#the only thing that could top this is if artemis showed up but i don't think she will

[applepato]

gonna have the 10 seconds that is apollo's verse in god games on loop for maybe the next month

[my-pjo-stuff]

For the Great PJO Ask Analysis event: (ask no. 4)

You've got a topic in PJO you'd like for me to analyze?

The Americanisation of the Greek myths: Olympus being on top of the Empire State building, etc.

The demigod world and the mortal world being intergrated instead of separate.

Want to share YOUR analysis of stuff with me and my followers?

The Hunters of Artemis are a poor representation of women and don't do the original myths justice.

Want to hear my take or shares yours of different characters and aspects of the PJO universe?

The TV show is more accurate to the books: thoughts?

The Americanisation of the Greek myths: Olympus being on top of the Empire State building, etc.

I think I said it on here already, but tbh to me it's just a classic case of Rick only knowing America, so he sets all his action in America. Which, yeah I can get that. I'd probably do the same- but personally I'd still prefer it if the different pantheons (not just the greek ones) were spread out over the world more. To me it all just feels very small and cramped to have EVERYONE important- god AND myth- in America. I mean, stuff like gods should be world wide, right? Why are we all just hanging out in America? Having it all more spread out over the world could allows us to explore more locations. In the context of a children's book we can use it to introduce children to different cultures. Not to mention all the possibilities we can have for non-american demigods! A culture and system of a country can influence a child very much. What differences would there be between an American Demigod and let's say- a french one? It all just seams very wasted for me for the benefit of comfort in writting for Rick.

The demigod world and the mortal world being intergrated instead of separate.

I don't think you can really say that the demigod and mortal world are very integrated to be honest- yes demigods live in both worlds- but there is very little truly connecting the both. Mortals can't enter CHB. The mist keeps anything mythical hidden from mortals. Demigods can't usually share the truth of their heritage with friends due to fear of getting written off as crazy. It doesn't seem very integrated to me, it's more like....an open border.

Imagine it like two countries, one is the demigod/immortal world and the other one is the mortal one. Between them is a border demigods are free to cross as much or as little as they want. The two countries would still be separate, it'd just be easy to traverse between them for a certain group of people.

The Hunters of Artemis are a poor representation of women and don't do the original myths justice.

I mean I said often enough that I think they are creepy af and I honestly HATE pjo Artemis which is why I won't chew it all through AGAIN on here. So yeah, agree 100%. The TV show is more accurate to the books: thoughts?

Ehhhhh- more accurate than the movies? Certainly, but it still has some way to go. Like casting for example, personally I'd have preffered it if we kept all appearances to the books (black haired Percy, blonde Luke ect.) but I can live with that okay. I can also live with the changes the made to Luke in general- my main problem really stems from them missing the deadline of the quest and the way they did Hermes. That's mostly because both of these things just.......make the gods to nice. Like I genuinly do not think that book!Poseidon would have given up for Percy. And the whole Hermes thing looked to me like excuses. An integral part of these books is that Luke was genuinly right. The gods are just straight up selfish, and even evil at times. They use their children like pawns. They negelect them on purpose. Not because of some "rules" (looking at you, show!Hermes). I think the show lost that, which in my eyes is sort of a big problem. But I still hold up hopes for it to get fixed, and I do enjoy Luke.

[eridanidreams]

WIP Wednesday

Tagging: @bearlytolerant, @silurisanguine, @aro-pancake, @fangbangerghoul, @atonalginger, @aislingdmdt, @fshenkoescape, @ninjaofnaps, @lisa-and-shadow, @a-cosmic-elf, @thatsgoodsquishy0, @hockeydemon42, @fomagranfalloon@violenceandviolets, and @artemis-crimson

from stars through my fingers like grains of sand

Sam ambled downstairs; as he'd expected, Cait was in the workroom, head bent over one of the workbenches. He couldn't make heads or tails out of what she was doing, so he waited until there was nothing in her hands before speaking up. "Hey there. Whatcha working on?"

She seemed more surprised by the content of the question than by his presence. "Oh! Um. Nothing particularly important—just a little something I found…"

"You know, you are allowed to have hobbies," Sam said with a smile. "And don't mind me. You know I'm worse than Cora about sticking my nose into things."

"She comes by it honestly," Cait replied. "But it isn't a secret or anything." She shifted a little, giving him a clear view. There on the workbench was something Sam hadn't seen in years. It was an old—an ancient—camera, half-disassembled. A few newly-printed parts lay next to it, waiting to be installed. He felt like he'd been punched in the heart; Cait was saying something, but all he could hear was Mom's voice and the silvery sound of her laugh while she showed him something—the only part of the memory that still remained. "Sam?" Cait sounded almost frightened, and he reached up to his face to feel the wetness on his cheek.

"Mom had one of those," he said roughly. "And a few others. Ancient, caveman types of things. She collected them, took pictures with them." He took a deep breath, trying to ease the tightness in his chest. Mom's death was ancient history; why did it suddenly hurt so much?

Cait pressed a hand against her own chest for a moment, then reached out to take his hands in hers. "Will you tell me about her?" Her voice was soft and achingly compassionate.

"I don't remember much," he faltered. "Just a few clear memories." He scrubbed his face on his shoulder, succeeding only in getting the leather wet. "She had a room with a red light; she'd develop pictures she took in this chemical bath." He looked up at her, and the kindness in her eyes almost undid him. "I remember sitting on a stool next to her, just watching the images fade in. It was like alchemy to me, then." He nodded toward the workbench. "Or her standing there—just like you were—taking something apart to fix it. They were fiddly, I know that. She was always having to adjust them." Before he could wipe his face on his shoulder again, she'd let go of one of his hands and pressed a soft cloth into it. "That's all I have. Just glimpses like that."

"You have more than that," she contradicted him gently. "You just can't see it because she's so deeply a part of you. She's in every smile and every hug that you give to Cora. Every sacrifice you've made so your little girl grows up happier than you did. She's the one who taught you to see beauty in the world around you and poetry in the stars." He stared at her in shock. "You didn't learn any of that from Jacob." She took the cloth from his unresisting hand and carefully wiped the tears from his face. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to know her a little. I think she'd be proud of you."

Sam felt like his heart was about to burst. He reached up, pressed her hand against his cheek. "Cait—" he said hoarsely, trying to find the words to just tell her—

"Da-ad! Caiit!" Cora's voice echoed from the top of the stairs. Cait jumped, pulling back, and Sam clenched his teeth on a word that would make the swear jar mighty happy. "Barrett's looking for you!"

"Give me a moment to wrap this up," Cait called in reply, sounding as calm as ever—in complete contrast to the sadness in her eyes. "Barrett needs to cultivate some patience anyway." She looked down at the cloth in her hand, blushed, and dropped it on the workbench. "Duty calls," she said more quietly.

"Barrett does, anyway," Sam growled, recognizing that the moment was shattered beyond recall. "Five gets you ten it's not anything actually important."

Cait huffed softly. "That has to be the easiest ten credits you've ever won," she agreed. "Look, I'll go see what he wants; you take an extra minute or two."

"Yeah." Before she could leave, he pulled her into a hard, fierce hug; she squeaked a little from the strength of it. "Thank you," he whispered into her ear, then stepped away before he could be overcome by the need to take her back into his arms and never let go.

She gave him one of those looks that seemed like it penetrated all the way to the inside. "Always," she said; it sounded like a promise.

[sticks-and-souls]

20 Questions for Writers

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Only 5. Some of y'all write so fucking fast.

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

19,583

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Basically just star wars, and within that, just The Clone Wars (but in my defense, that is a highly diverse universe). But I daydream around whatever media I'm consuming so if something sticks, I may write it (like Loki).

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Lmao, all five that I've written! But Battle Scars (star wars) and Moribund (loki) are basically tied in first place with each other.

5. Do you respond to comments?

Listen, I get really in my head about it. Like the answer is "yes" but also if it's been too long....then I feel like it's too late (RIP all comments for the 2nd chapter of Battle Scars). But comments are the BEST and I always appreciate it when an author responds to comments that I leave for them.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Ha! Moribund.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Off Duty?

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No, thank god. I don't know what I'd do.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Not....yet........

10. Do you write crossovers?

No but I have read some especially good ones.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of?

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that I'm aware of? Seems unlikely.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, but I think it would be rad. If @mithrandirl ever wanders back to star wars I feel like we could create something great.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Spuffy. The older I get the less I believe in "there's only one perfect person for you" and I'm much less rigid about who I ship characters with. But Spuffy hit me before that time and even in rewatches of the series there is something so deeply intimate in the way Buffy and Spike understand each other, validate their strengths and weaknesses, and complement one another in the best way possible for the lives that they're living.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I don't have time for your naysaying! I will finish them all if I have to live to be 200 to do it!

16. What are your writing strengths?

Having my characters feel very true to character, I think? And dialogue maybe?

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Dude, I am so fucking slow at writing. My quality/speed relationship is a steep negative line.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Does it strengthen the writing, the story, or the characters?

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Before I realized that formulating entire stories in your head, and revisiting them over and over again until they're memorized, even if you never actually write it down still counts as writing (to me), Artemis Fowl.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

That's been posted? Battle Scars, but let the record show that Wa(te)r Born holds a very special place in my heart. I am deeply proud of the writing that I did there despite it being only 500 words.

But ultimately, my unpublished foxiyo fic is where my heart lies. Hopefully someday soon I'll start posting.

This is my extreeeeemely late response to @mithrandirl 's tag. I'm sitting at home sick so I'm not up for writing (is my excuse and I'm sticking with it) but I AM up for talking about writing. Tagging @ladysongmaster, @ninjigma, @captainlaurence, and @grave-cupcake, but if you write things consider this an open tag <3

[charismaofobedience]

wait theres a band in d4dj called mermaid ??

oh yes there is. <3

Cut because i think i ended up rambling too much uh. also it's been a while since i read all d4dj stories so there might be some things i remember wrong

They are horrible and i love them sm. Their unit 2 story is LITERALLY almost entirely comprised of "saori learned how to drive so now we have to make horrible decisions and run through all of japan to do shows yahoo!!!"

Merm4id (or m4 in the abbreviation) is one of the 2/3/4 (if you consider abyssmare and call of artemis as also fully fleshed units. one of the two if you consider initially released units only though and not the ones that came later) adult units in d4dj and they're like. the glowing image of party girls. like, when you think of the word "clubbing", they most likely will be the closest thing to whatever came to your mind in d4dj. they're all college students and decided to d4 on one of rika's (orange haired and the leader) whims because she thought it would be fun and somehow convinced the other three.

they're also all INCREDIBLY pathetic little meow meows (except rika she's lowkey kind of a girlboss) (and to be fair every d4dj girl is kind of pathetic i think every single one of them had at least one pathetic looking card)

Rika is like the life of the party, she's the d4dj sun coded character tm. and ironically, while she may look "dumb" on a surface level since "haha extroverted and easily excited impulsive character", id actually say rika is not only one of the most compassionate characters as well as one of the smartest ones in d4dj. she constantly takes job gigs as EVERYTHING: cashier, flyer giving, babysitting... and while we still don't know much about her story, it was through one of her gigs that we got to start getting glimpses about her past and how she felt bad she couldn't keep in touch with one of the other characters in the game (tsubaki) and always guilt herself over that: because she cared for tsubaki, because, since tsubaki was always shy and more closed off, rika wanted to help her grow as a person and make more friends, but as time went on she grew more distant. this is something that heavily impacts rika through her life as, because of that, she always tries to help others, SPECIALLY those that seem anxious (saori herself) or lonely (m4 christmas story) and this is something that she herself admits to: rika, sometimes, may care more for others than herself. she's an extremely lovely character and i love her sm vkngkgjfkcjr

Marika (brown haired one) has. so much going on. from the top of my head i think there are three events that heavily focus on her and her story: first the dalia + marika relations, then the merm4id theme part event, and finally the towa + marika relations. Marika, since she was very young, has worked as a model with her mom's support and has made it her goal that she wanted to be an actress. Because of that, she had a hard time on school as she decided to mostly focus on her jobs and career, being excluded by other students who saw her as someone "too high" even if marika herself wished for friends. however, even in the future, marika was constantly told that she'd never make big: that she should stay as a model because she could never become an actress, which caused her to lose all confidence in herself to follow that path up til the dalia + marika relations event, where dalia helps marika and encourages her to keep following that dream while not letting others get to her. this led to the most recent marika focus event (towa relations), where she got an acting gig alongside towa, however, with a director that constantly kept harassing her and trying to get with her, promising that this way she'd have a guaranteed career. through the whole story towa tried telling marika to back off but she brushed it off, saying that this was necessary for her to get big in the industry but letting it very clear she knew what was happening was bad and she shouldn't submit herself to such a thing. in the end towa stands up for marika and exposes the director which makes even more girls that worked with him to come out, which showed us marikas willing and passive nature even more than what we already knew: while marika is smart enough to trick others into getting what she wants and tease others (d4fes2 card with muni where she tricks her into using another product so marika could get the one she wanted, which was the last one, and d4fes1 (?) card with aoi where she jokes about aoi and tsubaki marrying, breaking aois cool and composed facade for the first time). marika is a really complex character behind just "refers to herself in first person and calls herself cute plus being into fashion and a model uwu " and i also really enjoy her character sm,,

Saori (purple haired one, the dj) is an anxious little mess and she's like my mipy i love her SO much. I don't think we ever really got much backstory on her, sadly??? maybe the rika + saori relations but i don't really recall much,,, what you have to know is that she's THE failgirl ever and, even so, is liked by literally all d4dj characters. she was literally scared of dj-ing at first since she had no practice with it and boom merm4id is still my favorite unit song-wise.

dalia....... <3 she's a professional dancer and really into exercising. also she can break many boulders. she's strong. however, it was shown in the marika relations that she has a hard time with others, specially looking at them, because she was constantly told her eyes were scary and this caused her to get self conscious of her looks, which is why she initially didn't want to model with marika: she was afraid she was scary and wouldn't be able to pull it off well. she works as a bartender (which tbf all of m4 have a side job. aka every job ever - model - maid - bartender) and, ironically enough, is terrified of ghosts. she's a v lovely character and i love her sm, specially when she breaks the cool and confident facade vmnvkgjfjckjd,,,

tldr stan merm4id and stream love bite on youtube they're so silly and i love them

[fandxmslxt69]

Top two OC’s

1. Is Laci from leather and Lace. Petite, short (5”) heavily traumatized so she’s has boughts of not being able to talk and high anxiety esp in public. She’s getting better day by day snd has a job now 🥰 (leather and lace ended but the universe goes on with 3 other series with the other boys). She’s got a v sweet heart and likes pretty things (including dresses that makes santi go ferral)

2. Is a fav of Clem’s! Lorenzo from my dark series, the wrong way at my other account, romana-after-dark. The series is a dark TLOU, where the reader is kidnapped by Joel. Lorenzo is her best friend, another raider charged with watching her(and also happens to be dating her brother. Lorenzo is “played” by Oscar Isaac with his look from Drive. Lorenzo is brutally honest and tells reader exactly what’s happening including reminding her how fucked up her situation is. But he’s also always there for her, making her laugh. Lorenzo drinks snd smokes weed a lot but is always alert and ready to protect her. He’s smily and acts like he doesn’t care, but he cares for her a lot and is the one to help her escape

Omg you're so in depth with their personalities I wish I could do that🙈

Laci sounds so sweet I love her!! (If I have the time imma go read leather and lace bc pedro 😏) (I should watch the movie first though)

Lorenzo!!! I did a lot of the rants Clem posted about TLOU and he seems so amazing I want him as a best friend!!! I'm really tempted to read the wrong way but I have a line with dark series and I don't want to not like your fic :( (also like i'm in love with Joel and don't wanna be mad at him the entire time yknow???)

This might inspire me to actually make proper personalities for my oc's and maybe write about them???? (inspo is never there.) pls send help i can only ever make pinterest boards for them...

I can barely choose two top oc's but I'll go with these lovely ladies!! (mind you these aren't oc's like Lorenzo they're me putting myself in a bunch of different books/tv shows/movies)

Luna Jackson!

she's from Percy Jackson! (hence the name bc she's percy's cousin) She's a child of Artemis and yes she doesn't have children but it's some long complicated thing I don't even know anymore. She's number 1 bc she was my first oc and also bc she's most like me! I really don't know what else to say bc my only way to explain these guys is my pinterest boards... oh um, her love interest is Connor Stoll bc that man is a fine looking man (12 year old me was OBSESSED with him)

2. Keeley Owens!

I chose a marvel oc for number 2 bc I feel like we're a very marvel centered blog (i love it tho) so this is keeley, her love interest is bucky (bc my god have you seen that man???) and ummm she's a super soldier kinda?? (i don't write half of their stories down it just floats around in my head and I pray I remember it) she's an avenger and some other cool stuff and I think I actually have like one scene from a fic for her! Her hair is also what I wish mine was

also thank you sm for sharing I love learning about people's oc's!!! feel free to ask/send more and we can feed into each others delusions

[littlesparklight]

In myths Zeus seems to have a better relationship with his children that are important in society, like Athena, Apollo and Hermes. But how would you describe what makes him like a child and want to spend time with them, versus what makes him have a contentious relationship with a child. Because it can't just be about approval and obedience.

I know I've talked a little about Zeus and his relationship to his children before, but :V I'm not going to try and find those posts lol

Anyway uh, first thing I feel is kinda important to point out - absence of any interaction (positive or negative) with Zeus and any given offspring of his in myth can't be taken as "he has a negative relationship with them".

The only one we unequivocally know Zeus doesn't like and definitely has a (up to the Iliad, at least, which is at the end of the myths bar some stragglers) contentious relationship with is Ares. He straight up tells us (well, Ares) why he doesn't like him, and still helps him promptly.

Does he have a good or bad relationship with, say, Hebe? The Charites? The Muses? We don't know. It's not like it comes up (there's no need for it to come up/no stories/myths/poems/etc, if they were written about that, like Callimachus' literary hymn to Artemis where she goes to her father, has survived). I'd default to "it's usually good" because assuming that he doesn't just because we don't see anything either way... just seems like one is assuming a priori that of course no one likes Zeus, etc.

I think you could just as well ask why he likes Athena, Hermes, Artemis and Apollo, because it's not as if we actually get much of any reasons for that either. He likes Athena because... she comes mostly/only from him, because her war domain is more "aristocratic" than Ares, because she is like him? Your pick/guess. She certainly isn't always obedient and he instead usually bends the rules he has just set up for everyone else for her (see you the Iliad).

He absolutely has a contentious relationship with Apollo, but I also interpret their relationship as mostly positive, too.

An example; yes, he grants Athena and Artemis to stay virgins - because they specifically ask for this particular status. He has quite a lot of other divine daughters who never marry (and some of them variously have demigod offspring at least once, but those trysts/marriages are only temporary, the mortals left behind). So does he like Artemis and Athena better... or did he just give them what they asked for, while allowing his other daughters to do as they wished, without any need for specific virgin status?

I think we're better served looking at it from another angle; who he chooses to put close to work with.

Apollo asks for, and gets, the official position as disseminator of the knowledge of fate as it pertains to mortals from Zeus. Note; this ultimately comes from Zeus. Apollo is a middleman, and claims the exclusive spot for this. Other divination is unreliable/can be false, exactly because it doesn't come down through the ~official channel~. And Apollo, we know, isn't particularly obedient all the time, so clearly 100% obedience isn't a trait necessary. Perhaps he values Apollo's approach, etc.?

Hermes is another important one. I feel like he just likes Hermes' approach/personality, on top of needing Hermes' particular skills. He likes the kid instantly after he's performed his infant larceny, after all! And I suppose you could call Hermes obedient because he certainly does all Zeus has him do, but Zeus also clearly liked a child that showed they were very much not going to be obedient if it got them what they wanted.

I honestly think Zeus does, in general, has a pretty good relationship overall with his many offspring. Most of them he doesn't need to work with closely, so any approval or intimacy isn't going to be spotlighted (or even necessary for day-to-day life).

Also; The ones he seems to like best are the ones he's also most likely to have at least temporarily contentious relationships with!

[silenthillmutual]

4 ,6, 7, 8 and 12 for patho or whatever fandom you feel like answering them for

4: what was the last straw that made you finally block that annoying person?

i got sick of seeing them imposing their headcanons as fact on my dash. like i get their reading of the characters and the narrative and i don't think it's totally invalid but c'mon quit claiming it's lore when it's just your interpretation of events.

6: which ship fans are the most annoying?

out of all the fandoms i have been in during my time on tumblr, and i have been here for a long ass time, it has got to be johnlock truthers. any big ship is going to have its fair share of irritating fans and certainly i could name an annoying subsect of shippers for every fandom i've been in including for ships i actively enjoyed but absolutely nothing has topped john/sherlock from the bbc show. and i think the reason i have to say johnlock fans are the most irritating is because you can just tell when someone was into johnlock by how they write pairings in a post-bbclock world. people will do whatever they have to in order to file off the serial numbers to make what is basically a johnlock fic fit a non-johnlock pairing. and it's so wildto me because the original holmes & watson are like the blueprint when it comes to ships for me. it's up there with mulder & scully. but the impact of johnlock on both ao3 and tumblr cannot be understated.

7: what character did you begin to hate not because of canon but because how how the fandom acts about them?

peter. i've opened up fics about him and immediately had a "he would not fucking say that" moment and closed out of them. which is a shame as a side character i'd otherwise be interested in but i trust likke one person to get his characterization correct. and i am so sick of seeing him everywhere in this uwu-ified state. the stamatin twins are deranged can i please get some unhinged peter or at least some acknowledgement that he's done things wrong in his life.

8: common fandom opinion that everyone is wrong about

if a fandom declares a character a himbo you better run because 9/10 they are fucking wrong about that. seeing people call artemy a himbo when he's not stupid or calling alfred a himbo when my god. my god one of the hallmarks is not threatening to women. holy shit. holy fucking shit which game did you play.

12: the unpopular character that you actually like and why more people should like them

i don't know if i'd say i exactly like eddie dombrowski but i do think he's an interesting character and i wish people would give him the same kind of rounding out other characters get in fanfic instead of just being relegated to fatphobic stereotypes. i don't even require that other people start to like him but i think he deserves to get the same kind of treatment of just generally being given more depth. people are wiling to rehabilitate damn near everyone else, i think it's only fair that this extends to him.

[fullmusicbardsquared]

one of my 'favorite' things in ready player one is how it "deals" with objects in the Oasis.

for those lucky enough to have not read rp1, it takes place in a world where the "real world" (or at least america) is very polluted and stuff, so people spend their time in a virtual reality game called the oasis. the oasis appears to be mainly used from people's houses - wade does mention that it is used in schools and in workplaces, and that people can walk across streets with it?? - but mainly, it's people sitting down with oasis goggles over their heads.

so, the oasis is a game. it is a video game and it has little game things like races and shops and competitions for easter eggs left behind by some old mogul dude. and given the 60s-90s (but mostly 80s) pop culture obsessed populace of rp1, it makes sense on the surface that a lot of avatars are dressed like popular characters, possess merch, etc. my problem is that, outside of these games, there does not appear to be a need for any of the referential material outside of clothing.

for an easy example, wade's car. wade's stupid, stupid car that references the highly obscure films of "ghostbusters" and "back to the future" and also some tv show or whatever. it's basically just a model of these three cars smashed together. you would assume that such a car would exist so wade could participate in the various races in the oasis, but this is not wholly true. wade does use it in a race, but it is only because of the easter egg fetch quest- we are told that otherwise, wade does not care about these races and does not participate in them.

the only other logical options for this car is that a) wade made it for the race, which is disproved immediately; b) that wade owns it for clout, which...i could see that but i am unsure how using car models from two franchises (and knight rider) that were and still are enormously popular translates to ultimate coolness-shouldn't it communicate the opposite? shouldn't a real "cool oasis car guy" use the car from The Car 1977 or something like that?; and c), wade needs it to travel the oasis.

this last part is a symptom of one of my biggest problems with how the oasis is shown in-book. even simple simulation games often have an element of time to them- an egg hatching will need an hour, materials will have to grow, buildings will be completed, and in many cases this gets more complicated as the game does. i understand that the oasis is virtual reality and thus, different, but i really think a time mechanic could have been more helpful.

perhaps school kids and people who work in offices need to physically travel there to set up, because maybe they tap into different modes of the oasis. perhaps in-oasis travel requires in-oasis movement, just with the time halfed and the ability to use speed-boosts or something. this would give wade an actual reason to own a car besides "its 80s and this is 80s land", as well as making Aech's ability as a top-notch mechanic make a little more sense.

i'm not saying that the author needs to write out 50-odd rules for their setting, there's plenty of books (even or perhaps especially sci-fi) that don't flesh out their logistics besides what is needed. but this does not seem like setting intentionally kept vague to get to the meat of the story, it just seems.. bad.

also where the fuck did wade get the flowers and the peter gabriel boombox when he was stalking artemis? it's phrased like it's some colossal effort but..

(warning for stalking)

“I tried everything I could think of to reach her. I sent her avatar flowers. I made multiple trips to her avatar’s stronghold, an armored palace on Bentar, the small moon she owned. I dropped mixtapes and notes on her palace from the air, like lovesick bombs. Once, in a supreme act of desperation, I stood outside her palace gates for two solid hours, with a boombox over my head, blasting ‘In Your Eyes’ by Peter Gabriel at full volume.”

this is the full quote and aside from its genuine harassment portrayal i kind of find it hilarious because this is not hard. i hate this book so fucking much,

[derinthescarletpescatarian]

Way too much to go into, but for a few highlights that I can recall just off the top of my head (far from an exhaustive list):

described someone as avoiding electrocution by grounding his rubber soled shoes so that the electricity passes harmlessly out of him (opposite of how electricity works)

no idea whatsoever how statistics works on any level

described wastewater treatment as "taking the fertile out of fertiliser" with "bottles of blue chemicals" (complete opposite of how wastewater treatment works)

described making a toddler's play car go faster by adding a new fairy battery that makes it "nuclear powered" (the power source is not the rate limiting factor in the speed of a toy car, and I mean this one's a bit more nitpicky than the others since little kids probably don't know much about electronics, but COME ON)

Artemis wants to give Foaly his DNA to make a clone of him, so he kisses Holly on the head to transfer a few cells in his saliva I guess? That's fine' it's stupid but you'd transfer some DNA that way. What gets me is the bit where Foaly, wanting to retrieve the DNA, says to Holly, "let's get your head under an electron microscope".

An ELECTRON.

MICROSCOPE.

It's not that hard to look up how an electron microscope works and what it can do.

I worked with one for years and let me tell you.

It sure doesn't work like that.

Anyway, no one of these is a big deal. The specific method of retrieving the DNA, or the fact that rubber is an insulator, doesn't affect the plot all that much; none of these things are a dealbreaker and could very easily be rewritten without breaking anything. The problem I have with Colfer is that a) a great many of them (such as the electricity thing) are things that his target audience would know is wrong, so he should be putting effort into getting them right, and b) it's just constant. Just so. Many. Little. Things. That show that this guy not only knows nothing about the world but cannot be bothered to look any of it up. Many of these books were written after the advent of the modern search engine. There is absolutely no reason for Colfer not to look up electricity or electron microscopes or any of the other ten billion things he gets wrong before publication. There's no reason for his editor to be this fucking lazy, either; I refuse to believe that NOBODY who looked over this before publication picked up on any of these. It's just a constant stream of Things Eoin Colfer Didn't Bother To Check all throughout book after book after book. Which sucks, because he has some really cool ideas in his books, and I'm just constantly distracted by how little he gives a shit.

I don't think about Harry Potter all that much these days but sometimes I just randomly remember that these kids were writing on parchment. Like I know they have an aesthetic but WHY are these children writing their essays on ANIMAL SKINS in this day and age. It just isn't practical. At least go with old-timey paper or something.

[thebonggirll]

chapter six

< previous: chapter five

Y/N wanted to think that Percy took the news well, but his expression clearly defined his distaste for the situation.

The truth was, Percy wanted to strangle the Hunters of Artemis one eternal maiden at a time. The rest of the day he tried to keep busy but was worried sick about Annabeth. He kept messing up in any activity he joined.

At the top of Half-Blood Hill, Mr. D and Argus were feeding the baby dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece. Then it occurred to him: no one would be in the Big House. There was someone else...something else he could ask for guidance.

His blood was humming in his ears as he ran into the house and took the stairs. He'd only done this once before, and he still had nightmares about it. He opened the trap door and stepped into the attic.

Over by the window, sitting on a three-legged stool, was the shriveled-up mummy of an old lady in a tie-dyed hippie dress. The Oracle.

Percy made himself walk toward her. He waited for the green mist to billow from the mummy's mouth like it had before, but nothing happened.

"Hi," he said. "Uh, what's up?"

Percy winced at how stupid that sounded he said a little louder, "I have a question. I need to know about Annabeth. How can I save her?"

No answer. The sun slanted through the dirty attic window, lighting the dust motes dancing in the air.

He waited longer.

Soon he got angry and said, "All right, fine. I'll figure it out myself."

That night after dinner, Percy was seriously ready to beat the Hunters at capture the flag. It was going to be a small game: only thirteen Hunters, including Bianca di Angelo, and about the same number of campers.

Zoe Nightshade looked pretty upset. She kept glancing resentfully at Chiron like she couldn't believe he was making her do this. The other Hunters didn't look too happy, either. Unlike last night, they weren't laughing or joking around. They just huddled together in the dining pavilion, whispering nervously to each other as they strapped on their armor. Some of them even looked like they'd been crying. Maybe Zoe had told them about her nightmare.

One team had Percy, Y/N, Beckendorf, and two other Hephaestus guys, a few from the Ares cabin (though it still seemed strange that Clarisse wasn't around), the Stoll brothers, and Nico from Hermes cabin, and a few Aphrodite kids. It was weird that the Aphrodite cabin wanted to play. Usually, they sat on the sidelines, chatted, and checked their reflections in the river and stuff, but when they heard they were fighting the Hunters, they were raring to go.

"I'll show them 'love is worthless,'" Silena Beauregard grumbled as she strapped on her armor. "I'll pulverize them!"

That left Thalia and Percy.

"I'll take the offense," Thalia volunteered. "You and Y/N can take defense."

"Oh." Percy hesitated because he'd been about to say the exact same thing, only reversed. "Don't you think with your shield and all, you'd be better defense?"

"Well, I was thinking it would make better offense," Thalia said. "Besides, you've had more practice at defense."

"Yeah, no problem," he lied.

"Cool." Thalia turned to help some of the Aphrodite kids, who were having trouble suiting up their armor without breaking their nails.

"Wow, you gave in quick," Y/N chuckled, amused by their interaction. Although they weren't having long conversations as they did before, things were a bit calmer between them. Well, to be clear, Y/N wasn't seeking him out anymore. It became clearer than ever to Percy how exactly they'd been behaving with her as Annabeth went missing. Y/N was never there with them whenever they were having fun but was always there for them when they got into trouble. With Annabeth gone, and their little fight, he slowly began to understand why she preferred to spend time with Harris.

"Hey...you-" Percy got interrupted as  Chiron's hoof thundered on the pavilion floor.

"Hm?"

Percy turned to look at her. Y/N's eyes looked dull. She looked like she didn't get much sleep. He should've asked how she was doing. But...her eyes were still really pretty.

He snapped out of his thoughts as Chiron started the announcement and said, "Nothing."

"Percy!" Chiron pleaded.

Well, Camp-Half Blood lost and it was because of both Thalia and Percy. They had a little spat and were now ready to have a full-on fight. Y/N watched them from a distance. She didn't want to get in between their fight and look like some kind of messiah, saving the day by stopping her two friends' fight. They had some issues and they needed to sort it out - in what way was none of her concern. To be honest, her mind was too busy worrying about Annabeth. She already lost her aim a couple of times which made her mood bitter. She was in no mood to resolve the fight.

Percy was about to hurl it at Thalia when he saw something in the woods. He lost his anger and concentration all at once. The water splashed back into the creekbed. Thalia was so surprised that she turned to see what he was looking at.

Someone... something was approaching. It was shrouded in a murky green mist, but as it got closer, the campers and Hunters gasped.

"This is impossible," Chiron said. I'd never heard him sound so nervous. "It... she has never left the attic. Never."

And yet, the withered mummy that held the Oracle shuffled forward until she stood in the center of the group. Mist curled around their feet, turning the snow a sickly shade of green.

None of them dared to move. Then her voice hissed inside their head. Apparently, everyone could hear it, because several clutched their hands over their ears.

'I am the spirit of Delphi, the voice said. Speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python.'

The Oracle regarded him with its cold, dead eyes. Then she turned unmistakably toward Zoe Nightshade.

'Approach, Seeker, and ask.'

Zoe swallowed. "What must I do to help my goddess?"

The Oracle's mouth opened, and green mist poured out. They saw the vague image of a mountain, and a girl standing at the barren peak. It was Artemis, but she was wrapped in chains, fettered to the rocks. She was kneeling, her hands raised as if to fend off an attacker, and it looked like she was in pain. The Oracle spoke:

'Six shall go west to the goddess in chains, One shall be lost in the land without rain, The bane of Olympus shows the trail, Campers and Hunters combined prevail, The Titan's curse must one withstand, And one shall perish by a parent's hand.'

Then, as they were watching, the mist swirled and retreated like a great green serpent into the mummy's mouth. The Oracle sat down on a rock and became as still as she'd been in the attic as if she might sit by this creek for a hundred years.

Dionysus later called the council of cabin leaders to discuss the prophecy. Since almost all of the Apollo cabin members were not in the camp, Thalia suggested that she should attend. As the meeting started, everyone started talking about the prophecy and its meaning. Y/N quietly observed everyone. She was just waiting for the right moment to talk, that is when the members would be selected - who should be out there to help.

She has been training a lot and her healing abilities improved a lot. She just knew, that whoever got selected, she has to be in there to act as a healer. That was what she was good at. Well, apart from that she also improved a lot on other grounds - practicing hymns, archery, shock waves, etc.

And as expected, she was included in it. Y/N could only feel pity for Percy. It must be killing him inside cause he was the only one who was thinking about Annabeth all the time. Currently, she was sitting along with Zoe and Bianca, trying to explain how Phoebe cannot be cured as quickly as they expected her.

"How are you going to heal us then if you can't even heal Phoebe?" Bianca asked.

Y/N sighed. This was the result of a foolish prank from the Stoll brothers. Centaur blood is like acid and they sprayed the inside of that Artemis Hunting Tour T-shirt with it. "Look, for the time being, I can make sure it's not so painful for her. But even to heal it with my power, it's gonna take weeks."

It's a lie.

At the most, she could heal Phoebe in two days. Of course, she would prepare everything to make sure Phoebe is healed within a week. With the members of Apollo cabin missing, no one is there to tell them the truth anyway. And no one knew to what extent she improved. This was the only chance to include Percy. Besides, she was sure that Zoe wouldn't wait to see how better Phoebe's condition gets after taking the medicine. Before they could realize it, they would already be out to help Annabeth.

She couldn't help but be selfish about it. If she knew Percy even a little bit, she was sure that he wasn't going to stay in the camp anyway. He would sneak out once again. God knows how, where and what he could be doing alone. It would be better to include him than to do nothing, knowing he was about to be kicked out of the camp again.

"She will live," Zoe said. "But she'll be bedridden for weeks with horrible hives. There is no way she can go. It's up to me... and thee."

"But the prophecy," Bianca said. "If Phoebe can't go, we only have five. We'll have to pick another."

"There is no time," Zoe said. "We must leave at first light. That's immediately. Besides, the prophecy said we would lose one."

"We can include Percy, you know. I swear you won't have to deal with him in any way."

"The prophecy said we will lose one," Zoe looked straight into her eyes and said, "We both know you don't want that."

"How are you even sure it's gonna be him?" Y/N asked in a tone filled with annoyance.

"No, I know that if six of us go, one is bound to..." she cleared her throat, "There's less chance of that if only five of us go."

Bianca was silent. "You should tell her the rest of your dream."

"What dream?" Y/N asked.

"No. It would not help."

"But if your suspicions are correct, about the General—"

"I have thy word not to talk about that," Zoe said. She sounded really anguished. "We will find out soon enough. Now come. Dawn is breaking."

As the girls sprinted down the steps, Y/N stopped and turned to her left. She could swear she heard someone breathe. Bianca yelled, "The lights of the Big House are on. Hurry!" And she followed her out of the pavilion.

Percy was almost caught. Y/N had a good sense of hearing. He almost made a sound when Y/N turned to look at him.

For a moment, he couldn't look away. They were standing so close to each other and her eyes...were glistening. Oh, she was trying her best to not cry on the spot. She tried her best for him, didn't she? His eyes couldn't help but go down to her lips.

Thankfully, Bianca called her at the right moment. He almost forgot the position he was standing in.

next: chapter seven >

book three: the titan’s curse

percy jackson x reader series

MASTERLIST

Tags: @the-natureofme @sly-prince @kookiedesi @instabull @jumpingtrainsandflyingskies @idk-bye-no @your-typical-giggle @fjschl​ @imuziawi​ @iamparou​ @marshmallow12435​

[k0ra-kumori]

Jealous Batboys (DC Super Hero Girls 2019)

Hello, my name is Kora kumori and I'm Brazilian, so sorry if there are any grammatical errors in the story! (This story is based on dc super hero girls 2019)

word count ; 1602

pairings ; Batboys x reader

genre ; fluffy / Smut

warnings: contains adult content.

Dick Grayson

- You two were at a party, and there were two guys around you.

- my friend, he is very jealous.

- Dick may seem the most peaceful among his brothers, but don't be fooled.

- He will grab your waist tightly in front of the intruders.

- "Excuse me boys, I don't know if you know me but my name is Dick Grayson, I'm Bruce Wayne's son" Yes, that was a threat. It's almost as if dick wants to say "I'm very powerful, so don't mess with me or my girl."

- When he introduces himself, it usually keeps the intruders away, but this time not, this time the two men were not intimidated by the name "Dick Grayson" so dick moves on to the second stage.

- Dick whispers something in your ear and then gives you a kiss, then he leaves. You were confused.

- You were uncomfortable because the two men were still on your side, blocking your exit.

- Dick comes back after about 10 minutes, you wanted to hit him for taking so long.

- "You two are expelled." Dick said to the men, they were perplexed "You and bruce wayne run the city, not us. So why would we go out?", Dick gives a stupid smile "As you said, bruce wayne and I ran the city, and I bought it this club, and you are at my club in my town, so get out or i going to be forced to call the guards. "

- You were jaw-dropping and speechless, did he just buy a club so he could kick out the guys who flirted with you? Dick was really the most amazing guy in Gotham.

Jason Todd (18+)

- Okay, for Jason blood and jealousy mix very easily.

- You were in a bar, if dick saw that jason took you to a place like this, he would protest.

- You were there because the owner of the bar was none other than Artemis, so you could drink for free.

-Sometimes you forget that Jason is a vigilante, and unfortunately for him, there was a robbery across the street, Jason said he was going to solve it quickly and that he would be back soon, he kissed you goodbye.

"In the meantime, a man much older than you approached, and he was ... flirting with you?" That was disgusting.

- Jason has a sensor to know when they are flirting with you, because he showed up just in time.

- Jason took a glass of beer and drank, he hit the glass aggressively against the table when he finished.

- "Did you miss something in my girlfriend's breasts, you idiot?" Jason gripped his waist so tightly that it was scarred the next day.

- The man looked drunk, so he replied "Is this angel your girlfriend? You teenagers are idiots, you shouldn't be dating, so she should be dating an older guy--"

- That alone was enough to free the demon that Jason calls "rage" and it was all too fast, the man didn't even speak and Jason jumped on him, they were punching each other, kicking, everything to get hurt .

- You were so used to seeing Jason involved in bar fights that you didn't even care, in fact, you even like it when he gets involved in fights, because you know what happens after he finishes fighting.

- The fight lasted about 2 minutes, and as much as they tried, nobody could get Jason off the guy, and Artemis seemed more interested in cleaning cups than separating the fight.

- "I'll be right back, doll." Jason gave you a deep, hot kiss, very hot. He was angry and had just killed a drunk in front of everyone, he was dragging the man's body to the warehouse, you knew that in a few minutes he would have nothing but bones.

- Okay, he came back, and there he is, Jason todd all bloody, did you think it was weird that it took him less than 10 minutes, "Hey, but so fast?", Jason looked angrier than before, "He only had fat . " You were going to say something else, but Jason pulled your arm so fast that you didn't have time, you knew what happened when Jason got mad, and an angry and hungry jason resulted in things ... hot.

- he pulled you into the car, and threw you hard, you could already see the bulge between his legs, "Jason, yo--", Jason was horny, and was squeezing the steering wheel of the car, "I won't be able to wait until we get to the mansion, let's do it here.", " What?! We can't do it here, if a policeman catches us we'll be in trouble... "Jason shut you up with a kiss, he was now on top of you shirtless, showing his entire collection of scars, "I said we would do this here."

Tim Drake:

Tim is almost a robot, he feels emotions only inside, but shows nothing.

- You were in a coffee shop, Tim needed to finish a job.

- You were bored with watching him typing on his laptop, the coffe shop was empty and you could only hear the sound of the keys.

- "Coffee, can you get me another S / N?" You looked at Tim confusedly "You mean Y / N can you get me a coffee?", "That's what I said. Can you get it?" You were already getting worried about Tim, he hadn't slept for 3 days, it seems that being vigilant and a student is not easy.

- Well, you got up and went to get a coffee for your sleepy boyfriend for the 4th time, Tim like the biggest coffee, so you got the biggest one, and when you were going back to the table with Tim, a man unwittingly hits you, spilling all the coffee on your clothes.

- He seemed sorry, and apologized countless times, and somehow, those apologies turned into a conversation. You were enjoying chatting with your new best friend, until he asks "Do you have a boyfriend?", You loved Tim, and of course you replied that you did, and pointed to Tim.

- your friend wanted to forget that he asked this, so when you were going to talk again, "Hey Y / N." Tim came out of nowhere, the two of you jumped out of your seats, Tim had this Bizarre gift of being too silent.

- "Hi my love, let me introduce you to ..." Before you finished, tim completed his sentence, "Edward hanscom." Tim said coldly, "Yes! How did you know? I didn't even--" Tim interrupted you again, "I know a lot of things, and we better get going, I finished my job."

- "I-I think I'm leaving, Y / N, I'll see you the other day ..." Edward was about to walk out the door, when Dick came in, he was at work now (Officer) "Mr. Hanscom?" Edward nodded, "Y-yes it's me ...", "You're under arrest" and said, dick handcuffed edward and took him to the car to make sure he wouldn't run away, after doing that dick returned to the coffee shop.

- "Tim and S / N? How nice to see you here!", Tim just muttered something, and you waved happily at Dick, "I don't want to intrude but, why did you arrest him? I talked to him a few minutes ago." , "oh he? He was caught by cameras in a super market stealing food, I'm going to take him to the police station" you were worried about it, Edward didn't look like a criminal, so why was he being arrested?

- You thought for a moment and looked into the dick car, you found Jason inside. "D-dick, are you sure you are taking Edward to the police station? ...", "Certainly. Well, it was nice to talk to you but I better get back, I have work to do, see you soon, Tim and S / N! " Then he was gone, dick is gone.

- You left the coffee shop, you were going to the Wayne Mansion now "Edward was cool, it's a shame he is a criminal, and I'm not sure if Dick will take him to the police station I hope he will be fine ...", "he will be fine." You were a little uncomfortable with what happened a few minutes ago, so you took Tim's hand, "So, what were you working on, my little bird? You've been at it for two weeks" Tim looked at you "I was trying to locate a guy.", You were curious now, "A guy? You usually work with more important things than that, my love", Tim looked at you seriously" It was very important, that guy has spent 3 times looking at the butt of a guy's girlfriend, this is disrespectful.", you rolled your eyes, Tim gave too much detail, "Okay, so what was his name?", "Edward Hanscom."

- You were in shock, he spent 2 weeks locating that guy who came to flirted to you at the Coffee shop?!, "You idiot! Dick is going to give Edward as food for Jason!" You pushed Tim lightly, he was now laughing "Dick knows how to control that beast, besides, that Edward guy looked at your ass!", "You are an idiot Tim, you sent the guy to prison!" Tim now hugged you, "Relax, i will let him go tomorrow, that was just for him to learn not to look at the ass of others' girlfriend", you were silent, until you think of something to talk about "You know Tim, you can do it be bizarre and scary at the same time, but I love y--" for the thousandth time, Tim interrupted you "I love you too.", you started laughing now" You have to stop interrupting me! This is scary you silly!"

[lifeofroos]

Hello there!

I've read you've studied a lot of literature and myths. Could you please write date ideas for gods?

I could!

'Gods' is a very broad term. For now, I limited myself to the twelve Olympians, plus Hestia, Hades, Persephone (so... the popular gods, I guess). If there is anyone else you'd like to read about, let me know!

Zeus: Makes you feel like a queen. Praises you to high heavens and beyond. Spoiling, tons of spoiling. Only the best restaurants, the best food, the best wine. He'd give you jewelry you didn't even know money could buy. Somewhere, you know that what you are doing might be wrong, and it might hurt you down the line, but then why does it feel so right?

Hera: She knows only one way to love, and that is with high passion and loyalty. Perhaps dates don’t apply to her. She goes for all or nothing. A whole life, or not even a second out of it. She is more on the receiving end of dates - and she won't settle for anything that isn't the very best.

Poseidon: He asks you if you want to go swimming. First, you think it is pervy. Then you realise, no, it is genuine ánd pervy. And once your body hits the water, you love it. Hey, eye-candy goes both ways...

Demeter (Be warned: There will be flowers): She asks you on a date with a bouquet of thoughtful flowers and a tiny note. The actual date is either a long walk, with a home-made picnic (Remember to bring something too!), or working a garden patch together. Nothing too difficult, nothing too hard: You are meant to enjoy yourself. She wouldn't expose you to her hard toiling on a (first) date.

Ares: Perhaps he takes you to the battlefield, perhaps it's a wrestling match (He might participate!), or otherwise he might request to brawl with you personally. In the end, if you do fall in love, it won't be because of the first date. It would be the fiery, ever-showing passion you won't be able to escape.

Athena: The little, cliché book shop or museum date, typical nerds together, and it will be amazing. Holding hands, reading little blurbs to each other, pointing to artwork that makes you think of each other. If it gets a little more funky, you go to a modern art museum. Nothing better then analysing post-modern and avant-garde art together with the goddess of wisdom and the arts... if you can keep up!

Apollo: This guy got a couple of things from his dad... one of them being his talent to spoil, overwelm and praise you. Perhaps you won't feel like a queen, but you'll be a princess on your throne. Nice restaurants, concerts, and his speciality: Serenades. He'll serenade you and it won't even be cheesy! He loves making music together, too, saying it symbolises the harmony between the two of you. And yes: There will be poetry. Don't worry, there will be more then enough poetry!

Artemis: Well, the one thing she likes is friendship-dates with her girls. If you consider lounging in a hot spring with some nice snacks and gossip after a long days hunting a friendship-date!

Hephaestus: Perhaps it wouldn't come to a date, immedaitely. He's too shy. He would shower you with gifts, though, both pratical and beautiful. if you suddenly find yourself with a golden, intrequitely made garlic press, perhaps it's time to ask HIM on a date...

Aphrodite: You find yourself in a club pressed against the wall with her mouth on yours and your heart beating all throughout your body, passion sprouting from every pore of you. How did you get here, exactly? You only had a single glass of wine! Well, no matter, it´s not like you mind...

Hermes: If you ever find yourself at the top of the Eiffeltower, gazing at the tower of Pisa or posing on the great wall of China on the first date, chances are it is Hermes who brought you there. He loves travel maybe even more then he loves you!

Dionysus: You were on a date... you think. You are a little too tipsy to remember. You just want to dance with this guy right now, dance real close, perhaps get even closer. Vines coil around you... in a club? How did that happen? No matter, no matter, just kiss me now, please, kiss me hard...

Hestia: You sit by a fire. She says this is where she is most comfortable. You tell her you feel comfortable, too. You take a sip from your tea, eat a bit of homemade cake. It feels like it will all be alright as long as she´s by your side.

Hades: You did not expect this, exactly. You don’t even remember this starting out as a date. Yet he promises you you´ll be his queen, and he’ll be your king, and it’s the sincerity in his eyes that tips you over. He gifts you a crown, fills your goblet up again. He smiles. ‘All I want is for you to be mine.’

Persephone: Her mama taught her she should give you flowers, and she does not settle for a little bouquet. On the date you find yourself in a meadow filled with flowers, on a little bench, with many cups of flower tea. Of course, it’s not possible, but you start to think it’s making you a little tipsy! But, perhaps that is just your crush...

[cheekygreenty]

Little Witch- Part 11

The Darkling x Reader

I’m backkkkkkkkk besties 🥰🥰

The rest of the day was spent doused in the work the Darkling had given you earlier, so the time you would have spent otherwise mulling over his plans for the stag had to be pushed out of the way.

You had plenty of time left until the evening's dinner, where you would be formally announced as Deputy General to the Grisha of the Little Palace. You had already signed off on official letters to the camp commanders and First-Army leaders stating your position, but you doubted there would be any fuss from them.

Your own Grisha is who you had to be worried about. They didn't do well with change. Especially not when it came to a mysterious all-powerful Grisha coming and taking control of an army they'd never seen them be a part of before.

Nonetheless, this was happening whether they wanted it or not. Ravka needed to present a united front and adding another person to strengthen said front was essential. All you hoped for was a peaceful transition, no blood-baths. To hell if they whispered or rumored, you could handle that, you've been handling it.

You had a list of ever-changing priorities in your head, and on top of it was always Alina. You cared for your Grisha, no matter how much they hated you or how much you disliked them, and Alina wasn't any exception. You felt a pang of guilt flow through you at the thought of Aleksander using her against her better conscience but you shoved it away quickly. There was nothing you could do but talk to him and question him about the plan.

The plan. The stupid plan. You called it stupid because you didn't know anything about it and against your better judgment, it made you doubt his trust. Was it so bad, so cruel, that he couldn't tell me? Before you came to the Little Palace, you told yourself you wouldn't blindly trust anybody anymore. Aleksander had to be held to that standard too.

Your door was left slightly ajar, you were sick of the knocking at this point so when you heard a feminine voice call out your name you looked up instantly, ready to be hit with more reports.

'Ms.Y/L/N? I have been sent by the General to see if you wish to use any of my help' The red-haired Grisha looked at you with her bright blue eyes. Her white kefta pressed to perfection.

'You must be Genya' You stood up and welcomed her in.

'Sorry about the room, as you can see I don't have a proper desk yet' you laughed and watched her closely as she studied you. 'What do you do exactly? It's been years since I heard of a tailor and I've never had the pleasure to meet one.'

You noticed a look of surprise at your black kefta. If she had any questions, she most certainly didn't feel comfortable asking, he probably told her not to ask.

'I do all sorts of things, change the color of your hair, get rid of pesky scars, anything you don't like about yourself really..... well except your character, there's nothing anyone can do about that' She waved off and sat you down at your vanity, carefully pushing papers to one side.

'So? How about it?' She looked at you through the mirror and you pondered.

'Maybe the eye bags need to go?'

She nodded deeply, 'Definitely' you couldn't help but feel a little offended, but mostly amused.

'What do you propose then, Genya?'

'Hmmm, the eyebags for sure, put some color on your cheeks,-' She combed her hands through your hair and bit the inside of her cheek '-the hair needs something too, perhaps some shine?'

'Perhaps' You mused.

'I shall get to work then' she smiled.

****

After your pampering session with Genya and prying her open (more like soothing her) to talking about life at the Palaces and her life, you came to the conclusion that you would die for her. She was so kind and strong, no wonder she and Alina were always seen together, they were two peas in a pod. Her humor and wittiness, like yours, was refreshing, a breath of fresh air in the stiff and formal palace.

You didn't bother changing. The truth was you were tired already and a full day hadn't even passed of your new job. How did I do this for so many years? But still, you managed to put on your bravest smile and walk in the domed hall with your head held high and your black kefta on a show like a trophy.

Unlike the other time you and Aleksander dined together here, he was already sitting in his chair. Ivan was standing, ready to announce any war news and casualties. You could see Alina looking at you with a confused look on her face, but she still gave you a welcoming smile.

You sat down and cleared your throat in the deafening silence. Ivan began to speak but you heard none of it. Your head too full with thoughts on how this situation could go. You felt Aleksander move his hand to your thigh in a calming manner. You looked over to him and shot him a tight smile, before looking back to Ivan who was sitting down. Here goes nothing.

You stood up with Aleksander. The Grisha in the room couldn't understand what was going on, who was that person, wearing black nonetheless, sitting at the right side of the Darkling, on her own custom chair. The list of anomalies was never-ending.

He spoke first 'Today is a monumental day for the Second-Army, for all Grisha, for Ravka. Y/N Y/L/N has returned to the Little Palace and will be reprising her role of Deputy General, Second in Command of the Second Army.'

Nobody spoke but if looks could kill, I would be halfway into my grave by now.

'Ms. Y/L/N will play an essential part in our fight for freedom and justice. She is an outstanding leader, sometimes even better than I am, for she leads with compassion and understanding for all. She deserves nothing but the utmost respect and loyalty. If you for one second doubt her abilities, you might as well put cuffs around your own wrists, for disrespecting her is disrespect for me. I put my full faith in her.'

He turns to you and sits down, giving you all the attention.

'None of you will remember my reign as Deputy General, but I assure you I know what I am doing. The Little Palace and your lives are of most importance to me. I am here to protect and care for you, yes I will be giving commands, but rest be assured they are in your best interest.'

'I don't represent one order of Grisha, I represent and unite all of you-' You look towards the Etherialki '-I can summon the strongest of gales and light the Palace's fires-'

You turn your head toward the Materialki '-I can bend any metal, bleed fabric of its color-'

Your eyes meet Fedyor's '-I can soothe a heart and crush every bone in a body-'

You stand straighter '- and I can summon the shadows, call the darkness. With me at your side, I will make the Grisha kind loved once again, we will not be hunted or enslaved. Ravka's borders will be peaceful. I am putting my trust into each and every single one of you to help me achieve our utopia'

You sit back down and only then do you notice your shaking hands. You don't dare look up out of fear but a calming hand on your back almost forces you to. And you're glad because almost every Grisha in the room is looking, no, worshipping you. Their eyes glazed over and their mouths open in shock. Even Zoya looked astounded.

He leans in to whisper in your ear 'I'm so proud of you'

*****

You ate amongst the other Grisha that night, feeling a sense of belonging and confidence pulsing through you. It went down way better than you'd expected. Nobody threw a fit or tried your life. And you were happy. The sleep you had that night was the best you'd had in years.

The next morning, and the morning after that, was taken up entirely by work. Aleksander went away and so you were left with the runt of the jobs. But you had made yourself extremely comfortable in his quarters. At first, you only came to make use of the war room, then you sat at his desk to drink your tea and concentrate on work, and ultimately fell asleep in his bed, enclosed by his scent and those forgiving black sheets.

There was so much work to do and only so many hours in the day, and Aleksander decided to make life that much harder by renewing the search for Morozova's stag. You couldn't keep up.

You were waiting on a certain somebody. You had instructed the oprichniki to bring her here right after she was done with Baghra, no later. And so you stood there, inspecting the war table when a gentle knock echoed throughout the room.

'Come in'

'Deputy General' She addressed you with a curt nod.

'Please Alina, call me Y/N' you looked at her from your place at the table, hands resting on the map. She looked slightly uncomfortable but way less scrawny than when you'd first seen her. Her hair was filler and her skin glowed. She looked healthy now. Aleksander must see this too.

'I can see using your powers has affected you in more ways than one.'

'Oh-yes umm.. my appetite's grown so much since I got here it's rather funny' She was growing more comfortable.

'That's completely normal if you're using your powers more often' You smiled and walked around to her. 'I thought we could have a cup of tea or two, and you could tell me all about yourself Alina, and the things that are troubling you. I don't want you to feel like you're all alone in this place.'

'Dep- Y/N I assure you I am most certainly fine. There’s no need t-’

'I was once like you… and I can sense a troubled soul with my eyes closed.'

She stared at you with her defensive walls up, not letting any emotion slip though the cracks behind her eyes.

‘Alina… I mean you no harm. I’m just worried. Isn’t it nice to have someone worry for Alina and not the sun-summoner for a change?’ You cracked a sad smile and walked over to the tea the servants had brought.

‘Sugar?’

Part 12

Taglist (tell me if u want to be added!!)

@theonelittleone @searching-for-gallifrey @0-artemis @lostysworld @xceafh @fire-in-her-veinz @patdsinner33 @cleverzonkwombatsludge @wizardwheezes @aleksanderwh0r3 @tomhollandisabae @hotleaf-juice @justmesadgirl @exo-1204 @houseofdupree @oberonpascal @eireduchess

[cazimagines]

Cazzy, dear! Congratulations on your 900 followers! You deserve it! You writing is fantastic and the writer herself is a sweetie! 💛💛💛 I don't know if you are still taking requests but I wanted to request anything from the smut list with Sebastian Zöllner 👀 (i swear that I tried to pick one but as I was reading the list i just "ohhh this is nice" at least 20 times so... yeah)

Thank you, Artemis 🥺 you are so amazing and kind!

I couldn't decide either 😅 so I consulted @rumblelibrary on the matter and we decided to go with the smut quote, "I couldn't stop thinking about you all day" and the 'Sex in car' so here we go!

It was a normal Saturday.

The radio quietly played in the background as you cleaned the plates from when you had been making an apple crumble which now sat half-eaten on the countertop. Your cat, Mittens, walks between your legs, rubbing up against you in an attempt to try and con more food out of you.

You giggled at her effort, bending down to give her a scratch on the top of her head which had her purring.

You glanced out of the window in front of you, sighing happily as you watched your prized roses lightly sway in the wind, the way the letterbox that you had painted yourself fitted in with the colour scheme of your house made you abundantly happy.

Yes, this was a normal Saturday afternoon.

Until it wasn't.

You watched in shock as a car rounded the corner, and though it had lots of space, it managed to drive straight into your letterbox, subsequently knocking it over.

"What the fuck!" you yell, almost dropping the plate in your hand in surprise. Quickly after placing it down, you picked up the end of your skirts to run quickly to your front door and confront the driver, but as you opened the door you saw a man you had hoped you'd never see again.

"Y/n!" he yelled gleefully, throwing his arms up into the air in excitement.

You groaned, closing your eyes for a second, hoping, praying that when you opened them he wouldn't be there, but when you did he was still there, lifting his sunglasses up and down on his eyes smiling at you.

"Are you drunk?" is your first few words to him, causing him to frown in confusion,

"No?"

"You don't sound very sure"

"I'm confused as to why you would think such things!"

You point to your broken letterbox but Sebastian just scoffs and waves it off.

"I'm not drunk, I'm high!"

"High???"

"High! High on love my dear y/n"

You sighed, once again closing your eyes hoping that this wasn't happening.

"Sebastian, we've been broken up for three years now"

"And you have been on my mind ever since, every year, every month, every day. Like today, I couldn't stop thinking about you all day"

"You're crazy"

"Perhaps, but I've come to take you away, come let's go" he urges, opening the passenger's seat for you to get in but you shake your head.

"I'm not going anyway with you Sebastian"

"Sebastian, Sebastian" he mutters, "Why Sebastian, you always called me Seb before"

"When we were dating, we are no longer dating after you stole that money from me"

"I was going to give it back!"

You scoff, knowing very well he wouldn't and from the look of his worn, messy suit that was almost falling off him, he still didn't have much money, which made you frown at the expensive car beside them.

"Sebastian... where did you get that car?"

"I stole it from my ex-girlfriend"

"You did what?" you exclaim, not believing he could surprise you anymore, yet he did.

"Here look, come with me in the car and we'll take it back together"

"No! There is no need for me to come you should do it on your own"

"But I might not! I might drive somewhere completely different, but if you are there I'll make sure to drive to the correct place"

You bite your lip, a part of you saying you should go, while a part of you said you shouldn't.

"I'd have no way to get back home" you mutter,

"I'll pay for your taxi, she'll pay!"

You sigh and resign yourself to its fate and quickly get into the car. Sebastian smiles widely at you and quickly runs to the other side of the car and gets in.

At first, the car ride was awkward, with Sabastian trying to talk to you, and you effectively ignoring him until he resulted in turning on the music in the car.

You almost chuckled as you heard the familiar sound of the Bay City Rollers 'Saturday night' starting to play through the speakers, fitting for today.

Sebastian rolled down his car window and stuck his head out, enjoying the feeling of the wind rushing through his hair though it made you anxious about his driving. As the lyrics started he shouted them out to the wind.

"S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!, S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!"

You rolled your eyes at his excitement and Sabastian caught it, "Come on! Sing along. You're not going to tell me you've now gone off the Bay City Rollers, you used to sing to me 'Bye-bye baby' all the time, I certainly listened to it a lot after you left"

A soft smile breaks out upon your face as you start to sway to the music and watch how much Sebastian was enjoying himself. It was almost like the good old days when you two were together and it made your heartache missing them.

"Sing!" he exclaimed, looking back over to you, and you just had to give in.

"At the good ol' rock and roll, Folk show, I've gotta go!, Saturday night, Saturday night" you sing alongside him, the mood of the song lifting your spirits a lot.

That's how you and Sebastian spent your trip, driving through landscapes blasting music as loud as you could, singing your hearts out until finally, he pulled in on a ledge on a hill, looking out over a landscape.

"Sebastian this isn't-" you begin but he cuts you off before you could state you weren't at his ex's house.

"I know, I know, I lied, it's just... I really missed you, I missed us, this. It's, it's not the same without you y/n"

You shake your head, feeling your heart falling, "Seb, don't do this, please"

"Why not? We both want this"

"I can't set myself up for heartbreak again"

He licks his lips and then grasps your hand tightly. "I promise y/n, I can change, I won't steal your money again, I won't runoff. Please, Let me have another chance"

He gave you those goddam pleading, puppy dog eyes, tears welling up. He knew how to play you like a fiddle and of course, you gave into him.

Nodding, a smile broke out onto his face and instantly he grasped your face and pulled it onto his, kissing you passionately. You reached up and grabbed his long hair, wrapping it in your fingers and tugging it making him moan into your mouth. After a bit, he tried to push himself nearer you but there wasn't enough space.

"Let's take this to the back," you say and he nod's excitingly.

Getting out of the front of the car, it hardly took you a second till you both were in the back, and you found yourself lying down on the back seats as Seb pushed your skirt up to your thighs and slowly pulled your pants off.

You had to hold onto the side of the seat as you gasped when you felt his tongue lick your sensitive area, twisting upon your clit before diving into your cunt, quickly lapping at you.

His fingers tightened around your thighs as he pushed his mouth into you, determined to have you cum on his face.

Say all the bad stuff you want about Seb, but one thing he always knew how to do well was eat you out, he was an expert at it. In only a few minutes he had you quivering before him, calling out his name, and oh the wonders that did to him, hearing his name upon your lips, it made him more eager, pushing his tongue as far as he could inside of you until you were coming on his face.

He licked up as much as he could before finally pulling his face out of your legs and slowly climbing on top of you to kiss you again, letting you taste yourself upon him.

With one hand he interlocked his fingers with yours, holding you gently and with the other he undid his fly and pulled himself out, slotting his legs between your thighs to start pushing into you.

You cried out and let out a loud moan feeling the way he stretched you out, and Seb also heaved and moaning into your neck as he trailed kisses upon it.

"Oh god, how I've missed you y/n. I've missed this so much"

"No one has ever been the same" you gasp as he starts to move his hips thrusting into yours slow as first, but then picking up the pace.

"That's because you were meant for me, no one else could satisfy you the way I do, and no one else ever will get a chance to"

"I'm all yours" you exclaimed in the heat of the moment, and at hearing your words he eagerly pushed his hand under your skirt to rub your clit, making your back arch from blinding, please.

"Seb- I'm going, I'm going to"

He grunted as he pushed into you as hard as he could "Same" was all he was able to say before you felt his seed spill into you as he stilled and the feeling of him cumming within you was enough to send you into your own blinding pleasure, your eyes rolling back as you let out a loud moan.

Eventually, he collapsed onto you, breathing heavily as he pressed lots of kisses upon your face, saying how beautiful and amazing you were,

You sighed, wrapping your arm around him to hold him close. You knew he wouldn't keep his promises, you knew he would run off eventually, that's just who he was, but at least for now, you got a chance to pretend that wasn't so.

[kookie-doughs]

Y/N L/N AND THE HALFBLOODS

Percy Jackson X Reader

-Y/N L/N met Percy Jackson and everything is now ruined.

Chapter 22: Then It Ended

As soon as we came, Annabeth ang Grover tackled me. We were the first heroes to return alive to Half-Blood Hill since Luke, so of course everybody treated us as if we'd won some reality-TV contest. According to camp tradition, we wore laurel wreaths to a big feast prepared in our honor, then led a procession down to the bonfire, where we got to burn the burial shrouds our cabins had made for us in our absence.

Annabeth's shroud was so beautiful—gray silk with embroidered owls— Percy told her it seemed a shame not to bury her in it. She punched him and told him to shut up. Percy being the son of Poseidon, he didn't have any cabin mates, so the Ares cabin had volunteered to make his shroud. They'd taken an old bedsheet and painted smiley faces with X'ed-out eyes around the border, and the word LOSER painted really big in the middle.

As I was still unclaimed, Hermes cabin had made me one. (Just... IDK go crazy with your shroud IG) It was fun to burn. As Apollo's cabin led the sing-along and passed out s'mores, Percy and I was surrounded by my Hermes cabinmates, Annabeth's friends from Athena, and Grover's satyr buddies, who were admiring the brand-new searcher's license he'd received from the Council of Cloven Elders. The council had called Grover's performance on the quest "Brave to the point of indigestion. Horns-and-whiskers above anything we have seen in the past." The only ones not in a party mood were Clarisse and her cabinmates, whose poisonous looks told me they'd never forgive us for disgracing their dad. That was okay with me. Even Dionysus's welcome-home speech wasn't enough to dampen my spirits. "Yes, yes, so the little brats didn't get themselves killed and now they'll have an even bigger head. Well, huzzah for that. In other announcements, there will be no canoe races this Saturday...." Going back to the cabin I finally had time to talk to Luke. Who just expressed his relief of me being fine, and how he was scared when Annabeth told everyone about me. No wonder everyone was so shocked seeing me come back with Percy. On the Fourth of July, the whole camp gathered at the beach for a fireworks display by cabin nine. Being Hephaestus's kids, they weren't going to settle for a few lame red-white-and-blue explosions. They'd anchored a barge offshore and loaded it with rockets the size of Patriot missiles. According to Annabeth, who'd seen the show before, the blasts would be sequenced so tightly they'd look like frames of animation across the sky. The finale was supposed to be a couple of hundred-foot-tall Spartan warriors who would crackle to life above the ocean, fight a battle, then explode into a million colors. As Annabeth, Percy and I were spreading a picnic blanket, Grover showed up to tell us good-bye. He was dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt and sneakers, but in the last few weeks he'd started to look older, almost high-school age. His goatee had gotten thicker. He'd put on weight. His horns had grown at least an inch, so he now had to wear his rasta cap all the time to pass as human. "I'm off," he said. "I just came to say ... well, you know." I tried to feel happy for him. After all, it wasn't every day a satyr got permission to go look for the great god Pan. But it was hard saying good-bye. I'd only known Grover a year, yet he was my oldest friend. Annabeth and I gave him a hug. She told him to keep his fake feet on. I asked him where he was going to search first. "Kind of a secret," he said, looking embarrassed. "I wish you could come with me, guys, but humans and Pan ..." "We understand," Annabeth said. "You got enough tin cans for the trip?" "Yeah." "And you remembered your reed pipes?" "Jeez, Annabeth," he grumbled. "You're like an old mama goat." But he didn't really sound annoyed. He gripped his walking stick and slung a backpack over his shoulder. He looked like any hitchhiker you might see on an American highway. "Well," he said, "wish me luck." He gave Annabeth and I another hug. He clapped Percy on the shoulder, then headed back through the dunes. Fireworks exploded to life overhead: Hercules killing the Nemean lion, Artemis chasing the boar, George Washington (who, by the way, was a son of Athena) crossing the Delaware. "Hey, Grover," Percy called. He turned at the edge of the woods. "Wherever you're going—I hope they make good enchiladas." Grover grinned, and then he was gone, the trees closing around him. "We'll see him again," Annabeth said. July passed. I spent my daysplanning out strategies with Luke for capture-the-flag and making alliances with the other cabins to keep the banner out of Ares's hands. I got to the top of the climbing wall for the first time without getting scorched by lava. From time to time, Percy and I would walk past the Big House, he'd glance up at the attic windows, and think about the Oracle.

I tried to convince him that its prophecy had come to completion. "You shall go west, and face the god who has turned." "Been there, done that—even though the traitor god had turned out to be Ares rather than Hades." "You shall find what was stolen, and see it safe returned." "Check. One master bolt delivered. One helm of darkness back on Hades." "You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend." Percy recited. "Ares had pretended to be our friend, then betrayed us. That must be what the Oracle meant.... Or maybe Nereid?"

"And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end." He sighed. "I had failed to save my mom and lost you..."

"So why are you still uneasy?" The last night of the summer session came all too quickly. The campers had one last meal together. We burned part of our dinner for the gods. At the bonfire, the senior counselors awarded the end-of-summer beads. Percy and I got our own leather necklace, and when I saw the bead for my first summer. The design was pitch black, with a sea-green trident shimmering in the center.

"This is so beautiful..." I smiled to Percy. "The choice was unanimous," Luke announced. "This bead commemorates the first Son of the Sea God at this camp, and the quest he undertook into the darkest part of the Underworld to stop a war!" The entire camp got to their feet and cheered. Even Ares's cabin felt obliged to stand. Athena's cabin steered Annabeth to the front so she could share in the applause. I'm not sure I'd ever felt as happy or sad as I did at that moment. I'd finally found a family, people who cared about me and thought I'd done something right. And in the morning, most of them would be leaving for the year. * * * The next morning, Luke called me. He gave me a paper, telling me to fill it out, and asked me to meet him as soon as I could. I knew Dionysus must've filled it out, because he stubbornly insisted on getting my name wrong: Dear (WRONG NAME) , If you intend to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, you must inform the Big House by noon today. If you do not announce your intentions, we will assume you have vacated your cabin or died a horrible death. Cleaning harpies will begin work at sundown. They will be authorized to eat any unregistered campers. All personal articles left behind will be incinerated in the lava pit. Have a nice day! Mr. D (Dionysus) Camp Director, Olympian Council #12 That's another thing about ADHD. Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face. Summer was over, and I still don't know what to do. I had no where to go to. The only option I had was Percy's or maybe Hades was not joking about inviting me back to the Underworld. Sighing I decided to just meet Luke before filling it for second opinions. The campgrounds were mostly deserted, shimmering in the August heat. All the campers were in their cabins packing up, or running around with brooms and mops, getting ready for final inspection. Argus was helping some of the Aphrodite kids haul their Gucci suitcases and makeup kits over the hill, where the camp's shuttle bus would be waiting to take them to the airport. I was walking around looking for Luke. I jumped when I felt someone tap me from behind. I instinctively unsheathed my knife and turned only to see Luke with his hands raised.

"Whoa! Calm down just me." He laughed.

"Kinda weird seeing someone laugh at a knife pointed at them." I smirked sheathing my knife.

"I only laugh since its you." He smiled and ruffled my hair. "Are you done with everything?"

"Not really. I don't know whether to leave or not yet. That's why I came. Help me?" I asked him.

He turned to me and to the forest. "How about you hear me out about something... important and private... then decide?" He gestured towards the forest.

"Not planning on killing me are you?" I squinted at him.

He gasped. "Not you. Never. I would never hurt you."

I let him lead me to a shrouded area of the forest.

"How serious is this thing that you can't let anyone see? I am blindly trusting you here Luke." I laughed nervously. But when he didn't reply I felt something was off. "Luke, okay this isn't cool. How deep into the forest do we have to go?"

"Y/N remember when you said... You want to be the person I trust...? How you promised to help me?"

"Luke?" He took my hand and pulled me sharply. I winced at how hard he pulled me. "That hurts! Let me go!"

He snapped back and let go of my wrist. "I-I'm sorry... Y/N..."

As much as I knew I had to leave, I couldn't I was worried about him. I reluctantly placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's happening?"

"I did it..." I said and sat on the ground. "I swear I didn't mean to get you hurt. But, I confess to everything. I  stole bolt and helm, I summoned the hound, I gave Percy the cursed shoes... And just now, I tried to kill Percy Jackson." He looked at me with empty eyes.

I shot up and looked at him in emotions I couldn't put in words. "W-Wh---" I wanted to leave and check on Percy. But once again, seeing him right now... I need to stay with him. "Why are you telling me this...?"

"Join me... please?" his voice was weak. He sounded vulnerable. "Let's serve my Lord together..."

"L-Luke... no. I-I can't do that!" I took his shoulder, "Y-You should stay with me instead. How about that, huh? L-Let's explain to Chiron and the others... come on please. I could help you!"

Nothing was working.

"Come with me..." He muttered.

"Luke, I won't join you. You have to change your mind. You can't do this."

"I can't change my mind."

"I can help you with that? How about you go with me huh? I could spend all my time doing this and that. Please, just change your mind."

He didn't reply for a while until he whispered, "Promise me."

"Promise you what?"

"You'll stay with me."

"What? Luke I wo--"

"You won't join... Just...don't stay here for the year... and stay with me."

"I-If I stay with you... what would that mean?"

"Yo-You... might change my mind."

"I'll go." I replied with no hesitation. "I'll leave camp for the year. And I'll find my parent to prove to you that Gods and Goddess aren't all bad. We'll find my parent together."

"I do my lord's bidding--"

"You can still do it. If you want to. But whatever happens... stays only between us. I'll stay with you until I change your mind. And I'll bring you back to camp."

"I would never do anything to ruin your trust in me." He knelt down. It was kinda awkward but hey... "I need you."

Worry not hero. We shall stay.

"Please..."

We'll meet again. Wait for us, we shall join you soon. Now leave.

I had no idea what happened since when I came to Luke was gone and there was no sign of him anywhere. How were we going to st---

We will meet him once we leave. Now go as our hero needs us.

I suddenly remembered Percy's state that Luke had told me about. So I ran. I ran to the Big House

***

Percy finally opened his eyes. He was propped up in bed in the sickroom of the Big House, his right hand bandaged like a club. Argus stood guard in the corner. Annabeth and I sat next to Percy, I was holding his nectar glass and she was dabbing a washcloth on his forehead.

"Here we are again," Percy said. "You idiot," Annabeth said, "You were green and turning gray when we found you. If it weren't for Chiron's healing..." "Now, now," Chiron's voice said. "Percy's constitution deserves some of the credit." He was sitting near the foot of the bed in human form. His lower half was magically compacted into the wheelchair, his upper half dressed in a coat and tie. He smiled, but his face looked weary and pale, the way it did when he'd been up all night grading Latin papers. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Like my insides have been frozen, then microwaved." "Apt, considering that was pit scorpion venom. Now you must tell me, if you can, exactly what happened." Between sips of nectar, he told them the story.

I bit my lip trying to keep what happened between Luke and I private. It was a risky move that would not be approved by anyone after all. The room was quiet for a long time. "I can't believe that Luke..." Annabeth's voice faltered. Her expression turned angry and sad. "Yes. Yes, I can believe it. May the gods curse him.... He was never the same after his quest."

Percy was looking at me as if checking what was my reaction to his story. "This must be reported to Olympus," Chiron murmured. "I will go at once." "Luke is out there right now," Percy said. "I have to go after him." Chiron shook his head. "No, Percy. The gods—" "Won't even talk about Kronos," Percy snapped. "Zeus declared the matter closed!" "Percy, I know this is hard. But you must not rush out for vengeance. You aren't ready." "Chiron... your prophecy from the Oracle... it was about Kronos, wasn't it? Was I in it? Y/N? And Annabeth?" Chiron glanced nervously at the ceiling. "Percy, it isn't my place—" "You've been ordered not to talk to me about it, haven't you?" His eyes were sympathetic, but sad. "You will be a great hero, child. I will do my best to prepare you. But if I'm right about the path ahead of you..." Thunder boomed overhead, rattling the windows. "All right!" Chiron shouted. "Fine!" He sighed in frustration. "The gods have their reasons, Percy. Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing." "We can't just sit back and do nothing," He said. "We will not sit back," Chiron promised. "But you must be careful. Kronos wants you to come unraveled. He wants your life disrupted, your thoughts clouded with fear and anger. Do not give him what he wants. Train patiently. Your time will come." "Assuming I live that long." Chiron put his hand on Percy's ankle. "You'll have to trust me, Percy. You will live. But first you must decide your path for the coming year. I cannot tell you the right choice...." I got the feeling that he had a very definite opinion, and it was taking all his willpower not to advise me. "But you must decide whether to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, or return to the mortal world for seventh grade and be a summer camper. Think on that. When I get back from Olympus, you must tell me your decision." "I'll be back as soon as I can," Chiron promised. "Argus will watch over you." He glanced at Annabeth. "Oh, and, my dear... whenever you're ready, they're here." "Who's here?" Percy asked. Nobody answered. Chiron rolled himself out of the room. I heard the wheels of his chair clunk carefully down the front steps, two at a time. Annabeth studied the floor. "What's wrong?" Percy asked her. "Nothing. I ... just took your advice about something. You ... um ... need anything?" "Yeah. Help me up. I want to go outside." "Percy, that isn't a good idea." Percy slid his legs out of bed. Annabeth and I caught him before he could crumple to the floor.

I said, "I told you ..." "I'm fine," He insisted.

He managed a step forward. Then another, still leaning heavily on me. Argus followed us outside, but he kept his distance. By the time we reached the porch, his face was beaded with sweat. But we had managed to make it all the way to the railing. It was dusk. The camp looked completely deserted. The cabins were dark and the volleyball pit silent. No canoes cut the surface of the lake. Beyond the woods and the strawberry fields, the Long Island Sound glittered in the last light of the sun. "What are you going to do?" Annabeth asked us. "I don't know." Percy replied. "I got the feeling Chiron wanted me to stay year-round, to put in more individual training time, but I'm not sure that's what I want. I also don't want to leave you both with Clarisse only." Annabeth pursed her lips, then said quietly, "I'm going home for the year, Percy." He stared at her. "You mean, to your dad's?" She pointed toward the crest of Half-Blood Hill. Next to Thalia's pine tree, at the very edge of the camp's magical boundaries, a family stood silhouetted—two little children, a woman, and a tall man with blond hair. They seemed to be waiting. The man was holding a backpack that looked like the one Annabeth had gotten from Waterland in Denver. "I wrote him a letter when we got back," Annabeth said. "Just like you suggested. I told him... I was sorry. I'd come home for the school year if he still wanted me. He wrote back immediately. We decided... we'd give it another try." "That took guts." She pursed her lips. "You won't try anything stupid during the school year, will you? At least ... not without sending me an Iris-message? Both of you?" Percy managed a smile. "I won't go looking for trouble. I usually don't have to."

"You already know my plans."

"When I get back next summer," she said, "we'll hunt down Luke. We'll ask for a quest, but if we don't get approval, we'll sneak off and do it anyway. Agreed?" "Sounds like a plan worthy of Athena."

She held out her hand. Percy shook it. She gave me a hug. "Take care, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth told Percy. "Keep your eyes open."

"You too, Wise Girl."

Then turned to me, "Good luck on your own quest Droopy."

"Of course Peabody." We watched her walk up the hill and join her family. She gave her father an awkward hug and looked back at the valley one last time. She touched Thalia's pine tree, then allowed herself to be lead over the crest and into the mortal world. "I made my decision." Percy said. "What's yours?"

"I'll be leaving camp... I'm going to look for my parent..." He looked at me in shock. "I'll be back next summer," I promised him. "I'll survive until then."

"Alone?"

I smiled at him.

"Don't you want to stay with us? Mom said---"

"I want to find my parent. I need to. I'll be fine Percy."

I helped Percy to his cabin so he could pack and went to mine. To my surprise I see a middle-aged man with an athletic figure slim and fit with salt-and-pepper hair, and a very familiar sly grin. He had bags at his foot.

"Delivery for Y/N L/N."

"Uhm..."

"Hermes." He said.

I froze and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Personally packed. As a thank you for what you're about to do." He smiled softly and handed me the bags.

"H-Huh...?"

"For helping Luke."

"I..."

Don't forget her mail!

Ooh! And tell her to bring us snacks next time we meet since it'll be often now!

No it wouldn't be often! She'll be with Luke!

"Both of you keep quiet." Pulling out a mail he handed it to me. "Luke... prayed to me telling me about your plan. He asked me to help you. I don't know what or why he did it. But I know he'll change thanks to you. So do guide him."

"Sorry you lost me at the talking air..." I blinked.

Hermes laughed and showed a caduceus. "It's just George and Martha."

"Hi?"

Hello!

Hi

"I just wanted to let you know. No god or goddess could see you. No matter how hard they tried. So your secrets.. are really secrets. Good luck on your travel."

Next time we meet you should have snacks.

Then he vanished.

Staring at the letter on my hand, I was stunned seeing it was from... my mom and dad.

Sweetie,

You've made quite a friend here.

-Mom and Dad.

I immediately knew where to look. I hurriedly took my bags not bothering to check the contents. I ran to Percy's cabin and helped him out so we could leave.

Percy got a cab and looked at me worriedly.

"I'll write you. Stay safe Arthur Curry." I ruffled his hair and watched him go.

I didn't know where to go so I just went to the first secluded area I saw.

"You have more stuffs than when you arrived." I heard someone behind me.

"You prayed to your dad. I hope he knows how to pack." I sighed turning to him. Turning around I barely made out Luke from the few days I last saw him. "You okay?"

"Do you know where to look first?"

Call upon our hound.

I whistled, I don't know why. But when I did, D/N came out of the blue. Luke looked at me and my dear dog, who was probably bigger than the hound he'd summon back then. "How do feel about L.A?" I said riding on D/N and making space behind me for Luke.

~~~END OF BOOK 1~~~

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END OF BOOK ONE!!! THANK YOU FOR READING YLATHB I HOPE YOU ENJOY!! I'LL PUBLISH BOOK 2 WHEN I'M DONE OR EVEN AT LEAST HAVE WRITTEN 5 CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK 2 ;))

I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!!

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