#melinoë the princess of nightmares

[bluebird-in-a-cagedrawing]

My ocs:

Abigail

Red the fortune teller

Aquaria the Water lady

Fire Lily the demon

Melinoë the princess of nightmares

Banner:

Rocky Flame

Mieray the moon mouse

Mikaela the cat cookie

Rosella the harvest candy Witch

Lady Miza

Banner:

[liroyalty]

Your Dating Service

"After one date? Goodness no, that's not how I work."

"Ehehehe~" Scammed.

"???" He had no idea he was even on a date. Hello??

For once, these two are not fighting each other, but together.

"Yes? And?" She didn't want to be there.

[chocolatefrontier]

Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld, Goddess of Nightmares Situationships

Arachne is the only character so far who outright expresses interest in Mel, though Moros has his moments, that grunge goof. I'm trying to compile all of Mel's romantic interactions so far, if anybody has a particular scene in mind.

Personally, I think Arachne is basically confirmed to be an RO (Romance Option). Most likely Moros as well, along with Nemesis and Dora. Perhaps Icarus and Eris as well. I know that those of us who are feral for Odysseus would love to have him as an RO, but Mel outright says she considers him a brother. (Honest Game Trailers pointed out how saucy Od says the word Goddess and I can't get it out of my mind aaaaaaaa)

Anyway have this adorable Arachne scene as a boon for reading through this post:

[smallraindrops-blog]

Oough all this talk of Hades 2 has me imagining Y/n interacting with young Melinoë and Hypnos.

(Longgg drabble warning Melinoë is roughly 8-9)

Every time he comes back from a mission, and after his reports, he goes straight to Hypnos. No greetings or salutes to the others as he only has one thing one his mind... Well, technically, two, if the young Princess insists on watching over Hypnos while he's gone.

The young Princess had seen you fret over Hypnos body, change his poppies when they got to dull, read to him, and even braid his hair! The Princess wanted to show that she could help, too, to make sure you knew he would be safe when you left. From there, she would come up with bundles of poppies and books to ask if she could watch over Hypnos, too. You wanted to turn her away, tell her it's alright, but the look her eyes, the determination and need to be useful struck you. So you had said yes and taught her how to care for your little corner of the Crossroads.

Going to Hypnos and your corner of the crossroads (mostly hypnos, your bedroll hasn't been used in quite some time. Hypnos would be scolding you about that. You wish he was at this point... You miss his voice), you notice the young Princess. Usually, when returning, she's braiding his hair, rearranging his poppies, or talking to the shades that carry his hammock. (They seem to worship you and Hypnos, guardians, they whispered. You cared not how they felt about you, as long they didn't drop Hypnos, you're fine with them.)

This time was something new, something that left your heart aching.

The young Princess was sleeping atop hypnos chest, his arms wrapped around her. For a moment, you wondered if anyone saw this, if they tried to scold Melinoë. You hope not. The young Princess finally looks comfortable. Most of the time, when she sleeps, she has nightmares and would seek comfort from Hecate. Lately, she has been coming to you after learning you to have suffered from nightmares. (Unlike you, however, she still needs to rest, so you try your best to comfort her and tell her what Hypnos would tell you after a nightmare he couldn't keep away.)

The shades seemed content to hold Sleep incarnate and the Princess of the Underworld as they slept. They almost seemed to be expecting you to join them in rest. A foolish idea (if you slept, would you see him? Would he visit you in your dreams? Would you be able to hold him and he hold you back? Would he forgive you for not taking care of yourself?) You doubt the tiny shades could hold all three of you.

As you watch over the two, Melinoë begins to stir, and as her eyes fluttered open, you slowly approached. The young Princess still dazed and confused from waking up, doesn't put up a fight as you pick her up. She simply sighs and nuzzles her head on your shoulder as she falls back asleep. Hypnos barely twitchs, simply a few mumbled words and soft snores.

As you walk the young Princess back to her bedroll, you ignore the looks from those inhibiting the Crossroads. It's not every day they see the son of Achilles and Patroclus, the shade who once took down Ares, care for someone that isn't Hypnos.

Hecate doesn't say anything when you return from tucking in Melinoë, simply watching you go to Hypnos and scowl at the shades talking loudly about what they just saw.

Reaching him, you replace the old and damaged poppies with new ones, readjust Hypnos' laying form, and wait for Hecate or Odysseus to request your help.

You also wait for Melinoë, who you're sure will be embarrassed when she wakes up. You'll simply pat her head and tell her it's alright. Thank you for keeping Hypnos company, I'm sure he enjoyed having someone to nap with.

(Cough cough,I wrote this at 4 am, so apologies for any spelling errors. Hope you enjoy it, and I can't wait for the next chapter of WMFTD!)

*feral screams*

Anon this is so lovely! I am going to ramble so more under the read more. Also you did great for 4am writing! Don’t worry about misspelling or errors. I make so many during normal waking hours so you are totally fine! :)

Thank you the food my friend!!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

little Melinoë!!!! I can just see her determined little face staring up at Y/N, daring you to tell her no. Little baby omg.

I am just imaging y/n keeping a watchful eye on her as she tries to carry an armful of poppies she found, dropping some as she hurried over to Hypnos with y/n picking up the fallen ones to carry for her.

Also Odysseus had totally teased you about going soft. You might or might have punch him in the arm. Hard.

not that it stopped him much. That shade still seem enjoying pushing his luck.

Also I like to think Melinoë would read outloud to both Hypnos and Y/N and sometimes Y/N would have help Melinoë sound out a new word.

And the two shades being worshippers are a wonderful idea! It works too, since many greek heroes have their own hero cult (y/n included, lol i had a fic idea of him having to deal his own set of worshippers bugging him.)

also imagine they almost did drop Hypnos once. The glare you gave them could had set fire to water. It never happened again.

also if they are worshippers, are they warriors themselves, hoping learn more of your strength or Hypnos’ gentleness? Or more like priests/priestess, devotion to the maintaining the mythology and care to the divine? 🤔

Awww, poor Melinoë, she already has so much to deal with she shouldn’t have to deal nightmares 😭

but I like the idea of y/n sharing a moment of vulnerability with her, letting her know everyone has nightmares. Even Odysseus, even Hecate.

Maybe after that conversation, you would look toward Hypnos and hoped that you handled it right. You thought you saw a faint smile but you couldn’t be sure.

gods you missed him so much. You would settle for even a single teasing joke at this point.

i bet you did try to sleep once in hopes of finding Hypnos but wherever he was, it was beyond your reach.

You just hope it was peaceful. Until you would keep watch, his faithful guardian.

And anon, the picture you painted of y/n coming back to see Melinoë cuddled up in Hypnos’ arms broke my heart. Like the gentle light, the softness of their peaceful expression.

And you could tell Melinoë needed it.

It actually broke your heart because you knew it should had been her parents or Zagreus holding her.

Damn Cronus. Damn him.

You were so gentle with you picked her up, not used to children or small they feel in your arms.

You and Hecate rarely speak, but you knew her well know to see the wry amusement in her eyes

A week later you find her there again. But you let her rest for a little bit longer. Hypnos seemed a little happier.

Aaa aaaaaah aaaaaa. Omg this is so good. Thank you sending me this. I am gonna be thinking about this alllllll day.

[shizukateal]

Lore Olympus Rambles - aka. who the fuck could that child deity be???

If I'm being honest with you, I'm not here to truly come to conclusions. This will simply be a post compiling different arguments as to the possibilities on the answer to this question. Some of them will be mine, but not all of them.

Sorta-Option-A: It might not actually be Dionysus

Ok, I'm just gonna say it. Dionysus has probably already been born in this 10 year interval, or at least exists in some capacity.

I assume this because Minos is already dead -he is one of the judges of the dead-, and he is the father of Dionysus' wife Ariadne. If Minos is dead, then it's because Daedalus and a bunch of princesses already boiled him, which means that the events of Theseus and the Minotaur already happened.

Also, Zeus was sleeping with Semele 10 years ago, Zeus is a sexist pig and mortals get old fast so :/ I doubt Zeus would still sleep with her if she had matured. I mean it's not impossible, but still.

This however brings the question of how Rachel would avoid the -admittedly kinda distant, but still- incest if these 2 parentages are true. Here's my guesses on how the story would go to solve this:

Minos thinks he is the son of Zeus, but he's just the son of Europa and maybe Asterius?? Maybe that'll be a mini character arc for him, assuming that he's the one who's butthurt over his former glory.

If all of this is true, however, then Ariadne and Dionysus are probably still very young. Maybe this version will recontextualize Theseus' betrayal as not only taking advantage of a girl who loved him but a little girl at that and then leaving her stranded away from her family. I mean, he did abduct Helen that one time when she was way too young, and we know she already exists in the story by now, so. Not the first time he would screw over a child. Maybe Dionysus and Ariadne will be a childhood romance in this version of the story.

If Dio is still a child then, and Perse will become one of his foster parents -debatably the most important in fact- then Hades' alcoholism could probably be foreshadowing as to how he will discover his divine domain.

In some tellings of the story, however, Semele commits suicide and Dio takes her from the underworld to deify her, so that's another strong contender for how they'll meet. Or you know, she could just live in Naxos for a while until they meet.

Or maybe after Zeus sowed him into his ballsack thigh Dionysus was just sorta born as an adult like Athena. It wouldn't be the biggest change from ""canon"" in this story.

However there's another way of kinda almost solving the incest thing, which takes us too...

Option B: Zagreus, but it's also Dionysus, aka. Orphic Dionysus.

The biggest piece of evidence for this is Hera's current situation with Kronos. Whichever way orphic Dionysus' or Zagreus' parentage swings, Hera "sends the Titans" to kill him because he will represent a threat to the cycle of successions.

Maybe this child deity is waiting for a body to inhabit, which will be Perse and Hades' child, and Kronos is trying to persuade Hera to prevent this.

In at least one version, Semele is a sort of second womb for what remains of the baby. It would be a it jarring if the story introduced her for nothing after all. However then Dionysus wouldn't be a true son of Zeus, just the son of one of his lovers, and distantly his nephew by way of Hades? Listen, I just kinda want Zag to be a thing in the story.

Option C: Melinoë

An option which I considered relatively improbable but which @encephalopoda reinforced by reminding me that she's not just the goddess of ghosts, she is the bringer of nightmares. She fits neatly with the Underworld and Kronus' use of her powers.

If the deity is also whoever appeared in that mural, well, she is the only square female option here, although Dionysus was raised by his aunt as a girl in the myths and has an Androgynos epithet.

Option D: Demophon is sorta all of the above:

What happened in Attica, Hestia asked? Demophon happened is what. I'm actually kinda angry at myself for not getting it at first because I forgot Attica was part of Eleusis.

For those not in the know, Demeter disguised herself as an old woman and became a wet nurse to the children of Queen Metanira (who we see when she wakes up). She breastfeeds one of them, Triptolemon, and he instantly becomes an adult, then she tries to turn Demophon into a deity by anointing him in ambrosia and burning him over the fireplace, but then Metanira catched her and the ritual could not be completed.

So it is possible that this new deity is the result of that, if the timelines match.

Option E: No, it probably isn't Eileithyia

Remember when Hera said something about Hebe's "Lazy Sister" and we all assumed it was Athena? Nah, it was probably Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth.

She seems to be suggested because she is a female deity closely related to fertility and thus potentially the one in the mural, but I just don't see it champs :/

[polskasroka]

Distraction | Chapter 3

Here's chapter 3 of my Mel/Od fic, hope you enjoy!

Pairing: Melinoë/Odysseus

Tags: Older Man/Younger Woman, Slow Build, Slow Burn, Pining, Romance, Eventual Romance, Self-Doubt, Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Spoilers, Written During Hades II (Supergiant Video Game) Early Access, Character Study, mel is a tough gal overall, but she has her weaker moments, Denial of Feelings, Nightmares, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Kissing

AO3 link

Or Chapter 3 (4600 words) under Read More

During this attempt, Melinoë feels extraordinarily light and filled with the sense of self-fulfilment and a quiet murmur of yearning for something more to happen rather sooner than later. Once she’s tasted something that used to seem distant and redundant, it is now more than appealing and desirable, required to rest and lift some weight off of the Goddess’ shoulders.

The refreshment follows Melinoë wherever she steps and even the heavy air of Oceanus can’t spoil it. Similarly, the miasmas in the Fields of Mourning can only try to cover the raised spirits of the Princess. What is more, all the blessings that Melinoë’s gathered so far have also proved highly useful, so she has high hopes for the outcome of the upcoming clash with Chronos.

Only when she encounters Nemesis does her determination falter the tiniest bit. But Melinoë doesn’t give up and takes the challenge that Retribution has posed towards her and does her best to slay more enemies than Nemesis. Yet, despite blood, sweat and tears, it is yet another time that sees Melinoë fail and give the Chthonic Goddess a hundred coins.

“You get to Chronos but you can’t make it when you fight against me. I’d ask how but I have a feeling that I know the answer,” Nemesis says in her usual monotonous but acid-laced tone.

“For some reason, I always lose to you. I don’t think that there’s anything more to that,” Melinoë states simply, shrugging. When she senses that a verbal blow is coming, she folds her arms and scowls at Nemesis.

“May I enlighten you then. Perhaps if you weren’t busy courting some particular inhabitants of the Crossroads, you wouldn’t be so distracted. Don’t you find it wise to tell Hecate how some shades tend to draw your attention away from your task?”

“Nem, I have no idea why you’re bringing such things up.” Melinoë sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose with her fingers. “Am I not allowed to spend time with those who I deem close and dear to me?”

“Unless it ails the cause,” Nemesis growls with finality.

“It doesn’t. The fact that I’ve reached the Fields is enough evidence for that.”

“But you still won’t end the Titan for good.”

“I have no power over–”

“Start with yourself. Regain control over yourself, Princess. Or ask Hecate to aid you. Or don’t waste your time on mortals.”

“Dora and Odysseus are my friends, Nem. But you wouldn’t know, would you?” Melinoë asks, some leftover hope in her voice.

“I wouldn’t. And you know I’m not talking about Dora here,” Nemesis gnarls and narrows her eyes at Melinoë who shakes her head in disbelief and… pity. Retribution will have none of that, so she announces, “I’m off. You should too. Don’t want me getting to Chronos before you do. Someone could turn out to be more efficient than the Princess of the Underworld.”

Melinoë makes a mental note to cut Nemesis down to size next time they meet outside of the Crossroads.

“How does it happen, Lord Moros?”

“How does what happen, Princess?”

“How do you… know that someone’s going to die any second from what they’re engaged in doing?” Melinoë asks out of sheer curiosity after she almost won the fight with Eris. She was so close to the success but Doom’s merciless countdown forced her to return to shadow.

“I… You could say that I possess a very short-sighted vision of the nearest future. Whether you carry my pin or not, Princess, doesn’t affect this ability. My nature allows me to sense the impending death of a mortal��� or a goddess, in your case,” he replies calmly, seemingly content that he can explain it to someone who’s interested in what he’s saying.

“It sounds similar to me sensing the nightmares that others have. They draw me in almost every time.”

“So do someone’s final moments to me.”

They exchange polite smiles after that and Melinoë can feel a light fluttering of her heart. Lord Moros does have that something about himself that Melinoë can’t just ignore and take with a stone face.

“I used to wonder how come that you’re entertained by accompanying someone at the time of their sudden death but now that I think about it, I am no better than you, Lord Moros,” Melinoë observes, piquing Doom’s interest once more.

“Why so, Princess?”

“I can’t say I don’t feel entertained, for lack of a better word, after I’ve… participated in someone’s nightmare. Besides, I reckon you yourself have seen how bringing others a nightmare can energise me before I venture out into the woods.”

“It was a sight to behold, indeed.” Moros nods to strengthen his statement and then continues, “I don’t think I’d ever seen you so full of life before that day. Truly amazing and admirable.”

“Flattery’s becoming one of your stronger suits, my Lord,” Melinoë quips, placing her hands on her hips and putting her weight onto one leg. “Using me for practice, are you?”

“Princess, I would never dare to do so. I mean each and every word I say. I apologise if I’ve ever made you think the opposite, since that has never been my intention and never will be one.”

“No need to apologise. I just… appreciate your kindness, is all.” Melinoë smiles slightly and rubs her arm, averting Moros’ gaze for a second.

“It’s well-deserved.”

Melinoë’s cheeks do grow pink because of this exchange. She knows that she kissed Odysseus the other night but she’s a goddess and gods and goddesses are prone to having more than one lover, right? Maybe not all of them are like that but Melinoë’s not harming anyone and she decides that both Moros and Odysseus must know how it is. Or at least Od does, even though he’s no god.

She’s been thinking about rejecting Doom Incarnate’s attempts at making advances to her but she can’t will herself to. Melinoë is too smitten with him to let it go this simply and chase one man with whom she’s also only kissed once. Since Melinoë has now opened the doors to such various possibilities, she’s not going to close them. She’s going to wait and let it all brew and maybe everyone will come unscathed out of this.

In fact, she has let go and closed the door in her life once. Back when Icarus was still around and they were getting on perfectly well, she knew there was something between them. But both of them were too awkward about it to admit their adolescent feelings to the other and instead went for various acts of commitment and engaged in physical affection, skipping the talking about it.

But they were young and Melinoë thinks they should be forgiven. The price that she’s paid for that should also prove enough. She lost her hand while trying to make Icarus whole again but not only did she lose that limb and have to have it brought back by Hecate but she also lost Icarus. He left and although they now meet once in a while on the Surface, it doesn’t really seem like they’ll be getting back together soon.

Still, Melinoë is aware that she’s never forgotten about the boy-shade, as Hecate likes to call him, and she’ll always have room in her heart ready for him if he ever wishes to return there.

“Princess?” Moros’ voice pulls her out of her reverie.

“Um, yeah? Sorry, I drifted away for a second there,” Melinoë chuckles a bit nervously.

“It’s alright. Since I’ve gathered that it’s polite to ask about it… How have you been recently?”

That is so casual that it almost startles Melinoë.

“Oh, I, um… Quite fine, I’d say. I’ve become better at chasing off bad dreams after Hecate taught me a spell or two. Thank you.”

“Does that mean you don’t have to bring nightmares to others to feel better now?”

“Not exactly, my Lord. If I give somebody one, it provides me with a different kind of energy. It drains me, yes, but there is a certain power to it that I can’t properly explain. Something we all probably experience when working with what we excel at. How have you been?”

“Well. My nightmares seem to have ceased as well. Do you think it’s due to you sleeping more peacefully these days?” Moros wonders, a soft smile gracing his lips as he’s gazing at the Princess.

“I’d suppose so. I can still change that if you so desire, Lord Moros.”

“You will always be welcome in my dreams, Princess. No matter how terrible they may appear. Trust me, I have seen quite a couple of atrocities myself already.”

“That’s your job, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, Princess.”

Light-hearted though their conversation may have been, Melinoë still comes out of it with a racing heart. She’s hoping that Moros is feeling the same way – after all, any glance or a shy and small chuckle didn’t go unnoticed by her. If her predictions are right, Doom may be as smitten with her as she is with him. And it’s innocent, in its own way. It reminds her of her and Icarus’ infatuation. That’s probably why she fancies the talks with Moros so much.

But, on the other hand, it’s developing slowly. And, considering their foe, they might not have all the time in the world to prolong the waiting and courting.

This is when Melinoë reminds herself about Hecate’s words. About how she told her that she’d been using her all this time and maybe Melinoë has learnt something from her, whether the Headmistress has been really using her and her powers or not.

Melinoë used Odysseus and his greatest weakness that one evening. She did it for her own fun and well-being and now she’s using Moros because she finds she’s enjoying the process of falling in love with someone in a gradual way, without rushing anything. Add to that the renewing relationship with Icarus up on the Surface and you could say that Melinoë’s greedy.

And she could be. And maybe she should be. Doesn’t having several irons in the fire run in her blood?

Another runs and nights bring mixed effects but with a tendency that may forebode some success in the future. It obviously raises spirits in the Crossroads, perhaps with the exception of Nemesis who is still an enigma when it comes to her being satisfied with Melinoë’s progress. The Princess has talked to her about it many a time and while one evening some admiration can be heard in her words, the other she is berating Melinoë once again.

Melinoë doesn’t like it (because who would?) but what can she do? Go and tell Hecate about it? She’s not a child anymore and she’s grown used to Nemesis’ digs. She’s turned them into a sort of white noise into which she tunes only when the Chthonic Goddess has something relevant to say.

Melinoë has treated herself today – she brought a nightmare upon Moros to cheer herself up and sit back after the last gruelling ventures into the Underworld. Thus, she woke up refreshed and ready to do the same thing over and over again, until she knocked herself out after yet another victory over Chronos.

She’s become confident in that matter, hasn’t she?

Frankly, Melinoë didn’t bring the nightmare onto Moros per se; she only intensified it. She bore into the depths of his mind, seeking any fears that he could have only to take advantage of them for her own benefit.

Melinoë wasn’t surprised when Moros’ first fears that she came across included her being in grave danger. Becoming so aware of it all as she did felt personal and nearly too much but she prevailed and enhanced the visions of her failure, of her being stopped in time and buried under layers and layers of Chronos’ sand. The images caused her unease and nausea but she pushed the visions further and further until Moros woke up with a horrified gasp and sweat beading on his temples.

Then, she simply returned to shadow and sweet unconsciousness.

But the gleeful atmosphere that surrounds Melinoë because of Moros’ nightmare catches everyone’s attention. While Moros is nowhere to be found for now, Nemesis scoffs at the sight of the Princess being in such a good mood. She knows what Melinoë has been up to all night and she can’t believe that she’s still behaving like a child in a candy store while nightmares and madness are precisely her role and nature.

Eris hasn’t been sticking about lately and it’s nothing unusual that she’s absent again. Melinoë doesn’t mind.

It’s a totally different story when it comes to Odysseus. Once he hears Melinoë approach, he turns around and great contentment is beaming from him, although it’s also well-hidden behind a kind smile. The sight leaves Melinoë breathless for a split second and she’s already walking over to him in a gait that’s full of life when she hears Hecate call her name from behind her. Only then does Melinoë notice that Hecate’s usual spot near the cauldron has been empty all this time.

Melinoë's doing her best to hide the disappointment that rises onto her face and which is evident to Odysseus. It even makes him chuckle under his breath and he comes back to his reports and maps when Melinoë spins around on her heel to join Hecate on the way to the training grounds.

“You’ve been making great progress lately, Melinoë. You’re making us all proud here,” Hecate says once they’re there, strolling around in each other’s company since the Commander is nowhere in sight – much to Hecate’s satisfaction (and perhaps due to her magic).

“Really? I often catch myself thinking that I could do better, Headmistress.”

“There’s always room for growth. But you have to remember to believe in yourself and your current abilities, for they haven’t come to you out of the grace of any gods. You have been mastering your skills all your life and now that you’re putting them to use – you can only hone them,” Hecate states in her usual steady tone.

“Am I honing them when I lose to Chronos?” Melinoë asks, doubts speaking through her.

“Oh, Melinoë, stop this,” Hecate warns but not in a threatening or angry way. “Sometimes you make me think that you say such words only to hear praise, which I know is not true. And while you shouldn’t allow yourself too much leeway when it comes to the Titan, you can’t claim that you haven’t learnt anything by losing to him.”

The Witch’s words are clever and Melinoë is fully aware of that. However, although she’s been told some things many a time, the Princess still happens to have issues with self-confidence. Even when it’s clear that her skills seem almost impeccable or as perfected as the ones possessed by the Titaness.

“Keep doing what you’re doing, Melinoë. As Selene would say, you’re the shooting star burning brightly, leading our way through the night to the inevitable end of this crisis.”

“Shooting stars burn out eventually,” Melinoë deadpans but Hecate’s disenchanted glance flusters her. “Sorry, Headmistress. I’ll stop now.”

“I’d rather you did. We would never win with Chronos if we all had such attitude.” Hecate pauses for a moment and, judging by the slight squint of her eyes, she’s thinking about something that Melinoë picks up on.

“Is there anything else you’d like to talk to me about, Headmistress? You seem like there is something on your mind still.”

“Observant as always. Learning from Odysseus, are you, Melinoë?” The Witch peeks at the Goddess. The tiniest smile flashes across Melinoë’s face that doesn’t escape Hecate’s notice.

“Maybe a little, Headmistress. No use comparing his abilities of the sort to mine, though.”

“And yet, you often manage to traverse, say, Erebus and reach me unharmed. That must require some kind of planning, must it not?”

“You’re right and… I may have taken more than just a little of Odysseus’ advice to heart.” The Princess nods, as if to confirm her words.

“Hm… Is it only his advice that you’ve taken to heart?”

Melinoë looks confused. “What do you mean?”

“I do try not to invade your privacy, or anyone else’s for that matter, but this forest belongs to me. We are one. And,” Hecate sighs, “I must admit that I have noticed how your bond with Odysseus has strengthened and the way in which your relationship with him has been developing recently.”

Something grips Melinoë from the inside and she briefly feels short of breath. But she recollects herself quickly enough to figure out what Hecate is implying.

“Nothing that’s been going on between me and Odysseus will ail our cause, Headmistress. I can assure you,” the Goddess swears as fiercely and convincingly as she can.

“Time shall verify that.”

“Do you not believe me?” Melinoë sounds more baffled than annoyed. “I… I don’t think I’ve ever given you any reason to… I…”

“Melinoë.” The Titaness stops and faces the Princess, laying her hands on Melinoë’s slender shoulders. “I know. If I didn’t trust you with your task, I would have sent Nemesis out there to vanquish Chronos a long time ago. But I am certain that you are the one made for this high goal of ours. What I want to tell you is that I want you to be cautious. Mortal men, they…” Hecate’s eyes indicate pity and embarrassment. “They are not always who they seem they are.”

“Gods aren’t any better, are they?”

“By no means,” the Witch sniggers lightly. “But you remember what happened when you attempted to help that boy-shade, Icarus. It did not end well. For either of you.”

Melinoë exhales heavily and Hecate feels her shoulders slouch under her palms. The Titaness squeezes reassuringly, her gaze tender, almost motherly. Something that brings a tear to Melinoë’s eye and causes her lip to quiver in a soft smile.

“I trust that your current bond with Odysseus won’t impact your growth in a negative way. It’s something that Nemesis doesn’t agree with me on, would you believe that?” A snigger and the atmosphere feels much lighter all of a sudden.

“Why am I not surprised?” Melinoë manages a small chuckle herself.

“But do not disregard your reason and intuition. Indulge the heart sensibly.”

“You have my word, Headmistress.”

“Good. Thank you for your time, Melinoë. Forgive me if I interrupted something.”

“No harm done. Thank you for your time as well. May moonlight guide you.”

“And may shadows conceal us.”

The two women bow to one another and when Hecate turns around to head out of the training grounds, she says something that has Melinoë startled and just a tiny bit embarrassed.

“Greet Lady Aphrodite from me next time she decides to visit our Hot Spring. And, please, ask her how she’s able to reach these regions.”

Melinoë does wonder when and if the Goddess of Love is going to pay her yet another visit. Apart from the desire to talk about the latest events – because no one else would understand the matters of the heart better than Aphrodite herself – Melinoë has also grown curious about how Aphrodite manages to appear in the Crossroads. It’s no wonder that Hecate knows, for she and the woods are one. But then again, the Titaness didn’t interrupt Melinoë and Aphrodite’s conversation in the springs when she had an opportunity to. If it was simply out of Hecate’s respect towards Melinoë’s privacy, then the Princess is highly grateful for that.

The Princess would also like to talk to Aphrodite once again – she catches herself thinking while choosing a keepsake to start her trip up to the Surface this time. Without further ado, Melinoë picks the Beautiful Mirror, hoping that she might get in touch with the Olympian Goddess rather sooner than later.

And this is precisely what happens.

“Back on the Surface with us, aren’t you, gorgeous? It’s much easier to get to you now that you’re much closer to us all! Also a little birdie told me that my advice for you hadn’t gone in vain and I bet that you’ve chosen this small gift from me to let me know about that! That’s so sweet of you, love, and I’ll make sure to pay you a visit as soon as I can!” the Goddess announces in her syrupy-sweet and cheerful voice.

“I’d really appreciate that, my Lady…” whispers Melinoë with a shy smile on her face.

She’s slightly embarrassed not because of what she wants to talk with Aphrodite about. She’s slightly embarrassed because she knows how much more flustered she’s going to be once the Goddess of Love joins her in the springs again. Melinoë finds it silly as she makes up her mind about which boon from Aphrodite to take. She also swears that she’s heard that lovely laughter somewhere near but there’s no one around her.

Heavy is the heart that carries so much infatuation with so many different people.

It’s also something that Aphrodite picks up on when she materialises in the Crossroads’ Hot Spring, waiting for Melinoë to join her, even though the Princess doesn’t yet know who is anticipating her there. She has, in fact, just come back from today’s ventures upward and downward, with all of them being successful. Melinoë’s proud of herself but she doesn’t really boast about it because at this time of the day, the Crossroads is more empty than buzzing. Everyone’s off to tending to their own duties and whatnot, while Melinoë’s done with them for now.

Thus, the Goddess of Nightmares gasps, astonished, at the sight of Aphrodite herself hanging out in the bath.

“Oh, gorgeous, I didn’t mean to scare you!” Aphrodite provides immediately, her tone kind and apologetic.

“Not a problem, my Lady,” Melinoë exhales, holding her hand on her heaving chest for a moment. “Welcome to the Crossroads. I’m glad you’ve taken a shine to this humble safe haven of ours.”

“In comparison to Olympus, it surely is humble,” Aphrodite states, nonchalantly observing Melinoë getting undressed. “However, these springs of yours, oh! They’re divine! I wonder who the original creator of them was.”

“Good question.” Melinoë enters the bath and submerges her slim but toned body in the hot water. “I’ve brought them back, you know. I can see now that it was one of the best ideas I’ve had,” she sniggers just a bit.

“Oh, definitely, my dear!”

“I, um… I also hope that I didn’t startle you when I arrived here, my Lady… or kept you waiting for too long, for that matter,” Melinoë changes the subject and she’s aware of how awkward a moment she’s chosen for that.

“None of that, gorgeous. You should forgive me for emerging here, out of nowhere. I’ll arrange some foam next time!” Aphrodite flashes the sweetest grin in existence that has Melinoë melt in her seat. “But, on the other hand, I’m the best heart-advisor you could have!”

“Yeah, speaking of that…”

“Before we start, let me tell you something,” Aphrodite lowers her voice, which piques Melinoë’s attention. “Do you want to know how I, out of everyone else, am able to find the Crossroads? If you say you’re not curious about it, I won’t believe you.”

“Lady Aphrodite, of course, I am,” Melinoë admits and they both laugh. This went smoother than expected, for Melinoë didn’t even have to ask.

“The others, they prefer to follow that what’s visible. And the paths of the heart are all but visible! They don’t sense what I sense or hear what I hear when your heart starts racing for someone you find dear, attractive or both. This is what leads my way. The little songs of your heart.”

Aphrodite’s voice is so smooth and genuine that Melinoë feels dizzy for a moment or two and spares a second to get herself together and focus on what the Goddess has just said. She blushes at her own giddiness. Aphrodite finds it alluring.

“Save that pretty pink for someone else, dearest! You’ve got a couple of admirers to choose from, don’t you, hm?”

“I guess so. And I think I admire all of them as well.”

“There’s a ‘but’ there,” Aphrodite claims and she smiles when she knows she’s right.

“As always,” Melinoë sighs.

“Spit it out, gorgeous.”

“But there’s someone who makes my heart flutter more than the others. Just as you pointed out some time ago, my Lady.”

“And it’s not Lord Moros, is it now?”

“No.” Melinoë shakes her head slightly. “And I wonder… What should I do? I’ve talked to Headmistress about it and she left it for me to decide. But she also asked me to be careful with… uh… with mortal men.” She clumsily adds, “and she sends you her regards!”

“I shall send her my regards then as well.” Aphrodite closes her eyes for a moment as she bows her head, as if the Titaness was there with them. “She was right to do so in both matters, love,” the Goddess continues normally. “It warms my heart, it truly does. But sometimes following your reason and your reason only may not be the way. Sometimes the heart has to take the lead. The reason will come and seize its power back later. Let some fun and risk in, especially in this terrible, terrible world that we are now living in. Bring some colour to it and to your own life.”

Melinoë clings to each and every word uttered by the other Goddess. She’s not sure whether she’s so attracted to Aphrodite that her insides are trembling at the might of her wisdom or it’s one of Aphrodite’s tricks to convince Melinoë to her statement. It doesn’t really matter as long as it’s working.

“So what you’re saying, Lady Aphrodite, is that I just… go and kiss Odysseus if that’s what I want to do?” Melinoë asks plainly, the cogs in her head working, while Aphrodite can barely suppress a snigger.

“That’s essentially it! You’re a smart little Goddess, just like your brother! But that’s a story for another day, won’t you agree?”

Melinoë nods.

“So!” Aphrodite claps her hands together, splashing some water onto Melinoë with that gesture. “I guess it’s settled now, gorgeous. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and for Odysseus! I must admit that I am not surprised by your attraction to him. It’s amazing that some mortals could nearly compete with us, gods, when it comes to the appearance!

“Oh, I could go on and on about that and the way it all looked back when everything was in its place together with the pieces of Chronos lying around various spots in the Underword but it’d take eons and no war would be won and no mortal men would be wooed – which is horrifying in itself. So, for now, you have my blessing and may you have a wonderful time with that handsome shade of yours!”

It all then happens so quickly. Melinoë doesn’t even manage to say goodbye in time, for Aphrodite steals a soft and sweet kiss to the Princess’ lips and then disappears from the springs. Melinoë lifts her hand to touch her lips and brush them with the tips ever so gently. It’s fascinating how Aphrodite’s touch has lingered there, making Melinoë miss it and crave the one she really wants at the same time. Oh, she is going to act upon it, alright. She hasn’t stored that bottle of ambrosia for naught after all.

[holyfied]

@singofus asked: finally kissing the person you’ve been pining for (Dys/Mel)

she looks over at them , the two of them perched on the top edge of a gothic cathedral , her spirits and their nightmares gallivanting from home to home , mind to mind . they feast on the fear , portions offered from each successful hunt to their respective royals , princess and monster watching over their progress .

for once , they are more humanoid , a serenely stern and focused expression on a pale, angular face , the shadows long about them , writhing in the need to be on the move . it had been melinoë who had convinced them to stay , after all .

she takes a step backwards , slowly landing beside them . she can tell they are aware of her presence , but not giving in to the urge to look at her . that's fine , she decides .

she has her other ways .

❛ dystonia , ❜ she murmurs , stepping closer to them until her shoulder brushes their arm . she hides a chuckle at how their shadow trembles in response , seemingly not expecting that contact . ❛ if i could be but so bold as to ask for your attention . undivided . ❜

they turn , and when they are within guiding distance , she cups their face with dual toned hands and kisses them , her mouth pressed to theirs , a mouth that could open as wide as they pleased . for now , they seem content to just kiss her ... until she's pinned against the clock tower , darkness around her and the kiss turning hungry . she gives as good as she gets , her hands sinking into their long dark hair , tugging them closer .

she is a princess , and a goddess , and a political savant ; and right now , all of that flies out the window . she's just a girl , getting the monster she wants —

and , miracle of miracles , the monster wants her back .

[bluebird-in-a-cagedrawing]

Top 10 of my beautiful female ocs:

I missed drawing Alvirey the white shadow, one of my most beautiful female ocs 🥰lt also has 2 more versions of herself, equally beautiful as this.

Number 2: Esmeral the strain cat

Number 3: Elenora the rainbow joy

Number 4: Melinoë the princess of nightmares

Number 5: Angelica the cosmic cat

Number 6: Rosa the singing starlet

Number 7: Abigail

Number 8: Venus the wolf

Number 9: Milky Way

Number 10: Dandelion the white flower

After this I will make a top 10 for my male ocs😅

[liroyalty]

"It's amazing how much a slight difference in height & weight makes." Angelica is watching the fight, Lynx has gotten thrown across the room at least three times, & it's obviously only because Naseria is a little bit bigger.

"KNEECAPS. KNEECAPS!!" Primrosa is also watching the the fight, Lynx has quite the habit of striking at the knees. Another tactic when fighting with a height difference? Prim wouldn't know, she's not a fighter.

Achlys is here too, but he's just here to make sure no one gets hurt.

Melinoe has a box of candy in her lap. This is what Naseria & Lynx are fighting for.

[riverdalenerdlol]

(establishing) the house of hades

Riverdalenerdlol

Beta’d by my fav @mrsreinhart

Part Two: the after

Five years later

Persephone woke in a cold sweat, her breathing erratic and her heart pounding in her ears. She gave herself a moment to catch her breath, letting herself adjust to the dark room around her.

It had been over eight years since sentencing Demeter to live the rest of eternity in Tartarus, yet Betty was still having nightmares about her… and she suspected she knew why.

Climbing out of bed carefully as to not wake a soundly sleeping Hades, Betty put her dressing robe on over her nightgown and padded over to the joining door that connected their chambers to the triplets’. Formerly the Queen’s chambers, the room had been refurbished for the three five year-old deities that now inhabited it - Crown Prince Plutus, the God of Wealth, Prince Zagreus, the God of Rebirth, and…

When Betty opened the door to peek inside the room, she saw the one and only Princess Royal, Melinoë, the Goddess of Nightmares, halfway to the door. It was evident in her glowing green eyes that Lily felt guilty for a moment, but she and Betty both knew why the other was awake, and it had to do with the wet streaks on the girl’s face.

Read Here on AO3

[bluebird-in-a-cagedrawing]

It's lovely! ❣️ Great job! Thank you!🌹

Raffle prize for @bluebird-in-a-cagedrawing of their OC

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Art by Cheru ~ Don’t forget to follow! ♡ Pls don’t repost, quote RT, or alter my art. Share the original instead!

[ixmxgod]

NPC’s/Side Characters for Descendants Verse:

Melinoë Eldest Daughter of Hades&Persephone Princess of and Heir to the Underworld & Temporary Queen of The Underworld Goddess of Nightmares & Maddness & Temporary/Future Goddess of Death Basic Information: Meli is the eldest of hades children and the first of 3 he had with Persephone, she has always been a bit unstable--something he had no doubt that she inherited from him. Luckily, most of the time her younger sister Macaria can usually calm her down when she gets to worked up; and if she can’t? Persephone always can.

Zagreus Middle Son of Hades & Persephone Prince of the Underworld, Heir to Spring & Father of Phoenix’s God of Lose, Reconnection, Rebirth & Balance Basic Information: Zay has inherited a fairly even amount of powers from his Mother & Father but is more skilled at the ones leaning more towards his Mother; unlike his sisters, who’s powers take more after their Father than their Mother. Because of this, he became the God of Rebirth as he was able to resurrect people without his Father’s permission as well as without his ember; this does, however, take a large toll on his body and every time he does it he ends of reverting to the form of an infant. Despite text that would claim he and his Cousin Dionysus are the same God, the truth is that his cousin is only alive because of him using his abilities to reform him and allowing his Uncle to bring him back. This was the first time he used his ability consciously and the second of so far 23 times in which he reverted to the form of an infant. Every time he does this he slowly regains his memories as he grows and currently, he is in the 18th year of his latest rebirth cycle, having not agreed with everything his Father was doing despite knowing his reasons and being the one who allowed Meg to be reborn after she died because of him. The reason he had agreed to save her? He’d grown very fond of her during her time serving his Father, the small crush he had however never being mentioned to her knowing both his Father’s plans and the outcome of the deal that had gotten her soul sold to him. When he reverted to the form of an infant he however was stuck in a susspended state almost like a coma, the only God who had any idea of why that might be was Ero’s and he and Persephone are the only ones who know that information. He does currently go to Auradon Prep, though he only has maybe a quarter of his memories back and a smaller portion of his power unlocked at this point.

Macaria Youngest Daughter of Hades & Persephone Lady Queen Macaria of Elysium of The Underworld Goddess of Blessed & Heroic Deaths & Redemption Basic Information: tba bECAUSE MY PAGE RELOADED AND I LOST EVERYTHING I HAD WRITTEN

[polskasroka]

Distraction | Chapter 2

Here's chapter 2 of my Mel/Od fic, hope you enjoy!

Pairing: Melinoë/Odysseus

Tags: Older Man/Younger Woman, Slow Build, Slow Burn, Pining, Romance, Eventual Romance, Self-Doubt, Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Spoilers, Written During Hades II (Supergiant Video Game) Early Access, Character Study, mel is a tough gal overall, but she has her weaker moments, Denial of Feelings, Nightmares, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Kissing

AO3 link

Or Chapter 2 (6166 words) under Read More

In spite of Aphrodite’s straightforward advice, it seems that Melinoë’s chickened out, without wanting to admit it to herself. Yes, she smiled once she saw that her plants had been watered each time she had no time to do so and she indeed felt her heart soar, knowing that Odysseus doesn’t mind that additional chore that he chooses to fulfil more often than not.

Maybe Melinoë should’ve gone for it immediately after her conversation with Aphrodite. Maybe she should’ve thought about herself and her own feelings towards others. Maybe if she’d done it, she wouldn’t end up with a growing need of feeling close to someone.

Of course, she is close with everyone in the Crossroads. But it’s not that kind of close that she’d like. There is that desire to be close to someone emotionally, to feel attached to someone that Melinoë isn’t sure how to deal with. Apart from that, she’d also like to be able to just hug someone, without others looking at her funny or them giving it too much thought. It’s been a while since she’s fallen into someone’s safe embrace and she’s now longing just for that and it may be clouding her resolve and reflexes while traversing Oceanus. Is this the little distraction that Aphrodite was talking about?

It is a bit of a hindrance, yes, but Melinoë reaches Tartarus anyway. Even those coin bags that Melinoë simply despises are manageable and after beating at least twenty of them, she pays a visit to the Titan once more. The hate that she holds towards him obscures any distractions that may have been lurking in Melinoë’s mind during this run. But oh, Chronos has his servants and they have provided him with information that he will use against Melinoë anytime there is an opportunity to do so.

“I thought you would’ve got here sooner than that. After all these attempts, you seem to be slower and less precise in all your actions down here today,” he announces with superiority in his voice that lowers at the last three words he utters.

“Maybe it’s all those satyrs of yours that aren’t fast enough to provide you with the news,” Melinoë quips, determined.

“I might consider taking your advice this time. Perhaps, I will do some cleaning up among my units, since they have been failing me. So observant… Would you care to join me?”

“Never. Dream on, Chronos.” The Princess narrows her eyes and readies Descura for the attack.

“I shall do just that. Beware, for my dreams shall become your nightmares. A humble gift from me to you, granddaughter.”

Chronos’ voice stings and seeps through the skin and flows through the bones like venom that seems impossible to remove once it enters the body. But there is no way that Melinoë will let it all get to her – she’s heard many a rambling and belittling of the sort to let it affect her at this point. Now, it is only a matter of whether she will conquer Time himself or not.

And it occurs that it is yet another futile attempt at beating Chronos. With the last strike of his scythe, he forces Melinoë to return to shadow, his sick laughter resonating in her head, following her to the realm of her dreams where she the least wants anything that reminds her of Chronos.

Time doesn’t relent, though, and keeps tracing each step that Melinoë makes in her sleep. His voice keeps echoing somewhere near and somewhere far from the Princess at the same time and Melinoë can’t run away from it, no matter where she hides in the void of her own slumber. Even when it feels like there’s a moment of rest, the haunting tone of Chronos comes back, reverberating in the abyss, making Melinoë wish she could wake up.

That voice is soon accompanied by occasional wails and screams, all indiscernible at first. They mix with one another, only to become clearer the further into torment Melinoë is lead. The yells are spurred on by the Titan’s demands to reveal the hiding spot of Melinoë’s, to tell her and Hecate’s whereabouts but there’s no answer. And when there’s no answer, the disarrayed yells filled with pain are heard.

Chronos allows Melinoë to know that it’s her father’s laments. It doesn’t take long before she has tears in her eyes. While torturing Hades, Chronos doesn’t hesitate to drill himself into Melinoë’s conscience, blaming her for all that’s happening to her father and the rest of her family. He blames her for cowering in the Crossroads while everything else around her is going to hell.

You keep failing, little one. What hope is there for you to fulfil your task now that I’ve showed you how much of a disappointment you are? Doing all this in vain, only to learn that I am the one in control of everything. You cannot stop me. You cannot stop Time.

Come, granddaughter. Come and surrender. Come and join me, and I shall free your family. That’s a fair trade, is it not?

Melinoë bolts upright, sitting straight as a shocked gasp leaves her lungs.

“I’ll show you a fair trade, Chronos,” she growls and stands up in one rapid move, wiping her eyes to get rid of the tears that are streaming down her face.

In a couple of long strides, Melinoë is out of her tent and headed to the training ground, passing the now silent and sleep-veiled centre of the Crossroads. She’s glad that there is no one to stand in her way, even the Commander is not there.

Melinoë picks a weapon for this attempt – Zorephet. She dearly hopes that this will be the arm that will help her fight Chronos and beat him to a pulp, so that he remembers that no one messes with Melinoë or her family.

From the outside, it looks like the Princess is in a frenzy and she… somewhat is. Driven by the nightmarish images that she’s just been a witness to, she has this unstoppable urge to rush through Erebus, Oceanus, the Fields of Mourning and Tartarus to get straight to Chronos and end this stupid war once and for all.

For the first time in her life, it seems to her that she can do it. Melinoë is so fuelled by rage now that there’s no possibility for anything or anyone to stand in her way and prevent her from diving into the depths of the world and slaying the Titan. This is her ultimate aim, this is her task that she’s been preparing for her whole life and she’s going to achieve the goal right now.

At least, that’s what Melinoë thinks she’s going to do. Dragging Zorephet with herself, she marches on to the entrance to the woods, ignoring the familiar voice calling after her. It is only when the voice resounds once more right behind her and a hand grips her wrist that Melinoë halts and turns around to see what the fuss is all for.

“What do you want? I don’t have time,” Melinoë huffs, searching Odysseus’ face with her glassy eyes all frantically, afraid that she’ll be late for something if she stays in the Crossroads a second longer.

“You shouldn’t go there now, Goddess. Not in this state,” Odysseus says with all seriousness, trying to catch up with Melinoë’s wild stare.

“There’s nothing wrong with me, Od. When if not now? I finally feel like I… like I can do it! Like this is the night when all this mess will be put to an end!” Melinoë pulls her hand to herself in an attempt to free herself from the man’s hold but it’s of no use and it frustrates her to the core.

“Have you forgotten what Lady Hecate has taught you? Don’t tell me that I, out of everyone, have to remind you not to act on an impulse,” Odysseus states firmly but there’s nothing mean about it. If anything, his words are packed with concern for the Princess.

“You don’t know how it is. She doesn’t know how it is. I have lost my family and I have to save them. I have to go there now! There won’t be a better chance anytime soon, so let me go!” Melinoë drops Zorephet’s handle and something inside of her stings, as if the weapon has just let her know that it doesn’t like this ridiculous idea of not seizing the opportunity as well.

Melinoë uses her free hand to pry her captured wrist free but Odysseus doesn’t loosen his vice-like grip. It makes Melinoë boil and she grunts and digs her nails into the man’s hand but it results in nothing successful. Quite the opposite – Melinoë’s other hand is now held by the wrist too and she’s forced to face Odysseus and look him in the eye, whether she likes it or not.

There’s fury in her mismatched eyes and that’s clear for both of them. But the white-hot anger is hiding something else beneath – it’s hiding great fear, one that sprang out and evolved into full bloom in Melinoë’s nightmare and has remained with her ever since. Odysseus has known the Goddess for long enough to notice that and be aware that it’ll soon pass and Melinoë won’t go anywhere. She’ll come to understand it in a moment too.

“You know I’m stronger than you,” Melinoë goes on with her little tirade, despite her voice shaking more and more and her feral resolve breaking piece by piece. “You know that I can just push you away and you’ll stand no chance against me, Od!” she yells into his face, all desperate, her rage-powered cover crumbling down. “I’m a Goddess, I’m going there and I’ll kill Chronos because it’s my family that needs me, because it’s my task, it’s what I’ve been training so long and hard for and I can’t let it go to waste now, Od, imagine what Headmistress would say if I just…” Melinoë hiccups and she gives in to Odysseus’ strength.

A sob rips out of her throat and she grows limp, so that Odysseus releases her wrists and wraps his arms around her to safely sit down on the ground with her. Melinoë curls up and presses her face into his shoulder, sniffling and going on about her task mindlessly.

“I can’t let this chance slip through my hands, I’m the closest to beating Chronos than I’ve ever been, I can’t disappoint everyone again, I…”

“You’re not disappointing anyone,” Odysseus speaks evenly and gently, rubbing Melinoë’s back with his hand in a soothing manner. “Who told you that?”

Melinoë squeezes her eyes shut but tears manage to roll down her cheeks regardless. At the same time, she’s trying to calm down, focusing on the grounding presence of Odysseus and his hand spreading warmth over her back.

“Chronos,” she finally confesses and then chokes on a sob that nearly breaks Odysseus’ heart. “He haunts my dreams, showing me visions of my father and all the terrible things that he’s been doing to him.”

“Don’t believe that bastard, Goddess. He’s doing all he can to trick you into self-doubt. But you’re better than that and you won’t fall for that, aye?”

“Aye, sir,” Melinoë agrees and swallows a big gulp down her throat.

Satisfied and more at peace, Odysseus presses Melinoë closer to himself, providing her with all the comfort that he can give her. And it’s working. Despite the Princess feeling more than horrible about everything that has just transpired, she clings onto the tactician, focusing on her own breathing to match it with his even one. She’s also ashamed of her outburst but she can’t really do anything about it, can she?

As if reading her mind, Odysseus speaks again, “promise me one thing, Goddess. You won’t blame yourself for all that’s happened just now. You already have a lot on your plate, you don’t need to add anything to that.”

“I promise,” Melinoë swears with a slight nod of her head.

“Melinoë. Odysseus,” says a distinct and kind voice from behind the two.

“Madam,” Odysseus greets back, now looking at the Witch who’s joined them.

“Headmistress?” asks the Princess in a raspy voice, peeking over the tactician’s shoulder.

Melinoë is the first one to stand up and the man follows her. He doesn’t leave her side when they approach Hecate, keeping his arm over Melinoë’s shoulder in a protective and reassuring way. The Princess is grateful for that as well as for Hecate’s arrival.

“I didn’t want to disturb, since you’ve handled the crisis so well, Odysseus. Truly admirable.”

“I’ve done what had to be done, madam. Besides, I couldn’t leave your student in such a miserable state, now could I?”

“Certainly not. And you yourself know it well that it’s rather unwise to act on one’s instincts. In fact, Melinoë surely knows that too, especially after seeing Cerberus in the Fields of Mourning.”

“When driven by his instincts and utter woe, he’s something I’d never like to become,” Melinoë manages a small laughter, which earns her a slight squeeze on her shoulder. “Otherwise, he’s a good dog.”

Melinoë’s innocent shrug elicits a chuckle from both Hecate and Odysseus.

“Now, Melinoë. Please, come with me and let me shield your dreams from Chronos for the rest of your sleep today. I think I know just the thing. I shall teach you this spell, so that you can cast it yourself and fight our enemy off even in your dreams.”

“Thank you, Headmistress.”

Hecate walks in front of Melinoë and Odysseus as they return to the centre of the Crossroads. The Witch then heads to the Goddess’ tent and announces that she’ll wait there for her if she wants to exchange a word or two with Odysseus.

“Thank you, sir,” Melinoë says softly and a bit sleepily as they pull away from each other.

“No need for that, Goddess. I’m glad I could help.” Odysseus remains humble, a hopeful smile on his face.

“I’ll get you another bottle of nectar tomorrow. Then, we’ll be even.”

“If you insist, I won’t say no. Now, go back to sleep and bring someone around here a nightmare. It always helps you, aye?”

“Aye.” The smile on Melinoë’s own lips is wide before she and Odysseus go their separate ways.

All this time, Melinoë has thought that her nightmares can’t be remedied but Hecate has decided to prover her wrong. The Titaness only resorts to it when the nightmares are becoming too vivid and too realistic, for she doesn’t want to interfere with Melinoë’s nature, she explains.

In fact, Hecate has used such spells on Melinoë when the goddess was younger. It was years ago and Melinoë understands why she doesn’t recall ever being under the influence of sleep spells. She was too young to remember.

Melinoë doesn’t evoke any nightmare that she knows about this time. It’s as if the sleep’s void has consumed her for the rest of her slumber and she’s been embraced by its tranquillity until she completely woke up.

Although she has tried hard to change it, she’s still embarrassed because of her nocturnal activities. Alright, she’s always had troubles with peaceful sleep but she doesn’t have to run around and rouse everyone because Chronos doesn’t let her relax. And he’s not going to. Melinoë knows that the Titan will keep invading her mind anytime he has a chance to do so and she’s going to learn how to push him out of there. He doesn’t belong anywhere near Melinoë’s mind.

But that’s a task for later. For now, Melinoë’s lying in, contemplating the recent events. What she discovers seems suddenly even more embarrassing than waking Hecate and Odysseus up so abruptly. Namely, Melinoë clearly remembers the pang of loss that she felt when she no longer was in the tactician’s embrace. Immediately, she reminds herself about the talk with Aphrodite and it makes her wonder if she’s not talking herself into believing that yes, she needs affection – both physical and emotional at that.

And oh, praise the Fates! Melinoë received both.

When Melinoë allows herself all these emotions, they appear addictive. Once she goes back to the memory of how close to Odysseus she was a couple of hours ago, goosebumps rise on her skin and she wants the ground to swallow her up. Whether it’s all Aphrodite’s doing stops being all that important because Melinoë would like to spend some time with the tactician again. But she’s aware that since she was able to sleep so soundly thanks to Hecate, she can’t waste this energy for pastime now, despite the fact how rewarding it could be.

She will indulge herself in that once she has a spare moment, though. Definitely.

“Hey, haven’t seen you sleep in like that for a long time,” Dora emerges out of nowhere, startling Melinoë.

“Dora!” the Princess scolds her and sits up. The shade shrugs.

“All I’m saying is that you’ve finally done that. Congrats! You can’t just… you know, rush out of here, ready to beat the old Titan’s ass. Kinda unhealthy.”

“What are you trying to say?” Melinoë wonders, raising an eyebrow.

“What I mean is that you really should rest more. Talk to other shades perhaps. I’ve done that. Was more fun than I’d thought. Thanks, Mel.”

“So I should just listen to my own advice, then, huh?”

“Yep. Go hang out with the Big Witch or the horned guy. He’s cool.”

“You two have been getting on well, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, you could say so. Come join us sometime. Our talks might entertain you. Just unwind a bit more is what I’m saying. Got it, Mel?”

“Got it.”

But that’s for when Melinoë has less energy. Now, she really can’t waste it, so she doesn’t waste time anymore and she’s promptly off and heading to the forest. However, something or someone catches her eye. There’s also some kind of a special atmosphere that’s radiating from Odysseus himself and it’s nothing else but tiredness caused by a nightmare that he must’ve had very recently.

It immediately stops Melinoë’s stride and she feels a wave of guilt wash over her. She realises that Odysseus asked her to give someone a nightmare to feel better but–

“Goddess, I know I don’t look the best today but is that a reason to be staring at me?” he startles Melinoë with his question that’s super playful for someone who’s got bags under his eyes.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to… I pondered off.” She walks over to the shade and averts her gaze, worrying about Odysseus and his sleep. “Od, I know you don’t like it when I apologise for giving any of you nightmares but…”

“Aren’t you a stubborn gal, eh?” He leans against his desk and folds his arms.

“Maybe so. It’s just difficult not to care. I bet you know the feeling.”

“That I  do. Speaking of which, did you sleep well after that, erm…”

“Incident?”

“Accident.”

“Alright. Accident. Yes, Od. Frankly, I haven’t slept so well in a while. It wouldn’t be possible without Hecate’s spell and, well, my nature getting out of hand, apparently.”

Melinoë sighs and looks down, which makes Odysseus lay a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“I know I’m trying to slay a titan on my own but… You shouldn’t be getting any collateral damage anyway.” Melinoë shrugs and peeks up at Odysseus uncertainly.

“We all knew what we signed up for, Goddess. We can handle it. Trust me.”

“You’ve handled worse is what you’re trying to say, right?”

“Aye. You’re a quick learner, as always.”

“Except for the bow?” Melinoë sniggers briefly.

“Except for the bow.”

It is quite amazing to think that after such a nightmare, Melinoë has managed to slay the Titan. She doesn’t go boasting that much about it but it’s clear to everyone that she’s proud of herself – rightfully so. She receives praise from Hecate and that matters a lot to the Princess but it doesn't mean that Melinoë will rest on her laurels. There’s still much to learn and practise, so that one day Chronos will be beaten for good. Melinoë knows that such a day will come eventually, especially when she’s aware of her power and capability of getting rid of the Titan.

The event boosts her confidence to a great degree and she doesn’t hesitate to try and fight Chronos once again. The next run, however, is not as successful and she falls to Cerberus this time. For some reason, this failure doesn’t sting as much as it probably should. It’s likely that it’s caused by the fact that Melinoë does sympathise with the poor dog and she fights him only because she wants to help him. Perhaps she should look for an incantation that would permanently shield him from the sorrow that’s omnipresent in the Fields of Mourning.

Melinoë would also gladly come up with something that would keep Chronos’ minions away from Cerberus but this may take quite a while.

For now, though, the Goddess is sat at the bank of Cocytus, watching the constant flow of the river and the occasional ripples in the water. Sometimes, she even catches a glimpse of a fish playing in the tide. The sight and the sounds soothe her and help her zone out which is highly needed after a day of hard work. After all, it’s not only the physical aspect that’s taking a toll on Melinoë – when all the emotions ebb away, the Princess often feels like falling asleep.

The rhythmical sound of steps approaching her keeps her awake, though. If she doesn’t get herself together, the visions of the one who’s joined her at the river bank might keep her awake at night and that’s something she shouldn’t afford. Not now.

“Goddess.”

“Odysseus!” Melinoë’s face lights up. “What brings you here?”

“I reckon that the nectar you’ve kindly gifted me with tastes better when shared with someone.”

“You don’t have to!”

“In fact, I do,” he says jovially. “Considering today’s events, we’ve something to celebrate.”

“Are you suggesting a feast? Here? In the Crossroads?” Melinoë asks in disbelief and amusement.

“Just a little one. Not sure if Olympus would approve of that but…”

“They’re not here, are they?” A smile doesn’t leave Melinoë’s face and it only makes one linger on Odysseus’ face as well. “Besides, this is our place. We feast here as we see fit.”

“Impossible to disagree with that, Goddess.”

After that, Odysseus opens the bottle of nectar and is about to pour it into two cups but Melinoë deems it unnecessary and a tad too stiff. The man doesn’t mind and happily hands the Princess the bottle from which she takes a not-so-modest gulp. She then passes it back to Odysseus, who drinks from it too.

It’s only a matter of seconds until the topic drifts from the victory against Chronos to the tales about Odysseus’ journey. They have spoken about it a million times but Melinoë thinks that each time she hears these stories, a new detail emerges, one that she hasn’t heard of before, and this is what makes the tales fascinating even after all these years. Melinoë probably knows them all by heart now but it changes nothing.

Apart from that, she also enjoys the way Odysseus tells his stories. Enthralling as always and Melinoë can’t take her eyes and ears off of him.

Attention flatters him and attention from a witch who’s also a goddess flatters him twice as much. He just can’t help it. It’s possible that everyone in the Crossroads knows that already (Moros and Hecate certainly do) but Melinoë sees nothing wrong with that. Especially not when the nectar bottle becomes half-empty sooner than she thought it would.

“You really wouldn’t like to hear that wailing of Scylla’s, you can trust me on that,” Melinoë claims, chuckling softly when they’ve reached that part of the tales.

“Curiosity killed the cat, Goddess,” Odysseus laughs lowly himself and takes another swig from the bottle.

“You can go with me next time if you want. You’ll just have to survive every wretch I come across before we reach Scylla and the Sirens. And don’t forget Headmistress!”

“What do I have my scout-shades for, then, eh?”

“Are they there, in the audience, watching me fight those noisy creatures?” Melinoë wonders and snatches the bottle from Odysseus to have a large sip of nectar.

“Some of them.”

“Always keeping an eye on me, aren’t you? Is that your idea or Headmistress’?

“Neither’s, Goddess. We trust in your skills out there, whether it’s Erebus, Oceanus, the Fields or Tartarus. And the shades… The shades are just doing their work.” Odysseus ends his statement in such a way, that Melinoë immediately knows that there’s something more that he wanted to add.

“But?” she asks, silently mourning the little amount of nectar left.

Odysseus sighs and then answers, “but it’s good to know that you handle it all out there as well as you do. It’s something that does make me and Lady Hecate proud of you. Don’t know about Nemesis, though.”

“Thank you.” Melinoë’s cheeks flush with a pale pink hue. “And when it comes to Nemesis – she’s the opposite, I assure you. I sometimes wish she weren’t and I’m trying to get through to her but all my efforts seem futile.”

“It takes two, no matter the relationship, Goddess. You can’t force her to like you,” Odysseus states matter-of-factly.

“At least, she tolerates me. That’s a start, I guess.” Melinoë shrugs, staring at the river.

She shakes the almost empty bottle in her hand and offers it to Odysseus but he kindly refuses and tells her to down the thing. That cheers the Goddess up after the brief talk about Nemesis and she drinks the leftover nectar until there’s no more of that in the bottle. She puts it on the grass beside her and soon finds that she’s got nothing to do with her hands.

Normally, Melinoë would embrace her knees in a spot like this but she knows it may look as if she doesn’t want to talk or open up to her companion. That’s something she doesn’t want at all, so she slumps her shoulders and sighs, now inspecting her phantasmal arm. She’s aware that as she wrings her hands and wrists, Odysseus is watching her from the corner of his eye.

There’s silence between the two and it’s a rather comfortable one. Melinoë and Odysseus are simply enjoying each other’s company and the blissful effect that the nectar’s put on them – slight light-headedness and a rising want and courage to do something, anything. Preferably, something out of the ordinary and maybe somewhat against the custom.

By some miracle, Odysseus has been keeping himself in check the whole evening and he’s unashamedly proud of his own self because of that. Melinoë, however, has been suffering from various thoughts racing in her mind, encouraging her to act on the emotions that the nectar has seemingly uncovered or released.

It’s like her hands are itching to just act but it actually doesn’t matter what part or parts of her body the Goddess engages in whatever activity she’ll see fit.

Then, Melinoë decides that it’s high time she took Aphrodite’s advice to heart and let her divine nature reign for a while or two. She’s a goddess after all and she will not hide behind inhibitions that a mortal could have.

Thus, all unceremoniously, Melinoë leans her head against Odysseus’ shoulder, which causes him to freeze and halt whatever he’s been thinking about until now. It makes Melinoë stop any movements for a second as well and reconsider whether it was a wise choice. She did this with Icarus, after they’d got to know one another, and he didn’t mind. But he didn’t mind many things; in fact, he enjoyed them. They both did.

But Odysseus is not Icarus and Melinoë can’t let herself forget that.

“Please, do tell if I’ve overstepped–” Melinoë may have no inhibitions but she will still be polite.

“No… No, you haven’t, Goddess, I… I just wasn’t expecting that,” Odysseus admits in a startled but happy tone, his form becoming relaxed once more.

“I’ll warn you next time.”

“I don’t mind a pleasant surprise.”

The warmth in his voice puts a smile onto Melinoë’s lips. She also lets her eyes close as she tunes in to the sound of the water flowing so close to her and the deep breathing of Odysseus’. Those things could easily lull her to sleep but Melinoë isn’t sparing that a single thought, for she’s already plotting what else she could do to entertain herself on this fine evening seasoned with at least half a bottle of nectar. She indeed thinks that she drank more than Odysseus did.

A moment later, Melinoë is boring a hole in Odysseus’ profile with her gazing. The nectar is surely doing its work on her as she doesn’t let her eyes fall off the man beside her. Of course, Melinoë notices the smirk and hears the huffed out chuckle that has Odysseus’ shoulders shake slightly.

“What’s so funny?” she asks innocently.

“You’re beaming with mischief, Goddess. I don’t have to look to know that you’re plotting something against me and I can’t seem to put my finger on what it could be no matter how hard I try.”

“Maybe you should try harder. And how can you know that it’s you, out of all people, that I’m plotting against? How can you be sure that I’m not inventing new ways of how to fight Chronos? Or at least bother him significantly?” Melinoë tilts her head slightly, scanning Odysseus’ profile with her curious mismatched eyes that always land back on the man’s smug smile.

“One learns to recognise it after years of experience.”

Melinoë rolls her eyes at that but she doesn’t mean anything unkind. She’s generally amused by the whole exchange and the way Odysseus looks like he wants to make a move but is convinced that it’s going to earn him a curse. So, Melinoë makes a decision for him and allows herself to lean in closer and plant a quick and soft kiss on Odysseus’ cheek.

As she pulls back, the corners of her lips rise once again and she searches the tactician’s expression for any clues as to how he’s feeling about what the Goddess has just done. There is that calm satisfaction there that serves as a mere cover for the hammering of his heart and the racing thoughts in his head.

Melinoë may not realise that she’s just caused some part of Odysseus’ resolve to shatter.

Once he moves to face her properly, she quickly turns her head away in mock-timidness. Yet, what she can’t hide is the blush that’s spread from her cheeks down to her neck and bare shoulders – something that doesn’t escape Odysseus’ notice. The sight of an allegedly bashful goddess has him swallow and exhale slowly; the latter mostly to compose himself.

“Will the years of experience help you now?” Melinoë wonders, her tone laced with more playfulness than she expected.

“Only if you let them, Goddess. If you let me.”

Melinoë can’t say no to that low tone, so she spins her head around to find that Odysseus is closer to her than she imagined. She feels her cheeks burn and she grabs the hem of her chiton between her fingers as Odysseus places one of his hands behind her, on the grass. Melinoë almost doesn’t know where to look anymore, her own heart racing when she wills herself to meet Odysseus’ gaze.

And a little nod of her head tells him everything that he wants to know.

He doesn’t have to wait any longer, so he leans in to kiss the Goddess properly but ends up pressing his lips to the corner of hers when she’s moved ever so slightly. Yet, it’s enough to make Odysseus let out the quietest groan of disappointment mixed with endless determination to woo every witch he encounters.

“Sorry,” Melinoë whispers, glancing to the side, crumpling up the fabric in her slender hands.

“No harm done. Tell me to stop if that’s what you wish,” Odysseus muses against her skin, making the Princess dizzy with his breath that’s warm – unnaturally so for a shade.

The last time she’d been so close with anyone was years ago and she now realises how much she’s missed all the feelings and flutterings of heart connected with such activities.

“It’s just… The shades, they’re looking at us. They’re going to talk and soon the whole Crossroads will–”

“Does it matter? You’re a goddess, so those shades should be of no import to you when it comes to your pastime.”

Melinoë knows that the way he murmurs those words to her is going to be the end of her. It’s as if she can’t think straight and it scares and excites her all at once.

“You’re right,” she decides, biting down on her lower lip as Odysseus hums in approval and moves on to leave a trail of butterfly kisses on her cheek and up to her ear. “Maybe we should give them a little show?” Melinoë even manages out of her lungs that are too busy trying to level her breathing to care about some redundant waste of air.

The suggestion pulls a chuckle out of Odysseus and Melinoë closes her eyes to enjoy the sound to the fullest. She then lets out a shaky exhale and revels in how the man so close to her plants kisses on the shell of her ear and then nibbles on her earlobe only to return down the pale skin of her cheek to where he started. It does draw Melinoë’s attention back to him being so near in front of her again and she lets her eyes flicker open to meet his, lidded with careful but still avid adoration.

“Goddess…” he rasps out with nothing but reverence in his voice.

“Od…” she breathes and tilts her head to finally seal their lips together.

Only then does Melinoë learn that she has indeed missed this. Greatly.

It’s not rushed and this is exactly how Melinoë likes it. She’s actually in control here and she’s well aware of that. One word, one flick of her fingers and Odysseus could be gone or at least severely cursed but she would never ever do that. Not after being shown how delicate and passionate this man can be in the art of kissing.

Melinoë shifts in her spot a little, still holding the hem of her chiton but it changes once Odysseus lays his other hand on the other side of her face. His palm is warm but it’s nothing in comparison to the feverish flush of the Goddess’ skin.

The Princess relishes having her cheek cradled like this and she can’t help it but put one of her hands atop Odysseus’. She only squeezes it a tad when he nips at her lip and she can’t be bothered by the fact that it drags a soft whimper out of her mouth. But Odysseus is there to swallow it and store it in his memory for later.

A moment after that, a dissatisfied grunt can be heard and it belongs to Melinoë who chases Odysseus’ lips once he’s broken the kiss.

“Od…” Melinoë whines silently, leaning into the hand that’s still cupping her cheek. She looks at him with her shining mismatched eyes and a little frown, and it takes his whole strong will to put this thing to a halt. For now.

“If you’re not going to curse me, then Lady Hecate or Nemesis will if I keep you here any minute longer. You know how annoying our dear Retribution can be when someone tells her that you’ve allowed yourself a moment of rest, aye?”

Not the best reasoning by his standards but it should do.

“Aye, sir.”

She says it so lightly, out of habit and politeness. She can’t imagine what that short word is doing to Odysseus in a situation like this (it surely makes him forget his crappy excuse from a second earlier).

“Good.” Odysseus moves away but before any physical contact is lost between them, he rubs Melinoë’s skin with his thumb and then holds her hand for a while or two. After all, he won’t refuse a goddess who’s intertwined her own fingers with his. “Now go and take some real rest, Goddess. You need it.”

“I wish you were wrong sometimes, Od.” She gives his hand a squeeze and then lets it go. “Would you… mind repeating it one evening?” she asks almost too straightforwardly.

“By no means. As long as you’re interested, so am I.”

Melinoë sends him a warm smile that he reciprocates.

“But, are you really sure that I won’t curse you?”

“I’ll take my chances.”

[holyfied]

#   F   A   U   N   I   S   M   S   :      a   blog   dedicated   to   canon and original   characters   that   embody   more   than   one   truth   .   characters   below   the   cut   ,   bio   pages   linked   in   name   . ❨ do   not   interact   if   you   are   not   20+   pls   n   thnx   !!  ❩

NERISEI   ,      she   /   her   +   20s   -   30s   .      heterosexual   .      simone   ashley   .      one   of   the   fifty   nereids   ,   relocated   to   arcadia   ,   wife   to   pan   .   possible   settings   :   greek   mythology   ,   modern   mortals  

HUNTER   ,      he   /   him   +   30s   -   40s   .      bisexual   .      regé-jean   page   .      ghost   from   the   english   industrial   revolution   ,   murdered   in   his   family   country   home   ,   and   searching   for   peace   .   possible   settings   :   historical   fiction   ,   assassins   creed   ,   modern   mortals

THALIA   ,      she   /   her   +   20s   -   30s   .      bisexual   .      raven   lyn   .      mermaid   driven   by   curiosity   to   see   how   the   land   dwellers   live   ,   while   not   quite   forgetting   her   home   .   possible   settings   :   historical   fiction   ,   greek   mythology   ,   black   sails   ,   modern   mortals

MELINOË   ,      she   /   her   +   20s   -   30s   .      bisexual   .   segovia   amil   .         princess   from the underworld ; goddess of ghosts and nightmares .   possible   settings   :   modern   mortals   ,   greek   mythology  

ELEOS , they / them + 10s - 20s . bisexual . singularity . child of nyx and hekate ; daimon of mercy and compassion . possible settings : greek mythology

TYCHE   ,  she  /  her   +   20s  -  40s  .  bisexual  .  sofia  boutella  .   child  of  oceanus  and  tethys  ;  goddess  of  fortune  and  favor  .  possible  settings  : greek  mythology

[bluebird-in-a-cagedrawing]

Coming up with some backgrounds, which i will update this...

Pet mood 👀🤣 This is so me right now

Eyes...

My oc, i missed her... Melinoë the princess of nightmares

My old persona 👀 Mood

[bluebird-in-a-cagedrawing]

Ok, sneak peak from Nightmare AU part 23 and 24... Coming soon!!

Part 23:👀

Part 24: 👀

Wonder what happened here? 🤔