#over here like “apollon

[arrowheadedbitch]

Perhaps the worst thing about growing up christian is the way the issues convert. What the fuck do you mean I have pagan guilt now.

[sunbirds-oasis]

I got a little bit of motivational boost from my friends to post that.

To Apollo, because I wouldn’t be here without you.

Phoibos Apollon, you guided me out of my darkest moments, where I thought no help was left. You helped me rediscover my spark for art. I no longer grow angry with myself over it; I trust that you guide my pen and allow my art to shine brightly.

Akestôr Apollon, you have helped me heal, even though there is still so much to mend. It was you who reassured me that I am and will be okay.

Theoxenios Apollon, you make me feel welcome in a country foreign to me. You help me open up to the people around me, even when I cannot speak their language as well as I would like. You protect me by sending understanding people my way.

You make me feel like I am finally being taken care of. You shine brightly on my path and encourage me not to face the future with fear. Xaire, Lord Apollon.

To Dionysus, because with you, I can be myself.

Androgynos Dionysus, you helped me embrace the newest versions of myself. You taught me to feel comfortable in my own body, flaws and all, and to see those flaws as part of who I am. With your guidance, I no longer feel insecure about wearing the clothes I’ve always wanted to wear but avoided out of fear of judgment.

Maenoles Dionysus, you taught me to keep my raging emotions in check, to process them in ways that don’t harm me. You bring peace to my mind in the end.

Lampterus Dionysus, you guide me through the dark when the sun has set. With you, nights are no longer frightening or full of unchecked emotions. Instead, I devote myself to moments of relaxation when I need them most after harsh days. I can take care of myself in the quiet of the night. I can simply be myself.

You make me feel alive. You teach me to live in the moment and not to care for others’ opinions. Most importantly, you teach me to be myself. Xaire, Lord Dionysus.

[light-of-delphi]

On Worshipping Lord Apollo;

I've decided to start a little series about the deities I worship, have worshipped, and will worship in the future. I've always found posts like these to be more helpful and, if I can help anyone, I think this is an amazing way to to so. In this post, I'm going to cover a lot, so buckle up! And I will make a master post for all of the posts I make in this series.

First up! Lord Apollo.

Hands down, he is the deity with whom I have the most experience and personal anecdotes. Apollo has been in my life since the very beginning. I go into a little bit more detail in this post, in which I detail how I view him as a worshipper, my patron, and a godspouse. For information's sake, however, I will try to keep this post a little bit more factual than UPG. UPG stands for "Unverified personal gnosis", which refers to a spiritual belief that stems from intuition or personal spiritual experience. So, while UPG may seem to line up with mythos or just "make sense" for the deity, it varies from practitioner to practitioner and from relationship to relationship. With that being said, I'll focus mostly on the facts with some little bit of advice thrown in from your older brother :)

Correspondences!

First, let's talk correspondences. Consider this a little cheat sheet if you will.

☀︎ You can refer to him by Apollo / Apollon, typically he will clarify which. Many regard him as "Lord Apollo/n", though it is fully dependent on your relationship with him. I drop the Lord unless I'm praying or invoking him, such is the nature of our relationship. For the sake of this post, I shall be referring to him formally as Lord Apollo.

☀︎ He has... a lot of epithets. You can view them here (theoi.com) if you'd like to see a full list.

☀︎ Apollo is typically associated with Sunday, and such is associated with the Sun.

☀︎ He has many sacred animals - The raven, dolphin, swan, mouse, and wolves.

☀︎ Tarot-wise, he is associated primarily, and most commonly, with The Sun. He has also been associated with The Star, though I do not see this one in many sources.

☀︎ He is the God of a plethora of things. The Sun (he is responsible for pulling it across the sky), Light, Poetry, Music, the arts, plague, prophecy, logic and reason, truth, beauty, agriculture, and archery. I am sure I'm missing things. And if you know other deities to be associated similarly, that is okay. Many Gods can share domains and rule over certain things.

☀︎ He is associated with the colors red, white, orange, yellow, and gold!

☀︎ Symbolically, he is related to the Sun, the Lyre, the Bow and Arrow, and the Laurel Wreath.

☀︎ For incense, he is linked to frankincense, myrrh, cypress, clove, cinnamon, and bay.

But that is a lot of correspondence. What can we do with these? Why, I'm glad you asked! With this list of correspondences, we can start to worship Apollo by the book. These would be some more traditional things that would assist you in learning what you want to offer him, what to associate with him, and what you should keep an eye out for. In a later section, I go over some familial ties that can prove useful as well.

Apollo, as an individual

Lord Apollo has typically been regarded as a "beginner deity." He is very easy to work with, incredibly receptive, and is universally known as being a little more laid back with things such as offerings, prayer, and worship. Though I've found all deities to be understanding of circumstance, there is no strict schedule unless you decide to adhere to one.

At the start of our relationship, I found Lord Apollo's energy to be rather bright. I was very new to picking up on spiritual energy and the metaphysical, so his energy felt very overbearing, and we did not spend much in-person time together because of this. He was understanding of my limitations, but he did not hesitate to push these limitations as much as he could for my personal development. This is something he continues to do to this day.

While he does tend to carry himself rather relaxed and carefree, he has no issue being serious and stern whenever needed. If there were signs he was sending me and I would intentionally ignore them because they pointed in directions I did not like, he would respond sternly and ferociously, forcing me to face the negative sooner or figuratively shoving my nose in the signs so I couldn't avoid it. If I needed to face a brutally honest truth, he had no issue being brutally honest. This makes sense, considering he is the God of Truth and Knowledge.

Lord Apollo is also very playful. He's easily excitable. He loves seeing the people he works with make good progress. And if you take a few steps back, depending on your relationship, he is absolutely there to catch you. He is reliable and present. Additionally, he likes attention. He absolutely adores being talked about, thought about, referenced, and thanked. He adores being said good morning to, or even just getting a wave. Some people regard such deities as "high maintenance", but I really just consider it part of his character.

You have every right to decline to work with a deity, by the way. Don't feel as though there's any obligation to work with every deity that is considered "of your skill level", as there is no such thing, and you should only work with a deity once you are ready. The Old Gods do not come with stats above their head and white text that says "PREFERRED LEVEL." They are Gods. You should not get involved with them if you do not feel ready. And even if you feel ready, there is no pressure to invite them into your life.

Worshipping Tips!

This one is a bit lengthy. Apollo, being one of the twelve Olympians, has a lot of lore surrounding him. But this gives us a lot to work with! You can devote time to him in a lot of ways. This involves worshipping or leaving offerings to his family!

His mother is Leto, his father is Zeus, and his twin sibling is Artemis. Familially, he is not married to anyone, but he has had a series of lovers. One account says he was, at one point, a lover to Hekate and together they had Skylla, a sea monster. Though this is unusual. He was said to be a lover to each of the Nine Muses but married none. He fell in love with a myriad of nymphs; Aethusa who birthed Eleuther, Akakallis who birthed him twins Philanderos and Philakides, Daphne who was turned into a laurel tree, and more. There's famously Hyacinthous, a prince, who was accidentally killed. Hymenaeus, another prince, and Cyparisus, another prince, who died of grief and was transformed into the cypress tree.

This gives us a whole lot to work with. Especially for offerings! You can leave him a lot of things:

☀︎ Cypress tree leaves or seeds. ☀︎ Bay leaves ☀︎ Laurel leaves ☀︎ Sun imagery - charms, pictures, drawings, anything. ☀︎ Crystals - Sunstone, citrine, tiger's eye, amber, bumblebee jasper, orange selenite, carnelian, and other yellow, red, or orange stones. ☀︎ Coffee, energy drinks, or anything with caffeine in it. ☀︎ Citrus! Oranges and lemons! Grapefruit! ☀︎ Flowers - Hyacinths, sunflowers, orange roses, larkspur/delphinium, palm, aloe, or any plant that reminds you of him. ☀︎ Instruments - String instruments are the main thing people offer, however you can offer him any instrument. ☀︎ Art - Things you made. Drawings, sculptures, compositions, poetry, paintings, song lyrics, photography, literally anything you made with your two hands.

In terms of what you can do to worship him, there are a few things you can do.

☀︎ Maintain your physical and mental health. Go to the gym, take your medicine, and positively affirm yourself. ☀︎ Sing for or with him. Play an instrument. Learn an instrument! ☀︎ Write short stories or poetry. ☀︎ Go outside and bask in the sun for a little while. ☀︎ Say Good Morning and Goodnight; Thank him for pulling the sun across the sky. ☀︎ Write about him. ☀︎ Draw him offerings, or draw in his honor. Create in his honor. ☀︎ Do a paint-and-sip class, or follow a Bob Ross tutorial. ☀︎ Pick up a new creative hobby. ☀︎ Volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home. ☀︎ Grow some of the plants that are sacred to him! ☀︎ Go to your local museum or art gallery. ☀︎ Support small artists! Support local artists! ☀︎ Create a hymn in his name and honor. ☀︎ Wear jewelry with his symbols on it. I wear a sun necklace! ☀︎ Wear perfumes or colognes that are citrus-scented or scented like any of his preferred incense.

At the end of the day, you can really do whatever you want for Lord Apollo if it reminds you of him. And you can give him whatever you want, so long as it reminds you of him. If you think that it may not mean anything to him, let me give you a bit of brotherly insight. Offerings were left for The Old Gods as a thank you. A form of appreciation for the divine from the physical, mortal plane. People left whatever they had. And if they had nothing, they would pray and hope to be heard. While offerings are not optional, remember that your words count, as well. Even if it seems small.

And if you have any questions, as usual, please ask!! I love talking about Apollo. Not only am I godspoused to him but he's one of my biggest hyperfixations and I absolutely love talking about him and spreading his teachings and information on him. So this is me begging you to ask me questions, ask me anything, literally anything in the comments or in my inbox I will eat it up. Maybe I'll open up a brotherly advice box or something. Non lo so, ma vedremo!

Blessed be, and may the sun be your guide! A domani!

[jsraven7]

Emergency Tarot Readings/Beads

Hello all, I usually do not do stuff like this, but my job is cutting my hours so harshly that I am pretty much no longer working/out of a job. While I’m looking for another one, I need a bit of help to make rent and to keep my savings from going completely out. I do tarot commissions, and I also have my shop with my prayer beads. I have a listing for no card limit general readings for $10 on my shop as well. All tarot readings will be conducted over Etsy (if bought there), Instagram, or this Tumblr account. I do not do voice/video calls.

I wanted to offer a comprehensive list of my listings and services here:

• Apollon Pocket Prayer Beads: $13; Etsy

• Large Apollon Prayer Beads: $23; Etsy

• Hermes Pocket Prayer Beads: $15; Etsy

• Zeus Pocket Prayer Beads: $15; Etsy

• Large Zeus Prayer Beads: $30; Etsy

• Large Hypnos Prayer Beads: $30; Etsy

• Helios Pocket Prayer Beads: $13; Etsy

• No Limit General Question Tarot Reading: $10; Etsy

• No Limit Deity Question Reading: $10; Etsy

• Past, Present, Future Reading: $9; Venmo

• One Card Simple Reading: $3; Venmo

I plan to add Pocket Hypnos Prayer Beads along with Pocket Thanatos Prayer Beads to my shop soon.

My Venmo is: @ jsraven7

I really appreciate any and all attempts of help or anything spread by word of mouth. Thank you so, so much!

[poorbrokemess]

Because I have extra time tonight here's some brains

🧠 you don't need to ask a deity to make an alter or space for them in your heart or home. They will appreciate it. So long as you do so respectfully.

🧠 do what feels right. Not what is easiest.

🧠 appreciate not appropriate

🧠 your body is a temple all in itself. If you are closeted and can't openly do so with things, know you, yourself, is enough.

🧠 you yourself is enough

🧠 The deities and gods won't get mad if you mess up. Make sure to clean up your messes and learn your lessons while you do so, however.

🧠 Growth. That's it. Grow. Always. In all the ways.

🧠 You will be wrong at times. Embrace it. It's part of the process.

🧠 Never stop learning

🧠 you yourself is enough

I love you ♥️

🧠 offerings can be something as simple as

*I'm feeling this joy of the sunshine for you apollon*

*that was the best joke I have ever heard, hey Hermes, that one's for you*

*OMG I LOVE THIS CHOCOLATE LOKI COME SHARE!*

🧠 being alive right now means you are probably struggling with money. That's okay. If you can't afford things. It's fine. I promise.

🧠 make things. It's okay if you think it sucks, child you would be amazed, so are the gods.

🧠 dumpster diving *where legal*(plus the tricksters love it)

🧠 Go learn something at the library. Actually go there. Support them. They might be gone soon.

🧠 thrifting will get you some amazing finds!

🧠 Estate sales? Those places where an old couple passed and their kids don't wanna mess with it, so they sell it all off? Those have treasures beyond messure.

🧠 go for walks in urban areas if safe. All of my alcohol bottles are bottles that were littered on the street. I don't drink, but the bottles make perfect offering containers once sanitized properly. Lots of my offerings are litter I've cleaned up off the streets.

🧠 you yourself are still enough

I still love you 🥰

Yeah, even you

🧠 🌟 this one is important

🌟Are you paying attention🌟

🧠 If at any point you don't wanna any more. You don't gotta. It's always okay to start over new. As long as you start over new with all the old knowings. Don't go into something and do it all the same expecting change.

That only happens with, change.

✨️addition✨️

🧠 you don't need a *veil* to veil. I have seen quite a few people displeased they can't because of various reasons. You very much can. You can make a braid of protection into your hair. You can wear a headband. I often veil with a scarf from the dollar store wrapped about my head.

🧠 you don't have to tell people why you do the *thing*

- I just like braids

- this music helps me focus

-I'm just super into *_____* mythology.

♥️ You don't actually have to tell people *why* so long as it's not hurting anybody, why would it matter? It won't. So do it anyway if it makes you feel better. ♥️

I love you ♥️

You're still enough

[boymanmaletheshequel]

Symbolism of Hermes

🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴

The god of messangery, communication, travel, the patron of thieves and companion of Apollon, messenger of Zeus, Apollo is one of the youngest of the olympians, a tricky, cunning, but charming and friendly god who is friendly to man and god alike. Let’s go over some of his sacred symbolism:

🌈 colors:

• Blue and White: the colors of the sky, communication, and messengery, are blue and white, as a result, these colors are the ones most often associated with Hermes. The shade doesn’t matter too much, but light blue is generally preferred to darker blues.

🌸 plants and flowers:

• Crocus: now this one is kind of confusing because the god associated with it differs on the author, but it’s said that either Apollo or Hermes accidentally killed their companion crocus in a game of discus, and that when they mourned them, their tears sprouted crocuses from the ground around their body.

🦌 Animals:

• Tortoise/turtle: it is said that one of the very first shenanigans Hermes got up to after his birth and escape of his cradle, was to steal and fashion a lyre out of tortoiseshell! (RIP to the tortoise but ain’t that just the way). This was the first lyre, and the first of many inventions the god would be credited with!

• Hawk: (I’m trying VERY hard not to make an ironic hawk-tuah joke but I’m afraid he would abandon me if I did, rightfully so) hawks are one of the sacred animals associated with hermes, and it is said that when he would deliver messages from the gods, he would do so in the form of a hawk!

• Ram: another sacred animal to Hermes was the ram, as he was said to ride on the back of a ram to deliver messages to and from the gods on Olympus!

💎 crystals and gemstones:

• Blue Topaz: blue topaz is often seen as a stone that helps one to overcome social anxiety and to speak and converse agaisnt their anxieties, especially in public, or during important discourse. Making it a great stone to represent Hermes.

• Celestite: the stone of messengery, Hermes’s main forte, Celestite is also a stone of spiritual and practical communication, it is also widely available and more affordable than topaz for those who may want to devote or wear a crystal for Hermes!

• Blue lace agate: a beautiful blue member of the agate group, and a stone known for its wavy and transcendent veins, it is a stone of clerical communication, fortune, and good messages both spiritual and physical! One of my favorites to dedicate to Hermes.

🪐 Planets:

• The Romans were known to have identified Hermes with Mercury, a planet of fire and mahatma closest to the sun, which makes since as Apollo, the god of the sun, in Greek mythology was one of Hermes closest Allies. He was also associated with Charon, and helped reaped souls for the underworld, Mercury is a notoriously hellish planet. It also makes the most orbits around the sun than any other planet in a year, harking to Hermes association to travel.

🌟 Astrology:

• Gemini

Probably the most obvious correspondence here, Hermes is a very social, talkative, active god who thrives on his relationships to the gods and the people he acts as a vessel for, all qualities shared with Gemini.

🪽Other iconography:

• Lyre

The lyre was the very first invention of Hermes, and it was he who first introduced it to Apollo, having crafted it out of the guts of the livestock of apollos he’d slaughtered. Apollo was so stricken with joy and appreciation for his music and his invention, that he forgave Hermes for his trespasses, and would go on to teach him his own divine knowledge.

• Traveling hat

Hermes iconic traveling hat that he would wear as he heralded his messages to the gods and mortals alike is another common asset associated with his iconography.

• Sandals

His infamous winged sandals are perhaps the most unique and renowned symbols of Hermes, having granted him the ability to fly in order to deliver his heralds and messages to and from Olympus.

Like my posts? Please consider giving me a follow to learn more about the gods of Helen, and learn about other interesting topics as well! May your day be blessed 🏛️💙

🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴

[sunlit-arrow]

About Artemis Parthenia

In my short time learning about Lady Artemis, I have encountered a lot of discussion and reiteration regarding Her virginal aspect. Since Her cult revolved significantly around this commitment to chastity, it is a topic that must be addressed by anyone interested in an in-depth worship of Her. Still, I have made my own reflections and would like to share these here.

(Please note that I am in no way an expert—just a single worshiper writing down her personal perspective on a vast topic.)

It is a lot to unpack since it is one of the main things that distinguish Her as a deity, so I'll go through the following points:

Virginity and Maidenhood

Artemis as Protector of Girls and Women

Artemis and Childbirth

Patriarchal Views on Chastity

1. Virginity and Maidenhood

Homer describes Artemis as "one of the three" who cannot be swayed by Aphrodite's power. This is how we learn that Artemis has no romantic or sexual interest. (While I acknowledge that many of Her myths and their possible reinterpretations can be read through a sapphic lens, that is not the focus of this discussion.)

What is particularly interesting about Artemis’s detachment from romantic love is that She not only rejects marriage but also actively chooses not to marry. From an idealistic, romantic, and modern perspective, we might imagine Lady Artemis declaring that love will never keep Her from the wild and that no man will ever take that from Her. However, we still get to read myths that describe the moment in which Her father, King Zeus, grants Her the wish to stay an eternal Maiden.

Virginity, in this context, does not mean actual chastity but rather a rejection of marriage to a man.

In contrast to other married goddesses, one can only imagine how offensive it would have been to lust after a maiden goddess—something reflected in the many myths where Artemis punishes those who violate Her privacy. Thus, "virgin" or "maiden" became a title that imposed limits on how men perceived girls and women.

This leads me to my second point.

2. Artemis Soteira, Hêmerasia, Philomeirax & Paidotrophos.

When we look at other virginal goddesses like Hestia and Athene, we could go through their cults and analyse why their aspects as maidens are relevant to their domains, but what about Artemis?

Lady Artemis is not only, along with Lord Apollon, the protector of Lady Leto (their mother, who was abandoned in Her time of need); She is also the protector of girls—their untamed nature, their growth through puberty, and their well-being once they are married off and considered women.

Artemis, as the protector of girls and women, remains a maiden because She transcends the control that men have over girls. Her independence and fierceness as the Lady of Beasts is a power no man can overcome, and for that reason, She is a threat to those who would seek to violate what She most fiercely protects: the innocence and autonomy of young girls.

Artemis must be depicted as a maiden not because She must be pure and chaste but because She is an adult, powerful goddess who represents the right of little girls to choose their own futures.

Taking my own perspective, I can imagine Lady Artemis choosing not to marry because of Her love for the freedom found in the wild. As if She wants to share the gift of choice with all, She calls women to Her sanctuaries, offering them a refuge from forced marriages.

"Come with me and be free."

3. Artemis Orsilokhia

So, how can a virgin goddess also be the protector of mothers?

Just imagine being married to a man your father chose for you, being forced into sexual intercourse because it is your duty to bear an heir, and suddenly, you have this little baby—yours to carry, yours to nurture, yours to bring into a world that has wronged you.

Artemis understands the love of a mother, whether it comes from choice or coercion. She knows this because Her own mother suffered while bringing the godly twins into the world. One could say that She held Leto’s hand as Apollon was born.

Here is where I could go on and on into an in-depth analysis of the myth of Kallisto—since, in my opinion, Lady Artemis would never kill a pregnant woman out of rage—but I will save that for another post.

All I want to say, since this post is already long, is that if we examine how earlier civilizations viewed sex, we see that it was often directly tied to procreation. Sex frequently meant childbirth. In this sense, one could argue that Artemis is also a goddess of sex—not as an act of pleasure but as a force of nature. She is a protector against rape and sexual violence, a judge of those who mistreat their partners in intimacy, and a caretaker of those who bear the fruits of fertility.

Once again, Lady Artemis is not against sex or pregnancy. She is a goddess of freedom, and because of that, She is a goddess of choice—of the ability to decide whether to be a mother, a wife, or neither.

4. Chastity Culture and Artemis’s Priestesses

What I dislike most about the modern interpretation of Artemis as a virgin goddess is how it has been used as an excuse to police the sexual behavior of women.

Yes, Artemis’s priestesses were once required to be virgins. Yes, a vow of chastity was demanded. But based on everything I have discussed so far, doesn’t it make more sense for Her priestesses to be free with their bodies as they choose? Why do I still see people asking Artemis’s priestesses if they have taken a vow of chastity? Why does it matter?

Let me put it this way: as the Lady of the Wild and the Mistress of Beasts, how can we even begin to imagine the untamed forces of life without sex?

This may be a controversial opinion, and I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but continuing to demand chastity vows from women as a condition to validate their devotion to a goddess who protects girls and women is an insult to much of what She stands for.

Do not let chastity culture corrupt Her worship. Teach children how to say "no." Teach them to recognize manipulation, grooming, and abuse. Teach teenagers how to have safe sex, how to ask for and give consent. Teach people to respect their bodies and that "No" is a complete sentence. Discuss sexual violence in relationships, peer pressure, and healthy understandings of sex and love.

Worship Lady Artemis by giving people all the tools they need to choose for themselves. And if their choice is to have sex, let it be in the healthiest way possible.

[gotstabbedbyapen]

Do these two not have the same energy?

"The son of Leto for love of the youth promises to give him all he possesses for permission to associate with him; for he will teach him the use of the bow, and music, and understanding the art of prophecy, and not to be unskillful with the lyre, and to preside over the contest of the palaestra, and he will grant to him that, riding in the chariot drawn by swans, he should visit all the lands dear to Apollon. Here is the god, painted as usual with unshorn locks; he lifts a radiant forehead above eyes that shine like rays of light, and with a sweet smile he encourages Hyakinthos, extending his right hand with the same purpose. The youth keeps his eyes steadfastly on the ground, and they are very thoughtful, for he rejoices at what he hears and tempers with modesty the confidence that is yet to come." - Philostratus the Younger, "Imagines"

*cues A Whole New World*

[tgrailwar-zero]

He can't be that scary. We fought Moby Dick and won!

SUZUKA GOZEN: "...Fine. Fine. Maybe it's better if I show you. C'mon!"

She walked off. It seemed fit to follow. You reached one of the shrine gates surrounding the Imperial Palace.

SUZUKA GOZEN: "Come out, Apollo!"

You felt an instant shift in the air. Heavy and intense.

You saw a shape.

Small and round, slowly floating into view.

A sheep.

KUKULKAN: "That's him? The guard?"

SALIERI: "He doesn't seem that impressive."

NERO: "No, if this is truly Apollon, then he is not a god to be taken lightly… even if he possesses such a disarming form."

APOLLO: "Do I gotta send in the lasers again, lady? Last time you came in trying to fight, I smited you real good. That talisman really does a number on your fighting ability, doesn't it? Apparently doesn't break your spirit, though. Shame."

SUZUKA GOZEN: "I'm not here to fight you! Not this time. I'm just showing them what's standing between me and getting out of this place. If they say yes, then they'll be the ones doing the fighting."

APOLLO: "They don't have to fight me. They can just answer my riddles three. Get all three right, and they win."

SUZUKA GOZEN: "What? Why?"

APOLLO: "Because it'd be in the pain in the butt, duh. They're not being reduced to a complete and total weakling like you. Now, about my riddles three--"

SUZUKA GOZEN: "Dick."

APOLLO: "Riddles four."

SUZUKA GOZEN: "Come on!"

APOLLO: "Look upon me, mortals. If you're willing, then I shall test your wits. Or you can leave. She's really not worth the trouble, I think. Plus, you know, Tamamo will be really pissed off if this fake fox does leave, and that becomes a you problem. You're on pretty thin ice already, right? If you still want to answer the riddles, you can still do that and not get the Talisman too. That seems like a win for everybody. Suzuka stays, you don't get in trouble, and you get a free trivia minigame. Besides, it's not like she can chase you if you ditch."

APOLLO: "I mean, you know she's a demon princess, right? That's right, behind that well-styled hair and charm-covered shoulder bag is a real nasty customer. You could set her free, and then the whole Solar Cell is plunged into evil and chaos and darkness. Then that's on you. That's pretty bad. Plus, she's got mind-controlling Mystic Eyes. Who knows if you or your Servants aren't being super duped here? It's not even the type of situation where you can ask 'are you lying to us or not', because if there's one thing she's good at, it's lying. She's an Assassin, after all. Lots of things to consider. Just saying."

SUZUKA GOZEN: "You're such a douche."

APOLLO: "Anyway, you don't have to say out loud what your intending to do if you pick the riddles. I'm a pretty smart god, so I can tell intent real easily even if everyone else doesn't pick it up. Nobody else here will know what you chose until it's over, so it's not like there's any pressure."

[seasaltdevotion]

i want to learn about hellenistic polytheism but i dont even know where to start. could you please give me a base? i know about gods deities n such, i know ill need to make offerings and id like to pray to the god(s) ill worship but i feel like im about to jump in the middle of the ocean without knowing how to swim so please help

Ofc!

Ive only been practicing for a few months but i can give my two sense.

A really great video series id reccomend for some more veteran help is Hellenism 101 from Fel the Blythe’s YouTube channel! I’ll like it for you here. Shes how I got started on everything.

Prayer

First thing I’d recommend is prayer! Since it’s the easiest form of devotion/communication.

Usually you start by mentioning Hestia, Goddess of the hearth who also allows us to communicate with the gods. So I tend to start by saying “to Hestia, the first and last I pray, I thank you.” And then i start praying to the gods I worship.

This can be you just thanking them for being there or for whatever they rule over. For example I might thank Apollon for my health, the sunshine etc. When you finish you thank Hestia the first and last again and then boom, you’ve prayed!

You don’t have to be formal in your prayers or you can be super formal, the gods won’t mind either way as long as you’re polite. And just by praying you’ve started to build Kharis, which is your relationship with the gods.

Kharis

You build Kharis by praying, offerings, and by dedicating things you do to the gods, for example I will just, in my mind, tell the gods that the food I eat is for them, and that counts as an offering. Or again; Apollo as an example, you can listen to music and dedicate that time to him, or for Hermes maybe you could go on a walk or write a letter to someone or even the gods themselves.

Building Kharis all comes down to setting the intention of giving to the gods, and in return they give back. You don’t even need to do physical offerings to worship. But if you’d like to, it’s good to research your gods for ideas on what you could give them. And don’t worry about not praying enough/offering enough etc. not everyone can pray every hour of the day or offer a million offerings a week, all that matters is you’re doing what’s best for you.

Other basics

- Divination is not required, you don’t need tarot a pendulum or any of that fancy stuff!

- We don’t really have sins in Hellenism!

However, on that note, it’s also good to cleanse before approaching the gods, washing off something called Lyma or general negativity that kind of builds up on the day to day. It just happens.

And how you cleanse?

You wash your hands and/or your face. Or even shower! As long as you’re clean then you’re pretty set.

- Xenia

Xenia is hospitality, which is a major benchmark in Hellenism. It’s what the religion is really based on. Basically, love thy neighbor sort of thing. Just be kind and courteous to those who are in your home and welcome those in need no matter who they are.

- What if I want to worship two gods who dislike each other in mythology?

Don’t worry about it. You can always pray to them and preface it before hand, but the gods know this is a polytheistic religion. They know you’re going to worship more than one and may end up praying to one more than the other. We’re human, and they understand that.

They won’t be mad at you for having multiple gods or prioritizing one over another at a certain time.

So what now?

I’ve thrown a lot at you, so where do we go from here?

Take your time.

Research, research, research.

Understand the gods you’d like to pray to, know their myths, read literature surrounding them.

I cannot say this enough but Theoi.com is a great resource for learning about the gods. Find any sort of book you can get your hands on. And take your time. I can’t stress that enough. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by offerings and things.

If all you can do to stay is pray? Then pray! Or even just talk to them. Just sit and tell them gods about your day either mentally or verbally, just talk to them.

Do what’s easiest and best for you and only move on when you can.

If you need help along the way, I’m always willing and there are plenty of other Hellenic polytheists who are willing to help! Everyone also has different practices and beliefs, so what I say may be different from someone else. Plus I’m still learning myself so there’s always things that I can improve on myself!

I’m so glad you reached out and I hope you enjoy the ride!!

[serxa]

Silly little ramble to keep you guys entertained first (Deities)

I'm sure we all know deities in Greek mythology, or in any other spirituality way, but man, finding out who your deity is, it's stressful man.

As a person who has been interested with Greek mythology ever since I was 9 or so, gosh, finding out who my deity is, was surprising. Especially when I connected to my whole life, gosh.

First off, My Deity is Apollon/Apollo, God of the Sun, Music, Poetry and Medicine. I never really dug into Deities, especially being in a family full of religious people.

And I'm not saying I'm not religious, I really am, I know that worshiping other gods, especially being a Christian is so called, wrong, but nothing is wrong in God's eyes, and I hope God just watches over me, telling me that he's always there if I ever want to worship him once again. So please don't come here to tell me I shouldn't be worshiping other Gods and despising me just because of this.

I loved witchcraft, I always thought it was amazing, I wanted to collect crystals and see prophecies, so when I realized finding your deity by tarot reading, offerings and prayers, I really wanted to try.

To answer how I connected my thoughts on Apollo being my deity, it was hard. You can't assume that everything is a sign, but what draws you in and what shows in your eyes is also a sign. You also can't assume that, That God or Goddess is your deity, you have to connect it with every single trait you've had in your life, your hobbies or anything you enjoy.

Since I, Love drawing, literature, poems, (I have so many in my drafts) music, want to do archery, want to study medicine, (become a pathologist.) My favorite color growing up was blue, to purple, but now it suddenly changed to yellow? Holy shit.

Every single trait is connected to Apollo. I am a person who wakes up early, prepares for school and learns, with the sun always beaming on me. Countless times, I go to school really early, where the sun is at its peak. (around 6:30 or so)

And I never really thought about Apollo being my deity, especially being a religious person. I never thought of worshiping other Gods or Goddesses until now.

Countless of times, I am always under the sun, ever since I was an infant and a baby, my family loved going to the beach. Sunrises and sunsets are my favorite. And gosh, how I look with gold jewelry, I love it.

The first trait I developed was drawing(if you'd even count that as a trait) I've been drawing ever since I was a toddler, seeing my older sister draw, and create lively designs and OC's, I wanted to experience them too.

Second was music. I've wanted to learn the guitar or violin, and Apollo is known for his lyre, which is a instrument with strings, just like guitars and violins, but my mother never got be into lessons, nor buy me one. And I listen to music, almost every single day, I have earbuds, earphones, headsets, and headphones all piled up because I have to many spares. I loved music, and it's where I found peace, and how melodies sound and how I immediately recognize the song just by the first note.

Third was my interest and Literature and poetry. I loved writing stories, and day dreaming, to the point I maladaptive day dreamed (till now I am, but I need to stop it. 🥹) And what I'm doing right now, all of my stories and all of my fics, I never even knew that I could write this much. And my love for Poetry was so random. I write poems that add up to 20 stanzas all because I'm in love, and or, feelings. If I feel lost, I write about it. If I feel annoyed or angry, I write about it. Different emotions, I write poems or stories about it. I always found a love for literature, loving how I could express myself with just simple words.

Fourth was my thirst for archery. Again, my parents never signed me up for classes in archery, thinking it's too expensive even though we could afford it. Archery bows and archery arrows, my mom didn't say yes to, and how much I itched to fight in sports competitions at my schools for archery, yet they only offered it to others that are said 'professionals'.

Last is my dream to learn medicine. I am one to fix people's wounds, whether it's their mental, physical, or emotional state. My emotional intelligence is through the roof, that I give the best advice, I help people with their mental health, yet I can't fix my own, and I help people patch up after they get hurt. I dream of being in the medical field, whether it be a pathologist or doctor.

Once I connected all the dots, from when I was little, to now, it's surprising to think that Apollo might've been following and guiding me. I just realized it today, and I'm contemplating whether or not to make an altar. But I probably will. Hehe. And rn, I'm too scared to assume that it's him, I am doing research!!

And again, please don't come after me for worshiping a different God, I know there are a lot of religious people, but please don't attack me. I still get religious guilt for even thinking about worshiping other Gods, but I really want to thank Apollo with all of the blessings and talents he has guided me to.

That's all, yippeee, bye bye🩷🫶

[alatismeni-theitsa]

Hi, hellenic polytheist anon here again- Sorry if it seems like Im sending so many asks, Ive been learning a lot of new things recently about hellenic polytheism aughsjdjfk. The main thing Im asking about is how to pronounce Apollo’s name. From what Ive searched so far, they’ve all told me its either pronounced Apollon or Apollonas. Ive tried pronouncing it using the greek alphabet like you advised and ended up with Apollon, but all the greek sources say its Apollonas so-?

Maybe its a nominative vs vocative thing? Idk- Im still kinda struggling to understand how all the cases work because I literally just started learning this stuff like, a few days ago AUGSHDHC-

No worries! So, a language as old as the Greek one cannot remain totally unchanged for over 2.000 years, right? No language is as rigid. So, for a while now Greeks have been using forms of Accusative case in the place of Nominative case. We don't know why it happened, but it was probably convenient for our people to do it. So, instead of the Nominative "Apollon", we use the Accusative form "Apollonas". From the Accusative form, "Apollonos".

If you use "Apollon" it sounds archaic, and you would be using it in a more formal situation. It's a little more... poignant, let's say. In your worship, you can use both, though. Apollon will still feel a bit "heavier", as if you are doing things formally. "Apollonas" is how Greeks call him now. When you call him both "oh, Apollon!" and "oh, Apollona!" feel correct.

The same thing happens with "Nyx". "Nyx" is the Nominative, but when we speak her name in Nominative we actually use an Accusative form, "Nyhta". "Nyktos" is the Accusative case. You can see how it correlates to Nominative.

Long story short, some names are now a little bit different cause our people thought it cooler or more easier to make the Nominative forms come from Accusative forms.

[11queensupreme11]

First of all: Long Live the Queen! Hope you're doing great, your stories are a real delicacy... I first discovered your Tsunami fic when I was in my jjk era, but your Arsenic Blues woke up my inner pjo fan. So eager to see how this all unfold.

But for now, time for the Rankings!

My personnal RoR favorites based on the manga only:

1) Shiva--> Not in the harem, but I had to place him somehow. Was searching for a Shiva fic in the first place. Love the himbo energy. At least it's good to see he's one of the "sane" one in your story.

2) Anubis--> Same, feral himbo doggo energy, can we ask for more?

3) Beelzebub--> Noo don't unalive yourself Bb love u so pretty haha🥺

4) Hadès--> All Hail to the King, here for the BigBro energy

5) Poseidon--> Mytho/Pjo fan here, of course he's one of my favorite gods, but I'm not a fan of his RoR portrayal. He's pretty tho.

6) Apollon--> Too effeminate for my taste, I was rooting for Leonidas anyway.

7) Loki--> U ugly ass, stinky ass, nasty ass bi***

Now, the interesting part, the Ranking based on [Arsenic Blues], as for now, until chapter 31:

1) Beelie Bestie 🤗! It seems you will soon give us reasons to hate him, but for now he's my personal favorite. Hope he will overcome his current difficulties. Fun fact: I tried to translate "Beelie" in my language, tried to find an equivalent nickname, I found "Bébou" (pronounced beeboo, another way to say "baby"). That’s so cute!

2) Loki--> I know it's unlikely but... is this bad that I really want him to take Percy's virginity 😳? Your writing is soooo good, it made me root for him of all people. Everyone loves a good outsider, and since he doesn't want to kill Percy anymore, he climbs up the ranking.

3) Anubis--> Favorite from the manga, I was sooo happy to see that u included the doggo. Didn't appear yet, but I have really high hopes for him. Beware the Allmighty Knot!

4) Poseidon--> This is a dark fic, I understand the appeal, the taboo of the incestual relationship, but since he's already her father, her family, the one who has authority over her, I think he has an unfair advantage compared to the others. This is the reason he's kinda low ranked, but I really loved the relationship he built with our best girl. Embrace Fatherhood (but not too much😰)

5) Hadès--> Same here, too much authority over her, doesn't have the appeal of the gradually evolving relationship. Creepy old  uncle, hope your non-existent liver bursts. For now, he's the one who had the most "action" with Percy, so it seems unlikely that he will have her virginity as well.

6) Apollon--> Well, at least he's funny 😅. I'm sorry, but based on his pathetic simpy behavior, I have to give him the stamp of the "Whiny Little Bitch" of this story. Don't worry tho, there always have to be one in a fic, and he's not as bad as his Tsunami counterpart (Yuuta you nasty motherfucker I had faith in you-).

7) The Seventh--> Seeing the results of the poll, it seems I'm one of the only weirdos who voted for Ahura Mazda. Raa would be awesome too, but I have to say I was disturbed when I first saw that angry buff dude in the spin-off. For me, Raa was still that muscle mommy from the webtoon/manhwa Ennead (read Ennead. Ennead is good for your health). I just want the 7th to not be Cu Chulainn. I know I would still love it if you include him (cause ur writing is golden) but that's just a preference of mine.

I hope I'm understood. That's a big ass message, my thoughts are all over the place and my home country is known for having a shit level in english.

If you're interested I could do the same kind of ranking for Tsunami/Bloodflood. Have a great day, Peace!

A SHIVA LOVER OMG HIIIII

the anime did him sooooo good, he's so hot there, i'm glad they didn't fuck him up like LOOK AT HIM

the bonus chapter for chapter 91 is about shiva AND IM SO PISSED IT HASN'T BEEN TRANSLATED YET, I WANNA READ IT SO BAD I DON'T EVEN CARE IF ITS SUPER SHORT 😭😭

also, YES PLEASE you're free to give me your own bloodflood/tsunami rankings too!!!

[theamazingmaddyas]

The sleepaway camp I attended had a tradition that at closing campfire (the campfire the night before the session you were in ended), each group would make a parody song detailing their favorite camp memories to a song of their choice. On that vein, we ask ourselves the question: what would each Camp Half-Blood Cabin, The Hunters, and Camp Jupiter Cohorts do for their Closing Campfire Song? What is their song of choice.

I'm splitting this up into two parts, this is part 1: Cabins 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,&13. Next part will be 14,15,16,17,18,19,10, cohorts 1,2,3,4,&5. Additionally, timeline is non-existant, I couldn't be bothered to make this coherent. Also, I didn't write the whole songs, but maybe I will someday.

Cabin 1: Zeus — American Idiot by Green Day

Thalia is a huge Green Day fan in canon, and Jason doesn't have a set music taste—he just knows Camp Jupiters workout songs, and Piper and Leo's playlist set—so he asked Thalia to help him. Thalia, even though she also helped the Hunters, was allowed to sing with Jason so he wouldn't have to sing alone.

I think part of their song would be Don't Wanna Be Perseus Jackson and Percy for sure is in the front row flipping them off, which Thalia gladly does back. Jason gives Percy a guilty grin, and points at Thalia, telling him it was all her idea.

Cabin 3: Poseidon — Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid

Tyson would come to visit so Percy wouldn't have to perform alone, and the two of them put on lobster claw gloves for their performance.

Excerpt I wrote is:

At CHB, at CHB. With it's sword-fighting, and campfire lightings, it's great you see. We can canoe every day, win at capture the flag, hey! Everything's fly, when we don't die, at CHB.

Cabin 4: Demeter — Highway to Hell by AC/DC

The song choice is an homage to their older sister, Persephone, who, in fact, is about to go on the highway to hell now that fall is about to start.

Meg is doing cartwheels really really close to the flame and it's honestly concerning, but she's cartwheeled in more dangerous places so everyone ignores her.

Growing strawb'rries; growing vines.

Meg doing cartwheels top the lava wall.

Planting flowers, don't ask why.

Katie's scolding Travis 'cross the hall.

Demeter probably won't be stoked out their song choice, but whatever.

Cabin 5: Ares — We are the Champion by Queen

I'm not why I'm sure all the Ares kids adore Queen, but they do.

Excerpt:

We are the champions of camp.

And we will always be the champ.

We are Ares kids,

We are Cabin 5

No time for losers

'Cause we are the champions

Of this camp.

They'd like you to ignore that they lost a chunk of capture the flag games.

Cabin 6: Athena — The New Periodic Table Song by AsapSCIENCE

One of the other cabin's kid said it as a joke, but the Athena cabin took that as a challenge.

Annabeth: And now, the Athena Cabin presents:

Malcolm: A summer at Camp Half-Blood

There's lava walls and archery.

Strawberry pick'ng with Mr. D.

Swords and daggers everywhere,

Or some knives if that's your flair.

Magic plates so you can eat.

Trophies for your greatest feat.

An owl on the Blue Teams Flag.

For us winning's in the bag.

Cabin 7: Apollo — Hot To Go by Chappell Roan

The cabin had to do an anonymous voting for the song since some people (*cough* Jerry and Austin *cough*) were very passionate about their choses (neither of which were picked).

They alternate with spelling DEMIGOD and APOLLON:

Excerpt I conjured for the refrain (I'll probably write the whole song one day, but that's not now:

A.P.O.L.L.O.N. Apollo's Cabin in the best.

D.E.M.I.G.O.D. Cabin here at CHB

Cabin 8: Artemis (The Hunters) — Runs the World (Girls) by Beyoncé

Are we actually questioning the song choice? They didn't even need to vote, it was obvious to all of them.

Most of it was just saying:

Who rules this camp? Girls

Over and over again.

Cabin 9: Hephaestus — This Girl is On Fire by Alicia Keys

Again the song was self-explanatory.

They changed up the refrain each time, but the highlight one is:

Leo is on Fire! (Que Jake yelling "again")

The Forge is on Fire. (Jake yelling "again", part 2)

Our Cabin is Fire.

Our ideas are fire.

Cabin 10: Aphrodite — Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan

I have seen many posts saying this like the Aphrodite Cabin would be the biggest Chappell Roan fans, and, from my very limited knowledge (ironic, given two cabins have her songs, I actually just realized while writing these I haven't heard the whole song until right now), but I feel like I'm write, and someone could confirm or deny.

Aphrodite Kids, we'll keep on living, we're the Aphrodite kids.

Cabin 11: Hermes — Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson

The song was Connor's idea, he watched the Cookie Monster parody song Share It Maybe and he had ideas (amazing song, 20/10)

Hermes kids have to share,

For we think that is fair,

Chiron, are you aware,

That Connor stole your wallet.

The whole song is actually a confession and homage to the pranks over the summer.

Cabin 12: Dionysus — Shots by LMFAO

It's just really funny and iconic for them to do a song about drinking when their father is forced sober watching them. The younger kids don't really know the song, but Pollux definitely picked it.

Camp, camp, camp, camp, camp, camp,

camp, camp, camp, camp, camp,

camp, camp, camp, camp, camp,

Camp Half-Blood

12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12,

12, 12, 12, 12, 12,

12, 12, 12, 12, 12,

Dionysus!

Cabin 13: Hades — Somewhere Over the Rainbow from Wizard of Oz

Making these ideas made me realize that I know a maximum of like 4 songs from before 1940 and all of them are from musicals. That being said, 100% Hazel (who volunteered to help Nico along with the 5th Cohort so that Nico wouldn't be alone when Chiron denied him the ability to hide behind Cabin 7, or to just not do it) and Nico would pick a song from their childhood. I also hc that Nico loves Wizard of Oz because Bianca loved Wizard of Oz so it works.

Nico did, however, convince Chiron to let Will stand up with him and Hazel and he stood behind him the entire time.

Excerpt:

Summer, now it is over.

Campfires end.

Though we stay there year 'round,

We've still a message to send.

Summer, how we will miss you.

And our friends.

They'll come back very soon,

For we've two camps to defend.

Nico 100% pretended Hazel wrote the sappy stuff, when in reality he did most of the planning.

[evilgoosemusings]

Rosa's (@electricgaslight) gift from me for the TnB Secret Santa 2024! Happy Christmas! I hope you enjoy it. Link first, no warnings apply. Story in full will be posted after.

My Name is Barnaby! - TotallyRockin - Tiger & Bunny [Archive of Our Own]

“My name is Barnaby, not Bunny!” Barnaby Brooks, Jr., yelled at the man in front of him. Why did he let this man rile him up so much? It wasn’t like Kaburagi was his boss or anything. Just an annoying coworker who refused (for some reason) to call him by his real name! He shoved his glasses back up his nose with his middle finger, hoping the Japanese man would take the hint.

“Oh, come on,” the dark-haired man whined, “but you’re so cute! Like a little bunny! Your hair makes a whole lop-eared look and everything!”

He scowled and hid behind his glasses, sulking. Being new at the company sucked, but being partnered to ‘learn’ from this moron was even more degrading. Why did his uncle have to pair him up with this idiot? He invaded his space, hogged all the good pens (even though he didn’t use them), and ate the unhealthiest and smelliest food imaginable. Contrary to popular belief, mayonnaise did NOT belong on EVERYTHING!

“Brooks! Kaburagi! My office, Now!”

Now what? That old man always messed up somehow, and he’d also get roped into the punishment.

When Barnaby and Kotetsu walked in, Alexander Lloyds sat at his mahogany desk, scowling at his computer. He didn’t even bother looking up. “You two are going to the conference in Panjourney this weekend. Your flight leaves tomorrow at 6 a.m.”

“WHAT?!” Kotetsu yelled. “But I can’t go! I promised Kaede I’d go to her ice skating recital!”

“If you don’t like it, you can quit,” Lloyds automatically replied.  

Against his better judgment, Barnaby cringed a bit. That was a typical response from Lloyds, but only to Kotetsu. He never said it to him. “I can go by myself,” Brooks suggested, hoping for a break from his annoying partner. If he could get some time by himself, he knew he could be the best salesman Apollon Media had ever seen.

Tempted by the offer, Lloyds regarded the two of them briefly. He almost replied once, shut his mouth, then reconsidered and said, ��No. You’re a team. Mr. Maverick gave explicit instructions on that. Once your probationary period is over, in approximately 6 weeks, 2 days, and 5 hours, that would be permissible, but for now, you’re stuck with Tiger here.”

The blond sighed. That stupid nickname his partner insisted on using. Wild Tiger. Like his sales earnings even merited that. “Yes, sir,” he replied.

It wasn’t like his records were measly. He’d managed to rake up more sales than Tiger already this month. Sure, one of the companies, Top Mag, had to return the copier they’d bought and go for the cheaper one Kotetsu had originally sold them before Barnaby upgraded them, but that was just once, right?

Later at their desks, which had been joined together for some reason, Barnaby started his list of things to take this weekend. If he traveled light, he might be able to whittle it down to one suitcase and one garment bag. Oh, and his toiletry bag.

“Whatcha doin’, Lil Bunny?” Kotetsu asked, peering over his shoulder.

“Packing planning.”

“Huh? For one weekend?”

He turned toward his partner. “Yes. I checked the seminar’s itinerary and several different events are happening this weekend. I’ll need a different set of clothes for each one. Not to mention my computer and phone. My notebook and several pairs of shoes to match each wardrobe selection.” As he rambled on, he noticed Kotetsu glancing at his own attire and scowling.

“Why do you need all that extra stuff?” his partner complained. “It’s not like anybody will actually care.”

“I do. I care,” Barnaby replied. “Mr. Maverick will be there this weekend. He’s one of the guest speakers. I will need to look my best.”

“Your uncle, huh?” Kotetsu scratched at his stupid split-w-shaped beard. “Why do you need to dress up for him? He’s seen you in sweatpants and t-shirts before, hasn’t he?”

“This isn’t for him,” Barnaby replied. “It’s for the stakeholders that he’ll want to impress. Can’t have his nephew looking like… you, now can he?”

“I don’t- Hey! I’m not bad-looking! A little scruffy when I don’t shave, but-“

Barnaby took the time to peer over his glasses at the brunet. “Riiiight. Uh-huh. Believe what you want.” But the insult didn’t have the power normally thrown in Kotetsu’s direction. Barnaby had found himself more and more distracted at his partner’s… entire package. Looks alone, okay, so Kotetsu wasn’t exactly a troll, but he was older and had crinkly laugh lines around his eyes. His soft, rose-colored lips pouted often enough to appear fuller than they were. The brown of his eyes wasn’t a muddy brown, but a honey, caramel color that twinkled when he smiled. More than once the differences in their skin tones had taken him aback, his pale white in stark contrast to the rich brown of Kotetsu’s skin. Well, that wasn’t helping.

He wasn’t sure when the switch happened, but somewhere along the way, he’d started thinking more fondly about his partner. This infuriatingly nosy individual got balloons for kids out of trees and helped old(er) ladies across the street. This idiot who had one of Barnaby’s fancy pens stuck between his lip and his nose, making crinkly faces at the ceiling.

“That doesn’t belong to you,” the blond stated, snatching his pen back.

“But I’m bored!” his partner whined.

“Then do that mountain of paperwork on your desk before you leave for the weekend. That way it’s not waiting for you when we get back.”

“You know, you’re not very cute for a bunny.”

“Good thing I’m not one then, isn’t it?” he retorted.

Kotetsu tsked and picked up one of the papers on his cluttered desk, side-eyeing it, then dramatically flopping back into his chair, letting his dark-haired head lean over the back. “Why can’t somebody else do this? It’s so dull!”

“Honestly,” Barnaby swore as he plucked the piece of paper out of Kotetsu’s hand, “it’s tedious but extremely simple.”

“Eh?” the old man said. “How do you manage to get all yours done so fast? Half of those I didn’t even show you how to fill out!”

“And he fills them out properly,” Florence, Lloyd’s secretary, supplied from across the room. “I don’t have to return ANY of his.”

A snort from Kotetsu.

“Okay, fine. I’ll show you,” Barnaby groused as he tugged his chair closer to Kaburagi’s desk and the stack of paperwork. At least Kotetsu tried to appear interested in his paperwork for the rest of the workday.

And he smelled great.

3 a.m. came pretty early, but Barnaby had prepared the night before. Everything he still needed to pack was laid out nicely for him to use and then pack. He showered, shaved, and primped in record time, deciding maybe he should do that from now on. He was out the door and taxied to the airport by 5 a.m.

There was no sign of Kotetsu.

After a little flirting his ticket was upgraded to first class for free. When they boarded the plane, Kotetsu still hadn’t shown. He sighed. Well, he might get a weekend away from the-

“Lil Bunny!”

He hung his head.

“Eh? Why are you up here? Our tickets-“

“I upgraded.”

“You did?! That’s great!” Kotetsu started to store his carry-on above Barnaby’s seat.

“Not yours!” Barnaby snapped. “You’re still in the back.”

“What?! But we’re a team! The first sales team for Apollon Media! We should stick together!” He glanced around. “I know! I’ll ask for a seat up here.”

Good luck, Barnaby thought as he watched Kotetsu flag down one of the stewards.

A few minutes later, not even the headphones could tune out the man’s endless prattle. How the bloody hell did he manage to talk his way into first class AND the seat right next to him? Luckily it was only an hour flight.

When they arrived, it only got worse.

They couldn’t check in to the hotel until after 11 a.m. and the convention started at 8. For a fee, the hotel stashed their bags in a locked room until they could check-in, but the hotel was packed because of multiple conventions. Getting to the first welcome assembly proved to be incredibly difficult, and Barnaby knew there wouldn’t be any seating available. But Kotetsu surprised him. An old friend of his named Antonio Lopez had managed to save them seats. Kotetsu must have called him when Barnaby was haggling with the hotel to keep their bags.

Product knowledge filled most of the first session. Kotetsu was woefully unprepared and against his better judgment, Barnaby carried their team so they weren’t dead last.

The second breakout session had them trying to set up devices for their ‘client’ and ended with Kotetsu wrapping them both up in an unnecessary cable. The embarrassment from that alone threatened to send Barnaby into hiding.

Lunchtime crowded the check-in, and after getting their luggage and finally making it to their single room (Barnaby argued with the clerk, but there weren’t any more rooms available in this or surrounding hotels), there was only one bed. One bed! Indignant, Barnaby made a beeline for the door, but Kotetsu stopped him and insisted he’d sleep on the small loveseat that lined one wall. Mollified and slightly interested, Barnaby silently decided they’d share the bed. There was no way either of them would fit on that tiny thing.

They ate lunch together, making small talk, with Kotetsu moaning about missing his daughter’s skating recital. He knew the man was married so he asked why his wife didn’t attend instead. The smile faded from the honey-colored eyes and amazingly enough, Kotetsu lost interest in his food.

“She left me 5 years ago,” he said.

Barnaby couldn’t blame her really. He didn’t think he’d last one day. Of course, he wouldn’t have made the mistake of marrying the man in the first place. Good-looking or not. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

“It was a while ago,” Kotetsu said, his smile returning. “My mom will go. She’ll videotape it for me.”

The afternoon sessions split up their team, so he didn’t see Kaburagi for quite a while. He met some other top salespeople in the area, including a young woman named Pao-Lin with enough energy to power an electric plant who worked for Odysseus Communication and an assuming young man named Ivan Karelin with the ability to blend in anywhere who worked for Helperidese Financial.

He stopped by the room to change before heading to dinner with his uncle and a few of Apollon's shareholders, declining Kaburagi’s drinking offer on the way out.

A late-night workout session, when Kotetsu still wasn’t in their room, reinvigorated him so much that he started up conversations with a couple of the others who found their way there: Nathan Seymour, CEO and owner of Helios Energy, and Karina Lyle, the top salesperson at Titan Industry nicknamed Blue Rose because of her cold beauty.

“You’re partners with Wild Tiger?” Karina asked before taking a sip of her water. “I couldn’t do it. That old man butts into everything.”

“Oh, he’s cute,” Nathan added. “He’s just trying to help. He’s helped me with sales before.”

“I won’t have to work with him much longer. Since I’m new, I have a probationary period. But I can tell you, I understand completely why his wife divorced him.”

Both Karina and Nathan exchanged a glance. “Oh, honey, she didn’t divorce him,” Nathan said.

“But he said she left him,” Barnaby replied before toweling off his face.

“She died,” Karina said softly. “Of cancer. She was in the hospital for a really long time.”

Surprise registered on Barnaby’s face. “What?”

“He used to visit her every day after work. He slept on a cot for a bit in her room there toward the end.” Nathan pursed their lips. “That last day-“ They stopped and couldn’t continue.

Karina took over. “She told him to go to a conference. Like this one. His old company, Top Mag, wanted him to go. Said they would promote him if he did.” She sighed. “He didn’t want to, but she said it would be okay and that he always wanted to be the best he could, so he should. So he did.” She paused. “She died while he was gone. They couldn’t reach him because the conference was at a center in the mountains outside of town where reception was shit. He was so excited to talk to her about how wonderful it was that he didn’t even go home before heading to the hospital.”

A harsh weight settled on all of them. “I think,” Nathan said, their voice cracking a little, “that this is the first one he’s been to since she passed.”

It made yesterday’s interaction with Lloyds a little more sinister. Barnaby couldn’t believe the man had the gall to say what he did, knowing what he knew now.

“I’m going to head back,” Barnaby said, throwing a wave over his shoulder. “Pleasure meeting you both.”

He quick-stepped to the room, but even after getting cleaned up, there was no sign of his partner. Grabbing a book from his bag, he sat on his bed and began reading.

A knock interrupted him. When he opened the door, a sheepish Antonio and a very drunk Kotetsu greeted him. “Could you-?” the big man asked.

Barnaby sighed and took possession of his partner. “Thank you for bringing him back. I’ll take care of him.”

“See you in the morning!”

Kotetsu felt heavier than he looked.

“Bunny!” The older man threw both his arms around Barnaby’s neck and hugged him. “I knew you would take care of me!”  The man’s breath reeked of alcohol.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” he began, but Kotetsu flopped down on the bed. “Oh, no, you don’t,” he began. He tugged on the man’s two-tone shoes, noting the hole in the toe of one sock. Then pulled off the man’s pants. Desperately trying not to register how firm those legs were. He wrangled Kotetsu upright and slid his vest off his powerful shoulders, after tossing the stupid hat onto the sofa. He unfastened the black tie, and unbuttoned the man’s green shirt, noting the revealed undershirt hiding sculpted abs.

“You have such pretty eyes,” his partner slurred. “There’s an actress who reminds me of you. She’s got green eyes, too. And blonde, curly hair. Her lips look so soft,” a fingertip traced the edge of his mouth, “just like yours. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss them.”

Barnaby froze. What?! What was he saying?

Kotetsu got closer, his caramel eyes staring at the blond’s mouth. “I bet they’re sweet, too.”

It was like watching a train wreck. Barnaby couldn’t move. Couldn’t look away. Couldn’t speak. He wanted this but didn’t want this. Kotetsu was so annoying but so…kind.

Then Kotetsu started snoring.

Startled, Barnaby sat back and pushed his glasses back up on his nose, letting the other man collapse to the bed. Stupid old man, getting him all flustered and stirred up like that, then having the audacity to fall asleep. The more Barnaby thought about it, the more insulted he felt. And the man positively reeked of alcohol. There was no way he’d let him sleep in the same bed smelling like that.

Luckily, Barnaby kept fit, but maneuvering dead weight wasn’t his forte. After a rough start, he wrangled Kotetsu, clad only in his undershirt and tighty-whities, into the shower and turned the cold water on full blast. However, his revenge plot backfired on him because when soaked those measly clothes hid nothing. Matter of fact, they accentuated…everything. Add the exaggerated movements of his wet and bedraggled partner to the slew of curses and insults and Brooks felt almost sorry for the man.

Almost.

“Next time you proposition me,” he snarled, “have the common decency to at least follow through.” He slammed the bathroom door on the way out.

The next morning he left before Kotetsu stirred, irritated at his own behavior the night before. Kaburagi affected him every single time. He ate a light breakfast, relying on a protein shake and a bottle of water for his repast. He noticed Kaburagi stumble into the assembly after it started, a large coffee and a donut in hand. He tsked and silently wondered how the man could possibly be so fit. Fat melted off those skinny bones so easily. It wasn’t fair.

This morning’s breakout sessions were all about customer excuses for not buying and complaints. He and Kotetsu were paired up for these. Not once did the man apologize for his behavior the night before. It rankled. He earned their team high marks for forestalling complaints, even with Kotetsu’s capitulation, but his partner shined when it came to complaints. He genuinely wanted to help fix whatever was wrong. Make it right.

Things got dicey though. One of their ‘clients’ told them he’d had some work done on the copier outside of the recommended warranty-affirming repair shops and now it didn’t work. Tiger noticed first that the circuit board in the keypad had been replaced. He saw the one in the core was new, too. Neither was the right kind to handle the type of power this particular brand needed. Kotetsu reached to unplug it when those boards both caught fire. Startled, Brooks jumped back in time to hear his partner yell, “Bunny! Heads up!” He turned and caught the fire extinguisher Kaburagi tossed his way, pulling the pin, and firing it toward the burning machine - the fires out before the alarms sounded.

The organizers added a special commendation to their files for their quick reflexes and impeccable teamwork, a TV team recording it for posterity. Barnaby bristled when accepting the honor, trying not to let it reflect in his green eyes, but somehow, his partner picked up on it, attacking him as soon as they left the room. “Bunny! What’s wrong? Isn’t this cool? We’re the best team!”

He glared at his partner. ‘They put everyone in danger. It was lucky we were there and there was a fire extinguisher in the room. They were completely irresponsible! That fire could have spread and killed someone!” His fingernails bit into his palms as he crushed his hands into fists, tears welling up in his eyes. “They could have killed someone…” his voice trailed off.

Blinking owlishly, Kotetsu watched him for a second before dragging him into an empty hallway. “You okay, lil Bunny?” he asked softly, sweetly.

The tears formed rivers on his cheeks. Barnaby tried to push past his partner, but Kotetsu held firm and gathered him into his arms, stubbornly hugging him as he cried. He didn’t stop until Barnaby did. He didn’t ask. Didn’t question him. He simply placed a small kiss on Barnaby’s forehead before resting their heads together. “Let’s go to lunch. Somewhere outside the hotel. My treat,” Kotetsu suggested.

Wiping his face clean, Barnaby nodded.

The afternoon sessions were simpler and uneventful. They were separated again and this time he was teamed up with the lead salesman in any division, a man named Keith Goodman, who repeated himself. All. The. Time. Barnaby got used to it after a while, admiring the man for his humility and graciousness. The man also listened to his irritated rambling regarding his so-called partner, only adding one comment toward the end. “Sometimes only the ones we care for the most can get under our skin.”

Some people he’d met, including Kotetsu’s long-time friend, Antonio, had dinner together. Kotetsu drank less than he had the night before. Against his better judgment, Barnaby enjoyed himself, laughing at the jokes at Kotetsu’s expense.  

As the evening came to a close, Brooks fidgeted. Last night, it had been easy to feign anger. Mostly because he had been angry. Mostly at himself. But tonight, his gaze lingered too long on Kotetsu’s face, remembering the man in the shower. Those caramel eyes lusting after his lips. He finally excused himself. His mind kept wandering and his eyes couldn’t stop staring. He needed to leave. Soon. “I’m going to call it a night. Tomorrow’s the last day after all.”

“Aww, lil Bunny!” Kotetsu whined. “We can stay a little longer, can’t we?”

“You can. I am going back.”

Kotetsu downed his shochu in one shot. “Okay, okay. We’re going. See you guys in the morning!” He waved as he followed Barnaby out of the restaurant.

Back in the room, he cleaned up first, freezing when he saw Kotetsu clad only in his briefs sitting on the bed when he exited the bathroom. “Your turn,” he said as casually as possible.

“Oh! Thanks, Bunny!” The old man darted past him into the bathroom but didn’t close the door.

Why? Why didn’t he close the door? Desperately trying to ignore the open door and the noises within, Barnaby slid into his silk pajamas, grabbed his book, and slipped under the covers.

When Kaburagi returned clad only in a towel, he averted his eyes, rereading the same sentence in his book over and over again. Another set of tighty-whiteys and he nestled in the sheets, too.

Barnaby pointedly ignored him.

“Bunny.”

He didn’t respond.

“Lil Bunny,” Kotetsu singsonged.

He read the sentence again.

“Barnaby,” Kotetsu purred.

“My name’s NOT-“ Startled, Barnaby looked up from his book. He’d called him Barnaby… And holy shit, he was close. He could see the flecks of gold in the man’s eyes.

“Wanna kiss?”

“What?!” He practically scuttled backward. “Why would I-?”

The old man scratched at his ridiculous beard. “Last night, you said I should follow through. So… I’m following through.”

“I didn’t- You were-“

“I wasn’t THAT drunk,” Kotetsu offered. “I remembered stuff. And that shower was COLD!” he complained.

“You fell asleep!” Barnaby sulked. “You leaned in to kiss me, but I guess I bored you because-“

“Never.” Kotetsu crept closer. “You’d never bore me.” One of his hands reached out to take the book from Barnaby’s grasp. He set it on the nightstand. “One kiss. To make up for last night.”

Glasses pushed back up to hide his eyes, Barnaby blushed a bit. “Fine.” He removed those glasses and carefully set them on the nightstand. “One kiss.”

Smiling, Kotetsu leaned in closer. His breath mingled with Barnaby’s. “Just one?”

Barnaby nodded. “If I like it, maybe more.”

“Oh, so it’d better be good, huh?” Kotetsu chuckled and the sound traveled all the way down to the blond’s toes. “Challenge accepted.”

It wasn’t good.

It was amazing.

It felt like an electric spark traveled between them, igniting Barnaby’s basic needs. He would have pledged his love if he weren’t so damned levelheaded. Their lips touched, and that was it. Kotetsu pulled away.

But Barnaby wasn’t done yet. His hands darted out and grabbed the old man’s head, holding him in place, kissing him in earnest. At first, Kotetsu resisted, attempting to pull away, but Barnaby held him fast, deepening the kiss, thrusting his tongue into the warm, surprised mouth. A warm hand lighted on his chest, the other snaking around his waist. He tugged Kotetsu’s body closer and claimed that warm mouth again, wrestling with the man’s tongue.

Kotetsu finally broke free, his chest heaving. Barnaby panted, his body tingling. The old man chuckled again, the same deep, rich laugh that curled the blond’s toes. “Eager, my lil Bunny?” he whispered before stretching out and reaching for Barnaby.

Barnaby’s delighted smile lit up his eyes and he snuggled next to his Wild Tiger.

Maybe being partners with the old man wasn’t so bad after all.

[poorbrokemess]

🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠

I have been a Lokean for, as long as I knew it was a thing, before I knew it had a name. I just knew I didn't fit in the *every day* Norse community.

Mayhaps it's the autism.

But I never saw any of what Loki did, at least at the end, an issue. You lock up my kids and break a blood oath? Pfffft. That's the find out stage of. Fuck around. Justified IMO. Like, got off easy justified 😅

Loki stayed present even when I wasn't active in my practice. So when I came back to it, to the Greek pantheons, I already knew, I Loved Hermes.

I conflated the two too extensively. Too much so.

As I sit here now. Looking at Apollons Alter, I can't even imagine how I'd miss it. Confuse them.

My religious distrust (generational trauma, not personal) has always prevented me from even giving "good" deities/gods more than a mere, lovely hello, over there. Way over there. Even further. Thanks. Much love. From a distance.

But it was Apollons Poster I made first.

When I *God gift* mostly it's for Loki and, you guessed it. Apollon.

Of course Hermes box is over flowing, but almost all of that is shit I find on the ground. You know. Trash. 💀

I think Apollon is someone who was about when I was a child. But I closed all doors for a long while.

Now, I can hear Loki, yapper that one. Skadi, when she feels like it.

But it's like Apollon struggles with words? Or hasn't figured a way around my security, so to speak. So it is all physical. Sometimes, I will manage a word. That is not much help. He wants information. Books specifically.

In the past, oh idk, 17 years or so, I do most of my reading from fiction. Fantasy and horror specifically. I Google like no body's business, not the same action to my brain.

So idk if it's a me problem, but like I can feel him, I sometimes get images (books, cards, llama.)

But words are limited.

But very *this body is too small* type feelings.

The urge for non fiction books. I devoured at least 12 in the past few months.

Books and music

Music

Omg I can sing ?

I probably sound like garbage, but I don't feel that way so it's okay 😆😅

It's almost reassuring a portion of his myths he's a dick in them. Justified or no. So I can't say he's all good, so my brains like, okay this one's welcome.

But I still can't hear him 😃🫠

I've been trying so hard. Just feelings and sensations that are not mine. 😵‍💫

Either way, he's been trying in my dreams and we've worked out a signal.

Idk how to change the station so we are speaking the same language. That's how it feels. Like a tv stuck on a language you know a few words of, but not many. But you're able to see it.

I can't see it. I feel it. Best I can do to describe it though.

Has anyone else had this issue with Apollon, or is it a me thing, as I assume 😆😅