#on book 14 of the odyssey now

[seasicksilver]

bros being bros

[tongues--and--teeth]

Guys I think his effigy is ready

[monamoe]

Banging my head against the wall with some Riordanverse canon ships (or canon ages) before explaining how I would have done them

(no hate to Rick Riordan! I love his books and his writing style, but I do have problems with some of the writing choices he made). First I’ll start with the age gap relationships.

What I hate about the age gaps:

We didn’t need 16 year old Frank with 14 year old Hazel, because those are two wildly different age groups! To put it in a highschool setting, Hazel would be in Year 8-9 while Frank would be in Year 10 more or less?? He wodukve had his driving license when she hadn’t even done her IGCSEs. When he turned 18 she’d be 16. SIXTEEN. Bruh.

We didn’t need 16 year old Walt with 13 year old Sadie. Same problems as Frazel except worse by one year. (HE’D BE 18 WHEN SHE WOULD BE 15.)

And we didn’t need the 1000+ couples with under 18 characters! Especially with some of the character’s that are thousands of years old’s mythologies! (You know what I’m talking about).

How I would have written them!:

Frank x Hazel:

I assumed Frank was 15 or 14 tbh 💀 I don’t get why he needed to be 16?? It has no plot relevance and also it’s weird considering him and Hazel get together. I love Frazel but like… what is the point? Their relationship isn’t that terrible development wise, jsut kind of bland ig (in my opinion). I’d definitely have given them a lot more development and moments together before dating. I’d also like to make a point that their friendship was already going strong and they had a close bond before dating! If I were to rewrite the books in my own taste idk if I’d even make them get together? I think I appreciate them more when they have a deep bond without a labeled relationship. They’re close and they love eachother, and they want to be committed to eachother, but they don’t want to be dating <3

I also wanted to mention before going into Walt x Sadie that both Hazel and Sadie fall into the trope thingy Rick does where younger POC girls (Hazel is African American, Sadie is mixed) are paired up with 16 year olds. And it’s just really really weird. I’m white so I won’t comment too deeply on this, but I have read a really good essay about it somewhere but I sadly can’t find it :( if I do I’ll put it here.

Walt x Sadie

When I first read TKC, my first impression of Walt was a paragraph that described his appearance (random but I HATE HATE HATE his design in one of the graphic novels. He looks so adult and it’s weird since Sadie clearly has a crush on him. I don’t like the designs for many of the graphic novels in general ngl) and his age, which I read as fourteen, since it explicitly said he was two years younger than Carter. I can’t find the paragraph now, but every other source has said that he’s 16. Bc of this, I read the books assuming he was just a year older than Sadie and I still believe it even if it’s not canon. I wouldn’t change much about their relationship except age Sadie up to 15 and Walt down to 15 as well.

Now for the 1000+ relationships:

Anubis x Sadie x Walt

For Anubis x Sadie x Walt, I already did a sort of essay about how I would have written him and his relationship to Sadie to an extent (Idk how to link posts sorry😔 look up Anubis or TKC on my page and it should appear), even if I haven’t talked about his relationship to Walt yet (bc despite not being explicit, it’s clearly obvious Walt and Anubis are also dating, it’s not a situation we’re two guys love one girl, it’s a poly relationship). I wanted to mention it bc I thought it’d be weird not to talk about him.

Calypso x Leo / Calypso x Percy

Stop. It’s one thing to make a ship similar to Leo x Calypso were they both are at the same maturity rate while also having one be immortal, it’s another to make a teen date a goddess who has a mythological history of rape and SA?? No matter if the translation or copy of the Odyssey you own makes the ‘cheating’ consensual, the implications are STILL THERE. In PJO I also find Calypso bossy (which normally wouldn’t bother me? I’m also bossy so it’s jot that deep), rude and downright vindictive. The curse she put on Annabeth that happened in Tartarus? The blame on Percy for ‘leaving her’ and the whole ‘he promised to free me from my prison’ when he LITERALLY DIDNT. Percy promised to build her a garden in his city (or something like that sorry 😭), not to free her. Just. In general this relationship makes me feel icky and I heavily dislike it.

So that’s all for now, I’m tired, gn everyone! If I missed anything or got anything wrong feel free to correct me <3

[jasper-pagan-witch]

Hermes/Mercury In Poetry: A Compilation Of Poems By Sappho, Carl Dennis, And Shirley Burger With Mediocre Analysis

Hermes and Mercury are a god who has remained in the public consciousness despite the fact that worship of them has dwindled to nearly nothing (shoutout to my fellow Ancient Greek polytheists, though). Due to still being in the public consciousness despite everything, it’s not that surprising to see Hermes and Mercury still popping up in everything from video games to battleships, and don’t get me started on Hermes Trismegistus. (No, really, please don’t, I don’t know enough about Hermeticism to get into that.)

This is not any form of professional comparative essay. Or even a casual comparative essay. This is just me going feral over poetry and Hermes/Mercury. Let’s get this shit started.

In Sappho: A New Translation (translated by Mary Barnard), Hermes appears in two parts: 14 and 97. These depict Hermes in two vastly different roles: cupbearer and psychopomp.

Fragment 14 goes as thus:

PEACE REIGNED IN HEAVEN Ambrosia stood already mixed in the wine bowl It was Hermes who took up the wine jug and poured wine for the gods

Fragment 14 depicts Hermes in the role of cupbearer for the gods, a duty more often attributed to Hebe (the daughter of Zeus and Hera, the goddess of youth) or Ganymede (a Trojan prince, the constellation Aquarius, god of homosexual love, playmate of Eros and Hymenaios). Theoi.com lists him as being a cupbearer among other things due to his ministry to Zeus, but I’m gonna be honest, I had a hard time figuring out how to read their citations and couldn’t find any other instance other than the general page about this particular thing. The most likely answer here, though, is that I just suck at reading.

Meanwhile, Fragment 97 depicts a more well-known side of Hermes:

I HAVE OFTEN ASKED YOU NOT TO COME NOW Hermes, Lord, you who lead the ghosts home: But this time I am not happy; I want to die, to see the moist lotus open along Acheron

Our girl Sappho was fucking going through it, man. This poem calls to Hermes as a psychopomp, a duty attributed to him in Homer’s Odyssey (an epic from C8th B.C.), the Homeric Hymn 4 to Hermes (an epic from C7th to C4th B.C.), Aeschylus’s Libation Bearers (a tragedy from C5th B.C.), and more and more as we get closer to the current period in history. According to the Homeric Hymn 4, he got this job after being sent to retrieve Persephone and handling that whole scenario, so Zeus just appointed him to keep that psychopomp job. The downsides of pulling things off well, I suppose.

So, that was how Sappho perceived Hermes through poetry. How about something more...modern? In 2001, Carl Dennis published “Practical Gods”, which won the 2000 Ruth Lily Poetry Prize and the 2002 Pulitzer Prize. Greek, Catholic, and Christian figures appear through these poems as Carl Dennis draws on mythological and religious imagery for his works. Hermes appears in “A Priest of Hermes” in his psychopomp duties, and the idea of Death and how one dies appears in other poems in this book, like “Eternal Life” and “Progressive Health”. (Not every poem in this work is focused on Death, but those ones were the most striking to me when I first read them.)

A Priest of Hermes The way up, from here to there, may be closed, But the way down, from there to here, still open Wide enough for a slender god like Hermes To slip from the clouds if you give your evenings To learning about the plants under his influence, The winged and wingless creatures, the rocks and metals, And practice his sacred flute or dulcimer. No prayers. Just the effort to make his stay So full of the comforts of home he won’t forget it, To build him a shrine he finds congenial, Something as simple as roofed pillars Without the darkness of an interior. If you’re lucky, he’ll want to sit on the steps Under the stars for as long as you live And sniff the fragrance of wine and barley As it blows from the altar on a salty sea breeze. He’ll want, when you die, to offer his services As a guide on the shadowy path to the underworld. Not till you reach the watery crossing Will he leave your side, and even then He’ll shout instructions as you slip from your shoes And wade alone into that dark river.

To me, this poem feels warm and comforting, in a way that Death is only sometimes described. Death as a gentle force is becoming more popular to depict rather than violent Death, as Death is slowly being seen as something that comforts you after a long period of hardship (fighting terminal illness, being in danger, a heart attack, et cetera) or to help you step forward if you die in a more peaceful manner (such as dying in one’s sleep). This poem being so calming makes sense: a psychopomp’s duty is to guide you to the afterlife, and it’s hard to guide someone who’s flipping the fuck out.

Let’s fast forward five years, to 2006. Noble House Publishing put out “Songs of Honour”, an anthology of poems that span all kinds of authors and subjects. (It’s also completely unclear whether or not the writers knew that their works were being used in this, and it doesn’t have an ISBN...) But the poem of note here is Shirley Burger’s “Mercury, Oh Caduceus”, found on page sixty-nine (nice). Let’s see if you can figure out why it was so interesting to me. The poem goes as follows:

Mercury, Oh Caduceus Mercury, such a toxic rhyme... A goddess, once upon a time... Twisted with your mammon ways... Oh my Father counts the days... When your Caduceus will be revealed... For all your bronze and all your “steal”... You’ve preyed upon the children dear... And as you speak all I can hear... Is poverty upon us all... You’ve tripped us up and made us fall... Soon your serpent ways will see... Nothing about you makes us free... Your lies are beneath all your hidden ways... Oh how my Father counts the days... Until your statue crumbles hard... And frees the people once again... From what you’ve told us is our friend... Your lies stroll forth unto the day... When thoughts of you will go away... Forever.

Okay, yes, yes, this poem treats Mercury as being synonymous with the serpent that convinced Eve to bite the fruit of knowledge and reads like a Christian freaking out about heresy and misleading the children, yes, sure, whatever. It’s like the polar opposite of Carl Dennis’s approach to Hermes.

But most interesting to me is the fact that the author refers to Mercury as a goddess. This is fascinating to me because in Western astrology, despite Mercury being a “masculine” god, Mercury the planet is considered to be perfectly neutral in terms of masculinity and femininity. I have no idea how Shirley Burger managed to make the jump from “Mercury is a Roman god” to “this is a goddess”, considering everything, but it’s fascinating to me.

There is no closing statement for this post! It’s not even a formal essay! I’ve said “fuck” four times, after all. But this is the end of the Tumblr post. Enjoy the poetry.

Sources & References

(Yes, I found an online MLA 9th edition citing website tool just to make these look fancy. Fuck you.)

Wikipedia contributors. “Hermes.” Wikipedia, 10 Jan. 2002, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes.

Wikipedia contributors. “Mercury (mythology).” Wikipedia, 17 Nov. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(mythology).

“HERMES - Greek God of Herds and Trade, Herald of the Gods.” Theoi Greek Mythology, www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hermes.html.

Sappho. Sappho: A New Translation. University of California Press, 2019.

Dennis, Carl. Practical gods. National Geographic Books, 2001.

Burger, Shirley. Songs of honour. Edited by Noble House Staff, Noble House Publishers, 2006. “Mercury, Oh Caduceus”, pg. 69

Burk, Kevin. Astrology: Understanding the Birth Chart : a Comprehensive Guide to Classical Interpretation. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2001.

[kanha-ki-fangirl]

What are your favourite reads so farr????

(I've been wanting to pick up secret history so baddd but it's so itimidating 😖)

My favourite reads? Oooooh I have MANYYYY

Here's the thing. There are books that I read at a certain age that became my favourite but which if I read now, I'm not sure if I'd still love them the same. But that doesn't discount the younger Vi's obsession with them! So I'll list them ALL

(the ones in purple are the ones younger me has liked but I'm not sure if I would still call my favorites or not. The ones in orange are the ones that I'm 100% sure of being my current favourites)

1) Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (ya girl's a basic bish whatchu gonna do)

2) The Curse of Mohenjodaro (when I started reading I had 8 books in total for a while. HP and this one. I'd do the HP marathon, then read this one, then read HP again. Yes it's tattooed on my brain).

3) Pollyanna

4) All the Rick Riordan books till Trials Of Apollo Tower of Nero

5) We Were Liars

6) On Earth we're briefly gorgeous (the first book I annotated. Or tried to at least :p)

7) The Midnight Library (this book came to me at such a right time. I really needed it when I read it)

8) The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (I read this book over the course of the worst year of my life. I remember nothing except this book from back then and the comfort that it brought me was something that I can't even begin to describe)

9) Babel by R.F. Kuang (This book 🤌🏻😩)

10) Emily Dickinson's 100 Selected Poems (does it count as a book? I know it's a poem collection but imma still count it ig)

11) Bhagwad Geeta

12) Pride and Prejudice (ya girl's a basic bish whatchu gonna do)

13) Odyssey

14) The Picture Of Dorian Gray (BASIL! He's so me. I'd also get killed tryna make a person I used to call my friend but haven't been close to in a while believe they aren't the monster they think they are and that there's still time to repent)

15) The Metamorphosis

16) The Bell Jar ("The silence depressed me. It wasn't the silence of silence. It was my own silence." Sylvia Plath why do you hurt me?)

17) Hamlet (I may have picked the worst book to start Shakespeare but we roll)

18) Classic works of horror of Edgar Allan Poe (this was also a collection so does this also not qualify?)

19) Lessons In Chemistry (Elizabeth Zott save me)

20) Dante's Divine Comedy (I too would write a religion fanfic of me and my favourite author being besties and adventuring. Nah but fr, I'm not even halfway through and I'd die for this book)

21) The Secret History

What an odd number this list ended on.

Also, yes, completely agree, The Secret History is so intimidating?? I kept putting it off for like a year! Like I read the first few paragraphs and was like "need to come back with higher brain power" but in reality the hue of the rest of the book is so different from the first few paragraphs!

@groovycynicalcheesecake thank you so much for this ask! This was my favourite ask ever!!!

[amayaonly1]

Verses Unwritten: A Rap Odyssey

Eminem x Rapper!OC

Verse 5

About: Genji finds herself immersed in the creative chaos of her music studio, only to be drawn into an unexpected conversation with Eminem, who invites her to the release of his deeply personal book. The event in New York unveils a different side of him, vulnerable yet resilient, sparking questions about their connection and his decision to share this moment with her. Amid the city's electric energy, old friendships resurface, and Genji reflects on the intricate layers of human connection and creativity.

"Verses Unwritten: A Rap Odyssey" Chapter List: Verse 1 | Verse 2 | Verse 3 | Verse 4 | Verse 5 | Verse 6 | Verse 7 | Verse 8 | Verse 9 | Verse 10 | Verse 11 | Verse 12 | Verse 13 | Verse 14 | Verse 15 | Verse 16 | Verse 17 | Verse 18 | Verse 19 | Verse 20 | Verse 21

Disclaimer: This work is a work of fiction, and any involvement of the character Genji is purely fictional and not representative of any real person.

The gentle glow of her laptop screen lit up the dim studio as Genji adjusted the final EQ levels of the track. A sultry R&B instrumental looped softly in the background, filling the room with smooth undertones. She leaned back in the swivel chair, rubbing her temples. The creative process was relentless, yet deeply satisfying, like a puzzle she's never tired of solving.

Her phone buzzed on the cluttered desk, breaking her concentration. She glanced at the caller ID which sent an involuntary smile to her lips — Eminem. The name flashed against the faint glow of her screen, stirring an unexpected mix of emotions. Her lips curved into a small, involuntary smile, and her heart quickened, though she quickly pushed aside the ripple of nerves. Their conversations were sporadic and mostly about music, yet she could always tell when he was up to something. His invitations were never without a hint of unpredictability.

"Hey," she answered, her voice warm.

"Hey to you too," came his familiar voice, carrying a hint of excitement. "You busy?"

"Always," she teased, swivelling her chair. "But I'm listening."

"Well, I've been working on something different," he began, his voice casual yet deliberate tone. "Figured I'd let you know before the rest of the world does."

"Oh? Don't tell me you're trading rap for country music," she joked, stifling a laugh.

"Nah, I ain’t got the boots for that," he deadpanned, but the faint amusement in his voice gave him away. "No, it's a book. My book. I'm throwing a release party in New York next month."

"A book?" Genji repeated, her eyebrows arching; intrigued. "Interesting... Didn't peg you as the literary type."

"Yeah, well, surprise, surprise," He replied with mock indignation, drawing a soft chuckle from her. "I ain't all about beats and rhymes, y'know. Not like this is the first book I wrote, anyway."

"So what's it about? A collection of your best insults?"

"Yeah, and chapter one’s all about you," he fired back without missing a beat, earning a chuckle from her. Although, she could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

His tone shifted then, vulnerability slipping through. "Nah, it’s more like my version of therapy. It's about my life, the ups and downs... all the shit I went through, y'know I'm saying?" His words carried a weight that caught her off guard, silencing the teasing.

Genji leaned forward, gripping the phone tighter as a quiet understanding passed between them. "And you want me there?"

"Yeah," he said. "It's at Recon on October 15th, 8 p.m. You not flying back to Japan soon, right?"

"No, I got back like last week. Makes no sense for me to suddenly go back now, especially with new projects lining up."

"Alright, I guess I'll see ya there. Don't make me hunt you down."

"I'll be there," she relented, chuckling. "But you owe me a signed copy."

"Deal. I'll send a car. No excuses."

The call ended with a soft click, leaving Genji staring at her phone, a faint smile lingering on her lips. Eminem wasn’t one to extend such invitations lightly. He’d always been guarded, a trait she understood and respected. So being included felt meaningful, as it gave her a glimpse into his tumultuous inner world often masked by that aloof exterior.

The buzz of New York City filled the crisp October evening, its energy electric: a cacophony of honking cabs, distant sirens, and the rhythmic chatter of late-night pedestrians. Neon lights flickered in a kaleidoscope of colours, reflecting off rain-slicked streets and adding an electric glow to the city's bustling chaos.

Genji stepped out of the black car Eminem had sent, dressed in a long-sleeved V-neck navy blouse tucked into high-waisted white pants, and paired with black, heeled ankle boots. Her silver hoop earrings glinted faintly as she adjusted her scarf against the October chill. Anticipation swirled in her chest as she approached the building.

Inside Recon, the pulsating rhythm of music and conversation surrounded her. The low hum of excitement buzzed in the air, the sound of familiar voices blending with the buzz of anticipation for the night ahead. She'd always known Eminem as a force of nature in the music world, but tonight felt different. This wasn't about Slim Shady, and she could feel the weight of his presence in every detail.

She didn't have long to ponder the matter before Eminem himself walked into the room, cutting through the crowd like a storm. He spotted her almost immediately, and a subtle shift in his expression signalled a mixture of relief and determination.

"Hey," he greeted, his voice casual, but with that unmistakable edge that never quite left, even in softer moments. There was a slight hesitation in his steps, like he wasn’t sure how much of himself he wanted to reveal. "Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it especially when you personally invited me," she replied, offering him a smile. "Looks like a big night."

"It is," he agreed, glancing at her with a flicker of something genuine in his eyes. "But… you showing up? Kinda makes it better. But don't go telling people I said that." He smirked, the familiar, self-deprecating humour slipping in to mask the moment.

"Duly noted, sir," Genji answered playfully, though her curiosity piqued by the underlying tone in his voice. There was a softness there, a subtle shift in the way he was standing, as if he was letting something unspoken hang between them. The usual bravado he was known for hadn't disappeared; it lingered, but underneath, there was a fragility, a kind of quiet gratitude.

"Good, keep it that way," he said, glancing at the ground briefly before meeting her gaze again. "Alright, I gotta go. Gotta do Shade 45 and all that." He gestured loosely toward the broadcast setup, then paused. "Catch you after, maybe?"

"Maybe," she teased, watching as he turned and walked off with that familiar swagger, though she couldn't help but notice the way his shoulders carried a touch less weight than before.

Leaving her standing with a whirlwind of questions, Genji watched him disappear into the crowd, his presence still lingering like the echo of a verse unfinished. There was definitely something softer in him tonight, a glimpse of the man behind the razor-sharp words and bulletproof persona. But the question remained: why her?

They had worked on only two songs, sure, but hardly the kind of history that explained this unguarded moment. Their conversations, few and far between, had been all about music: beats, lyrics, the mechanics of creation. Nothing in those exchanges had hinted at this level of familiarity, this openness.

Had she missed something in the rhythm of their words? Or was this simply another side of him, one he rarely let anyone see, bleeding through the cracks? Whatever it was, it left her unsettled, like standing on the precipice of something far deeper than she'd anticipated.

"Baby G!"

A familiar voice echoed through the room, cutting through her thoughts. She turned to see LL grinning widely as he strode towards her. The moment they looked at each other, his face broke into a wide grin, and she couldn't help but return it.

"James!" Genji greeted. "How have you been?"

"Good," he beamed, pulling her in for a quick, friendly hug. "Still causing chaos in Japan?"

"Always," she quipped with a mischievous smirk. "Then I'll disappear for a year before shaking things up again."

He laughed, shaking his head. "That sounds exactly like you — unpredictable and always keeping people guessing. I still remember how you got MTV Japan to broadcast me, De La Soul, MC Lyte, and A Tribe performing live from New York. I still don't know how you pulled that off." He leaned closer, his grin widening. "And I'm pretty sure half the world doesn't even know it was you who made it happen."

"That was fun," Genji admitted, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. Those days felt like a lifetime ago, but she still remembered the rush of pulling off something so ambitious. She was so passionate about spreading hip-hop in her country. It was laboriously slow, but in the end, it was worth it. "I listened to Exit 13, by the way. You still got that energy, huh?"

"Of course," he replied, flexing his biceps with mock seriousness. "You know me; staying strong, staying smooth. Gotta keep the legacy alive."

Genji rolled her eyes, laughing. "But in all seriousness, you've still got it. I'll give you that."

"Hey," he said suddenly, his expression turning playful. "Let's grab a photo. It's been too long since we had one together."

"Er…" She hesitated, her smile faltering for a moment. "We can, uh, have someone take one for us."

"C'mon, Baby G," he teased, raising an eyebrow. "For such a pretty young thing like you, you sure hate photos."

Her gaze softened, and she murmured, "Well, 1995 happened…" The words lingered in the air, and for a split second, her lighthearted demeanour dimmed.

LL paused, his playful smirk faltered, now replaced by an understanding nod. "Yeah… I get it," he muttered quietly, his tone carrying a depth that only close friends could share. "But hey, this is different. It's us. No pressure."

Genji studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, James. Since you asked, let's do it."

"That's what I'm talking about!" He enthusiastically gestured for her to follow him. "Photographer's right over here. Let's make this iconic."

As they reached the backdrop, the energy shifted. Cameras flashed, capturing their camaraderie in a way words couldn't. Genji stood beside him, her posture relaxing as the nostalgia and comfort of shared history took over.

"See? Not so bad," LL said, nudging her lightly as they stepped away.

She rolled her eyes playfully. "You're lucky I like you, James."

He chuckled, slipping back into their familiar banter. "I'm more than lucky, Baby G. I'm blessed to have a friend like you."

They drifted into more conversation, slipping into the comfort of shared history with each exchange. The evening unfolded with laughter, memories, and the quiet reassurance of a bond that had stood the test of time.

Genji slipped away from the noise of the event and found a quiet corner of the venue where a soft glow illuminated a secluded area. The chatter and music felt distant here, the dim lighting offering a rare moment of solitude. She swirled her drink thoughtfully, the night’s events replaying in her mind.

"Figured you'd be hiding somewhere," came a voice behind her. She turned to see Eminem leaning casually against the wall. His cap was pulled low, but it didn't hide the exhaustion etched into his face. His expression was soft and worn, like someone who'd been carrying a weight too long.

"You done entertaining guests?" she asked, her tone light but curious.

"Yeah," he said, stepping closer. "Needed a breather. Crowds aren't really my thing, y'know."

"Could've fooled me," she remarked lightly. "No offence, but I thought you'd thrive in the spotlight."

He shrugged, looking down at his shoes for a second before meeting her gaze again. "Yeah, but it's different. This… feels personal. Makes me feel exposed, y'know? Especially when I've been out of the spotlight for more than a year. Coming back like this…" he trailed off, his voice low.

Genji studied him, her expression softening as the vulnerability in his words settled between them. "I was aware of... what happened in 2006. I think this is a good start. Turning your struggles and pain into something people can connect with —that's powerful."

Eminem gave a faint chuckle, but it didn't carry his usual sharp edge. "Yeah... well, it's still easier to put it in a song than to say it outright. Writing this book? Man, it's like ripping open old wounds. Makes me question if I'm crazy for doing it."

Genji tilted her head, a thoughtful smile tugging at her lips. "Not crazy. Just… surprising. But I get it. It's not easy letting people see you. The real you."

"Nah, it's not," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "It's hard being the guy who's gotta have it together all the time, y'know I'm saying? I've been so busy being whatever the world thinks I'm supposed to be, I kinda forgot how to just… me."

There was a heaviness to his words, and Genji didn't rush to fill the silence that followed. Instead, she let the weight of his honesty linger, her own thoughts turning over in her mind.

"You know," she said eventually, her voice gentle. "You don't have to do it alone. You've got people who care about you. People who want to see you thrive."

He met her gaze, and for the first time that night, the guarded walls he so often kept in place seemed to crumble for a moment. "Yeah... but it's not easy letting people in. It's easier to keep 'em at arm's length, y'know I'm saying? Less mess that way."

His hand brushed over the brim of his cap, an absent gesture that seemed to ground him. "But you… you're not lookin' at me like I'm Slim Shady or that guy in all the headlines. And for some reason, that makes it easier to just… talk. Like, I don't gotta explain every damn thing, y'know I'm saying?"

Genji smiled faintly, crossing her arms. "Well, I think sometimes the people we don't know that well end up understanding us better than the ones who think they know everything."

Eminem tilted his head, his expression softening as he mulled over her words. "Yeah, that's some real talk. I guess it's just weird to me. Trust ain't somethin' I give out easy, but… I feel like I don't gotta worry 'bout you judging me, y'know I'm saying?"

She chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "I just want to make good music, just like you. Everything else? That's up to you to share or not."

He let out a quiet laugh, genuine but tinged with that self-deprecating humour he carried. "You got a way of makin' it sound simple, Genji. Kinda wish life worked like that."

Silence stretched between them for a moment, but it wasn't awkward. It was the kind of pause that let words settle and take root.

"That thing you said," he began again, his voice low. "About seeing someone for who they are now, not who they used to be… I dunno if I've even figured out who I am now. But maybe this — making music again — is how I start."

Genji's gaze softened, her voice quiet but firm. "That's all anyone can do, right? Take it one step at a time. You're not the guy from the early 2000s anymore, and that's okay. It's about who you want to be now."

Eminem nodded slowly, a small, almost shy smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah… guess I ain't used to people sayin' stuff like that to me. But don’t get used to this mushy shit. You caught me on a good day, is all." His smile lingered, though, the kind that suggested he didn't mind the moment as much as he claimed.

She raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Noted. I'll make sure to remind you the next time you're acting all grumpy."

He snorted, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Grumpy, huh? I just figured I was keepin’ it real."

Genji grinned, her eyes sparkling with challenge. "Wouldn’t want it any other way."

He shook his head, chuckling. "You're something else, y'know that?"

In that quiet corner, away from the lights and cameras, they found a rare moment of connection that didn't need to be defined or explained. It was just kindred souls sharing a moment of honesty in a world that rarely allows it.

[the---hermit]

14|11|2023

Today I feel really tired and the only thing I managed to do other than to attend my lecture in the morning was to highlight and fix the notes I took there. The lecture was really interesting, and I am very much enjoying listening to this professor talk. I feel motivated to work for this class, and I am happy I still get a bit of energy after coming home to fix my notes right away, that is my main goal for the days in which I have to commute. On days I might feel more productive I'll start fixing the notes I am taking for my men theories and power practices class, but that is a job for another day. I will take the rest of the afternoon to rest, maybe read a bit if I feel focused enough, but I need to do stuff that does not require too much brain power. Before that I will of course prep everything I can to make my life easier tomorrow morning. Going back to today's lecture, the professor spent quite a bit of time talking about The Nun by Diderot, and hearing him talk about it intrigued me so much that now I am considering reading it even though it's not part of the official class program. I don't know what was about the way he spoke of this book, but I feel like it would be a great addition to my classics tbr.

cozy hobbit autumn activities and productivity:

read first thing in the morning

daily Irish practice on duolingo

philosophy of the enlightenment class

got fresh focaccia for lunch as I was walking though the city

had the most random chat at the bus stop with two ealderly people who asked me for informations and then ended up striking a convo

enjoyed a bookish podcast on my commute back home

highlighted and fixed the notes I took in the morning

wrapped myself in a blanket like a human burrito and read

today's self care:

took my meds

ended up doing less than planned because I am tired and I need rest in order to be at my best during lectures

calm and relaxing afternoon

in the past few days I've been quite good with my turining the phone off early and read before bed so I want to continue with that

📖: Odyssey by Homer

[nevlikestowrite]

𝐒𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚 ⋮ ⌒ Such is the way to the stars

𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎... ▂ ▃ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ ⋆·˚ ༘ * 🔭 ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ

□ sleeping

Nevylle -- Insomniac, avid tea drinker and musician

Italia || Italian/Czech - ₊❏❜ ⋮🇮🇹/🇨🇿

Studyblr, Langblr, Writeblr - Looking for mutuals

Physics & Philosophy Major

Multilingual ──── ˊˎ

↳ Main languages (in order): Italian, French, English

Writer blog - Horror/Gothic writer, but I dabble in a lot

Films: Avatar, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Star Wars, Star Trek, Scream, Twilight, Interview With A Vampire, Dracula, Silence of the Lamb

Series: Haikyuu, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bungou Stray Dogs, The Queen's Gambit, Supernatural, How I Met Your Mother, Arcane, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Tacoma FD, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Saiki K., Grey's Anatomy, Lucifer, Hannibal, House MD, Buzzfeed Unsolved, True Crime, and Watcher

Music: Bastille, Portugal. The Man, Tchaikovsky, AJR, Pinguini Tattici Nucleari, Lana Del Rey, Iniko, Type O Negative, Siouxsie and The Banshees, Hozier, The Crane Wives

Books/Authors: Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Sherlock Holmes, The Odyssey, The Art of War, War and Peace, Doctor Zhivago, Robert Frost, Fahrenheit 451, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Timon of Athens, Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Brontë

DNI: Homophobes, Racists, Facists, basic DNI criteria. Anyone above 25 or below 14

lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı. Now Playing — Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man 01:43 ━━━━●───── 03:50 ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ : ▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮ 🎧

╰─▸ ❝ @⦗nevlikestowrite⦘ has . . . . logged off

[newly-edgy-anon]

Hidinf In My Bed

Ashlyn has hEDS flare-up

Ashlyn Banner, a 14-year-old girl with a penchant for the peculiar, lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her eyes traced the patterns of shadows cast by the blinds, the early morning light peeking through the cracks, creating a dance of darkness and light. Her thoughts were as tangled as the branches outside her window, which swayed gently in the breeze.

Her room was a sanctuary of sorts, adorned with posters of celestial bodies and bookshelves that threatened to buckle under the weight of her vast collection. Ashlyn's favorite spot was her bed, where she often buried herself under a mountain of blankets, her nose buried in a novel about interdimensional adventures. But today, she couldn't escape to her usual retreat.

Her body felt like a bow pulled too tightly, a pattern of pain and discomfort resonating through every limb. This was a flare-up of her hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a condition that made her joints feel like they were made of silly putty, stretching and popping at the slightest provocation. Normally, she could manage with a few painkillers and some gentle stretches, but today, even the thought of moving brought a tear to her eye.

Her mother, a gentle woman with a worried frown etched into her features, poked her head through the door. "Ash, honey, it's time for school," she called out softly. "You can't just stay in bed forever."

Ashlyn's voice was a hoarse whisper. "Mom, I can't. I'm in so much pain."

Her mother sighed, understanding but concerned. "Okay, sweetheart. I'll call the school. Just rest," she said, her eyes full of empathy.

The room was silent except for the ticking of the clock, echoing the painful throb of Ashlyn's heart. The outside world, with its laughter and the hum of distant cars, seemed so far away. She wished she could just float above it all, free from the confines of her own body.

But she was trapped, a prisoner in her own bed, with no clear path to freedom. Her mind, ever the wanderer, began to drift to the tales she had read, of heroes overcoming insurmountable odds. Perhaps, she thought, she could find some solace, some escape in those pages today. But even the mere act of reaching for a book was a battle she wasn't sure she could win.

With a gritted smile, she called out to her mom, asking for a book to be brought to her. Her mom, ever attentive, obliged, selecting one from the shelf with a knowing look. It was "The Odyssey," a tale of endurance and adventure. Ashlyn took a deep breath and tried to sit up, her muscles protesting with each movement. The world swam in and out of focus as she took the book in her hands, feeling the weight of the pages that held a world she longed to lose herself in.

Her eyes fell upon the words, and she began to read, her voice a soft murmur that grew stronger with each sentence. The story of Odysseus and his long journey home began to unfold, the words a balm to her aching soul. Each page turned was a victory, a testament to her will to fight through the pain.

As she read, her thoughts began to wander, weaving the threads of her own life into the ancient tapestry. Like Odysseus, she felt adrift in a sea of challenges, her body a fickle vessel that often failed her. But she wasn't alone in her struggle, she realized. Her mom, her friends, the doctors, they were all her Penelopes, her Telemachus, her Cyclops, each playing their part in her personal odyssey.

The day stretched on, and the sun climbed higher in the sky. Ashlyn's voice grew hoarse from the effort, but she couldn't stop. The words had become a lifeline, a reminder that she too could endure. And as the shadows grew long, and the room filled with the soft glow of the setting sun, she reached the end of the book. She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of the story inside her, the strength of its heroes becoming her own.

The pain didn't vanish, not entirely, but it was now a backdrop to the grandeur of adventure. And with the final word, she felt something stir within her, a spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could find her own way home from this painful exile. The flare-up was a beast, but she was a warrior, armed with the wisdom of the ancients and the love of those around her. Tomorrow would come, and with it, the promise of another battle, but for now, she had won a small victory in the epic tale of her life.

Word count: 784

[littlesparklight]

Still (as always) thinking about slaves in Greek myth. Specifically, the different threads and attitudes made clear between the institution of slavery as such, represented by the "common"/"real" if you will, slave, and the unjustness of slavery, represented by enslaved, formerly free royalty.

As an illustration of the former:

Fr. 8 "Slaves who are fond of their masters' class arouse much hostility from their own kind."

Fr. 12: "You are indeed wise, Priam, but I am telling you: there is no bigger burden than a slave having a higher opinion of himself than he should, nor a possession more spiteful or worthless for a household."

Fr. 23: "I have put it to the test: so base is the class of slaves; mere bellies and they think of nothing further than that." (These fragments have been taken from Ioanna Karamanou's book on Euripides' Alexandros play, and I think she uses a slightly different numbering system to the fragments, just for knowledge's sake.)

And this is Eumaios in the Odyssey:

"since this is the lot of slaves, ever in fear when over them as lords their masters hold sway—young masters such as ours." (Book 14, the Odyssey)

He never comes any closer than this, aside from remarking on his general misfortune, to express any sense of his situation as a slave being unjust. In fact, he makes much of how "kind" of a master Odysseus has been. But, Eumaios isn't quite a common slave - he is, like so many others, enslaved royalty (though he's been enslaved since he was a child), and I don't know if it means anything, but Eumaios is the one who gets to express a hope of being given possessions and a house and a wife, if not quite hoping for freedom. Eurykleia voices nothing such, and she has no notable ancestry.

What makes these two "good" slaves is that they are hard-working and useful, as well as loyal to their owners. Loyal enough they will do things like sell out and help kill those slaves in the household who attempted to get something for themselves. (Refer to fragments 12 and 23 above.) Being loyal to those who "rightfully" owns them is all that matters. This makes them worthy of kindness and some generosity. But even Eurykleia isn't free from the threat of violence, since, no matter how loyal, she gets threatened with death if she should give Odysseus away before he's ready.

The same ideas of what a good and "useful" slave is is reflected throughout what we have of Euripides (and probably Sophocles') Alexandros play. There are fragments from it that, when Paris wins the funeral games, switches and flirts with the possibility that nobility and other such good traits are found in everyone, no matter their birth. The irony here, of course, is that the slave who has won is not "really" a slave, but of noble lineage, and this then, when the reveal happens, proves his worth and right to have won. Not because all people are equal, but, again, because those of noble blood are "better"; the order Hecuba and Deiphobos feared disturbed by the slave's victory has been restored instead.

And then we have the enslaved noble women of Troy, whose tragic and unjust situation does not come from slavery as such, but because they are better than and should thus, not, have to be enslaved:

"I whose father was lord [350] of all the Phrygians, my chiefest pride in life. Then I was nursed on fair hopes to be a bride for kings, the center of keen jealousy among suitors, to see whose home I would make my own; and over each lady of Ida I was queen; [355] ah me! admired among maidens, equal to a goddess, save for death alone, but now I am a slave! That name first makes me long for death, so strange it sounds; [...] while some slave, bought I know not where, will taint my bed, once deemed worthy of royalty." (Hecuba, Euripides)

Polyxena, though now, in theory, no different from a slave "bought I know not where", will still have her bed "tainted" by this common slave if he should sleep with her. And much like with Eumaios above, who expresses no complaints about slavery as such, this servant in the Andromache play still considers Andromache more than her, though they are both the same, now:

"Mistress, I do not shrink from calling you this name since it was the name I thought proper in your house when we lived in the land of Troy. I was well disposed toward you there and to your husband while he lived, [60]" (Andromache, Euripides)

What's the irony in all this - and I wonder whether it was an irony the Greek audience would have noted, or found amusing, or... well, something - is that even as these "barbarians" get to hold this view, for a moment embodying ideals and a nobility of tragedy, for the Greeks themselves, barbarians were "naturally" slaves. You see something of it both in the Andromache and the post-sack plays, where Andromache or Hecuba will make such comments as (paraphrased) "even we, as barbarians, find this outrageous, the way you Greeks are behaving". In the works of Classical Greece and forward, the Trojans do not get to embody the nobility of... well, free nobility, without noting that they were still other.

That they were still:

"[1400] And it is right, mother, that Hellenes should rule barbarians, but not barbarians Hellenes, those being slaves, while these are free." (Iphigenia in Aulis, Euripides)

[twisted-wonderland-but-gayer]

How would great seven parents and dorm leaders+Lilia and Jamil react to Yuu who is like Odysseus from the Odyssey? Aka has way too much confidence and curiosity, being a great fighting skill and battle strategy, very reckless, chaotic, may have been in a war but nobody knows that (I imagine Ody!Yuu got adopted by the great seven when they were 14 instead of younger {also maybe Lillia can tell Ody!Yuu was in a war}) very clever, and quick witted, outgoing, friendly, is sometimes heard talking to someone (*cough* Athena *cough*) that not even the g7 parents know about (except Hades), so instead of 7 parents Ody!Yuu got 8(the seven plus Athena who Ody!Yuu is patroned by)

Hades is having Trojan War flashbacks, Athena is glaring at Hades even though he doesn't know she's there, Athena is giving battle advice during the overblots(which Ody!Yuu follows half of the time), Queen of Hearts, Grimhildie, Ursula and Maleficent all love Athena because Ody!Yuu gets five badass mothers instead of just 4 because 5 is better than 4, Scar is on the fence about Athena(mostly because he's an overprotective Lion dad), Jefar is also on the fence about Athena (mostly because he's jealous Athena knew Ody!Yuu longer), and Hades doesn't like Athena

Now for the students, everyone is wondering how the fuc Ody!Yuu is such a great fighter despite not having magic, everyone in Savannaclaw (-Jack) got their asses wrecked during book 2(Athena was so proud), every overblot ended within 3-6 minutes (depending on weather Ody!Yuu actually decides to listen to Athena), Ody!Yuu loves recounting tales from their time in the 2nd Trojan War(history loves repeating itself), though nobody really stops to think about how much Ody!Yuu's adventures sound like Odysseus's adventures (minus the bull that happened in the Odyssey because Ody!Yuu got 'surprise adopted' *cough* kidnapped *cough* by the g7 before the Ody!Yuu Odyssey could happen), the only few who actually stopped to think about it was Lillia, Malleus and maybe Leona... And the rest is up to you

Sorry this is so long I just have so many ideas for Ody!Yuu and I would write it myself if I had any energy to do so (having anemia sucks)

WROTE IT!!! I BEG U!

[tongues--and--teeth]

Fuck i fucking love your art smmmm

Berserk boi

QUICK GIVE ME ALL YOUR BERSERK CACAOO HCSSS

Oh my god! Thank you so much! This totally made my day <33333

I'm so sorry this took so long, I've been really busy lately :(

(TW for gore mention)

So actually I headcanon that his berserk form is connected to his soul jam. Kind of like a little side effect. Y'know what use is a sword if not to harm others? If not to shed blood? (and also this sword hurts its owner too!) and it's the soul jam of resolution which is also dictionary definition, literally a firm decision that you're unwavering in. If Dark Cacao ever goes back on his decision to take the sword, guess what! He goes berserk until it consumes all of his life force and kills him. woo. 

He used to be able to control the berserk form a little, being able to turn partially into it to fight and stuff. He did lose the power to do so as he got older. Turning into his half-form and full form basically torturing him every time he tried to use it. It also completely removes pretty much all mental capacity for intelligent thought, so he can't use it in a "productive" way even if he wanted to. Basically just blind destruction with no distinction between friend or foe. 

(^that's actually the concept for the drawing you saw)

Personally, I have his berserk form more or less as kind of an allegory for illness, a physical manifestation of internal pain. He was making it a fuel to keep going instead of actually confronting the “bad stuff” that happened. He was taking how it hurt him and using that to keep going, instead of confronting it head-on and getting it to stop hurting him. Eventually, he couldn't keep doing this, it was destroying him and he was losing control. So now, he couldn’t use it for anything, aka, his pain isn't useful anymore. Anyway, he does still transform into his berserk form (albeit unintentionally) but only during times of extreme stress and triggers like certain sounds, textures, and tastes. It's also triggered through more physical means, if he stands too long his legs start turning to smoke, if he fights too long his eyes glow white, it's torture every time. In very special cases (Pomegranate Cookie) he goes full berserk, it usually takes him out for weeks, unable to do much, hardly able to take care of himself, much less able to make himself useful as a king or as a warrior.

Actually, after he stopped going berserk back in book 14, I think he was cut open pretty much everywhere underneath his armor. His guts were spilling out, and were barely contained by his armor. It basically cut him almost completely in half. He still managed to fight afterwards, obviously at great personal cost, but he was still able to fight. Weeks after, he could barely move, he was stuck in bed, and even small things like sitting up were a huge struggle. The only reason he's not dead is because of his soul jam, the same reason he was cursed in the first place. His immortality at the cost of eternal suffering and the like.

After book 14, he forces enough energy to attend the council of heroes (AKA Cookie Odyssey chapter 1) but the smallest things keep setting him off, turning him slightly berserk every time. He is spending every second he can lying down in his tent. It prevents his wounds from healing, and it also keeps him from thinking clearly. When he tried killing Clotted Cream the, admittedly very little, healing that was done was immediately reversed. He ended up barely functioning, with the only reason he was able to continue with the council was because Hollyberry noticed him limping and had Pure Vanilla heal him. Which only did so much, because it’s…A curse that's both caused by and stopped by his immortality, and you can't just fix that without probably killing him instantly. So, he doesn’t have a permanent solution, and he’s stuck with this until the end of time.

Thank you again for the ask. It was really fun to do! Sorry again for taking so long to finish it :(

[dootznbootz]

Water Wife™ questions >:D 4, 5, 14 and 25!

HELL YEAH!! Thank you, Niko!!! The Water Wife™!!!

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in? She's already a book and already technically a musical but I SO badly want just the whole Epic Cycle like an anime or simply animated, possibly like Castlevania or Blood of Zeus or something. Not as a children's cartoon. Those are fun but...I want real shit! >:D With the fight scenes! That's more with the Iliad but still!!!!

5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them? Quite a few, and some I've mentioned before but yeah! The Chain by Ingrid Michaelson as it talks about waiting for your love to come back, (it's a song that can mean anything but it works). And I like imagining it's her unweaving the shroud and getting more frustrated that she has to do this in the first place and with the big round of the chorus at the end, I like imagining it's her, stopping for a bit as tears well up. The Round quiets down, and she wipes her face before continuing to unravel the shroud.

It's a cover song of Davy Jones lullaby thing, and it talks about waiting 10 years for your lover to return and talking about how "You're kind of insane...That's hot." basically 😂 (It does get loud though!)

For MY OWN STUFF??? This is more in her youth but "Just Around the Riverbend" from Pocahontas (Yeah, I know it's a messed up and inaccurate movie but the songs, especially this one, are great), as the vibes and "I'm going to go fuck around in the rapids." is definitely what I'm going for with her. She's sneakier about stuff though.

And "When He Sees Me" from Waitress, when she first meets Odysseus. As she does not trust him and doesn't think he "really means it" and she's kind of making excuses until she can't and it's a confrontation between.

There are not many songs about sneaky women other than ones about having an affair which is so NOT Penelope :'D There's most that are about sneaky couples but never about one person that's still saying "that makes you cool af" you know??

14.) Fashion aesthetic!!! The nice thing about being a naiad is that if her clothes get dirty, a quick flick of her wrist means she can clean herself up really quick. And because of this, she does like looking nice and prefers clothing and jewelry that she can move freely in and won't "drag her down" while swimming. With Jewelry, that's probably smaller but intricate earrings, broaches, necklaces, rings, headpieces, etc. (she has a habit of breaking bracelets, idk why she just does.) And ofc, will often have items to honor Athena :D

I'd like to think it'd be partially why she is so into weaving (as from what I've researched Noble Spartan women didn't do that, the slaves did. Granted that was in later periods but I'm going with what we've got and even though I'm going with the idea of everybody just doing what they're good at, no gender roles are really considered.) While sewing wasn't something done in Ancient Greece, I do love the thought of Penelope basically folding the fabric in ways that cause a lil pocket for her to sneak shit. >:D Lapis Lazuli is her favorite stone to wear.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

Okay, so! Since I first into the Epic Cycle stuff with Epic, I had basically gone with what everyone else kind of thought of her as. Quiet, sad, sneaky...sad, 🙃 as... most depictions of her are basically her being a wife and mother, her crying while unweaving the shroud, Odysseus thinking of her which yes!!! All true!!! But then I read the Odyssey and holy shit, she's so fucking cool and I wish more people talked in depth about her own silliness and personality outside of those things!!!

The "Sneeze of Death", her staring down that one suitor who was all like "What??!?! Kill your son?!!? NOOOOOO" and just refusing to take his bullshit, How she grabs Odysseus by the scruff because "Uh, I love you and we'll get to smooching but what did you say about a prophecy???", not only because she WILL get the answers she needs from you no matter what but also because she KNOWS her husband will tell her. How she absolutely KNEW the beggar was her husband, (Ima write an analysis on that soon...along with Odysseus' "rules"....and how "You can have Penelope be a fighter in your fics... but don't you DARE make her fight the suitors without Odysseus there." essay thing...I have a lot :'D ) There's so many other little moments that shine through as remember, girly is STRESSED TF OUT!!! She's just been found out with her unraveling, she's trying to keep her son, herself, and her palace/authority safe. She is going through so much!!! She's so incredibly cautious!!! She's so silly!!! ioh;isdjk I really love exploring her and her character so much!!!

I love her so much 🥺 She could rob everything I own and I'd be fine with that

[fionacreates]

3, 11, 14 for the book asks?

3. What were your top five books of the year?

(gonna lump some series together)

"Darius the Great is not OK" and the sequel "Darius the Great Deserves Better" by Adib Hhorram - maybe it was just the vibe I needed at the time, but they were lovely coming of age books.

The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (reread) It's been actual YEARS since I read these and I still cite them as a favourite series. It was amazing how much I forgot. Still a good read. Even if I want to throttle the teenage protag at times!

The Martian by Andy Weir. I picked the audiobook up on a whim because it was available and I needed something to listen to. Best whim I've had this year! I don't know what I expected from the book, (I haven't seen the film) but it was a blast from start to finish. Again, the narration by Wil Wheaton didn't hurt!

Jade City by Fonda Lee. I've only had a chance to read the first of the trilogy, and it was setting up for some grand things. It's been a while since I looked around the fantasy genre for a good series to sink my teeth into and there's been so much published since I last went looking. Can't wait to get to the next two.

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland. Fantasy queer romance. Does what it says on the tin. The right amount of trope and emotion and vibe. I've read a few fantasy romances this year and I was expecting something melodramatic and cliche but fun, and it delivered way above what I expected! I know the author is publishing again next year and I can't wait. I think it's pirates next time.

Honourable Mentions

Lessons in Chemisty - Bonny Garmus

The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison/Sarah Monette

11. What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?

The Odssey - Homer (I know QUITE A WHILE Huh?)

I listened to an audiobook narrated by George Blagden, this has been a book I've tried to read for a while as I am ofc very aware of the cultural impact, but I just couldn't get into reading it. Considering the Odyssey comes from Oral Tradition it is so much better when read to you. George Blagden's voice doesn't hurt either :P

14. What books do you want to finish before the year is over?

I'm rereading Jane Austen's Emma for the first time since I read it the first time, and I'm trying to go slowly and really enjoy the language, not zoom through for "OMG WHAT HAPPENS NEXT". I'm now getting to enjoy the slower chapters and all the bonus gossip and vibes.

I'm also in the middle of Victoria Goddard's Hands of the Emperor which has been a good read so far, protags who aren't -20 are rare and I love it.

Yes I ADHD read multiple books at once.

Folks, send more book asks!! - The List is Here

[whatshouldwecallhomer]

I know I'm very late to this compared to everyone here (I'm 30) but I just finished reading the odyssey for the first time and I'm... my heart can't handle it. I already want to read it again. Why did I get to this this late? Anyway, I wanted to ask if you have any recommendations for interesting articles or other books about Odysseus, apart from the Iliad? And Penelope, of course. I just love them. I'm asking you 'cause I saw your posts about Odysseus and Calypso / Circe, and found them very interesting and insightful! Thanks in advance

There's no bad time in your life to read the Odyssey for the first time! I'm so glad you found your way to it and enjoyed it!

In terms of books and articles about the Odyssey, I've been out of the academic world for long enough that I feel like I'm no longer a particularly good source of advice, but I'll toss out a few old favorites:

the film O Brother Where Art Thou - a retelling of the Odyssey set in the Deep South during the Great Depression

the novel the Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood - a feminist retelling of the Odyssey from Penelope's point of view

technically it's more about the Iliad, but Somewhere I Have Never Travelled by Thomas Van Nortwick is a scholarly work that's informed my thinking on Homeric storytelling a lot

And I found some articles on the Odyssey that look fascinating freely accessible (no login needed) on JSTOR! Since some of these are public domain, they may not closely track modern scholarship, but if you're just kinda vibing with the Odyssey right now and are looking for more food for thought on the subject, this ought to get you going in interesting directions.

Rose, Peter W. “Ambivalence and Identity in the Odyssey.” Sons of the Gods, Children of Earth: Ideology and Literary Form in Ancient Greece, Cornell University Press, 1995, pp. 92–140. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctvn1tbcw.6. Accessed 14 May 2023.

Coulter, Cornelia C. “The Happy Otherworld and Fairy Mistress Themes in the Odyssey.” Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, vol. 56, 1925, pp. 37–53. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/282883. Accessed 14 May 2023.

KAMUF, PEGGY. “Penelope at Work.” Signature Pieces: On the Institution of Authorship, Cornell University Press, 1988, pp. 145–74. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctt207g60p.11. Accessed 14 May 2023.

Bassett, Samuel E. “The Proems of the Iliad and the Odyssey.” The American Journal of Philology, vol. 44, no. 4, 1923, pp. 339–48. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/289255. Accessed 14 May 2023.

Gregory, Andrew. “Circe: An Extract from Homer’s Odyssey (c. 900–800 BCE).” Women in the History of Science: A Sourcebook, edited by Hannah Wills et al., UCL Press, 2023, pp. 23–34. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2w61bc7.11. Accessed 14 May 2023.

Also, if you liked the Odyssey, I think you'll love Greek tragedy! I recommend starting with Sophocles' Electra, Sophocles' Oedipus the King, Aeschylus' Oresteia, and maybe Euripedes' the Trojan Women.

Thanks for the ask, and happy reading!

[amayaonly1]

Verses Unwritten: A Rap Odyssey

Eminem x Rapper!OC

Verse 11

About: Genji reflects on her collaboration with Eminem, revisiting moments of vulnerability and connection that once felt meaningful. As she wrestles with the growing silence between them, her lingering questions about their bond drive her to confront emotions she has been trying to ignore.

"Verses Unwritten: A Rap Odyssey" Chapter List: Verse 1 | Verse 2 | Verse 3 | Verse 4 | Verse 5 | Verse 6 | Verse 7 | Verse 8 | Verse 9 | Verse 10 | Verse 11 | Verse 12 | Verse 13 | Verse 14 | Verse 15 | Verse 16 | Verse 17 | Verse 18 | Verse 19 | Verse 20 | Verse 21

Disclaimer: This work is a work of fiction, and any involvement of the character Genji is purely fictional and not representative of any real person.

The crisp winter air of Tokyo greeted Genji as she leaned against the frosted windowpane of her apartment. The city outside bustled with life, its neon signs fading against the encroaching daylight. February's chill seeped through the glass, a reminder of her restless schedule: interviews, promotional events, and music show performances. Yet, amidst the chaos, her thoughts wandered to one particular moment half a world away.

She caught her reflection in the glass. Her dark eyes were lined with exhaustion, but it wasn't just from the relentless pace that consumed her for the past weeks. It was something deeper, a restlessness she couldn't quite name that always seemed to lead back to Detroit.

Hailie's laughter was the clearest echo. Genji had always believed that children carried the purest forms of joy, untainted by the burdens adults bore. Working with Hailie on her project had been a welcome reprieve, an anchor in a storm of uncertainties. The girl was bright and curious, her enthusiasm infectious. But the memory of Eminem standing in the doorway, silently watching, stayed with her just as vividly. She remembered sensing the restraint in his jaw, his arms crossed and his gaze lingered before flicking away.

Genji thought back to their collaboration on Beautiful, a song that felt like peeling back layers of his guarded exterior. The way his voice softened when he explained the inspiration behind the lyrics made her feel like she was being allowed into a private part of his world. Then there was the book launch, where he showed vulnerability while recounting his past and struggles that had stayed with her long after the event. She'd thought, perhaps foolishly, that it had meant something.

But now? Now, their conversations had grown layered over time, filled with subtext she couldn't quite decipher.

She admired him, that much was certain: his resilience, his talent, his ability to channel his pain into something powerful, even his devotion to his daughter. And yet, there was more to it, something she hadn't dared to name.

It wasn't love. It couldn't be.

Could it?

She shook her head as the thought tightened her chest, trying to push it away. Love had no place here. They were artists who had briefly shared creative space. That was all it was. She had learned long ago to set her heart aside, to survive by shutting doors that didn't need opening.

Genji sat back down at her desk, the night creeping in as the room grew colder. She pulled her notebook closer. The worn cover and ink-stained pages were a testament to her constant need to process her world through words. Yet tonight, the pen hovered over the page, unmoving.

Her laptop's soft bing broke the stillness, and when she glanced at the screen, her breath hitched.

Eminem: "Thanks for helping Hailie. She loved working with you. Keep doing your thing."

It was polite and distant. If she squinted, she might find a thread of warmth. But reading it felt like reopening an old wound. The words made her feel like she was still an outsider in a world she almost become a part of. After all that had happened, it was starting to feel like she had become another one of the countless voices in the background, nothing more than an occasional collaborator.

Her hand hovered over the keyboard button, but the words wouldn't come. She stared at the screen, wondering if she should reach out, if she should ask him about Hailie again or inquire about their next project together. But the hesitation lingered like a shadow, pulling her back. There was nothing she needed to nor should say. And yet, her chest tightened with the weight of everything unsaid.

The screen dimmed as the notification faded, and with it, her resolve. She closed the laptop. Some things were better left unsaid. Yet the silence that followed felt deafening. She pulled her notebook closer and began to write, the words spilling out like a dam had broken. They weren't lyrics, not yet. They were raw and jagged thoughts, questions she dared not ask aloud, feelings she couldn't fully name.

あなたの胸の奥、今も私の声が響くの？ (Does my voice still echo in the depths of your heart?)

刹那の嵐じゃなく、時を越えて共に描けるの？ (Not just a fleeting storm, can we paint eternity together beyond time?)

The pen stilled, her hand trembling. She stared at the words until they blurred together, her vision clouded by unshed tears. It wasn't that she wanted to chase some fleeting fantasy, nor did she regret their brief collaboration either. Rather, it was the silence that had followed, the way he stepped back after the project wrapped as if she'd never been a part of it. She ripped the page from the notebook and crumpled it, tossing it onto the floor where it joined a growing pile of discarded drafts.

Later, lying in bed, Genji stared at the ceiling. The room was too quiet now, the silence pressing against her ears as she lay there, tangled in her own thoughts. Detroit felt far away, yet it clung to her like a second skin. She thought of their last conversation; his guarded expression, the way he always kept an arm's length from her, even after the months they'd spent working on lyrics together. It felt like he had built invisible walls around them, as though he was afraid to let anyone in. She had seen that before, people shielding themselves not because they didn't trust others, but because they were afraid of being seen.

Maybe she was as much a hypocrite as she feared he was, expecting honesty from someone when she had spent years avoiding it herself.

Although one thing was certain — she wouldn't let the moment pass without clarity the next time she saw him. Whatever this was, she needed to face it head-on. For now, though, her focus had to remain on her work. Tomorrow, she would channel this confusion and pain into something real. Tomorrow, she would face the silence and turn it into sound.