bed as an act of love after he has begged her to fall in love with him again after he returned as a "different man". Odysseus is enraged at this notion as he had carved the bed into the olive tree they met under, and to move it would be to cut down a symbol of their everlasting love. To which Penelope then exclaims that only Odysseus would know that before telling him that his question is ridiculous as he hasn't changed at all. He's still her husband.

Now, most folks have joked about Penelope playing "world's dumbest questions" with him, but I interpret the question differently. I don't believe she's asking him to do this as an act of proof or to grant Odysseus another chance. She asks him because it's specifically built out of the tree that symbolizes their love before the war.

She's giving him the chance to have what he's asking for. If he cuts down the tree then she will start from scratch with him. Fall in love with this new man. But Odysseus doesn't want to start over. He wants to keep loving her as he did when he left, just like her.

Even his question betrays his own sentiments about being a different man. "Would you fall in love with me AGAIN?" indicates that even he's aware that he's still the Odysseus she fell in love with in the first place. But his name has meant so many different things, he has been so many different people, and he has been through so much that he believes the underworld's prophets words and says that Odysseus must no longer be him.

You can't convince Penelope that Odysseus is different. He can't even truly convince himself.

But just as Odysseus means Nobody to Polythemus, enemy to Poseidon, Captain to his men, and Friend to Athena, Odysseus means husband to Penelope. And that man who loves and adores her never changed. Not that part. And that's HER Odysseus.

He is the infamous Odysseus. Forever changed, and eternally unmoved. The most ruthless man who ever loved.

[xandoria]

Penelope is Spartan

An overanalyzing of 'Would you Fall in Love with Me' from someone fascinated by the more domestic aspects of Sparta.

Something that I haven't seen Epic fans talking about is the fact Penelope is Spartan. They talk about the war effort, and how sometimes, a Spartan would kill a lover's enemies as an expression of love. They talk about Sparta's efficiency in battle and how Penelope could defend herself if necessary. But they don't talk about the other aspect of Sparta.

Penelope would have had an extensive education like most Spartan women, and she would have seen what happens when soldiers come home. Young girls were often the caretakers of physically able-bodied but mentally unwell soldiers who had just returned from the wars. She would have seen the night terrors, the shell-shocked, the flashbacks. The violent outbursts towards even family followed by the guilt when they return from the war in their mind. She would have seen the afterwards of war firsthand.

In 'Would you Fall in Love with Me Again?', Penelope is seeing her husband come home, haunted by things he did on the journey home, decisions he had to make in the Trojan War, the final screams of his crew and enemies alike. She knows he is different in spirit and body, but she also knows the horrors of war do not change who you are at heart if you are strong (Spartan belief, not my own).

His question is not a glorified 'would you still love me if I was a worm?' It is a beg for her to love him as a monster, because he truly believes he is a monster. Penelope doesn't see the monster. She sees her husband hurting and lashing out because while he was as prepared for what the war would do as someone could, no one could have been prepared for the journey he experienced coming home.

She sees her husband who has watched everyone he knew and loved die. Who lost their mother (and just found out according to Penelope). Whose son is over 20 years old, who he never got to see grow up. Who came home to find himself disrespected and betrayed by people he trusted to keep his kingdom, wife, and son safe: came home to another battlefield. His question is more like 'Is this another battle I must face to come back to you?'

But Odysseus has never been moved by words alone, and she knows from experience just telling someone the 'war is over' is not enough to ground them in reality. So she poses him a question for herself and him. 'Would you take our wedding bed away?' She knows it's impossible without destroying their bed, without destroying a symbol of their love. If he would do such a thing, he truly is not her husband: the war had damaged him too much, and she could not bear to face that battle, because it would be impossible to win.

But he doesn't try. He starts breaking down, getting angry at the mere thought of her asking him to do such a wicked act in his eyes. That is their love she is asking him to destroy. Penelope can work with anger: she's been toying with suitors for 20 years at this point and likely had to deescalate situations many times herself. And she knows her husband in ways he has forgotten he exists.

She matches his anger. She shouts right back at him, snapping him out of the spiral his mind is going through at the thought of her rejection, because to him, it was a rejection of his return. He is reeling from being tricked, because it was a trick. It has been 20 years: he remembered his wife was clever, but not how much cleverer she was then him.

She's saying 'you have committed acts of war, your hands soiled by blood I cannot imagine. But I do not love your hands on their own. I do not love the monster in your eyes alone, but your soul that remains full of love for me. Your hands have committed atrocities in the name of our love and returning home, your eyes' monster roars for me. No amount of anger, time, nor the gods themselves will take you from me.'

TLDR: Penelope has experiences with PTSD from warfare, and she won't let trauma keep her husband away from her.

[reigning-kingof-ithaca]

✨ Telemachus memories that I'm burdoning you with, so sit tight father ✨

-Calling Odysseus captain once and never doing it again bc I could clearly tell you got upset

-A teal, worn down travelling cloak I would wear everywhere.

-Singing in the hallway like the Disney princess I am ✨✨✨

-Penelope having the softest smile ever, and having the softest voice so her lullabies are the best

-Random urges to bite people I like (inherited from Odysseus, probably)

-I secretly loved the name Little Wolf, just not from the suitors

-When I was mad, I wouldn't yell, but thinking back on it, my tone of voice was terrifying.

-Ctimene taught me to be kind, and give second chances.

-Ctimene was like the gender bent version of Odysseus.

-I spent years of my life wondering if my dad was going to come home, and if he did, was he going to love me and be proud of me?

-I tried to string Odysseus's bow, but not for my mother's hand in marriage- I tried to string the bow so I could try and be like my father.

-@future-king-of-ithaca

✨My response to Telemachus memories because I don't mind listening to them✨

-I remember this... I wasn't angry at you, but also so so glad it never happened again

-I remember you having a cloak, but I thought it was purple? Idk, its hard to remember

-You did have a great singing voice :)

-I remember her beautiful smile, ofc. I can't imagine how calming it was to you when you needed the comfort <3

-Probablyy lol

-That feels... right. Yk? I never called you it, as far as I remember (could be wrong), but ever since I heard Little Wolf, I got the impression that it wasn't the name that bothered you

-That sounds about right lol. I'm the same way (for the most part)

-She was definitely like that. Ctimene was a tough woman, but she was also very kind. A good mix between Polites and I, no? The 3 of us were very close friends so it makes sense

-aaaa I did get that a lot. She was very adventurous and clever herself. Not many people got to see it, but I'm so glad you did

-I did love you. Always have and always will. I feel so so proud of you and the way you dealt with everything that happened in those 20 years. I never wanted to leave you behind, but I'm so glad we were able to reunite once more

-Gods I do remember this so clearly! I was so proud that you even tried. And in front of all the other men? I just kept thinking, "That's my boy !!" lol

:)

[satancopilotsmytardis]

Unfortunately, I am still having Sharpwolf brainrot for post-Made to Bite

Telemachus is still very nervous about giving oral sex for a good long while, Antinous doesn't push, but he does make a point of blowing him and eating him out more often as a reward for good behavior to help him get more comfortable.

Athena, unbeknownst to the boys, does still hang out with her brother and his lover on Olympus, and she mentions that Telemachus found a warrior of his own and how he himself has improved as a fighter. Aphrodite gets curious, and when she sees the tangled thorns that still managed to bloom roses of real adoration and affection, she's impressed. She also thinks Antinous, at this point in the timeline, is fucking hilarious because he is CONSTANTLY trying to introduce things to his lover to heighten both of their enjoyment. She may or may not bless his search for ye old sex toys just because it's so funny.

Antinous, for a long time, will not be in the same room as Penelope. It doesn't matter if Telemachus trusts him now and he doesn't care what Odysseus would do to him if he stepped out of line. Being around her reminds him of the cruelty that he subjected Telemachus to and fills him with such a sharp guilt that he tries to avoid it whenever possible.

Telemachus and Antinous continue to spar for the rest of their lives, and after a few years of Odysseus' and Athena's teaching, Telemachus is more than able to hold his own and best him or fight him to a standstill when he wants to. A lot of the time tho, he does throw at the end of a fight because he still likes it when Antinous uses the sparring to "force" him to try something new in bed. His lover likes to have an excuse to let himself try something that he would deem too embarrassing to stomach otherwise.

Odysseus and Athena get into a vicious fight at some point (probably 2-3 years after he gets home) when Telemachus is going to be leaving for a diplomatic mission that will take him away from Ithaca for over a year. Odysseus wants to hold onto his family as tight as he can because he's so scared of losing them again and he is hurt that Athena was able to slip into Telemachus' life and become his confidant and mentor when he has had to build his relationship with his son so belatedly in addition to the fact he thinks she just went after Telemachus because he's such a kind soul. He won't go against anything she says because he has so much faith in her. She knows Odysseus is lashing out and is trying to be kinder, but she is still a prideful creature and fires back that if HE had listened to her the one time it mattered most after years of guiding HIM, then he would have been home in time to see his son pick up a spear for the first time. They are both furious and hurt, and poor Telemachus doesn't know jack shit about this happening because they both intentionally timed this for when he was out. After a few days, surprising Odysseus completely, Athena comes to him and apologizes. She treated him like a soldier, yes, but a good general knows how to comfort and raise the spirits of their men after a difficult battle. Telemachus did that for her and made her see that real change could come if people were not just cunning but kind too. Telemachus growing and being confident enough to go out into the world to help the kingdom is not her guiding him away from Odysseus, it's a path he's chosen for himself because of her teaching maybe, but not one he would ever have dared to consider if he didn't have absolute faith in Odysseus being here and knowing that his home will be safe and full of light and love when he returns. They two of them will never be as close as they once were, but they do come to the understanding that their time apart changed them both and that they both occupy different roles in Telemachus' life. One is not more important than the other, and neither negates the other either. There are only 2 things that matter: 1. That Telemachus is free to pursue his future the way that he chooses to after 20 years a prisoner and protector out of his depth on his own home. And 2. If Antinous should ever fuck thing up with him and hurt Telemachus again, they will be finding a way to keep his very soul from Hades so they can continue to torture him for all eternity 🙃

Telemachus and Antinous have matching scars on their ankles from the first time Antinous drew his blood and the moment Telemachus stopped Antinous' from painting the palace floor. In the privacy of his own head, because it would be far too embarrassing to admit to his lover, he thinks of these as their wedding bands. Antinous also always notes the scars, but considers that they may have branded each other instead. His mark sentenced Telemachus to years of pain, Telemachus' brought him benediction instead. He doesn't think that's fair after everything he's done, but he tries each day to ensure the rest of his lover's life will have no more suffering.

Anyway, Antinous definitely, at some point, gets Telemachus to dress in a woman's clothes and jewelry for him. They think they're going to have a fun roleplay night of Telemachus getting debauched "against his will" (some good ol' CNC) and then it hits him hard that this is something that Antinous and his companions always thought about doing FOR REAL to his mother and he has his first subdrop. Antinous doesn't know how to comfort him when Telemachus' head is messy, and he's remembering the early days of their relationship mixed in with everything else, and it takes hours for him to stop crying and to let himself be touched, realizing after the fact that he's safe, he knows Antinous would never touch him without his permission anymore, he won't ever hurt his family again. Antinous holds him afterward like he's scared he'll break him, and he apologizes for what he did even if he knows that will never be enough. He and Telemachus end up learning that this is just something they will have to keep dealing with for a long time, maybe forever, but they will deal with it together because Telemachus is still choosing him. It takes them a while, but eventually, even though Antinous is extremely nervous about it, they try again, and this time, because Telemachus was more aware of how this could be a trigger, the scene they set is changed and they do manage to have fun like this. They just know they have to be careful now.

Odysseus and Penelope do have another child, a girl, and Telemachus is so excited about being a big brother and so happy that they're happy to have a daughter. He doesn't know what happens to him when he goes back to his and Antinous' room as has a massive panic attack, but Antinous guesses, right on the money, that it's because he's scared she might be put into the same position as his mother was someday, but he assures him that no one in this entire palace, and at least one God in the heavens, not will let that happen to her. She is going to be just fine, they will be right there to make sure that it's so.

[aprettypuppy]

Diomedes x Penelope x Odysseus headcannons

Odysseus dragged Diomedes home with him and told Penelope “this our husband now” and Penelope just agreed.

Odysseus is a kicker in his sleep and both Penelope and Diomedes suffer because of it.

Odysseus is the shortest out of all 3 of them.

Penelope has a necklace that matches with Diomedes one instead of wedding rings.

Penelope and Diomedes have a very detailed planner for the days they get Odysseus to themselves.

Penelope makes playful jabs at Diomedes from stealing her wife(Odysseus) from her.

Diomedes ruffles Odysseus hair whenever he can.

Odysseus love language is words of affirmation and physical contact, Penelope’s love language is gift giving, and Diomedes love language is quality time.

Diomedes draws pictures for Odysseus and Penelope whenever he has time.

[theroyalsscreech]

Odysseus built his life around his love for Penelope. Because the wedding bed was carved into the olive tree where they first met. Which means he built the palace around the olive tree.

[somecheeseguy]

It seems I've forgotten to upload my opinion on the Ithaca saga, first of all, I would like to say that it is my favorite saga, second of all, all of the songs in the saga are absolute perfection, now let me list out why all of them are such perfection;

1) the challenge: it gives us all the build up we need, it truly showcases the love that Penelope has for Odysseus, she is risking her life by lying to the suitors just so that he has more time, and even when she gives up hope, she proposes one last chance.

2) hold them down: the suitors are getting angry and impatient, they understand the true meaning of the challenge and they are about to do something about it. The song builds up the tension, you know something horrendous is about to happen and you pray that someone intervenes.(Also I really like the end part with antinous singing alongside the suitors)

3) Odysseus: we finally get a ruthless, bloodthirsty Odysseus, willing to strike down anyone who stands in-between him and his family, he unleashes his pent up rage from 20 years of mistakes and losses. He will not stop until his family is safe from all source of harm. Also I would like to mention the open arms part, not only is it one of the best parts of the song because it sound good, you must also think about the thoughts ody is having while the suitors is talking, he is a living projection of polites, and having to strike him down, seeing your best friend for twice, once by your hands.

4) I can't help but wonder: Odysseus, finally done with his journey, and he is reunited with his son, finally after 20 years, he can be at peace. Also, the Athena part, just Athena truly understanding that there does exist a way to be peaceful, but for Odysseus, it is simply too late.

5) would you fall in love with me again: the climax we've all been waiting for, Odysseus and Penelope finally reunited. Odysseus who is now a monster in his own eyes, doesn't believe the love between them can be the same, note that when he explains his past actions he regrets we get to hear the melodies of Poseidon, Zues and Scylla, but in the end their love is eternal and cannot be faltered by the 20 years they have spent apart.

Thanks for listening to my long rant, and sorry I'm late with this.

[deathbyhelen]

Okay so more content abt Telemachus!

After Odysseus returned, him and Penelope had another son called Poliporthes

My hc is that even though Telemachus loves his baby brother, he is also sad and a little jealous because Poliporthes will grow up with his father present in his life, and without suitors tormenting his life, basically living the childhood/life he always dreamt of. But ofc he is the best big brother ever, and is also happy that his little brother doesn't have to suffer the things he did

I also wanted to thank everyone for supporting me rn since i just started this account! 🤍🫶

[uselessmoonlight]

Stranger part 7

Reader is Telemachus' friend, and when he leaves for his "diplomatic mission" he asks her to watch over his mother.

Later, once the king has returned, she stumbles upon an injured Poseidon.

Previous / series masterlist / next

☆☆☆

Content specs: she/her pronouns used, afab reader, Platonic! Telemachus x reader, Epic!Poseidon x reader, possible OOC!Poseidon, Polites’ daughter! Reader, unrequited love, blood, fighting, nudity, illusion, possibly more?, trying to avoid using y/n, slowburn, suggestive themes, but no smut, English is not my first language, sorry if it's too much exposition, it's my first fic.

Ónoma literally means name in Greek, at least according to google translate. View this as the y/n of this fic.

☆☆☆

The clattering of cutlery let her know that she’d said something wrong. She froze in her seat as the kings eyes narrowed in on her. “Where did you hear that?”

“What, I didn’t-”

“Answer me, girl. Where did you hear that?” He was standing now, his presence menacing. “Besides, there’s no way a regular girl like you would’ve been able to take out all of those men. So, tell me, how did you do it? Are you another test? Another monster? What are you? Why are you here? I will not let you get in the way of-”

“That’s enough, my love.” Penelope interrupted her husband’s tirade. “This is your son’s greatest friend, the daughter of your own greatest friend, she’s no test. You’re just on high alert from all the years away from home.”

“You don’t understand, she-”

But Penelope shushed him. “I think it’s time for bed. Ónoma, you’re welcome to stay the night, Telemachus will walk you to your room.” Then she walked away, leading a visibly shaken Odysseus out of the room.

“I don’t understand, what did I say wrong?” Peach, too, was pretty shaken from the king’s outburst. Understandably so, as the man had taken on 108 suitors without knowing she’d be there to help.

“It’s fine Ónoma, he’s been having these outbursts since he got back.” Telemachus soothed his friend.

“Yeah, something similar happened when I mentioned how much luck he must have had to be the only one of 600 to return home.” Ctimene added.

“I can’t imagine what he must have faced during all those years away.” Peach muttered.

☆☆☆

“I can stay the night, if you want me to? It’ll be like when we were kids.” Telemachus offered, as the two sat on her bed. Whenever she’d stay at the castle, she would be given the same guest room, over time she’d let some of her belongings accumulate there.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, I wouldn’t want to get on your fathers bad side. At least, not more than I already am.”

“C’mon Peach, it’s really not like that. He’s just on edge.”

“And yet I understand his concern.” Ónoma countered.

“What are you talking about?”

“I killed those men, Tele. They’re dead because of me, I don’t even know how I was able tot do it, what if I am a monst-”

“Enough of that.” Her friend said sternly. “You did it to protect my mother, and let’s be honest, yourself too. I don’t want to think about what the suitor would’ve done had you not been able to fend them off, or did you forget that you, too, are a woman?”

Her heart dropped at her friend’s words. “Of course I didn’t forget! That’s why I did it!” She raged. “I can’t afford to show mercy, not to those beasts, anyways.” She continued, softer, realisation hitting her. “Thank you, Tele.” She murmured. “I needed that.”

“I know.”

Outside of her bedroom window, an owl was perched. It hooted, before flying off. Telemachus softly shook his head, Peach thought it to be at her behaviour, but in reality it had been at his mentor’s antics.

☆☆☆

The next morning, Peach had left before breakfast, before anyone else had woken up, even. Telemachus’ and Ctimene’s attempt to play off the king’s outburst had not calmed her one bit. Even if they were speaking the truth, she did not want to set the man off again. Perhaps once the king had settled more she’d speak to him again, or if he sought her out.

When she returned home, she wasn’t ready to face Perikles, so she kept walking, now with her beloved instrument in hand. She settled somewhere along the shore, feet in the water, the sun slowly rising. She played mindlessly, softly humming a matching melody. Music always calmed her.

But now it seemed calmness was not something she would get, as the familiar but unfamiliar voice rang in her head once more. “So, you’re devoted to my brother, then? Pity. Usually, his followers are more seasoned with a bow, axes are more Hephaestus’ thing, or Demeter’s maybe.”

What? At least the word brother clued her in that this was a God, or Goddess. Someone related to Apollo.

“You’re quick to catch on, if not Apollo then Athena, maybe? Who do you work with, or worship, I should say.”

Well, oh mighty God of gossip, I don’t really ‘work with’ anyone. Just whoever fits the occasion, really.

“You’re bold, anyone else might’ve taken offence with such a tone? Can it even be considered a tone if it’s just your thoughts? I’ll have to ask Athena next time I run into her.”

Can you please get to the point? Or leave me alone? Whoever you are anyway.

“Feisty, put the claws away, darling. I would have loved to tell you my name, but you never asked. You have to actually ask questions to get answers, you know.”

…

“Go on, darling. Ask.”

What’s your name?

“Well at least I got the message across, the name’s Hermes. I actually came here to deliver a message, but you were just too much fun to mess with.”

What is the message?

“Straight to the point, huh? Where’s the fun in that? Besides, I never said that the message was for you, I mean, it is, but still.”

…

“Did you know that the Lyre used to be mine? I gave it to my brother in exchange for his cows when I was just a babe, I’m still quite fond of it. You play beautifully, who taught you?”

Would you please tell me of the message you bring, oh great lord Hermes?

“No.”

Please?

“At least your manners have improved, but no. You tell me who taught you to play, and I tell you the message. An exchange of information, a trade, if you will.”

Right, God of merchants. I taught myself, my brother once broke my Lyre, because of how bad I was at playing at the time. I suppose I’ve improved since.

“Oh, that was your brother? Apollo smote him real good, bet he learned his lesson.”

Dead men don’t learn.

“Now, now, why so serious, oh right the message! Your brother has reunited with your father!”

My dead father?

“Exactly, now if you don’t mind, I’d like you to resume playing.”

next

☆☆☆

A/N: girly is going through it. Also, I don’t mean for Hermes to come off as rude, rather as mischievous. He is a God, one who often visits the underworld at that, so he would not really understand the grief of mortals. I also want to portray the duality of Ctimene’s grief and relief some more, and I definitely want to dive into Odysseus’ PTSD. Maybe show some of Penelope’s caution around men too, dealing with those suitors for so long would’ve definitely made a person a bit jumpy.

Taglist:

@suckerforblondies

@barrythestrawberry041

@trashcannotbealive

@apollos-dodgeball-target

@doodle-with-rhy

[ccstiles]

A couple people were asking for a few more sooo

- the person who inspired my little ramblings is @circusinarun and their little burrito Ody

- he's such a little cutie pattotie

- also the great @this-orange-anon024 told me that Antonius' counterpart would be Calypso, and I love that!!

- a much more aggressive and forward Calypso

- Odysseus' suitors are also looking for power and wealth, but not the same way as the male suitors

- the girlies are just trying to bag a pathetic king and get him to do all the royal work, while they just lounge around eating all day and looking pretty

- I had the idea that the Ithica family, specifically Penelope had a lot of jewels and jewelry

- a lot of the suitors 'borrowed' the jewelery or 'borrowed' money to buy new jewelry

- Odysseus has a box hidden of Penelope's favorite pieces, except her wedding ring

- why? Because he wears it on a silver chain around his neck (also, she left it because you don't wanna lose something that sentimental at war)

- and that leads to another point

- Ody tries his best to be nice to the suitors, no matter how vain and pushy they get

- but one got too pushy, and while she was in Ody's personal space, she grabbed Penelope's ring and slipped it on her finger (still attached to the chain)

- that was the first and probably last time he slapped one of the suitors

- since he's such a sopping wet cat without Penelope, Telemachus is the one that takes on the more parental role

- he still doesn't know how to fight as much (Ody did teach him how to use a sword when he was younger and the war was going on), but he's a lot more responsible than in the original

- he still isn't responsible enough to become king yet, he's more focused on taking care of his dad

- the way the suitors treat Telemachus varies, some try to go after him as well as Ody, some don't pay him any mind, and others (like Calypso) see him as an obstacle to get to Odysseus

- uhhhh trying to think about Athena and if she'd play a role in this AU

- maybe Athena did mentor Odysseus, but instead of making him into a great warrior, into a great king (hence why he stayed behind while Penelope, trained by Ares, went off to war)

- she left because he wasn't taking care of Ithica (or himself but she doesn't care about that part)

- ooh, when Penelope is finally back and kills all the suitors, they still have that moment with the olive tree bed as a test from Odysseus to see if it's really her

- and when he tells her to take it away, she's enraged that he would ask her to throw away all his work just like that. She knows how long he spent on that bed, and she thinks he's gone mad to tell her to throw out something as special as the bed

- like I said in my first post, he would be extra pathetic in WYFILWMA, and I can even imagine Penelope just having to carry him a bit when they hug because he can't keep himself standing

That's all for now :3

Random thoughts that keep CC up at night no. 230394: Warrior!Penelope edition

So I haven't seen a lot for Odysseus in this AU (which, fair, it isn't about him) but I had a few thoughts

- of course after a while, suitors for Odysseus start showing up, but ofc it's women instead of men

- because of this, the castle isn't as trashed as it is in the original Odyssey, but a lot of the Ithica family's money and food is being used up by the suitors

- instead of intimidation like the male suitors use on Penelope, the suitors for Odysseus try to seduce him

- a lot of the women are seen with provocative clothing and lots of jewelry to make them look expensive

- all of them fawning to get Ody's attention meanwhile all he's thinking is "I miss my wife D,: "

- idk names for Antonius' counterpart, but she would be just as aggressive

- maybe as Telemachus starts getting older, a few start going after him as well

- instead of Odysseus making a funeral shroud for Penelope's father, he gets his childhood nurse, Eurycleia to make it (who does indeed unthread it every night like Penelope)

- for the challenge that Odysseus sets up, it's a challenge of skill like the one Penelope does, but a different kind

- the challenge? Outsmart him.

- which may seem simple at a glance compared to the challenge Penelope sets up, but this is Odysseus we're talking about, chosen by Athena for his smarts

- even if in this AU he isn't chosen by a god (which, idk if that's true) he's still sly as hell, and the only person to ever outwit him is his own wife

- the suitors get frustrated that no matter what they say, what angle they got at, they just can't outwit him

- the suitors plans near the end are a lot different, planning to have Telemachus' ship wrecked somewhere with the help of a few well placed bribes, and getting Odysseus drunk and one of them seducing him (I don't know about Greek times, but I do know in older times if a man were to get a woman pregnant, he had to marry her, so that's what I'm going off of)

- but ofc Penelope is here before they can even begin to bribe the crew on Telemachus' ship, and she kills them all :]

- Would you Fall in Love with Me is the same but Odysseus is more pathetic and saying how he's always been hers, and that's never changed no matter what she's done

[ghostvibesonly]

THERE ARE OTHER WAYS DID NOT GO WHERE I WAS EXPECTING IT TO OH MY GOD /POS

PENELOPE’S THEME AND INSTRUMENT?? ODYSSEUS BEING QUITE LITERALLY BACKED INTO A CORNER AND HAVING SEEMINGLY NO OTHER WAY TO SAVE HIS MEN BUT STILL NOT BEING ABLE TO BRING HIMSELF TO GO THROUGH WITH THE ACT (EVEN THO IT WOULDN’T BE A TRUE ACT OF BETRAYAL BECAUSE THERE’S NO ACTUAL CONSENT ON HIS SIDE AND IT WAS SOMETHING HE WAS ABOUT TO BE COERCED INTO)??? CIRCE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BEFORE AND BELIEVING THAT “BECOMING THE PUPPETEER” IS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP HERSELF AND HER NYMPHS SAFE SO SHE OFFERS THIS “ACT OF PASSION” TO STILL HAVE A FORM OF CONTROL, AND THEN SEEING ODYSSEUS IS NOT LIKE THOSE BEFORE BECAUSE HE’S SO IN LOVE WITH PENELOPE (WHO HE HASN’T SEEN IN 12 YEARS) THAT HE REFUSES HER OFFER AND PLEADS BECAUSE IT’S NOT WORTH IT EVEN THO THATS THE ONLY OPTION HE’S BEEN GIVEN??? HIM CALLING HIMSELF A PUPPET MAKING HER REALIZE THAT THIS CYCLE OF ABUSE AND CONTROL ISN’T WORTH IT ONLY TO COME TO A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE SHE KNOWS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE TRULY IN LOVE AND TO BE HURT, SO SHE OFFERS HIM AN ACT OF KINDNESS INSTEAD???

“Maybe showing one act of kindness leads to kinder souls down the road”