#so i'm not sure if i'll read it or read it soon hmmmmmm

[deanncastiel]

2024 Book #117

Title: Ithaca Author: Claire North Genre: Historical Fantasy Series: The Songs of Penelope, Book 1

‘The greatest power we women can own is that which we take in secret.’ Seventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the isle of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom. Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door. No one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus’s empty throne – not yet. But as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip, Penelope knows that any choice she makes could plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war . . .

Rating: 4.5 ⭐

Quick thoughts: fuck men and them poets 🖕🖕🖕. feminist retellings of mythology my absolute beloved. scathing, laugh out loud funny, athena is a pick-me and that's fucking hilarious. the feminine rage 🤌🤌🤌

CW: SA (nothing explicit but very prevalent)

Similar Recs: 1) Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel 2) Circe by Madeline Miller* 3) Ariadne by Jennifer Saint*

*have not actually read these but from the sounds of them they are very similar

[harunayuuka2060]

Diavolo: MC? Where are you going? *has seen them leaving their room*

Kid MC: I'm going to send this letter to Uncle Luke!

Diavolo: A letter? Hm. But it's already late. Can't you just send it tomorrow morning?

Kid MC: Yes. But Uncle said I need to send it tonight!

Diavolo: Just you alone?

Kid MC: *nods*

Diavolo: ...

Diavolo: I'll accompany you. Is that okay?

Kid MC: Yes! And Lord Diavolo? Can you check my letter too? To see if I have written it right.

Diavolo: Of course.

Kid MC: *gives the letter to him*

Diavolo: *reads it*

Diavolo: ...

Kid MC: How is it, Lord Diavolo?

Diavolo: *smiles* You've got the skills of your father. You're quite eloquent.

Kid MC: *giggles* I used a dictionary!

Diavolo: *chuckles* That's great! Here. I'm sure Luke will be happy to receive your reply.

Luke: *smiles as he reads the letter of MC*

"Dear Uncle Luke,

Thank you for inviting me to go on a vacation with you. But I need to ask Papa first.

Instead, why don't you stay and have a vacation here? Lord Diavolo can give you a room in the castle! Oh! And in the House Of Lamentation too!

I can't wait for you to join us, Uncle!

Sincerely,

MC"

Luke: *then reads Simeon's note next*

"Luke, I really appreciate you updating me on the situation. I must say, I'd feel much better if you didn't get involved any further. It's probably best if you head back to the Celestial Realm. MC and I are doing fine, just as you wished for us. Please take care, and rest assured, we'll meet again soon. Don't worry too much, and I sincerely hope you're doing well. — Simeon"

Luke: ...

Michael: It seems you have no luck either.

Luke: ...

Michael: Have you mentioned about the consequences?

Luke: Yes.

Luke: Simeon is... willing to take the risk.

Michael: ...

Michael: However, you felt relieved reading the child's letter. Why is that?

Luke: MC... They have a pure soul. They may look like a demon, but I would say that they have the heart of an angel.

Michael: ...

Luke: *looks at him* Michael, is there no way for father to reconsider?

Michael: ...

Michael: I'm afraid not. Unless if Simeon becomes honest and confess.

Luke: ...

Simeon: MC, there's something Papa would like to ask you.

Kid MC: What is it, Papa?

Simeon: ...

Simeon: Would you still love Papa if I became a human?

Kid MC: What's a human?

Simeon: *smiles* They're neither angel nor demon. You can say that they're someone that stands in the middle.

Kid MC: Okay? But why do you ask if I would still love you if you were a human?

Simeon: You know how Papa writes stories, right? I want to know your opinion.

Kid MC: Hmmmmmm... Papa? To be honest, that's a dumb question.

Simeon: *chuckles* How so?

Kid MC: Because I will love Papa no matter what. You can be a demon, an angel, a human, a bird, a worm—

Simeon: Worm?

Kid MC: I added that just in case.

Simeon: *smiles*

Kid MC: Anyway, I'm saying that you can be anything or anyone but you will still remain my Papa! So of course, I will forever love you!

Simeon: ...

Simeon: *hugs them* Do you know that humans have short lives? What will you do if Papa really did turn into a human?

Kid MC: Another dumb question, Papa! Then I'll turn into a human too!

Simeon: *hugs them tight* Oh... How did I deserve to have a child like you?

Kid MC: What's wrong, Papa? You're acting weird!

Simeon: Nothing. *chuckles* Papa loves you so much.

Kid MC: I love you so much too, Papa!

Raphael: Simeon, you finally agreed to meet us.

Simeon: Yes. After all, I need to give you an answer.

Michael: Then, I would like to remind you of the consequences. Since you refused to entrust your child to us, father has decided to turn you into a human and that would be your punishment for disobeying him.

Michael: However, if you choose to tell us the truth—

Simeon: I'm sorry. But I accept his punishment.

Raphael and Michael: ...

Raphael: Why? He's giving you a chance!

Simeon: *smiles* I'm just protecting my child, Raphael. If the truth comes out, that will ruin them.

Simeon: I will never do anything to ruin my child.

Raphael: ...

Michael: If that's what you've decided.

Kid MC: Papa?

Simeon: Hm?

Kid MC: *looks into his eyes*

Kid MC: Did you become a human, Papa?

Simeon: ...

Simeon: *smiles* Yes.

Kid MC: ...

Kid MC: *pouts* Why just you?

Simeon: *chuckles* *lifts them up*

Simeon: *smiles softly at them* Papa wants to see you grow up as a demon.

Kid MC: But you are a human so I want to be human too!

Simeon: We'll get into that, okay? Once you're old enough to make decisions. *kisses their forehead*

[chainbreaker-thenoisemarine]

Oh for the fic asks - 23, 32, 36? 😊

For 23, What’s a trope, AU, or concept you’ve never written, but would like to? hmmmm.... HMMMMMM..... There's an AU concept I have where Imogen is a Fighter and Laudna is an Artificer. Had that idea in my head for a while. Might have to write that one, soon.

For 32, What’s your ideal fic length to read? I tend to enjoy longer fics. Things that are over one or two thousand words, generally. Anything less than that and I almost feel like I'm left wanting more, unless it ends concisely. I can see the appeal of well-written flashfic and shorter works, for sure, tho!

For 36, Do you visualize what you read/write? Oh, for sure. Usually if I can't visualize something, I actually have a much harder time writing. Sometimes as I'm writing (rarely, though), the scene develops naturally, and sometimes it comes in bits and pieces between which I'll fill the gaps. I have a very visually-oriented memory, as well as a very vivid imagination, so usually I can visualize what I want to have happen pretty well. The biggest blocks I usually have are because I can't see what I want to have happen in my head, or I can't hear what the character needs to say, shit like that.

[youngbloodbuzz]

Chapter Threeeeeee

The imagine of Tiny Jamie jumping down from a big truck makes me cackle. (I know it the story it's night a giant beast like in the American south but it's what I visualize for funzies) I think because AE and I are the same size and the idea of me driving a truck is laughable

Anyways, moving right along...

"Dani was still staring after her when Hunter asked, 'Was there anything else you wanted?'

Dani jolted as if from a daydream. She shook her head. 'Uh - no. Thanks, Mr. Thompson. I'll see you at Church tomorrow.'" LIAR... can't name name a single little thing you might want. Brown hair..eyes that's a definitely... a colour.

Both these bitches are having a hard time. In like every scene of them running into each other.

"Dani chewed at her lower lip, glancing away when Jamie bent over further so that the torn collar of her t-shirt revealed her collarbones and a length of silver chain disappearing beneath the fabric." What mental gymnastics is Dani putting herself through to explain away her gay ass feelings towards Jamie. Also the necklace, excuse me while my over emotional ass cries a bit.

The bandana making a cameo.

"Dani lifted her chin. 'None of your business.'" The first time i read the fic I was like Dani baby, ease up. But after reading chapter 10, WHICH I WILL HAVE WORDS WITH YOU ABOUT, Especially the heart breaking last line, I'm like you know what Dani be pissed, I support you. It's also a first real glimpse to Jamie about how Dani has felt these last 10 years/seeing her again. I wonder if in the car ride home Jamie was debating with herself if that was easier, Dani being pissed. If it would be easier to not rekindle the friendship, have a clean break? Not having to get emotionally invested only to watch her marry Eddie. All that is for sure is that she would let Dani decide. She always lets Dani decide.

"It was like the house had eaten it, swallowed it whole. Hungry in its desire to consume anything that didn’t belong. That didn’t fit in." Fuck I love this line

"The basement. Right. Nine feet below the earth, like a coffin." This too. fuck

"Instead, she reset her mask, pulled the rope to part the stage curtains, and tied the other end around her neck." I mean...brilliant.

"And to think she used to know Jamie so well she could tell what she was thinking just from the barest crease of her eyes." Hmmmmmm. Did you though? I mean to an extent yes. But you missed something pretty big.

"'Do you know how I found out that you'd gone?' she asked quietly, and didn't wait for an answer. 'I came over to your house, and your neighbor told me.'" Fuck that's rough.

Jamie knows her so well, getting them to leave as soon as the people started showing up.

Yesssss. Fight it out bitches.

I know it's a serious scene but this: "No goodbye! No note!" But makes me think: "beds empty. no note?! Car gone! You could have died! You could have been seen!"

"Jamie stared at her as though the rug had been pulled right out from under her boots. 'I'm here now,' she said." Sweet Jamie, even after 16 years, it still shocks her that she could possibly mean so much to Dani. She undervalued herself so much and I just want to hug her. And with, "Jamie breathed in sharply before she said, 'You would've stopped replying. Eventually. You would've slipped away, and I — I couldn't do that. Not this time. Not with you.'" She never would have stopped. Never. Shame on you guys for making Jamie cry.

I love Nan, but I'm mad at her. Not that she died, I'm sad about that, but that she made no plans for the two children in her care for when she was gone. Where was her will?! Extremely irresponsible. (Can you tell I'm about to be a mom lol)

Just one touch from Dani has Jamie all fucked up for her again.

"Wasn’t sure how far she herself was willing to go." Again with Dani's mental gymnastics

God I can only imagine what Jamie is feeling being there in Dani's childhood bedroom. Seeing Dani's life that went on without her.

I love the way that Dani feels when she gets little glimpses behind Jamie's mask. She so used to it being up and a part of her that it's almost like she she sees past the wall it's as vulnerable as her seeing Jamie naked.

Not me crying at how Dani wants to tell teenage Jamie about her home. You guys fuck me up damn.

Poor Mikey, I'd die with my teacher showed up at my house and then proceeded to fall in love with my sister. I'd need a bit of therapy.

Not Dani feeling more comfortable at Jamie's house after one afternoon than the entirety of her time at home with Eddie.

A bit of a mess Jamie says gesturing to the house she probably spent the last two days manically scrubbing down and probably yelling at Mikey for having the audacity to sit on the couch and rumble the cushions. Mikey's there like this lady's lost the damn plot.

Jamie is so sorry for Mikey, tough girl act is a damn lie.

"'We're friends again?'" Fuck you. Fuck Roman. Fuck everyone for these feelings.

Well guys we're powering through.

See you next time ❤️

This may have been sent several times because it was having issues lol.

dgjksdlfdsfd

man ch3 was our first real favourite chapter, everything happens so much WHEW!!!

goD yea i think a clean break was prolly the best jamie could've ever hoped for when she saw dani again. some kind of closure, even if it did mean closing the door on their relationship. anything to heal the wound and set her on her way.

jgkadsjf oh my god i also do hear molly weasley's voice in my head with that line lmfoaoo

and nan did her best. she DID have a will but well...it's Complicated. nan left money behind in the bank but everything in the will jamie didn't get until she was out of prison. and honestly....nan was only 71, she absolutely did not expect to die so soon. the heron's are a hardy bunch generally. the heron twins just had....Very bad luck.

"Jamie is so sorry for Mikey, tough girl act is a damn lie" i imagine you meant "soft" and YOU WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. she annoys and bugs him and vice versa, but god does she adore that boy with her whole heart and soul i am so soft for them

yeehaw! these are so fun, hope you're managing well! we got those photos you shared and ohHHHHH my god the tiny babies!! ADORABLE!!

@romanimp