#no voice of the hero I'm not calling you a good boy that slaying was shit

[pro-prin-prinny]

[sidekick-hero]

(steddie | general | wc: 2.1k | cw: none | tags: childhood friends, Eddie lives, fluff and tiny bit of angst | AO3)

Written for the @steddielovemonth prompt: Love is being willing to wait for them.

Eddie was six years old when he first met Steve, not that he would remember it until much, much later.

The boy Eddie met that day was sweet and a little shy, perhaps because he was so small for his age. He was a year younger than Eddie, only five, which was forever in Eddie's eyes. He felt responsible for the little boy somehow, so he walked up to him on the deserted playground to make sure he was okay.

"'Ello!" Eddie exclaimed, holding out his hand for Steve to shake, like he'd seen his daddy do all the time when they were in town. His dad called it part of the Munson charm, whatever that was, and Eddie wanted to be as cool as his dad. "I'm Eddie, who are you?"

The boy looked up at Eddie with big eyes and made no move to take Eddie's hand, so Eddie reached out and took the boy's hand in his own and shook it wildly.

"See, that's how you do it. And then you say your name. Let's try it again!" Eddie decided, still pumping the boy's hand. "I'm Eddie."

"Steve," the boy said with a slight lisp, and Eddie thought maybe he hadn't said his name earlier because he was afraid Eddie would make fun of him for it. The other kids made fun of him a lot, for a lot of reasons that Eddie didn't really understand. All he knew was that he didn't like it; it made him sad. Especially since none of the other kids would play with him, so he had to go on his adventures all alone, fighting the big dragon without a trusted knight at his side.

Perhaps Steve could be his knight.

"Will you help me slay the big dragon, Steve?" Eddie asked, suddenly excited at the prospect of finally having someone to play with. "He stole all our gold, so we have to slay him!"

He was still holding Steve's hand, but he dropped it as he began to imitate how they would fight the beast with their swords. "I'm a mage because my mom says every fairy tale needs a good fairy or a mage to help the hero defeat the villain. And you can be that hero, Steve! I'll help you with my magic," Eddie promised, his whole face breaking into a wide grin.

Steve giggled, but Eddie thought it wasn't like the other kids laughing at him. It sounded nice, like Steve was enjoying Eddie's antics. "What do you think, Sir Steve?"

Between bursts of pearly laughter, Steve eagerly agreed, but then paused to ask Eddie in a suddenly serious tone, "But why don't you wanna be the hero?"

"I'm no hero, Stevie! I'm a mage, didn't you hear me? I can do magic to help the hero, because only together can we defeat the beast." Eddie explained in an equally serious tone, because killing dragons was serious business.

"Okay," Steve agreed. "How do we fight a dragon? I never fought a dragon before."

Eddie explained his plans to Steve, and together they ran and climbed around the playground in search of the dragon. It was the most fun Eddie had had in a long time. Steve was the best hero ever; he listened to Eddie's ideas and had some surprisingly fun ones of his own. They forgot everything around them, caught up in a world of make-believe, until a woman's voice startled them out of their play.

"Steve! Steven, where are you? If your parents come home and you're not there, they'll fire me," the woman grumbled before shouting again. "Steve!"

Eddie looked at Steve questioningly as the voice came closer.

"That's Lucy, she's looking after me 'cause my parents don't have time," Steve explained in a low voice. "I have to go." He looked very sad when he said that and Eddie already missed his bright smile.

"That's okay, Stevie, we can kill the dragon tomorrow!"

That made Steve perk up. "Yeah?"

"Yeah! I'll wait for you here tomorrow!"

"Thanks, Eddie!" Steve exclaimed, throwing his arms around Eddie in a tight hug before running off to find the woman.

The next day, Eddie was back at the playground as soon as he could get away from their house, telling his mama that he had finally made a friend and now they had to kill the dragon. "He's my hero, Mom, and I'm his mage, just like in the fairy tales!" He told her, and she hugged him tightly before making him and Steve two sandwiches, because "slaying dragons is hard work and makes you hungry'.

Steve wasn't there when Eddie arrived at the playground, so Eddie sat down on the swings and waited for his new friend.

He waited until the first signs of dawn reached the playground, and he had to eat both sandwiches because he was hungry, and drink all the water his mama had packed.

Eddie only left when it got dark, and he knew his mama would be worried. But he was back the next day, and the next. Every day for weeks, Eddie waited for Steve on the swing, always wondering why his new friend didn't want to play with him anymore.

Eddie never made a connection between his Stevie and King Steve. How could he, when King Steve was all aloof and arrogant, looking down on people like Eddie and walking the halls of Hawkins High with that haughty grin on his face. The boy wasn't his hero, and Eddie wouldn't dream of using his magic to help him.

Funnily enough, the first time Steve's sight sparked any kind of recognition in Eddie was when Eddie pinned him against a boathouse wall with a bottle against his neck. Stripped of his usual confidence by surprise and fear, Steve looked somehow... small. He sounded even smaller as he tried to reassure Eddie that he meant no harm, and the sound of his voice made something tingle at the back of Eddie's mind.

Steve was different than Eddie had expected, to say the least.

At times, he was snarky and bitchy. But not in the mean way he had been in high school. He was all bark and no bite. And he was good to Eddie's sheep, to all the kids, really. Like a big brother, a protector. A knight in shining armor who stood between them and danger.

And not just for the kids, for everyone.

Steve jumped into a dark, deep lake not knowing what awaited him; fought demonic bats with bare hands and teeth, losing more flesh than seemed healthy.

Steve was a hero, and later Eddie berated himself for not realizing it sooner, but hindsight is 20/20, and he only understood that Steve Harrington was indeed his Stevie when it was too late to do anything about it.

Eddie was almost sure when they stole the RV together, because the way Steve grinned at him just before they switched positions and Steve sped out of the trailer park reminded him so much of the sweet boy he once knew.

The boy he never really stopped waiting for.

When Steve asked Dustin and Eddie not to be cute, not to be heroes, he decided to test his theory.

"We're not heroes," he told Steve, and when Dustin said “you can be the hero, Steve” Eddie was watching his face for any sign of recognition. He could have sworn he saw a flicker of it in Steve's eyes. That was the moment he almost, almost asked outright.

Eddie even called out to him, the words on his tongue, "Why didn't you come back? I was waiting for you.' But in the end he decided against it. What use was there? They had bigger problems to deal with right now. He would ask Steve later, when it was all over. He would tell him that he had been waiting for him all this time and that he was glad that Steve had come back to him.

They would talk later.

Only later wouldn't come, Eddie realized as he tasted his own blood in his mouth and stared into Dustin's frightened, tearful eyes.

And then Steve was there, holding his hand, begging him, pleading with him to stay, not to die. Eddie couldn't promise him that, but he had promised him something else, and he wanted Steve to know that he had never broken that promise.

"I waited for you, Stevie. Every..." Eddie coughed wetly, more blood flooding his mouth, and he suppressed the grimace to keep smiling at Steve. "Every day. I knew you'd come back. Worth... the wait," Eddie whispered, his voice fading. Eddie was fading fast.

In the distance he heard Steve's voice begging him to stay, he needed his mage by his side, and the last thing he thought was that he was sorry he had to leave before he could see Steve slay their dragon, but he hoped his magic had helped enough.

The next time Eddie was able to think and feel, it was like waking up from the worst hangover ever. Everything hurt, even his hair.

Slowly opening his eyes to a thankfully dimly lit room, he winced at the sharp pain in his head. It made moving his head even more torturous, but Eddie had to know where he was. Looking around as much as he could, he realized several things.

He was in a hospital bed with monitors beeping softly beside him.

It was night, with only a small bedside lamp providing some light.

Steve Harrington was asleep next to him, his arms crossed on Eddie's bed and his head resting on them.

Eddie must have made some sort of noise at the sight, because at that moment Steve jumped to his feet, ready to fight or flight.

Then he looked at Eddie and a myriad of expressions played across his face. Most of them passed too quickly for Eddie to decipher, but he's sure he saw surprise and joy. Wonder, definitely, but maybe fear, too, though Eddie had no idea why Steve would be afraid of him.

"Steve," Eddie croaked, his throat like sandpaper. The sound of his name was enough to jolt Steve into action and he hurried over to Eddie's bedside table. Seconds later, a straw was held to his mouth and blessedly cool water filled his mouth and ran down his throat.

"Thank you," he told Steve when the cup was empty and he felt more like a human being again. A badly mangled human being, but he took what he could get. "What happened? Is everyone..."

"Vecna is dead. Everyone made it out alive." Eddie let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. "That's all you need to know for now. I'll tell you the rest tomorrow, okay? You should get some more rest. You... we almost lost you."

Steve looked shattered as he said this and Eddie finally noticed the dark bags under his eyes. Steve's hair worried him even more. It looked greasy and unkempt, worse than it had even looked in the Upside Down.

Eddie was afraid to ask, but he had to know. "How long..."

"Twenty days. They couldn't tell us when you'd wake up. If you'd wake up." His voice broke at the words, and Eddie tried to lift his hand to soothe and comfort, but it weighed a million pounds.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long, Stevie," he said instead, hoping to ease Steve's pain with his words instead. But all it did was make Steve collapse, the bed the only thing breaking his fall. He was the one who reached for Eddie's hand then and held on to it like a lifeline.

"I'm sorry, Eddie. I'm the one who kept you waiting for years. I never went back to that playground. My babysitter didn't want to take me anymore because I ran away, and she almost lost her job. And then it had been years before I was old enough to go by myself and I couldn't... the thought of going there and you not being there was too much. And why should you be? Nobody would wait that long."

The "not for me" rang out between them and Eddie gathered all his strength to pull Steve's hand to his mouth. As he planted a kiss on the soft skin of the back of his hand, Eddie said in a low voice, "I did ... I waited all this time for you. This playground became my hound, once a day I would stop by, just in case. I always hoped you would come back."

Now it was Steve's turn to take Eddie's hand in his and place it gently on his cheek, planting a soft kiss on Eddie's palm.

Caressing Steve's lips with his thumb, Eddie smiled at the sweet boy he had waited a lifetime for. His hero.

"We did it, Stevie. We slayed the dragon!"

Steve's pearly laugh echoed through the room, silenced only by Eddie's lips as he leaned down to capture them in a fairy-tale kiss.

[bambiilooza]

okay so ii thought this would be fun soooo

what epic saga is ur fav nd least fav, what is ur fav song in each saga, ur least fav in each saga, your overall fav and least fav

feel free to ramble and/or go off on a tangent about hidden meanings i fw that shit very hard

oh boy. these were really hard to narrow down. thanks for this ask btw, it was fun!!

my fav saga :

the underworld!! ik it's the shortest but each song is such a banger and it's the only one for where each song gets better from the last. all three of the songs are in my top 10 easy.

the polites cameo broke ppl's hearts ik but it was amazing to hear steven in the role again. i love his voice. anticlea was amazing too.

no longer you was actual fire. i LOVE epic's version of tirisias a lot and his voice is perfect. the orchestration in that song is actually beautiful and both actors absolutely kill it.

and monster? oh i'll take about monster later

least fav saga :

cyclops saga. i like it but i don't have strong feelings about the songs except for my goodbye. plot wise, it's important ofc but i dont find myself listening to it as often cuz it's just sad. i do like all the songs tho

i will say polyamorous the cyclops sounds REALLY GOOD in the remastered version. woah what a voice improvement holy moly

i really love my goodbye tho. that song is in my top 10. the 'YOU'RE ALONE!' is actually insane. i need like a 100 animatics for it. it's too good.

fav song in each saga :

just a man

i LOVE jay's performance here. this song made me cry when i first listened to it. i mean it's just everything.

i think most ppl thought 'oh musical about odyssey call epic probably silly boyish fun' and for the most part horse and the infant leads u on with that. then THIS SONG happens and ur crying on the floor.

i love watching animatics for it too. unlike most songs in epic, there is no action in this song, it's pure agony of a man grappling with one of the hardest things anyone can do and it's fucking amazing.

and i said it before just now but the VOCALS. stunning. perfect. jaw dropping.

in my ideal epic animated movie, what i want is for horse and the infant and just a man BEFORE the title card drop. and when ody sings the last line of just a man, it fades to the title screen. then it would be daytime and full speed ahead can happen.

idk if that makes sense but i think it would slay so hard.

my goodbye

OH MY GOD. THIS SONG. IT IS HEARTBREAKING

the callbacks to warrior of the mind takes me by surprise everytime like holy shit she really just said that?? then ody's 'YOU'RE ALONE!'

it's perfect. the pure rage from both of them is just so good.

it's my favourite saga ender. it's so cold and just wow. like athena was in one song before but the EMOTION from both of them is enough to make u wanna cry.

ruthlessness

see one part of my brain is like 'oh that's interesting the villain and hero have conflicting moralities and the hero may become like the villain and he is establishing the hero's thinking as flawed for his purpose.' then the other half of my brain is dead from how much steven rodriguez SLAYS the performance.

the lyrics are great as with all the song. the callback to remember them? chef's kiss. poseidon really sat down with his son and took notes for his villain number lol

but my fav things about it the performance. the poseidon voice is so so so so good. and i'm not saying it in a 'haha i find it hot' way. i mean i do but also, it's just perfect for poseidon. he sounds like if salt could talk and that's a compliment btw. his sass and personality is great too.

'but noooo' i just. i love poseidon's voice so much.

and i am shaking in my boots for get in the water.

there are other ways

i love the route jay went with the plot. this portrayal of circe is so important to me, i love her sm. i read the circe book just before the circe saga - and i liked it overall - but the ending left a horrible taste in my mouth so this was a very welcome change.

it's so well done. our boy ody '🥺my wife🥺'-ing his way out of the situation? perfect. ik it's more complicated but the end of the circe saga is such a good character moment for him.

and CIRCE. CIRCE MY QUEEN ILY.

her sympathising with ody and helping him is great. i love that she gets fleshed into, why she does what she does and when she sees the good in ody. she really is a loving queen and i love her sm.

her vocals - especially at the end - are stunning. i love tayla sindal's voice for circe. like with poseidon, that is the perfect voice for the character.

i really love gigi's animatic of this song and that's just how i imagine it happening. it's actually perfect. my fav song was a tie between this and done for but the animatic made me fall in love with this one.

monster

odysseus gives into the pam pam 🦖🦖

it's my favourite song in epic. i have a LOT of thoughts on it but i actually cannot put them into words.

mutiny

this one is fresh so my thoughts will not be cohesive. the amount of callbacks in this song actually kills me.

i cried at the livestream. exactly at the lyric 'ody we're never gonna get to make it home' i mean.

ODY. ODY not CAPTAIN. I CAN'T END THIS. poor choice of words nm

but i will say i've seen some takes on eurylochus that i definately do not agree with and he's one of my fav characters. i'm sad he's gone, his acting and presence was amazing and underrated in all the other sagas and he's just a great character.

least fav in each saga:

i like all of these songs btw. i don't dislike any song. i don't wanna got into detail cuz for all the answer is just i like the others more.

full speed ahead

polyphemous

storm

wouldn't you like

the underworld

different beast

winner : monster

second place : there are other ways

third place : ruthlessness

my overall least favourite song : polyphemous/different beast. again i like these songs, i just prefer others

[cornbake]

The Moon Will Sing PT 5

Master List Yea i haven't gotten to Caz Mans yet so i'm just doing my best here LOL Granted I'm already taking a lot of liberties in other areas at this point. WARNINGS: Angst, Violence, Gore, Blood and Injury, Cazador get's his own warning, minor character death.

The sun had stood behind you as your shadow stretched over the cobble stone. A fine iron fence had been the only guard between you and the large estate house that you had spent a good amount of time to find.

The interior was finely furnished. Once fit for one of royal standing. If the blood, fire and ice didn't completely ruin the property value.

For a den of vampires, it was certainly lively at little past mid day. Granted, you had used a fireball scroll on, what you assumed to be, the middle of the damned house. A rude wake up call, as not soon after you had parried a blade from hitting.

Whether or not a stealth approach would have been smarter was not something you concerned yourself in. You had your head up in blades and red eyes. Harsh glowing reds that aimed to kill the wasp that entered the hive.

You had managed fine with the humanoid servants, either killing them, or as close to killing as you can to something already dead, or knocking them out. You had some cuts from lucky hits but over all, you felt the fire of determination burn inside of you grow. You'd rather not admit to yourself that is was a hollow sense of determination. Something you patched together just so you didn't have to focus on the hurt it was covering. You didn't want to admit that every time you thought about returning to Astarion the fire only grows brighter. Something in you deeply hurt at the idea that once you return he would continue to give you flax affection, words that mean nothing to him. Words that you had once hung on to by each letter. Yet with each thought, the determination to complete your side of the unspoken bargin. You weren't truly angry at him, you new that, the rage you felt wasn't out of anger. You wanted to see him happy, sure, when didn't you. You still loved him, even if your heart hung heavy in mourning.

You bring the back of your hand up to wipe away the few tears that escaped your harden glare. You step away from the fallen servant you had been unconsciously staring at. You stood in a large room, open with a platform risen at one end with an over detailed large chair place in the middle of it. You had just barely made your way into the room, pushing the double doors open at the other end. The high valued ceiling held an expensive looking chandelier, the crystals daggling from thin wire made what little light in the room fracture in faint lines across the empty room. If this wasn't owned by a completely entitled bastard, you would have thought it was beautiful.

"So the Gur come to take the corpses of their family back.... how pitiful...."

The voice was a shock to your system, pulling your weapon up, readying to swing at anything you saw. Eyes making a frenzied search for anything in the still empty room. A deep chuckle sounded throughout the lengthy room.

"A sheep wondering into the lion's den... how sweet it will be to taste that of a foolish hero...." Red eyes flash in the dark, in a speed in-human as it made it's way to the throne. "Though, I am in dire need of entertainment... you might yet do..." The finely dark dressed man rose his head only to look down upon you. His eyes glowing the same crimson as the servants, yet his smile was something they didn't hold.

"I'm not a Gur, but still someone that's going to use your head as a door knocker all the same...." you hiss at him through clenched teeth. His laughter only fueling your anger. "Your reign of abuse is over Cazador! And your damned ritual of yours will be broken." You felt a stir of pride as the vampire lord's face twisted in an odd display of anger and shock. His eyes ran over you before glaring.

"I see.... so that sad little boy found himself a hero to slay the evil tyrant did he? My..." He turned away from you as his hand danced over the arm to his seat. Your gaze never leaving him, picking up every inch of detail your little pupils could. His back facing you for a seemingly long stretch of silence. "Mayhaps he will remember his teachings when his hero falls into their own grave..."

You only catch a glimpse at his shining red eyes before strong claws of a wolven creature slams you into the polished wooden flooring. You have to take a moment to steady your mind from your skull slamming into the broads. The deep snarls around make you hyper aware how out numbered you are.

You move before the next creature had a chance to strike at your downed form. Claws digging into the finely crafted wood, bright golden eyes all watch as you swing towards them.

"It's always interesting to watch the reality creep into one's mind." You can hear the pacing of finely cobbled shoes click on the wooden boards. "The bright mind of a warrior is sharp, calculating outcomes in split second timing. It's a rather impressive feat, to come up with something from nearly nothing in a matter of a moment..."

Jaws snap around your arm, the metal bracers denting, being crushed by the force. You smack the hilt of you weapon into the face of the werewolf, the shill cry from it allows you to free your arm. Yet it blocked out the growl of the other behind you. As you focus on making a second attack on the one that once held your arm a pair of claws digs into the flesh of your back. The thick keratin running over the bones of your ribs as it cuts through the armor you had on.

"Yet even will that skill, I've seen the same outcome. They slip up alone the way..." Red eyes look upon your semi-crumpled form. "They always seem too confident in their own skill to consider I am simply untouchable..."

Your breaths are ragged. You can't take a break as two other rush you at the scent of your blood. Quick reflexes smack one with a well timed attack, sending it reeling into the floor. The other catches your next attack in it's jaws, trying to pry the weapon from your grasp.

"I am as close to god-ship any mortal will ever meet. And soon I will be a god among men." His pacing stops, his full focus set onto you. "That is... once I get back what rightfully belongs to me..."

You let go of the weapon, the wovlen creature stumbling back with the sudden lack of resistance. Pulling two daggers out, you rush froward, thrusting your hand into the exposed belly of the beast. It cries as the life leaves it's features, it's jaw slackening. You're eyes barely catching notice of your discarded weapon falling from it's grasp as the weapon cracks into your shoulder. Your cry is drowned out by howls as the remaining few beasts continue to jump at you.

"My elven little star....."

Your eyes meet his as you are slammed into the floor at his feet. You aren't sure if your fight was arranged closer to him or if he had made is way closer to you. All you knew at this moment was his black dress shoes stood in the crimson pool your face was shoved into. Burning red eyes stare down at your pathic form.

"Aw... don't feel so sad, young one... I'm sure you have use yet..." His smile was sweet despite the look hidden in his bright eyes. "I find it so heart warming that the little pet found someone to... indulge in... while he was away from home... It makes what I want to do next oh so enjoyably..." You hate that your body shivered at his tone, the expectation of what's to come sinking into your mind along with a devastating thought.

"Take them to the kennels... I have some tomes to consult before I am to come for them."

You didn't here much of his words as large rough paws dug into you flesh, peeling you away from the floor.

"I had fail him.... did I..."

[ghostydrawsstuff]

[Opens with an Imperial wagon driving four prisoners down a snowy mountain pass. All are seated and bound; the one dressed in finery is gagged.]

Ralof: Hey, you. You’re finally awake. You were trying to cross the border, right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us, and that thief over there.

Lokir: Damn you Stormcloaks. Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn’t been looking for you, I could’ve stolen that horse and been half way to Hammerfell. You there. You and me — we should be here. It’s these Stormcloaks the Empire wants.

Ralof: We’re all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief.

Imperial Soldier: Shut up back there!

[Lokir looks at the gagged man.]

Lokir: And what’s wrong with him?

Ralof: Watch your tongue! You’re speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King.

Lokir: Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm? You’re the leader of the rebellion. But if they captured you… Oh gods, where are they taking us?

Ralof: I don’t know where we’re going, but Sovngarde awaits.

Lokir: No, this can’t be happening. This isn’t happening.

Ralof: Hey, what village are you from, horse thief?

Lokir: Why do you care?

Ralof: A Nord’s last thoughts should be of home.

Lokir: Rorikstead. I’m…I’m from Rorikstead.

[They approach the village of Helgen. A soldier calls out to the lead wagon.]

Imperial Soldier: General Tullius, sir! The headsman is waiting!

General Tullius: Good. Let’s get this over with.

Lokir: Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth, Akatosh. Divines, please help me.

Ralof: Look at him, General Tullius the Military Governor. And it looks like the Thalmor are with him. Damn elves. I bet they had something to do with this. This is Helgen. I used to be sweet on a girl from here. Wonder if Vilod is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in. Funny…when I was a boy, Imperial walls and towers used to make me feel so safe.

[A man and son watch the prisoners pull into town.]

Haming: Who are they, daddy? Where are they going?

Torolf: You need to go inside, little cub.

Haming: Why? I want to watch the soldiers.

Torolf: Inside the house. Now.

[The wagon stops near the chopping block.]

Imperial Soldier: Whoa.

Lokir: Why are they stopping?

Ralof: Why do you think? End of the line. Let's go. Shouldn't keep the gods waiting for us.

Lokir: No! Wait! We're not rebels!

Ralof: Face your death with some courage, thief.

[Under the Imperials' watchful eye, the prisoners start jumping out.]

Lokir: You've got to tell them! We weren't with you! This is a mistake!

Imperial Captain: Step toward the block when we call your name. One at a time!

Ralof: Empire loves their damn lists.

Hadvar: Ulfric Stormcloak. Jarl of Windhelm.

Ralof: It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric!

Hadvar: Ralof of Riverwood. Lokir of Rorikstead.

Lokir: No, I'm not a rebel! You can't do this!

[He makes a break for it.]

Imperial Captain: Halt!

Lokir: You're not going to kill me!

Imperial Captain: Archers!

[Lokir is downed with one bowshot.]

Imperial Captain: Anyone else feel like running?

Hadvar: Wait, you there. Step forward. Who are you?

[Zooms in on your face. You look fabulous today, slay.]

Hadvar: You from Daggerfall, Breton? Fleeing from some court intrigue? Captain, what should we do? They're not on the list.

Imperial Captain: Forget the list. They go to the block.

Hadvar: By your orders, captain. I'm sorry. We'll make sure your remains are returned to Cyrodiil. Follow the Captain, prisoner.

[The player goes to stand with the other waiting prisoners by the block.]

Tullius: Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in Helgen call you a hero, but a hero doesn't use a power like the Voice to murder his king and usurp his throne.

Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak: (grunting protest)

Tullius: You started this war, plunged Skyrim into chaos and now the Empire is going to put you down, and restore the peace.

[A distant noise rings down the mountainside.]

Hadvar: What was that?

Tullius: It's nothing. Carry on.

Imperial Captain: Yes, General Tullius. Give them their last rites.

Priestess of Arkay: As we commend your souls to Aetherius, blessings of the Eight Divines upon you, for you are the salt and earth of Nirn, our beloved--

[One of the prisoners from the lead wagon walks forward.]

Stormcloak Soldier: For the love of Talos, shut up and lets get this over with.

Priestess of Arkay: As you wish...

Stormcloak Soldier: Come on, I haven't got all morning. My ancestors are smiling at me, Imperials. Can you say the same?

[They behead the Stormcloak, eliciting responses from the onlookers.]

Stormcloak Soldier 2: You Imperial bastards!

Vilod: Justice!

Ingrid: Death to the Stormcloaks!

Ralof: As fearless in death as he was in life.

Imperial Captiain: Next, the Breton!

[Another cry rings out on the mountainside, this time much closer.]

Hadvar: There it is again. Did you hear that?

Imperial Captain: I said, next prisoner!

Hadvar: To the block, prisoner. Nice and easy.

[The player is brought to the chopping block. A large creature swoops over the southern peaks, barreling toward Helgen.]

Tullius: What in Oblivion is that?

Imperial Captain: Sentries! What do you see?

Imperial Soldier: It's in the clouds!

[The creature, know seen as a dragon, lands on a tower, surprising everyone.]

Stormcloak Soldier: Dragon!

[The dragon uses its voice on the crowd, killing the headsman.]

Headsman: Nngh!

Tullius: Don't just stand there, kill that thing! Guards, get the townspeople to safety!

Hey, Breton. Get up! Come on, the gods won't give us another chance! This way!

Oh damn is that the opening to Skyrim? Haven't played the game though but nice

[marise-eternal]

!YANDERE! Theseus × ! FEMALE PRINCESS! Reader

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Summary: What if Y/n save herself from the labyrinth so like because we all know Theseus at first never love Ariane what if Y/n was here but not dumb and kill the Minotaur herself and leave.

Minos demanded a human sacrifices of 14 young Athenians every few years to keep the Minotaur fed.

This goes smoothly for the first couple of sacrifices but on the third go round this whole Minotaur human sacrifices situation.

Draws the attention of a spunky young hero aiming to prove himself!

And feisty young princess wanting to slay the Minotaur!

Specifically Theseus, Athens' founder hero and officially best boy...

Which really reflects more poorly on Athens then anything else.

And Y/n a princess from a unknown place who's heard of the Minotaur and wants to go slay the beast she is quite charming and beautiful but also likes to fight anything that supposed to threat to what she finds important to her.

Anywho Theseus brings a big cool boat and plenty of gumption but not much in the way of a plan.So it's lucky for him that Minos' daughter Ariane takes one good look at this new cute boy and Ghost full head over heels for him.

Possibly because she doesn't go out much.Now Ariane is very familiar with the Labyrinth, in fact in one early citation of the story mentions in the Iliad.

It suggested the original version of Daedalus' Labyrinth was built specifically for Ariane as a dancing path with no Minotaur involved.

Mythologically Ariane go way back, maybe even further than the Minotaur.

And some people theorize Ariane as originally some kind of Cretan goddess known as "The Mistress of the Labyrinth"Which is dope as hell, but not what we're here for.

Anyways back to the story.

Ariane helps Theseus out by giving him a ball of thread called a clew that'll let him returned his path out of the labyrinth.

And Theseus makes her guidance, eventually finding the minute eventually eventually finding a woman in front of the Minotaur with a sword in her hand and entering it in total red combat.Until she managed to decapitate it.

"Who are you?" Theseus ask completely astonished of who she is.

"I am princess Y/n."

She stated in a cold monotone voice, as she continues.

"And who might you be, might I ask?" Y/n says to Theseus.

"Theseus, I'm Theseus, princess Y/n." Theseus says to her.

Y/n looks him up and down. "I see." Said Y/n as she started to walk away from Theseus.

Theseus then panicked and shouted. "WHAT!" he yelled to the princess, as she turned around."I know the way out."

Theseus says to Y/n as she nods.Y/n follows Theseus as he shows her the way out.They get out of the labyrinth and run into Minos and his daughter Ariane.

"YOU TWO ARE THE ONES THAT KILLED THE MINOTAUR!!!" Minos yells at the three of them.They ran to Theseus's boat and hopped on and leaves.

The group stopped at a island to rest up.

In the middle of the night, Theseus gathers his men to the boat and please leave leaves Ariane, but not Y/n.

Instead of waking up Y/n, Theseus carried her to the boat to let her rest more.

In the morning Y/n woke up to find out that Theseus left Ariane and got mad.

"Theseus! Why did you leave Ariane?!" Y/n yelled at him.Theseus looked at Y/n in a lovesick face. "Ariane was getting in the way....

so I had to leave her behind."Y/n ran towards the water and jumped into the water and called on Poseidon to help her.

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[ratbastard69420]

[Opens with an Imperial wagon driving four prisoners down a snowy mountain pass. All are seated and bound; the one dressed in finery is gagged.]

Ralof: Hey, you. You’re finally awake. You were trying to cross the border, right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us, and that thief over there.

Lokir: Damn you Stormcloaks. Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn’t been looking for you, I could’ve stolen that horse and been half way to Hammerfell. You there. You and me — we should be here. It’s these Stormcloaks the Empire wants.

Ralof: We’re all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief.

Imperial Soldier: Shut up back there!

[Lokir looks at the gagged man.]

Lokir: And what’s wrong with him?

Ralof: Watch your tongue! You’re speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King.

Lokir: Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm? You’re the leader of the rebellion. But if they captured you… Oh gods, where are they taking us?

Ralof: I don’t know where we’re going, but Sovngarde awaits.

Lokir: No, this can’t be happening. This isn’t happening.

Ralof: Hey, what village are you from, horse thief?

Lokir: Why do you care?

Ralof: A Nord’s last thoughts should be of home.

Lokir: Rorikstead. I’m…I’m from Rorikstead.

[They approach the village of Helgen. A soldier calls out to the lead wagon.]

Imperial Soldier: General Tullius, sir! The headsman is waiting!

General Tullius: Good. Let’s get this over with.

Lokir: Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth, Akatosh. Divines, please help me.

Ralof: Look at him, General Tullius the Military Governor. And it looks like the Thalmor are with him. Damn elves. I bet they had something to do with this. This is Helgen. I used to be sweet on a girl from here. Wonder if Vilod is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in. Funny…when I was a boy, Imperial walls and towers used to make me feel so safe.

[A man and son watch the prisoners pull into town.]

Haming: Who are they, daddy? Where are they going?

Torolf: You need to go inside, little cub.

Haming: Why? I want to watch the soldiers.

Torolf: Inside the house. Now.

[The wagon stops near the chopping block.]

Imperial Soldier: Whoa.

Lokir: Why are they stopping?

Ralof: Why do you think? End of the line. Let's go. Shouldn't keep the gods waiting for us.

Lokir: No! Wait! We're not rebels!

Ralof: Face your death with some courage, thief.

[Under the Imperials' watchful eye, the prisoners start jumping out.]

Lokir: You've got to tell them! We weren't with you! This is a mistake!

Imperial Captain: Step toward the block when we call your name. One at a time!

Ralof: Empire loves their damn lists.

Hadvar: Ulfric Stormcloak. Jarl of Windhelm.

Ralof: It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric!

Hadvar: Ralof of Riverwood. Lokir of Rorikstead.

Lokir: No, I'm not a rebel! You can't do this!

[He makes a break for it.]

Imperial Captain: Halt!

Lokir: You're not going to kill me!

Imperial Captain: Archers!

[Lokir is downed with one bowshot.]

Imperial Captain: Anyone else feel like running?

Hadvar: Wait, you there. Step forward. Who are you?

[Zooms in on your face. You look fabulous today, slay.]

Hadvar: You from Daggerfall, Breton? Fleeing from some court intrigue? Captain, what should we do? They're not on the list.

Imperial Captain: Forget the list. They go to the block.

Hadvar: By your orders, captain. I'm sorry. We'll make sure your remains are returned to Daggerfall. Follow the Captain, prisoner.

[The player goes to stand with the other waiting prisoners by the block.]

Tullius: Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in Helgen call you a hero, but a hero doesn't use a power like the Voice to murder his king and usurp his throne.

Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak: (grunting protest)

Tullius: You started this war, plunged Skyrim into chaos and now the Empire is going to put you down, and restore the peace.

[A distant noise rings down the mountainside.]

Hadvar: What was that?

Tullius: It's nothing. Carry on.

Imperial Captain: Yes, General Tullius. Give them their last rites.

Priestess of Arkay: As we commend your souls to Aetherius, blessings of the Eight Divines upon you, for you are the salt and earth of Nirn, our beloved--

[One of the prisoners from the lead wagon walks forward.]

Stormcloak Soldier: For the love of Talos, shut up and lets get this over with.

Priestess of Arkay: As you wish...

Stormcloak Soldier: Come on, I haven't got all morning. My ancestors are smiling at me, Imperials. Can you say the same?

[They behead the Stormcloak, eliciting responses from the onlookers.]

Stormcloak Soldier 2: You Imperial bastards!

Vilod: Justice!

Ingrid: Death to the Stormcloaks!

Ralof: As fearless in death as he was in life.

Imperial Captiain: Next, the Breton!

[Another cry rings out on the mountainside, this time much closer.]

Hadvar: There it is again. Did you hear that?

Imperial Captain: I said, next prisoner!

Hadvar: To the block, prisoner. Nice and easy.

[The player is brought to the chopping block. A large creature swoops over the southern peaks, barreling toward Helgen.]

Tullius: What in Oblivion is that?

Imperial Captain: Sentries! What do you see?

Imperial Soldier: It's in the clouds!

[The creature, know seen as a dragon, lands on a tower, surprising everyone.]

Stormcloak Soldier: Dragon!

[The dragon uses its voice on the crowd, killing the headsman.]

Headsman: Nngh!

Tullius: Don't just stand there, kill that thing! Guards, get the townspeople to safety!

Hey, Breton. Get up! Come on, the gods won't give us another chance! This way!

Wow, that's just the entire intro to the hit game "the elder scrolls: Skyrim"

[spookysplatt]

Actually I'm gonna confine it to one post 👍

David's not 15. Not to me. He is 17 okay.

But if you were curious novel Sarah is 16 and David's 17. Also Mayer hurt his hand (not leg) at a piano factory

Les has a red wooden top idk I just think it's neat.

Esther thinks the Newsies are a rough crowd and will turn Dave into a criminal— is she wrong though

MAYER THINKS DAVEY'LL BE A GOOD INFLUENCE. IS HE WRONG THOUGH

Davey convinced his parents to let him sell papers

Les wants to be just like David, who's his hero. He wasn't supposed to sell papers but he snuck out anyways??? I???

Lol the Delanceys are supposed to maintain order. Good luck you two

DASHING???? HE CALLED JAVK DASHING???????? GAY????? JAVID REAL????

Also Jack's 16

This time WEISEL can't count to 20

DAVEY'S CANONICALLY JEWISH

JACK'S CANONICALLY IRISH

Ohhh you're jealous that Jack's talking so much to Les? Why? Because you're gay??

Les is 8 in this, so I guess they're all younger.

Davey's scared of heights and the Javid on the rooftop when they run from Snyder?? Jack literally goes "Look at me." And grabs his hand and then like gently goes "It's okay, just a few more steps" and... *AKB voice* guh-guh-guh-gayyyy

"Did I ever lie to you?" "Only when you open your mouth, Mr. Sullivan."

Nigel Snyder 👍

"Not that I ever heard a meadowlark"

Mayer called scabs, "The lowest form of life." Mayer slays

David knows right away that Jack's lying about his family

Race "lost every penny he made betting on horses." HE'S NOT EVEN GOOD AT GAMBLING

Mush is "cross-eyed since birth"

HE HAS A PHOTO OF HIS FAMILY AND HIM IN A COWBOY HAT JUDT LIKE IN HARD PROMISES

"Davy"

"My business partner is right— as usual"

Spot is Jack's age

"A red-haired, freckled gnome in a bowler hat a size too small for him"

"As I live and breathe, it's Cowboy Jack."

"Who's this? Your mouthpiece?" Don'tsayitdon'tsayitdon'tsayit— NO BTC PLAYED MOUTHPIECE

You heard Boots the Eastern Hemisphere is everywhere south of Jersey

"Only one little fellow, 'Crutchy,' was involved in painting a large caricature of Joseph Pulitzer on an old bed sheet." Love him so much

NEVER REALIZED HOW TALL CRUTCHY IS HELP

Oop the boys I hate them so much they're great I hope they die I love them they suck

Lol Davey's so impressed that jack roped a stationary object while standing still I'm sorry not to be a ranch kid but...

He didn't think Crutchy would make it :((((((

They drank a toast to Crutchy :(((((((

SARAH SARAH SARAH I SHE'S SOOOOO

They barely know each other why are they kissing it would make so much more sense if it was Jack and David same as the movie

DENTON GOT HIT PROTECTING KID BLINK

SARAH HELL YES PUNCH THE MAN

Morris is younger than Oscar btw

"I'd rather rot in jail than be a dirty scab!" HEAR HEAR

Sarah's reading Jack the article and. Jack's so happy? Or touched is the word I guess. He's clearly never heard that he matters to anyone, or that what he does means anything. But here he is. Strike leader, and friend. And these kids look up to him. Excuse me while I cry.

"Anyone who looked like they had once been a child"

"We need you, Jack." "Maybe that's what scares me."

All in all it was okay, really cool, got rid of so much Javid, but like. Yeah.

Might be liveblogging the Newsies novel so I don't go infodump to my brother sorry yall I'll try and tag it #splat's adventures with the newsies book if you want to block that

[countrymusiclover]

12 - Who's The Better Choice

Part 13

A God Worthy Soulmate

@queenieala

A few weeks later

Sitting on the couch in the living room of the school I sighed flipping through pages of superhero books. Trying to see if any of those characters were as controlling as Ken appeared to be. Unfortunately there's nothing like that. "This is ridiculous. Am I supposed to believe all superheroes are completely gentlemen!"

"Some heroes can be. You just have to find the right one." Whipping my head around towards the voice I recognized Ethan. He used to go to Mystic Falls high until he became supernatural and joined the school.

"Ethan hey.." I trailed off going back to staring at the comic books.

He came and sat down beside me shrugging his shoulders. "I thought you would still be in Paris with Lizzie. And can I ask why you're suddenly taking an interest in comics?"

" I'm just curious about them… I mean can someone be good and evil at the same time " I exclaimed.

" They can it's called Anti-Hero… they can be evil in some ways but are capable of doing good things just don't know how to " Ethan explained.

" More like not wanting to be weak " I whispered thinking back to what Ken told me about what it was like to be King of the gods…. I'm a god darling I'm not some knight in shining armor from folk talked "

" So, is it true about you being mated to that Ken dude? " Ethan asked.

" Yeah " I signed.

" That must be complicated " He mumbled.

" It is, I know people think him to be a monster but he's not. I've seen a whole different side to him that is sweet and gentle, but then he turns back to his cold, demanding ways when he can't get what he wants and is very controlling, " I said.

" Yeah, gods like to keep what is theirs to themselves….. they don't like sharing and if anyone tries to steal their treasure they'll slay them like pigeons " Ethan exclaimed.

" But I'm not some treasure to be won…. I'm a person and he doesn't seem to understand that " I hissed.

" Gods don't know much about boundaries let alone romance, I mean they are capable of love but have a hard time showing it" Ethan said.

" How exactly do you know about the gods? I don't remember them being mentioned in any of the ones I've read?" I raised a brow towards the former football player.

" I've read tales about them though I'm not sure if they're true but Ben has told us some tales of his father and family and their misdemeanors " Ethan answered.

Avoiding his gaze I wasn't sure who to believe. Ben or Ken. "Ken says Ben betrayed

him so I'm not sure who to believe either."

"Well maybe you should stick with people close to you. Like in this school." He suggested picking up one of the comics I threw down on the table in front of me.

He flipped through some pages staring at me softly. "Lizzie mentioned that he went after you while you were in Paris."

" He did, " I lied,too ashamed to tell the truth of what really happened between us in Paris.

" Did he hurt you? " Ethan questioned.

" No, he didn't, luckily " I responded.

He closed the comic in his hands, shifting some we were looking directly at each other. "I normally don't get into people's personal lives but are you sure he's the guy you want. Like are you sure there's not someone else?"

"Ethan…are you trying to ask me out or something?" I asked, biting my lip, surprised he would be interested. From where I stood I always assumed he would date Lizzie.

" Yeah, I am, " Ethan smiled with a cheeky grin.

" What about Lizzie…. I'm sorry I'm not the type of best friend that's going to date her ex's that's totally against girl's code " I replied dropping my hands on my knees.

" She's with MG now and made it clear she only thinks of me as a friend now …..also I kind of mean to ask you for a while " Ethan responded shrugging his shoulders.

" Wow " I chuckled.

" So, what do you say? " Ethan asked, staring at me deeply.

I was about to answer until I heard a familiar voice in my head. "So you're choosing the meek boy over me are you?"

Closing my eyes tightly I groaned back to him in my head. "Now is not the time, Ken!"

"I think it is Clarisse. You are destined to be mine!" He declared in the tone that he used when he said he owns me.

" I am not yours and until you can accept that I am not your object and not harm my friends…. stay away from me " I yelled back.

Ethan gave me a confused look glancing around the room. "Um, who exactly are you talking to?"

"If you keep resisting me I might just have to come after the meek boy. Mark my word, Clarisse!" Keh threatened to cause me to create a fireball in my hands growling at him.

" Don't threaten him until you can grow up and stop being such a dick then I don't want anything to do with you"

Ken scoffed at my annoyance. "You say that now but you will be mine, darling!"

" I am not some object that you own… I am a person and I'm tired of you treating me like some prize, I don't belong to you and I'm not yours "

" Um, Clarisse, are you alright? " Ethan asked, cutting me from my thoughts, looking at me in concern.

" Yes , I'm fine, " I smiled at him.

" Okay, so maybe we can go to grill together later this week or like catch a movie or something " Ethan said.

" That would be lovely, " I responded.

Ethan smiled widely, grabbing my hand with his squeezing it tightly, I squeezed his hand back.

Perhaps, Lizzie was right maybe Ken wasn't right for me and I should find someone more fitted for my personality

_________

At Jen's warehouse, the family of gods gathered around in the living room eating pizza and watching some soapy reality show, surprisingly the siblings were getting along okay though they said they despised their sister Jen for betraying them and locking them up into coffins.

Soon, they heard a loud crash coming from upstairs and suddenly thunder began to boom from outside…. Rain soon erupted from outside.

Jen glanced at her siblings who stared at her with a worried look and knew their father was very upset and angry which wasn't good.

" We should check up on him, " one of them said.

" And what good will that do Layla " Jen said, staring at her younger sister.

" Well, I'm not doing it " one of them added.

" Always the coward Jarred huh " Layla scoffed, staring at her older brother.

" Daniel, " Jen asked, glancing at her other brother who shook his head.

" Brandon, Alander '' Layla asked turning to look at her other brothers who crossed their arms against their chest.

" No, interesting " Brandon snorted.

" Yeah, I'm not trying to get killed through I am a skilled fighter, could go down for a fight at the moment but dealing with father rage is not something I desire to do " Alander added.

" How bout little bro Cadal here does it…. perhaps you could give him some words of wisdom " Jarred suggested.

" What, no I'm not going up there " Cadel protested.

" Stop being a wuss little bro and go upstairs " Alvander scoffed.

" Why must I do it " Cadel asked, annoyed.

" Because you're the youngest of us and we said to go now, " Brandon responded.

" If anyone should go, it's our dear traitorous osister here, she's the one who betrayed our family " Cadal hissed, staring at his sister coldy.

" Again, I'm sorry " Jen signed.

" Yeah, you're right little bro…. sister this one is on you " Alvander smirked.

" I'm not going up there, " Jen hissed.

" Look, you need to go up there and make sure father is okay " Layla exclaimed.

" Fine " Jen grumbled getting up from the couch and began to make her way upstairs, she soon stopped at her father's room and knocked on the door.

Ken's Point Of View

Bursting into my room I suddenly started throwing everything around in a rage frustrated with Clarisse. Why didn't she just accept that we belong together and no matter how much she runs. She will choose me. "Why doesn't she realize it yet? I'd burn the entire world if that's what it took to be with her. She is destined to be mine!"

Suddenly, a knock on the door cuts me out from my thoughts…. " um, dad, are you alright in there? " Jen asked from outside the door.

" I don't wish to be disturb now, daughter, " I responded.

The door opened and in walked my stubborn daughter who stared at me in concern. Her eyes widened when she saw the state of the room.

" Do you have something to say daughter? " I asked, staring at her coldly.

" No, sorry I just wanted to check up on you " Jen responded.

" Are you okay " She asked staring at me in concern.

Running my fingers through my hair she won't understand how frustrating this is. "No daughter. I'm not okay. She's infuriating!"

" Trouble in paradise I take it… you know you should really try to be less controlling sometimes and accept that you can't always get what you want, " Jen said.

" I always get my way, daughter, " I state, I will get my way, Clarisse will be mine "

" Well, you won't this time, " Jen snorted, crossing her arms against her chest.

"Leave now, I am in no mood to listen to your comments anymore daughter " I said.

" Look, you need to stop throwing a temper tantrum and take action…. If you really want Clarisse then go to her and prove that you care for her and stop acting so possessive " Jen exclaimed.

" If you keep on this pathway you'll lose her for good " She added.

Turning to face her I looked at her confused at how that helps me. "How does that advice help me in any way?"

"Because if you actually listened to my advice you would probably see I'm right. From what I've learned of these people they don't just fall to our feet because we're gods anymore." My daughter shrugged her shoulders, shaking her head at me. "You have to earn their trust. You have to let Clarisse see you're someone worth loving."

I stared at my daughter knowing she was right and signed, " I suppose you are right, daughter…do you have any other suggestions for me?"

" Go to her, " Jen exclaimed.

Nodding my head I moved past her going to find Clarisse. "I will. Thank you, daughter."

Clarisse's POV

It was midnight, Ethan and I were walking around the school grounds talking with one another, enjoying each other's time.

" Well, this is nice, " Ethan said.

" It is, " I smiled.

Ethan grabbed my hand with his twirling his fingers around mine, my eyes met his. We just stared at one another until I felt a presence that I wish I didn't recognize, Ken.

" Oh, no " I mumbled.

" What is it " Ethan asked, glancing up his eyes soon widened when he noticed Ken standing meters away.

" Ethan, go now " I demanded, pushing him behind me, as Ken walked towards us fiercoulsy.

" No, way I'm not leaving you with this dickhead " Ethan exclaimed stepping in front of me protectively.

Ken slowly walked forward flashing his golden eyes at us. I got into a fighting stance in front of Ethan because there was no way I was going to let him hurt him.

" Ken, please " I spoke up almost in a begging manner.

He clutched his hands into fists at his sides getting closer to me where our chest almost touched each other. "I don't want to start a fight, Clarisse."

"Then why are you here? Because your temper isn't the greatest."

" I only wish to talk… I mean you no harm " Ken said gently, staring at me.

My heart began to flutter a bit, I stared back at him, no matter what he did or say I would always carve him back.

" Well, she doesn't want to talk to you… so beat it " Ethan hissed.

" Ethan, it's okay, " I said.

" Stay out of this boy " Ken hissed glaring at Ethan angrily.

" No, I'm not… Clarisse is my friend and I'm not gonna let you bully her anymore so if you want her you'll have to go through me " Ethan said pushing me behind him and step towards Ken.

I gasped and was too slow to do anything before Ethan pulled his arm back punching the god right in the nose. Where Ethan groaned like his hand almost looked broken from the impact. "Ethan!"

I rushed over to Ken and held his face up in my hands, " Are you alright "

" Yes, my love " Ken responded.

" Clarisse get away from him " Ethan said grabbing my arm.

" Don't touch her " Ken growled pushing me behind him and soon deliver a punch across Ethan's jaw causing him to fall to the ground.

He continued his attack until I bolted forward grabbing his forearm in an attempt to stop him, " Please stop enough. He doesn't deserve to be hurt. Let him go for me please!"

I felt his muscles shift where he slowly turned to face me resting a hand to my cheek and I leaned into his touch surprised that my plan actually worked. The bond is stronger than I thought. "Thank you." I mumbled under my breath.

'What else will please you, darling?" He asked in a calming yet deep voice. Green eyes locked onto mine.

" Take me somewhere away " I whispered staring back at him deeply, feeling the wolf inside me taking over me.

" Clarisse, what are you doing? " Ethan asked, groaning in pain trying to pull himself back up.

"I'm sorry Ethan " I said, turning around glancing back at him in pity before laying my eyes on the god in front of me.

Ken placed his hands in mine nodding before we flew up into the sky leaving Ethan standing there confused.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[duanecbrooks]

Black Being Beautiful      It's another old-time flick, having been made an entire year before The Grasshopper, specifically in--hold on to your hat--1968.                Its female lead is a woman who has long, long, long since devolved to Trivial Pursuit-question status, namely Diahann Carroll (Its male lead, Jim Brown again, has, as has been pointed out before, a very successful career as an entrepreneur, not to mention considerable visibility as a rather simplistic, indeed, flat-out shrill Black Spokesperson).                Having been made in 1968, its cinematic style and sensibility, not to mention the makeup of most, if not all, of its characters would likely be considered mightily passé, even, considering the fact that these days, political correctness is running rampant, prehistoric.                Yet be that as it may...      The fact is, The Split, which, thanks as usual to my greatly-cherished DVD player I've seen several times, is a quite gripping, very well-paced heist flick, easily carrying you along on its wavelength, easily causing you to accept its reality. And not once, not once, while watching it does your attention flag or you lose interest in its characters.                Let's specify...            Split kicks off with a wide-angle shot of a dirt road. Before long, it hones in on this car conking out, carrying this majorly hunky black dude, who, as we'll come to discover, is said picture's central character, McClain (Brown). He tries for a while to fix the car but eventually opts to riding a bus, which we see stopping in front of this rather ramshackle motel. McClain gets off and goes inside and is (in time) joyously greeted by its proprietor, Gladys (Julie Harris). He first asks about his ex, Ellie--whom we'll soon meet--and is bluntly told: "She moved. I haven't seen her." When asked about his future plans, McClain gives an answer that in sum tells the point of the entire picture: "Just one big job. That's all I want." We then see the aforementioned Ellie (Carroll) on the phone, enveloped in shock, obviously being told that her ex is back. Next we see the former couple in bed, lying warmly up against each other, obviously having Done The Deed. We quickly get the message that their history being together was far from happy (Ellie: "I kept on dreaming. And one morning I woke up and you weren't there. That was one morning too many." McClain: "If I'm not here, what the hell were you just doing [in having sex with me]?" This causes Ellie to angrily slap McClain's face). There's further dialogue between them (Ellie: "I'm weak with you...That's my problem...You want to see me crawl. You want to see me so weak I can't stand any more"; interestingly, given that, as has been mentioned, this was 1968, Ellie in time calls McClain: "You black son of a bitch!"), and then we cut to McClain casing the place the latter intends to hit, namely a football stadium where there's scheduled to be a face-off involving the Rams and the Packers (Gladys: "There's 80 thousand seats in the place." McClain: "And that's a lot of money").                 Let's continue. Following are scenes wherein McClain "tests" the fellows he wants to include in the upcoming heist, namely Clinger, Kifka, Marty, and Negil (Ernest Borgnine, Jack Klugman, Warren Oates, and Donald Sutherland, respectively) by putting them through various paces--dropping in on Clinger and initiating a fight, initiating an open-road car chase with Kifka, et al. When the team McClain wants and Gladys are gathered together, we discover that there's  certainly, definitely no love lost between McClain and the guys (Negil: "[McClain is] a big black idiot." Marty: "If there's one thing I don't have time for, it's a smart-ass nigger!"). Yet when our hero at last finally shows up they all fall into line and it's agreed that the money will be stashed at Ellie's place (Gladys: "Ellie's clean. And the cops have nothing on McClain"). Next up is a rather engaging montage wherein McClain and Ellie are walking side-by-side along different places, including the beach with Ellie carrying her heels (McClain: "I'll be with you [after the heist] because that's where I want to be"). At last finally the day of the heist arrives, with McClain and Co. seizing the take while holding several guards and several stadium employees--among them the longtime comedic actor Jackie Joseph--at gunpoint and getting away with the help of McClain and Kifka masquerading as ambulance drivers. Then, as Ellie is lying on top of her bed reading, she, and we, hear a knock upon her door. Upon opening it, in comes McClain with the stolen gains, making it clear his intent to stash them at Ellie's. After her expressing understandable consternation ("You're using me, Mac"), we see McClain seduce Ellie by first taking her up in his arms, then throwing her upon the bed and having his way with her, with her (lovingly?) caressing the money that McClain has thrown upon her bed. Following are McClain and Ellie (obviously) fully under the covers and the phone ringing. Ellie gets it and hands it to her ex, as it's for him. Next we see McClain and Clinger, while playing pool, making plans to get together later with the rest of the gang and divvy up the cash.             Next: We see Ellie's ever-horny landlord Sutro (James Whitmore) sneak into her apartment and, while our girl is combing her hair in front of the mirror, approach her, supposedly about the rent. Yet, as time goes on, it becomes abundantly clear that what Sutro really and truly wants is not rent money but Ellie herself--as evidenced by the frequent close-ups of her bosom area and her upper-thighs area. Before long Sutro gives in to his lust and grabs Ellie. There's a struggle, she manages to knee him and she opens the lower shelf of her drawer, where, we find, there's weaponry stashed. Yet Sutro catches her, throws her upon the bed, and himself gets hold of a machine gun lying inside the drawer. Sutro winds up fatally machine-gunning Ellie, seizing all the money, and throwing a sheet over her dead body.                      Split goes on. When McClain arrives at Ellie's apartment and discovers her corpse, he is of course devastated. Then he opens the drawer and sees that the money, all of it, has been taken, which also knocks him for a loop. The police--having been called by Sutro, who has alerted them to Ellie's murder--show up, McClain manages to get away and, upon re-uniting with the gang, discovers, along with us, that they are in no sense happy campers (Gladys: "You've humiliated me, McClain." Marty: "As you can see, you're on the spot, boy"). We then see that the police detective Walter Brill (Gene Hackman) has been assigned to investigate Ellie's murder (and also see a newspaper headline that fully reflects the fact that this was 1968: "LANDLORD SLAYS NEGRO BEAUTY"), McClain is for a while tortured by the rest of the gang--while his arms are being held down, Clinger smacks his exposed stomach with a soaking-wet rope--McClain manages to escape--with Gladys getting accidentally and fatally shot in the process--and winds up cornering Brill in his home. At first Brill resists McClain's pressure ("the former to the latter: "There isn't a man in the force who will rest if anything happens to one of their own"), yet comes to bend under McClain's prodding (McClain to Brill: "You curl up pretty fast for a cop, don't you?"). Brill comes to throw in with McClain, the latter assuring him that he's the best bet to getting the dough ("There are three others [in the gang], but if you deal with me, you might live to spend that money"), there's a shootout in a deserted area between McClain/Brill and the other gang members, said team winds up killing them all, and the ending of the picture is genuinely unusual. It's comprised of McClain being about to board a plane and stopping upon hearing...Ellie's voice.                So there's The Split, in all a marvelously taut, marvelously absorbing crime flick. Whitmore chillingly embodies the ever-lustful, ever-creepy Sutro. Hackman lends his monumental presence and his monumental acting skill to the role of Brill. The two white chicks of Split--Joyce Jameson as Girl-Girl, a jolie laide whom Oates's character hooks up with early on and Joseph--are, respectively, enticingly sexy and enticingly charming. All the backup gang members come through magnificently in the acting department; there's never, ever a false note concerning any of them. As scenarist, Robert Sabaroff comes up with many meaty, pithy exchanges for McClain and the principals in his life to engage in. And director Gordon Flemyng consistently keeps the action moving, never allowing anything to flag (Said scene between Sutro and Ellie deserves special mention, being an entirely blood-curdling combination of adroit camera placement and adroit editing. Also: Apparently Brown and Flemyng didn't exactly click as work colleagues. In his through-the-roof-selling personal/professional memoir, Borgnine reported that the latter, on the final day of shooting, went up to the former and--according to Borgnine, echoing his own feelings--told him: "If you were the last actor on Earth, I would never work with you again").               And now we come to Brown and Carroll. While their acting in The Split, frankly, leaves much to be desired, their stylish good looks, their forceful sexiness, and their awe-inspiring physiques save the day. Their scenes together are aflame with their physical spice and their physical grace. The fact is, The Split is further proof of a point I (I hope) have made before: that theatrical films were at their best when they were a visual medium, when they wholly put aside aesthetic considerations and simply presented gorgeous, muscular/shapely performers whose physical beauty and unyielding sexiness majorly turned us on (To make another point I hope I've made in the past: While television is up to its neck in intellectual and creative barrenness, it shines as a visual medium. There's no blah about the director or about any of its products' Importance. All that's needed is to get whatever Baywatch Babe on-camera showing skin or get Kerry Washington on-camera, period and the winning score is made).                    It was a 1970s writer who asserted that Carroll and her then-Julia-co-star Fred Williamson (remember him?; I didn't think so) "embody perfection." With regard to The Split, it is Carroll and Brown who are the real and the true embodiment of perfection. And are added proof, assuming any more is needed, of the sanctimonious guilt-bingeing and the complete meaningless of the "issue" of "looksism."