#this musical might just be the thing that drags me back into the greek mythology fandom NGL lol

[mad-hunts]

okay, but who was going to tell me that the soundtrack for EPIC: the musical was full of BANGERS??? like OMG — scylla randomly came on while i was in the car, and that was all i listened to the rest of the ride home because it was just THAT good

[littlefreya]

Henry’s characters weddings!

So following the fantasy wedding moodboard I made for Henry last year, the engagement rings and the houses, @the-soot-sprite​ has prompted me with weddings moodboards a few weeks ago. The waiting is done!  Thanks @the-soot-sprite​ for contributing Melot and Theseus. ��

Prepare for your fantasy wedding with Henry’s characters!

Not sure if marrying August Walker or Hades himself? Well we know August loves dark things. While you are dressed like a true princess, August will choose a sensual, romantic and dangerous looking venue where he will claim you as his Persephone before dragging you into the underworld. Dark roses will guide you toward your groom and these sharp-looking matching wedding bands are a clear statement of who you belong to. 

More characters below the cut. 

You never imagined a wedding in a farm could be so romantic, but Sy will prove you otherwise as he’ll wed you back at his home. Prepare for a rustic, country adventure. And yes these wedding bands are a bit tacky but once a cowboy, always a cowboy.

Mike is a total goth, and he won’t have his wedding any other way! Yes that is a black wedding dress, and those vials are filled with some yummy liquor. Your parents might crook an eyebrow and shake their head but be sure everyone will remember this wedding for years to follow. At least he back off from having waiters dressed as cenobites.

Clark ain’t looking for something too fancy, yes he is Superman but when it comes to your wedding, and Urban Chic themed one is enough. All he cares about is being your husband. Your dress will be lithe, plain yet magical, polygons and sharp angles will decorate the venue as a hint to Clark’s family crest and while he couldn’t be too blunt about the matchings, if you blink, you might see his symbol.

Geralt’s wedding will be a medieval feast, of course. A little bit of nature motifs, swords and how not, some dragon scales. Your wedding rings were crafted by a dwarven blacksmith he met in his travel and a certain bard is going to be your singer at the reception.

Your wedding with Leon shall be in an italian Villa. Mediterranean themes will kiss each corners, olive branches on your cake, and the most delicious wedding buffet ever at the outdoor dining area. As for your wedding dress, let’s just say Leon loves vintage and to show you off. 

And Irish wedding for our Irish prince. Swords, rolled parchments and candles will welcome your guests as Melot will take you in a traditional celtic ceremony. The music will thrum through the venue and he will decorate your hair with flowers and ribbons. 

 I stand by my word, Sherlock is as dark as they get and he will claim in his bleak Victorian castle. Candle lit and spellbound, you will join him in this union and forever be his bride. But it’s not like you don’t want to, right?

A royal wedding to a Greek Mythological king must take place in Athens of course. Theseus will wed you amidst the statues of his ancestors between the olive trees and under the sun of Zeus. A floral tiara on both your head will commemorate your union. From now on you shall be a queen.

A big Grizzly bear like Walter’s will prefer to have his wedding at the forest under the tree where the pines permeate into the air and the critters run wildly. Green spaling and tea lights will decorate the wooden tables. Your golden rings a unique craft emphasising your bond is as strong as the ancient growth that surrounds you. 

I am definitely still going on about Will Shaw being obsessed with the ocean. He will hold a coastal wedding at the late noon which will last till the small hours of the night. As fit, you shall be dressed as his siren and your wedding bands will show his love for the sea where he first met you. By the end of the event he will kidnap you into his yacht, where you will sail into the open ocean to start off your honeymoon. 

[ofgentleresolve]

MUN AND MUSE QUESTIONS ♡ ( MYUNGDAE. )

List 5 of your muse’s favourite sensations.

The sound of Nell’s fingers typing on her keyboard.

The taste of coffee from Alfred’s coffeehouse.

The sight of pigeons taking flight only to return.

The smell of lilies of the valley.

The warm touch of a beloved one against him.

Do they have any pet peeves?

For someone who can be difficult to be around ( aka there are just not a lot of environments that he feels comfortable in or can even tolerate ), he doesn’t actually have that many…mostly because he tends to zone out if he’s not in Black Knight mode so he wouldn’t know :’D

That being said, people who like to scare off the pigeons for fun is probably one. He also hates analog clocks and especially the sound of ticking clocks, but that’s less of a pet peeve and more of a legitimate fear.

Their comfort read? (could be a book, magazine, comics, etc)

Greek and Roman mythology of any kind- he devoured them both in secondary school and has now returned to them because they’re familiar to him, he knows what happens, and therefore that makes them safe. It’s the reason when the university asked him what literature he specializes in, he picked Greek and Roman Mythology because he knows them both like the back of his hand.

If the book they are reading turns out to be shit, do they push through  just for the sake of finishing it, or do they move on and find something else?

Myungdae barely reads anything that isn’t related to his classes so even if he does like the book he’s currently reading, he might forget to come back and finish it 😢 that being said, if the book he is reading isn’t that engaging, he’ll probably just drop it and find something else to do ( when the brain fog isn’t kicking in :| ). it does frustrate/upset him though not being able to put the energy into finishing everything he read because that’s what he used to be able to do and now?? he can’t even summon the willpower to even start a book :’(

Their comfort tv show / film

He doesn’t watch a lot of tv shows/films because a lot of media has content that makes his body shut down…that being said, Nell has dragged him over for a Jane Austen movies/series marathon once and he quite enjoyed it <3

A song that is currently stuck in their head? (or multiple)

Mmmm, he’s not really a music person. Do the sound of feathers ruffling or birds/duck sounds count tho?

The next three questions are for you. do you have anything special in common with your character.

Thankfully, I do not have many similarities with Myungdae because bruh, he’s been through a lot, I promise you, my life is much stabler <3 that being said, this is going to intersect with Patrick too, so we both work in academic settings although I work more in administration- he’s a teacher.

We’re good at keeping a cool head in the face of crisis.

We’re also both very content to stay in the background and do our own thing.

What brings you the most joy about writing this character, right now?

I don’t know if I can say writing him brings me joy necessarily since he’s really going through the wringer and that hurts…BUT I will say, it is very interesting to me to be able to write and explore this version of him since in his main verse, he’s much more stable, a very tranquil person in essence….whereas here I get to see what happens if that tranquility is taken away. How does he react to that, how does he cope with it and essentially how does he move forward?

That, and of all of my characters, he ( Patrick ) seem to bring out the most ‘literature’ side of my writing if that makes any sense…whereas say someone like Mana and Lam would be more direct, straight to the point, Myungdae tends to be more…roundabout, elegant, one might say ( although simplicity doesn’t mean it’s not elegant ), I think a better comparison is he speaks the way you might expect an orator would. Sophisticated. Makes me wish I could write like that in my writing outside of Tumblr :’D

Who would win in a fight, you or them?

Hands down, Myungdae, but if I did win, I’d then have to go through at least two, three more people, you know who you are :’)

Any advice from your muse?

“You will have to make a choice. Choose wisely and do what is right...but don’t forget there will be people affected by your decision. They may be hurt by what you do; still see it through to the end.”

tagged by: you know, someone probably has....i also just felt like filling it out :’D tagging: steal it because i stole it but also.... @phantombs​ @gwyynbleidd​ ( bc i saw u on mi dash....do for katara?? ) @eternasci​ @wellfell​ <3

[kinda-just-chillin-here]

Greek Mythology and Julie & the Phantoms

My first watch through of Julie and the Phantoms (JATP), I noticed a few similarities and parallels to certain myths within Greek mythology. On my million rewatches, I paid more attention to see if there were others. This post is all my observations of the parallels, as well as a few possible theories for season 2 the writers could follow for certain storylines. This is a ridiculously long read, I apologize.

**Disclaimers: 

There are spoilers, so if you haven’t finished watching for the first time yet, don’t read this. 

The content in Greek myths can vary depending on the source. This is largely due to the fact they are just super old. So some of the myths might be slightly different. I did my best just to compare to the gist of the myth. 

I’m going to refer to Luke, Reggie, and Alex together as either Sunset Curve or the boys to save space. 

I apologize for any typos and mistakes; midterm season has left me with an empty head.

1. Orpheus

Obviously a major motif in the first season is the Orpheum. Orpheum literally means House of Orpheus. 

Background information of Orpheus:

His mother is Calliope (muse of epic poetry), and depending on the version of the story, his father is either Apollo (god of the sun, healing, music, medicine, archery, and poetry) or King Oeagrus of Thrace. 

Orpheus was considered to be one of the greatest musicians. He had a “divinely gifted voice that could charm anyone who heard it,” no god or mortal could resist his music. 

Let’s look at some of his myths.

Orpheus and Eurydice:

The basic summary of this myth is that Eurydice, Orpheus’ wife, died after being bitten by snakes while running away from a man, Aristaeus, or a satyr (depends on source) who wanted her for himself. Devastated, Orpheus began singing sad songs until he was advised by nymphs to go to the Underworld and bring her back. After singing to Hades and Persephone, they agreed to let Eurydice return to the main world. However, they warned him not to look back before they both entered the light of the surface. He happily began his trek back to the surface. When Orpheus reached the exit, Eurydice in toe, he turned around to see her, anxious to make sure it wasn’t a trick, that she was really there. Only, Eurydice was still in the Underworld, she hadn’t crossed over yet. Orpheus turning around when he did, caused Eurydice to remain in the underworld. 

So who’s who?

Julie = Orpheus (talented musician and desperate to save their love from the Underworld)

Sunset Curve = Eurydice (dead and trapped)

Caleb = Aristaeus and Hades (wants Eurydice/Sunset Curve for himself; controls the place the dead are) 

Hollywood Ghost Club (HGC) = The Underworld

How do they relate? Stand Tall (s1e09) is where it all goes down.

Like Aristaeus, Caleb is pursing Sunset Curve because he wants them for himself (and Caleb is also threaten by the power they have).

Caleb has the boys trapped in the HGC, just like Eurydice in the Underworld. 

Julie had to deal with the idea the boys died (again) when they didn’t show up before the performance. At first she couldn’t, she ran out until she had a sign from her mom, telling her to go on stage. You could argue this sort of parallels the nymphs telling Orpheus to plea to Hades, or that it parallels Orpheus on his journey back to the surface after Hades agreed.

This is where Julie and Orpheus differ. Julie goes onstage, fully believing in the sign from her mother; that even if the boys don’t come, she can do it. The lyrics of Stand Tall are pure genius. “Keep moving on, never look back.” That’s exactly what Julie does. Unlike Orpheus, Julie doesn’t look back. And the boys appear, no longer trapped by Caleb at the HGC. Julie breaks away from the Orpheus formula and wins. 

@multifandomterrors wrote an essay on how it relates too! She has three theories of how it fits and I definitely recommend you check it out!

Bonus reasons Julie is Orpheus:

Orpheus joined Jason and the Argonauts. When the ship was approaching the Sirens, Orpheus saves the crew from death by playing his own music, drowning out the Sirens’ Song. Likewise, Julie is able to save the boys from Caleb. You can argue that her singing Stand Tall acted as a beacon, beckoning the boys away from Caleb and back to her, saving them in the process.

This one is more of a long shot but oh well. Orpheus is said to have a “divinely gifted voice that could charm anyone who heard it,” that no god or mortal could resist his music. The boys say that Julie has “the voice of an angel.” Throughout the season, as soon as Julie starts to sing, people are generally drawn in, even Carrie by the end. 

Onto the next parallel...

2. Lotus Eaters

As soon as the slightest idea of the boys missing the dance was hinted at I knew it was going to happen because ~formulas~, but once they got to the HGC, I had a strong feeling it was going to be a Lotus Eaters situation. 

Summary of the Lotus Eaters:

In The Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew encounter the Lotus Eaters. They do as their name suggests, they eat the peculiar Lotus flower. When the lotus flower is eaten, those who eat it are “overcome with a blissful forgetfulness,” and want to do nothing more than stay where they are. The crew mates had to be dragged back to the ship, otherwise they never would have returned to their duties. The most well known adaptation of this is probably the Lotus Casino in Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, where the characters spend days/years there, only thinking it was a few hours/days. It’s a time warp per se. 

So what’s what?

Hollywood Ghost Club =  Lair/island of the lotus eaters (everyone there appears to have no other worries in life)

The music & dancing = Lotus flower (sucks everyone in)

How do they relate?

Once Caleb starts performing, Sunset Curve are sucked in. Eventually, they are overcome with a “blissful forgetfulness” and forget about Julie and the dance. They only get sucked back out once Caleb mentions it’s the witching hour.

Alex literally says “This place is some sort of time warp.”

When the boys try to leave, the dancers and then Caleb try to reel them back in. 

The next is not directly Greek mythology, but distantly related:

3. Disney’s Hercules 

The story in Disney’s Hercules isn’t exactly what the myths of Heracles are. It’s Disney, so of course the stories are romanticized and changed significantly. First of all, in the original myths, Hercules is really named Heracles, and Megara is nothing more than Heracles’ wife that ends with a tragic story.

In the movie, Hades wants Hercules dead since he is the only one that can ruin his plan to take over the world. He enlists Megara (or Meg, whose soul he owns) to get to know him and find his weakness. As Meg gets to know Hercules, they fall in love. Hades uses this as Hercules’ weakness, and once he outs Meg for working for him, Hercules is emotionally defeated. However, he still gives up his power for 24 hours, as long as Meg remains untouched by harm. Of course that doesn’t happen, and Meg dies while saving Hercules. Her soul is returned to the Underworld, and Hercules journeys down there to save her, even though he might die doing so. Except he doesn’t; he saves Meg, and it’s happily ever after. 

So who’s who?

Alex = Hercules

Willie = Meg

Caleb = Hades

How does it relate?

Like Hades wants Hercules dead, Caleb wants Alex (and the boys) under his control because they are too powerful. He’s threatened by them.

Even though Willie didn’t mean to bring the boys into the mess with Caleb, he still did (no hate, I love my son). Willie acts as Meg in this situation because Caleb still uses him to get to the boys. Caleb gets to put his stamp on them.

Willie, just like Meg, decides to not help Caleb anymore, though he’s still stuck. He cares about Alex, he doesn’t want him to be stuck at the HGC like him forever; he doesn’t want Caleb to own Alex’s soul. So, Willie helps Alex and the boys with their plan to crossover. 

In Stand Tall, right before You’ve Got Nothing to Lose, Caleb appeals to each of the boys’ weakness. Caleb says “Everything you want, including Willie, is right here.” Just like Hades uses Meg against Hercules, Caleb uses Willie against Alex.

Potential Season 2 Willex Storyline

The parallel to Hercules and Meg isn’t finished. Alex hasn’t saved Willie from Caleb yet, and Caleb hasn’t been defeated yet. We don’t see Willie after the Willex hug in Stand Tall. I think it’s safe to assume that Willie is not safe from Caleb, especially since he helped Sunset Curve escape Caleb’s curse. There’s a lot of things that could happen. One of my assumptions is that Caleb is going to use Willie as bait to lure Alex back in. Another is that, like how Hercules goes to the Underworld to save Meg’s soul,  Alex is going to actively choose to return to the HGC to try to save Willie from Caleb. 

And the last parallel to Greek mythology in season 1...

4. Cheyenne Jackson

He plays Hades in Descendants 3, a Disney movie, meaning he’s the same Hades as in Hercules. 

Caleb Covington, you could argue is the “king of the dead” in JATP

That’s it, that’s the parallel.

Possible Season 2 Storylines

Cephalus and Procris (I’m not as familiar with this myth, but it basically goes like this)

Cephalus and Procris are happily married and very in love with each other. One day, the goddess of dawn, Eos, kidnaps Cephalus because she wants him to herself. Depending on the version you read, Cephalus either sleeps with Eos, or he doesn’t, but regardless, his only concern is how much he loves his wife, Procris. Eos finds that annoying, and plants the idea in his head that Procris is cheating on him when she releases him eight years later. Cephalus returns to Procris, disguised as another man, to see if she would remain faithful. A disguised Cephalus continuously brings Procris presents, and slowly, Procris is swayed by the mysterious man. When Cephalus reveals himself, Procris runs away, ashamed, and joins Artemis’ hunt. Eos wins essentially. She get’s Cephalus... until Procris returns, trying to make amends with her husband. He takes her back, but not long after Procris hears rumors that Cephalus has been unfaithful. She follows him on a hunt, hiding behind a bush. Cephalus hears a bush move, and thinking it’s an animal, he shoots, killing Procris. In the end, Eos still wins as Procris is no longer in the picture, and she could theoretically be with him. Expect Cephalus exiles himself and Eos is never seen again.

How could this apply to JATP season 2?

Julie = Procris

Luke = Cephalus

Caleb = Eos

Caleb-Possessed-Nick = Disguised man

Since Caleb possessed Nick at the end, I assume his plan is to get Julie to pick Nick, thus pushing Luke away from her. Caleb wants Luke and the boys to himself, and as long as Julie is in the picture, that won’t happen. As Caleb-Possessed-Nick tries to flirt and get closer to Julie, Luke will see this and get jealous. His jealousness could lead to tensions between Julie and Luke, making the band a bit awkward, maybe even a big fight that pushes Luke to think about joining Caleb, or at least isolating himself where Caleb would have easy access. I think it would be a very loosely applied parallel, but the idea of Caleb working to cause a rift between Luke and Julie to get Luke by himself is a major possibility. Regardless, Caleb-Possessed-Nick is going to get in the way of Luke and Julie’s slow burn pining for each other. 

A General Thought Not Related to Greek Mythology 

Regardless of what the writers end up doing, I think Caleb’s best plan would be to target the boys individually; like the continuance of the Hercules parallel with Willex and potential Cephalus & Procris parallel with Juke. I don’t know how he would isolate Reggie, maybe something with his family, but targeting the boys one-on-one would be the most strategic move for Caleb. He could even get super manipulative with it. He could say something like “Alex already agreed” or something along those lines to try to persuade the boy he is talking to. 

Additionally, I don’t have any theories on where Carrie and Julie’s relationship may go, but i’m looking forward to a Carrie redemption arc. As far as where Bobby fits in, I read someone’s theory that Caleb may approach him, offering to help keep his reputation as Trevor Wilson, if he helps deal with the boys somehow. I’m sure there’s a potential greek myth that fits a potential Bobby and the boys storyline, but out of the ones I can think of right now, there aren’t. Betrayal is a huge theme in greek mythology though.

Anyway...

While the original target audience was kids and the show probably wasn’t meant to be this deep, as a screenwriter myself, I find it super useful (and fun) to parallel classic stories and myths when I write. It can add a sense of nuance to the story, especially when done right. I hope the writers (assuming at least the Orpheus and Lotus Eaters parallels were intentional) continue to parallel the season with some form of myth or classic story, only to then completely flip the ending. 

If you actually took the time to read ALL of this, my god, I applaud you, you amazing human. Thank you so much for reading it. I’d love to hear what y’all think or what theories y’all have as well!

[cassieschaosdimension]

Okay! Here it is the fanfic some of you have been requesting!

Enjoy it!

"Nico!" Will called to his boyfriend. "Put that sweater on right now! You know you want to!" He starts running after Nico with said sweater in hand. He knows his boyfriend wants to wear it, but the goth message is too strong.

Nico is being chased all over their apartment in New Rome by his overly energetic boyfriend who wants to match for their first Christmas on their own. He would have put the sweater on by himself, but it was too ugly to be seen on anyone. Even Hephaestus and the guy was ugly!

Will stopped all of a sudden and stared at the sweater in his hand. "Nico, it's not that bad! Please wear it! For me!"

Oh no Nico thought as he watched his boyfriend turn on that Southern charm and the puppy dog eyes. He tried to look away, but found he couldn't because Will was advancing slowly towards him.

"William," Nico says slowly edging towards the front door of their one bedroom apartment. "Be reasonable, would you want your dad, the fashion guru of Greek mythology to see me in that?!" The horror is present in his tone. "First off, I would not wear it and you know I would wear almost anything to please you. I draw the line at that thing!"

This gives Will a pause as he considers the question. He stares at the jingle bells stripes and Christmas tree underneath them. The green and gold don't work out and the red of the presents aren't helping the poor sweater's case. He thinks back to the time his dad yelled at him for wearing sandals with socks because he was in a rush after being late for cabin clean up duty. He shudders. He does not want a repeat of his over dramatic father flapping his arms while lecturing him on fashion choices.

Will sighs. "Alright Nico. You win this one. My dad's fashion lectures aren't for the faint of heart and I've had enough of them to last a lifetime. But please dress in green or red okay? You would look really good in emerald green." He starts walking to their room.

Nico grins to himself. He's won this round with his mad reasoning skills. Then again, he almost always wins his arguments with Will. Decades in the Lotus Casino arguing over games will do that to you. Then he registers what his boyfriend requested of him.

He starts to run after Will. "Will! I don't have emerald clothing! I have brown, black, and grey! What are you talking about?! William! Get over here!"

Will cackles to himself while going through their closet. He bought his boyfriend colored clothes for occasions with his father and Nico looks delicious in cool, dark times so that's what he bought. He was lucky he hid them on his side of the closet. He turns to see his boyfriend glaring at him.

Nico stares at his poor boyfriend he only knows wants to help him make an impression on Hades. It was only supposed to be the two of them and Hades and Persephone, but of course Apollo had to invite himself. Rolling his eyes at the memory he turns back to Will with his hands on his hips glare still in full force.

With a pleading look on his face, Will is desperate. They're running late and he doesn't want to leave the three gods alone more than they have to be. "Nico," cue the sigh. "We're already running late and I don't want to find a war going on with your stepmom in the middle. She's scary."

"Will… Fine!" Nico says throwing his hands up and walking to grab the shirt from his boyfriend who is now grinning broadly. He walks to the bathroom and changes into the shirt grumbling about Will and if he didn't live him he wouldn't do this.

Meanwhile Will is getting dressed in a dark maroon, fluffly long sleeve sweater and dark blue jeans with black vans. When Nico comes back from the bathroom his heart stops.

His boyfriend stands slightly slouched, uncomfortable with the attention. The emerald shirt sets off his long lashes, dark eyes, and raven hair perfectly. Will wants to swoon, but they have business to attend to.

"Good you're ready to go. Hades confirmed he's ready for us?" Will says coming next to Nico.

In response Nico nods and they head out the door. "Just so you know," Nico says with an undertone. "I'm only wearing this shirt and making nice with your dad because your mom loves me so now I need to win over your dad."

Will doesn't tell Nico his dad was won over the minute Nicon said hello, I'm only here because Will made me. Maybe he might actually behave. One can hope.

They head to the car deep in each of their thoughts. Nico is worried how long his dad is going to last in Apollo's presence. Will is worried how long Hades can stand to be in his dad's presence because Apollo is overbearing.

They have agreed to meet in the Underworld and Zeus has given Apollo permission to head down there to celebrate with them. As Will starts to drive south, the air in the car turns warmer. They banter and whine about the music choice. Nico wants Green Day and Will wants to listen to Blake Shelton.

They left around eleven in the morning on Christmas Day and it takes them about seven hours to get to Hollywood because of traffic in the LA area. They park the car and walk behind the Hollywood sign, Will grabbing Nico's leather jacket in the way behind the sign because even with a sweater on the Underworld is a child, unforgiving place. There Will grabs onto Nico and they shadow travel down to Hades' living room.

Nico wonders why they couldn't shadow travel in the first place and why Will insisted they drive when they walk in and he immediately knows why.

Persephone is standing by the wall her hands over her head while her husband and cousin are going at it.

"This is my domain Apollo you do not have the authority to say what's going to be served for dinner. I can do that on my own."

"But Uncle, you're serving turkey! It's supposed to be ham! Most mortals use ham!" Turning to his son he implores him. "Will tell Hades most mortals use ham for their Christmas dinner!"

Will is torn between getting the approval of his boyfriend's father and his dad. He ultimately goes for the one that will save his life. "Dad, many mortals celebrate Christmas differently or not at all. If Nico's dad wants to serve turkey then let him serve turkey! We are here as his guests and I expect you to behave!"

Apollo looks torn but nods and says "Will, I know you want to make a good impression on Uncle over there, but I am your father!"

"No dad. Mom raised me to have manners and her manners have taught me to accept all food unless I am allergic to it and I have no food allergies. Now sit down and we can eat." Will turns to Lord Hades. "Please excuse my father Lord Hades. I had a talk about this with him earlier, but it seems to have not rectified in his brain."

Hades nods and strides over to Nico. "Nico. Thank you for coming. I am starting to warm up to the boy, but I still need time."

Nico sighs his left hand clenching in a fist involuntarily. "Father you have been given years to accept Will. And it seems you have, but you don't want me to know. Father, the spirits talk."

Hades looks shocked and now angry. "Now listen here Nico. I may have approved of him, but he must be worthy of Maria DiAngelo's child. Bianca wishes she were here, but she is having fun in the fields of Elysium."

Meanwhile Will and Apollo are having their own discussion.

"But Will, Uncle said he didn't mind me coming!"

"Dad, you invited yourself here, remember? I know what mom saw in you, but really. Your manners need brushing up. For real. Just because Lord Hades is your uncle doesn't mean you can barge into his domain even with Lord Hades permission." Will feels like a dad reprimanding a child.

"William," Apollo strikes a pose. "I am the god of music and medicine. This is a celebration with my son and son in law. I had to come." He dramatically sighs and heads to the table. "Come now Will, let's stuff our faces!

As Will follows his dad he wonders who exactly the child is. He looks over at his boyfriend and his dad. They look like they're still having a heated discussion. Luckily for Will he has Nico's jacket so the chill in the air isn't as bad as it could have been. Nico hasn't noticed the jacket is gone until he brings his hands up to tig it around himself and it's gone. Looking up he mock scowls at Will.

Nico walks up to his boyfriend with an air of I don't care. They both know he cares very much. "Will, give me my jacket."

In response Will sticks out his tongue and says no. This results in a banter fight much like the one back at the apartment.

Will doesn't want to give the jacket back because it's warm and he's freezing. Nico says he can get him another one of Nico's leather jackets. But Will isn't having it. He knows this is Nico's favorite jacket hence why it was in the car, he takes that thing everywhere he goes. He wants to wear his boyfriend's favorite jacket. His boyfriend wants to wear his favorite jacket. The two of them are so engrossed in their argument they don't see the three adults smiling at them.

Persephone was reminded of how she first felt arguing with Hades over the fact she was kidnapped against her will by a much older man. She was intimidated by this man yet she felt some sort of weird connection to him. She pitied him because he was older and lonely down here with no one but Cerberus to keep him company. Eventually she came to care for this man unlike her stepson and his boyfriend who genuinely seem to get along even when arguing.

She goes over to break it up. "Boys, you can have this argument later. Nico, let Will keep the jacket, you can feel him shivering. I'll go turn up the fire. Will dear, come sit and stuff your face as your impatient father has been doing for the past half hour.

At this Apollo looks up turkey gravy dripping from his mouth. They all sigh and hope this is over soon. The dinner drags on and on and suddenly Hades can't take it anymore. While the rest of the group has polite conversation, Apollo finds it necessary to butt in and make it funny when it's not.

Normally Will accepts this behavior with grace, but not on Christmas and not when he is trying to get approval from his boyfriend's father who happens to be Lord of the Dead.

"Hey Dad," Will says from across the table where he has watched his dad pack away most of the food on the table. "I don't appreciate this and maybe I'll tell mom about this little gathering and how your Southern manners disappeared." He raises an eyebrow and Apollo's response is hilarious.

He sits up straight and acts like a Southern gentleman the rest of the time. Will signs in exasperation and turns to Nico and Lord Hades.

"Lord Hades, please forgive my father for his behavior," here he pauses while throwing side glances at his father.

Hades waves his hand in a gesture of peace. "Please boy. This is almost tame for my nephew. Did you enjoy your meal?"

Turning to Nico for reassurance Will answer carefully. "Yes Lord Hades. The good was quite delicious. Thank you for inviting us over for dinner."

"You are welcome boy," Hades says turning to his son. "Now, let's get the gift giving over with so my nephew can go home." The two snicker together and Will tries not to join in. It's impossible though as Persephone is talking to Apollo utterly bemused while he sprouts haikus about the meal.

"Father, here is my gift to you," Nico's voice carries as he hands a gift to Lord Hades.

"Thank you son. I appreciate it." His voice also carries. Apollo is beginning to quiet down and not be so energetic. Now he begins to get downright cocky. He's no longer dramatic.

He heads to their end of the table near the tree Persephone insisted on having. "Ahhhh presents. I remember when I was youn-" Apollo is cut off when Nico hands him a gift.

They're all speechless and Will stares at Nico in shock. Looking around at all of them he asks "what? I can give gifts."

A shocked silence falls over the room when Will throws himself in Nico's arms. He whispers in his boyfriend's ear. "He didn't expect to get one from you Nico. Look, you made him cry. " They look over still wrapped in each other's arms. Apollo is in fact hugging the gift while grinning with happy tears running down his face.

The look on Will's face says it all. Nico grins as he watches his boyfriend watch his dad open the gift. Suddenly Apollo is rushing towards Nico and grabs him in a hug. Stiffening Nico is confused but then reaches around the god and hugs him back.

Hades looks on with pride at his son who with Will Solanc's aid will grow to be a fine young man. He already was, but since he met Will he had grown in leaps and bounds in height and personality. He was proud of his boy.

Will is beaming with pride at the fact his boyfriend was thoughtful enough to get his dad a gift. To their surprise Apollo hands a gift right back to Nico.

The night is just full of surprises and after the gift giving and opening, Will and Nico start to clean up to head out. They had fun despite the rocky start and by the end of the night Hades had laughed out loud more times than Apollo can remember and Apollo hadn't felt the need to be cocky or arrogant. He was the man Will's mom must have fallen in love with.

As Nico and Will get up to leave Apollo hugs each of them, but Nico's is especially long. He whispers thank you for everything in his ear. Nico is absolutely shocked. He didn't think Apollo knew the words thank you. But here he was a mere demigod getting thanked by a god! Wow, Will's dad is full of surprises…

Apollo then goes over and hugs Hades and Persephone. He really is full of surprises today. He goes and leaves. In his wake four very confused people discuss what happened.

Hades wants to know how his nephew behaved all nice and sweet. He almost didn't recognize him! Persephone told him it was because he realized he could be himself and not have to put an image up.

Nico says he doesn't know which Apollo he finds most sickening, earning him a slap on the back of the head from Will.

They discuss it more and the four grow closer. The Christmas dinner really was a success even with Apollo there. Nico hugs his father and stepmother then gathers up their gifts. Will goes up to Hades and shakes his hand thanking him for inviting them. Persephone hugs Will saying he must come back soon when Nico next visits them.

Soon the two fade into shadows with the two immortals waving after them. Will takes off the jacket and puts it back in the backseat of the car with a grin.

"Well Neeks, I'd say it was a success though I was worried for a second." Will says getting into the driver's seat.

"Me too Will. Your dad actually seems like a really nice guy. I bet it gets tiring putting up a facade all the time," Nico responds through a yawn. "Will, don't drive all the way home. Stop at a hotel okay?"

Nodding Will turns the ignition and starts to drive. They talk about the dinner and how different it turned out from what they expected. Then they start to banter tearing each other with how they expected the night to end up.

"Neeks, you look really good in emerald holy Hera!" Will glances over at his tired boyfriend who is drifting off.

"Will, don't even start you look amazing in my leather jacket. Maybe I'll let you wear it more often." Smiling to himself Nico thinks he'll let only Will wear his leather jacket now. They can share it. His last words before he falls asleep are: "I love you William so pull into a hotel and we'll spend the night there. You're not driving all the way home this late."

Nico's soft snores fill the car and Will can't help but think he and Nico are made for each other. They complement one another perfectly and he thinks back on all the memories they've made together since they got together all those years ago.

Seeing a vacancy sign at a motel he pulls into the parking lot. He leaves Nico snoring away while he goes and asks for a room. Coming back out he rouses Nico and tells him he can sleep in a real bed.

Half asleep Nico leans on his boyfriend for support. The night turned out better than he could ever expected. Maybe next year they could shadow travel or even stay the night.

As Will supports his boyfriend while walking to the room he thinks of how grateful he is to Apollo for catching the eye of his mother so he could he born and also Lord Hades because he made Nico come into existence.

Opening the door, Will walks over to the bed placing the dozing Nico on it. After giving him a forehead kiss he goes to the other side of the bed. "Love you too Neeks."

Both Nico and Will dream about the wonderful Christmas dinner they just had and wonder what will happen next year.

And that's a wrap (lol) on they fanfic! I hope you guys like it! Please let me know what you think of it!

[devildaddies]

Are you aware of Greek and Roman mythologies? If so then can u make an angst of mc being turned into stone by a Medusa after the exchange program... In front of the brothers? One of them is her lover so what would they react?

sure!! sorry it’s not very angsty:(( also, we chose three brothers only since no one was specified uwu sorry for the long wait!

—

Around the middle of the year, Diavolo announced that there will be two new exchange students from Olympus: Dionysus and Medusa. Dionysus, being the God of drinking and parties, quickly made friends with Asmodeus while Medusa stuck with Simeon quite a lot.

Overall the pair seemed pretty normal, or at least what normal is in Devildom, but for some reason, Medusa always wore sunglasses indoors. One day, you and the seven brothers were walking down the hall and your eyes landed on a pair of sunglasses on the floor. You picked it up and examined it, then looked around the area to find the person who owned it. After a few moments, you spotted Medusa frantically pacing back and forth.

Assuming she was looking for her sunglasses, you approached her and tapped her shoulder, causing her to freeze. “Is this yours?” you asked. With her back facing you, she replied, “Are they sunglasses? If yes, then they are mine.” You, being the curious meddler you always were, were curious about why she always wore sunglasses. Indoors. Maybe her eyes were so beautiful that the Avatar of Lust would be jealous.

You gently grabbed her shoulder and forced her to face you. “Can I see your-“ Before you could even finish your sentence, your eyes met with her golden orbs. You were so mesmerized by them that you were frozen still and couldn’t move an inch. No, you were turned to stone.

Lucifer:

Lucifer wasn't one for fits of rage. After all, he believed was far more superior than Satan and would never stoop down to his level, but this time he just might. Nope, you cannot kill an exchange student. The exchange student didn't mean to do it; It would be irrational to harm her. Lord Diavolo will be unhappy with you if you kill the exchange student.

Lucifer sighed and forced his brothers into their classrooms while taking particularly long with Mammon because he wouldn't stop crying. He calmed himself and simply told Medusa to return to her classroom while he would handle this. He very carefully and quite easily picked you up in his arms and carried you up to Lord Diavolo’s office.

Now away from the prying eyes of students, he can break his calm facade and show his true emotions: Lucifer began to have a full-blown mental breakdown. Lord Diavolo laughed as he has never seen Lucifer this disheveled and simply told Lucifer to calm down. ”CALM DOWN? CALM DOWN?!?” Lucifer practically shouted at Diavolo before almost immediately apologizing for disrespecting him.

Lord Diavolo put his hand on Lucifer’s shoulder and explained that for centuries, a lot of humans would often sell their souls to demons because their loved one had been turned into stone, and they want them to be turned back. This being a lucrative business opportunity, Lord Diavolo and several other demons have created several methods of turning a human that has been turned to stone back to normal. Lord Diavolo then calls Barbatos on his DDD to come to his office. Barbatos enters and looks at you knowingly. He takes a look at Lucifer and uses all his willpower to stop himself from bursting into laughter as Lucifer looked like he aged a thousand years from the sheer stress of you being turned into stone. Barbatos quickly brought you out of the room as if this wasn't the first time he's done this while Lucifer could only watch you be carried out the door.

A couple of hours have passed since you've been taken away and Lucifer has been pacing back and forth this whole time. Around hour three, Lord Diavolo had to attend to business in the palace and so had to leave Lucifer alone with his thoughts. What if she isn't okay? What if she stays like that forever? Fuck, do I even know how to function without her? His thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the door, which was opened by no other person than you.

He quickly stood up and walked towards you as if to hug you but just said: “Oh, you're back, are you alright?” You poked his arm teasingly and said, “Yes, were you worried about me or something?” He quickly responded that he was confident in Lord Diavolo's abilities and so he didn't worry at all. He couldn't admit that he, the Avatar of Pride, who is second in command of the whole Devildom that is feared by all, was so scared of losing you. You looked down and smiled because you knew he was lying. ”Your hair is messy,” you said with a rather smug look on your face. He blushed and looked away, straightening his tie while muttering something about not having enough time to get ready this morning.

Mammon:

“M-M-M-MC!” Mammon was the first one to react. Well, violently react. As soon as he saw the shocked expression plastered on your face with your whole body turned to stone, he screamed so loud that God probably heard him all the way from heaven.

He immediately rushed to your lifeless form and aggressively grabbed your stiff shoulders. He glared at Medusa for a split second before she darted off to someplace else as soon as she caught Mammon’s sharp glare on her. He then returned his attention to your figure, his look softening to that of a needy puppy’s. He cupped your face in his quivering hands and gazed at it, that frozen look on your face leaving a scar on his mind forever. Lucifer approached Mammon and told him to step away from you so that he can bring you to Diavolo, who will return you back to normal.

However, Mammon just furrows his brows at Lucifer and completely envelopes you in a tight embrace. “NO! MC stays with me! AND I WILL KILL THAT SNAKE-HAIRED BITC-“ He declared, but was cut off by Beelzebub forcefully grabbing him by the back of the collar and dragging him back up to his room. Beelzebub sets him down on the floor. Mammon, with his legs sprawled on the floor, crossed his arms and started sulking. Beel hummed in pity. “Don’t worry. Diavolo’s gonna bring her back, you know.” But, he received no response from his older brother.

He was silent—completely silent, which was an extremely unusual situation. The only thing on Mammon’s mind was you, who could end up staying dead, or returning, but who knows what could possibly happen? Right now, all he wanted to do was to reunite with you, feeling the warmth all over your body and hearing your sweet little insults that, secretly, brought music to his ears. He hugged his knees and buried his crying face in them.

Hours of endless sulking have passed, and Mammon finally decided to speak up. “Beel, what if she doesn’t return?” He questioned in a muffled, almost inaudible voice. Beel sighed in relief, knowing that Mammon will not stay dead silent forever. “I know she’ll come back, I feel it.” This response caused Mammon to relax his tense body a bit.

Suddenly, the door swung open, causing Mammon to perk up. He shoots up and hurriedly dashes towards you. He furrowed his brows and bent forward to meet you eye-level. You pushed the middle of his brows back up. “Don’t do that, you’ll get wrinkles.” He blushes and stands straight, placing his hands on his hips. “W-Well, I- Um- You’re back, I guess,” he muttered, trying to seem like he doesn’t care, but you were still able to hear the obvious relief in his tone. You giggled. “You know, even while I was frozen stiff, I was still able to see everything that happened around me-“ you started, gently grabbing his collar and bringing his face closer to yours until your noses were already touching. “-including everything you did and said that openly expressed concern for me.” Mammon widened his eyes, his bottom lip quivered a bit. He grabs your waist and pulls your body close to him, placing his head on top of yours to prevent you from seeing the tears that started rolling down his cheeks. “I…I thought I’d lose you for real… S-Stupid…”

Satan:

”WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST DO-” When Satan saw your motionless form, he stayed true to the fact that he was the Avatar of Wrath and tried to kill Medusa. In fact, it took literally all six of his brothers in their full-demon forms to pin him down, which was rather shocking, as he was only the fourth most powerful.

Simeon came over due to the huge commotion and quickly escorted Medusa away from the blast zone of Satan’s rage. While Satan was trying to free himself and swearing that he will torture and end Medusa, Lucifer took out his DDD and called Diavolo. With Lucifer distracted, Satan was able to release himself from their grasp and got up. "WHERE THE FUCK DID SHE GO? I AM GOING TO-" Satan was quickly restrained again by Lucifer who told Satan to calm himself and that MC will be alright. DID YOU JUST ASK ME, THE GODDAMN AVATAR OF WRATH, TO CALM DOWN?

Although Lucifer's words were meant to relax Satan, it only made him far more infuriated. Every sense of logic, rationale, and intelligence that Satan is known to possess just flew out the window. Barbatos arrived at the scene and hauled you away to an unknown location while Satan could only stare. Lucifer and Beelzebub dragged Satan to his room and locked him in while saying that Lord Diavolo will return MC to normal and that Satan will stay here until he calms down. Lucifer put a spell on the door quite similar to the one he used on Belphie's door. Satan used all of his strength to try to get out but couldn't, which of course, only made him angrier. He punched a hole through the wall.

It's been five hours since you've been carried away by Barbatos and Satan is still as mad as he was earlier, or perhaps even more so. There are now approximately 31 holes in Satan's wall, 4 ripped pillows and one destroyed book (which was an accident because he would never hurt a book intentionally). Satan was lying on his bed, still seething, staring up at his ceiling.

Scaphism? No. Electric Chair? Nope. Crucifixion? No. Brazen Bull? Perhaps. Medusa will be made into an example that if anyone dares hurt MC, consequences will not be lenient and- Satan's thoughts were cut off by three knocks on his door. Satan got up and walked towards the door, irritated that he had to leave his thoughts on how he should torture Medusa. At the door, his thoughts were racing on who could it be. I swear if that is fucking Lucifer coming in to give me a lecture on making a scene, I am going to- the door opened and it was you.

You are holding a tray of tea-his favorite blend of black tea- because, on your way up to his room, you heard the breaking of plaster walls, so you decided to take a detour and make him some tea. When Satan saw you, he immediately calmed down and smiled at you. You entered his room and immediately saw the destruction and chuckled a little. You looked at him who is now as red as a beet. "Okay, so I may have uhm, gotten a little angry," he says embarrassed and not looking into your eyes. You give him a peck on the cheek and pour him a cup of tea.

[prettyyyboyluke]

Siren

inspired by this song, this one, and this one too, if it does well, we will turn it into something good ;) but for now, we’ll leave it at this. there will be lots of angst, some violence, and of course smut 

~ 

Siren: In Greek Mythology, each of a number of women or winged creatures whose singing lured unwary sailors onto rocks

The small lights decorating the streets barely did any justice. Everything that surrounded me was pitch black, with the occasional yellow and red lights from crosswalks and stop lights. I don’t understand why Kaileen would pick somewhere that is underground. Literally underground. Since it was such a secret location, you were either walking or you didn't go at all. I could practically rip Kaileen's head off right now if she was next to me. The heels she told me to wear weren’t giving much room for my toes, and I could already feel the blisters and pain in the morning. 

Tonight, I couldn’t pinpoint the exact idea of what I was doing. All I was told that once I got to a red brick wall with the numbers 11, 9, 12, 12, 5, 18 spray painted in black, I was at the right place. Oh, and I guess the most important detail was to tell whoever the security guards were the word, siren. 

This is not the night I was expecting at all. 

~

The wall came into my vision dimly, and I looked over the numbers, once, twice, three times before finally going up to the red rope. The two guards looked at each other before looking at me like I was some kind of lamb going to play in the tiger’s den. 

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing in these streets?” The man, who looked like he could practically step on someone, asked. I looked at him with a dead expression on my face before opening my mouth and speaking, “Siren.” 

That seemed to knock them off their boots. They took the red rope and moved it just enough for me to slip inside. I quickly whipped out my phone to text Kaileen to tell her I was here. 

To: Kaileen Rivers 

I’m here, where are you? 

Read 10:53 pm 

From: Kaileen Rivers 

Go down the stairs and I’m standing by the entrance 

Sent 10:54 pm 

Entrance? I thought I was already here. I rolled my eyes and followed her very vague instructions. The stairs were very narrow, and you could see just how sticky they were. The heels clicked and clacked against the metal until I finally reached the bottom. The room was lit by a red and blue light, some corners were even purple. I saw Kaileen exactly where she said she was, all in her tall, blonde glory. She notices me by the sound of her Louis Vuitton heels she let me borrow. 

“Ryder! I thought I told you to be here at 10:30, missy.” She speaks, reapplying her classic sheer pink lipgloss. 

“Sorry I had to walk a mile in your Louis Vuitton’s! This isn’t something I normally do, Kai.” I sigh. 

“Enough of that! Tonight, we’re going to have a good time, and if that means I make you take shots and drink vodka cran all night, then I’m gonna do it.” She says, pointing her finger at me. 

That’s Kaileen. Kaileen June Rivers, a daredevil, and a somewhat intimidating blonde girl. She was just like Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls, but when you pushed her buttons, she fought back with everything she had. Everyone told me that since she was Bubbles, I was Buttercup. Not giving a shit about what people said, sometimes bitter, and would not hesitate to knock someone out if I had to. We haven’t found our Blossom yet, and I’m not sure we need to. 

I’m Ryder, Ryder Hailey Thompson, to be exact. I like adventure, but I never dared to enter a scene like this. It took the guts that I didn’t have, but Kaileen did. If you ask me what I’m doing on a normal day, I might just say either getting way too high to sit still or go drive to the nearest cliff and watch the world beneath me. 

We met in high school when we got paired to do our Chemistry project. She had the brains, I had the artistry, it was a perfect match. Ever since then, we’ve stuck together like glue. Most of the time she had to drag me to things like this. 

“How did you even find this place?” I ask, following her through the red lighting of the palace. 

“A little birdy told me about it, and I knew we had to come and check it out.” 

As we walked further into the palace, I was met with a beautiful smell of alcohol, sweat, and some type of narcotic I haven’t tried yet. Everyone was dancing, drinking, not having a care in the world. My steps were put to a halt once we were at the bar. Kaileen begins to talk to the bartender, they seem to know each other. I have never seen this man once. 

His hair was a jet black color, and it looked curly. He had sprinkles of tattoos on his arms, bicep, and wrist. He had a contagious laugh and smile. I couldn’t exactly make out the color of his eyes, but they looked like a hazel green from what I could see, with the strobe lights constantly going, it was hard to tell. 

“So, what are we drinking tonight?” He asks. 

Kaileen turns to me, giving me the ‘you need to loosen up’ look. I just shrug, not caring what I’m drinking, as long as it’ll get me to look like the people on the floor. 

“We’ll take two vodka crans, don’t hold back on the vodka.” Kaileen giggles, pushing a piece of her hair behind her ears. And there it is, the shameless flirting. The bartender hands us the drinks and continues to talk with Kaileen. 

I spin around in my seat, watching how the people on the floor looked. It might be weird to some, but I love to people watch. Watch how if they’re carefree, stressed out, or just a go with the flow type of person. I always used to make up stories in my head when I was younger until my mother scolded me for staring at others. 

That’s when I found the person to watch tonight. A tall, tan, tattooed man. He looks carefree, but aware of his surroundings at the same time. I assume the drink he is sipping on is whiskey, considering the shortness of the glass and the brown liquid inside it. We make eye contact for about a minute, which is way too long for two strangers. He gives me a sly smile and starts making his way over. But once he moved, I couldn’t help but stare at the man behind him.  

He looked about the same height, long blonde hair with half it covering his face. He also had tattoos, is there some tattoo memo I’m not getting? The room might be dark, but it looked like a spotlight was on him. It was like everything and everyone around us was floating, except the two of us. I didn’t realize I was practically drooling until Kaileen nudged my arm. 

I look up and see the man who I originally was watching. Okay, thinking that makes me sound like a total creep. 

“You sure got shy, I’m Calum.” The man, Calum, states. 

“I’m Ryder, it’s nice to meet you.” I smile up at Calum. 

I couldn’t help but focus back onto the other man who was standing behind him. We make eye contact, holding it for a few seconds before I break away with a blush creeping onto my cheeks. I look back just one last time to catch a small smirk on his lips. 

“So, tell me, Ryder, what’s gotten you to the palace tonight.” He asks, taking a sip from his drink. 

Before I could even answer, Kaileen jumps right into the conversation. “I decided to take her out, she needs more adventure in her life.” 

I roll my eyes at Kaileen’s response. “I’m plenty adventurous, I’ve just never been into the club scene.” 

“Hate to break it to you, Ryder, but doing shrooms and walking to 7/11 isn’t adventurous.” Kaileen giggles. 

That catches the bartender’s attention. “Shrooms, huh? Have you ever tried acid? Take a tab from Luke, and you’ll wish you felt like that all the time. I’m Ashton by the way.” 

So that’s his name. The conversation about narcotics continues, but I’m not listening one bit. The only thing on my mind right now is that blonde boy on the other side of the club. He was now sitting comfortably on one of the black velvet couches, in what I’m assuming is the V.I.P section. He has another blonde boy next to him. His hair long and curly, a red shirt that was opened down to his chest with a chain around his neck that hung down to his chest. And to my surprise, there were no tattoos, at least that I saw. 

Ashton and Calum seem to notice my stares. With the way my straw was sitting on top of my lips, the hooded look in my eyes, I was in a complete trance. “I’m starting to think you’ve got eyes for someone else, pretty girl,” Calum whispers down to me. 

I look up at him again, his chocolate brown eyes looking down on me. “Sorry, but, who are those guys?” I ask, trying to point across the club discreetly. 

Calum clicks his tongue. He looks over to where the two blondes are sitting, now with multiple girls surrounding them. “You don’t wanna meet those men, Ryder. They’re too, dangerous, for a girl like you.” 

My brows furrow, definitely not liking what he just said. “And how do you know I’m not dangerous, Calum? I could be your worst nightmare.” 

He just chuckles, not taking what I said seriously. “You’re a fiery one, aren’t ya? I like that.” 

“Don’t push her, Calum. That is a battle you will not win.” Kaileen defends. I huff and turn around, trying to push the image out of my head. 

Ashton slides me a shot. I don’t ask, I down it like it’s water. After that shot, I see another vodka cran in front of me, along with two more shots. I chug the drink, hiccuping before grabbing one of the shots and downing it. 

I close my eyes and my head starts to spin. The blue in my eyes becomes invisible as soon as my pupils dilate. With the music beaming throughout the palace, it only makes my head pound harder.

I tap on Kaileen’s shoulder, “I need to pee!” She nods and begins to get up, but I stop her. 

“Ryder, I am not letting you go to the bathroom alone.” She fights back. “It’ll be fine! Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll go and come back, nothing in between.” 

Once I know the direction, I make my way across the sticky floor. I come face to face with a black door and some normal lighting, no more of that red bullshit. I do my business and wash my hands. I take a quick look in the mirror, and I look completely disheveled. I don’t know how since all we’ve done since we got here is sit, drink, and talk. I smooth down my hair, fix the top a little bit before heading out. 

As I’m walking, I carelessly bump into someone, knocking me down onto the sticky floor. 

“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going at all.” I apologize before standing up. A hand reaches down, insisting I grab it and pulls me back to my feet. When I finally look up, I see the man sitting next to the one I was looking at. 

His eyes are crystal blue and his teeth pearly white. It feels like I have to strain my neck just to look up at him since he is at least a foot or so taller than me. You can tell that he used to have a piercing in his lip from the tiny hole that was still healing. 

“It’s all right, angel. I don’t know where you were heading, but a girl like you shouldn’t be wandering this place alone.” The way he spoke was cocky. You sir, need an ego check. 

“I-I was just coming back from the bathroom, thought I was sober enough to go alone, but I guess not,” I say.

 He then asks if I’m headed back to the bar, and he walks me there, a hand hovering over my lower back. I mentally slap myself for running into someone as attractive as him. But hey, at least it wasn’t the other one. 

We’re back to the red scenery, the music is still pounding in my head. I point to where I was sitting, Kaileen perched high on the barstool, and he quickly recognizes Calum and Ashton. Once I’m back to my rightful spot next to Kaileen, Calum and Ashton begin talking to the other man. “Luke, this is Kaileen, and the little lady you bumped into, is Ryder.” 

Luke. Well, Luke, you’re a sucker for sore eyes. Wait, is this the Luke that Ashton was telling me about? 

“Ryder, you’ll be happy to know that Luke has any drug you could possibly want. If you’re still up for that acid, he’s got you covered.” Ashton says. I shake my head, not sure if I 100% trust him since Calum was the one to say they’re ‘dangerous’ even if it’s true, I’ll find out for myself. 

~ 

The next morning I wake up with a pounding headache and a large bruise on my thigh. I unplug my phone and adjust my eyes to the brightness. Apple really needs to have a ‘you drank way too much last night’ complimentary mode. And I see I have about four messages from Kaileen. 

From: Kaileen Rivers 

Wake up, Ryder! 

Sent 8:37 am 

From: Kaileen Rivers 

I have tea! Wake tf up! 

Sent 8:40 am 

From: Kaileen Rivers 

Okay, I forget how much you like to 

sleep after a night out, but my god woman

take some advil, chug some water

and get your shit together! 

Sent 8:42 am 

From: Kaileen Rivers

If you’re not up by 10

I will be knocking down your door 

Sent 8:45 am 

And that was the last one before I finally called her. It rings three times before I hear her speak, “Finally! Jesus woman, you need to hold your liquor better.” 

“Excuse me, we all can’t have the tolerance of a fucking mammoth.” I groan into the phone. 

“Alright, I’ll let that slide, but I have tea!” 

“What could you possibly know now, Kai. I swear you’re like a book of secrets growing by the minute.” I mumble. 

“Can you just shut up and let me spill!” Kaileen huffs. I couldn’t see her through the phone, but I know she’s rolling her eyes at me. 

“Okay, okay, what is it?” I asked. 

“You remember Ashton and Luke from last night?”

“The cocky asshole with bright blue eyes that I fell in front of? Yes, I remember.” I sigh, looking at how the nail polish has chipped in various places on my nails. 

“Well, while you were staring at whoever, Ashton asked me on a date, and of course I said yes.” She beings to say. 

“Okay? This doesn’t seem like tea, Kaileen, it just seems like a normal Friday night for you.” 

Yes, Kaileen is the one that all boys fawn over. If you look at her, she is the perfect mixture of an angel and a devil. She’s blonde, she’s pretty, she’s smart, hell even I wanna go out with her. I’m surprised Calum and Luke spoke to me without trying to win her over. 

“Anyways, Luke was eyeing you and he asked if you two could come along, so you, my sweet girl, are coming on a double date with me.” 

I groaned as soon as she finished her sentence. I don’t like the whole dating scene to begin with, after being in a four-year relationship and then just to get your heart ripped out when you thought everything was fine, sucks. 

“Do I have to go? Can you tell Luke I have, like, fucking crabs or something?” I was completely serious when finishing that sentence. 

“Ryder! I will not tell him that, I want you ready by 8:00. So, you go eat, shower, take a nap, and do whatever else you need to do so you’re ready on time.” She demanded. 

“Yes, mom.” 

Great, I expected to spend my day in nothing but sweatpants and ordering pizza while watching reruns of Bob’s Burgers. Now, I have to get dolled up again for this date. Part of me wants to blow the whole thing off, but the other half of me wants to see what’ll happen. I know Kaileen is only doing this because she cares about me, and would kill to see me happy like I was with Andrew. She still resents him to this day. 

Pushing all of those thoughts to the back of my mind, I start brewing some coffee and pull out whatever I find appetizing. I’m now starting to regret Ashton giving me those shots once I take a bite of the toast. Instead of focusing on not throwing my guts up in the kitchen, I focus on the man on that goddamn black velvet couch. If only it were him I bumped into and got this fucking bruise. Oh, who am I kidding, if it were him, I’d die of embarrassment. 

As soon as I’m finished eating, I get a notification. I grab my phone, expecting to see Kaileen’s name across it, but instead, it’s an unknown number. 

From: Unknown 

You’re quite hard to get a hold of, darling. 

Sent 11:02 am 

To: Unknown

Do I know you? You might have the wrong number… 

Read 11:03 am 

From: Unknown 

You should, you were staring at me 

all last night. Has anyone told you 

that it’s rude to stare? 

Sent 11:03 am 

It might be this fucking headache, but if I’m not crazy, this could be the man that I can’t get out of my head. How could he have even gotten my number? None of us even spoke to him! 

From: Unknown 

Be on your best behavior tonight, for Luke. 

I’ll be watching you, and if you want out,

well, you know the code word. 

Sent: 11:06 am 

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

[garden-of-succulents]

#wipitgood WIP amnesty: The fic I keep wrestling with but never make progress on, the “How Kent Parson Discovered Paganism” story. The poem quoted is real; it’s by Franco Buffoni. 

---

The year after my life fell apart and I made it big, I googled, "why is god cruel?"

Holy fuck, that got me so many stupid answers. I’d already tried to read When Bad Things Happen to Good People the summer before and given up a few pages in, and this was pretty much that in Google form. Everyone's so desperate to tell you that God doesn't really let bad things happen, they're not really bad, they're just secretly good things in disguise or something and it’s all going to work out in the end.

Fuck that.

But I found a poem.

From Mars cruel god of war The desire to tie the corpse to the chariot And drag it around each morning, From Mercury the idea to put a stop to that And buy the body back. Because everything sooner or later becomes a musical Or a collectible card or figurine

And that was... holy fuck. Nothing I’d ever read had made me feel like that.

In middle school we did a thing on Greek mythology. We actually got to do a field trip to the movie theatre to see Troy, and I actually got to go, which I basically never do. (Hockey.) It was awesome, and I remember our teacher reading us the opening lines of the Iliad, "Sing of the rage of Achilles."

I didn't really like school. I actually kind of hated it. That was before I moved to Quebec, and before the school actually realized that I needed things read aloud to me. Like, I'm not illiterate, but reading is hard and I'm slow at it and it makes my head hurt. But that was with the one teacher I really liked and I remember it. I remember being in school then and thinking, "I wish it was like this all the time."

And, well. We talked about the movie in class and how the war had really taken ten years and the movie wasn't totally accurate and Carrie said, "They totally didn't mention the part where Achilles and Patroclus were gay," and the teacher agreed with her. Like, Brad Pitt Achilles was gay, and in the movie they made them just cousins.

Everyone else was arguing about it because there was a girl in the story and that proved he couldn't be gay but I actually raised my hand and said, "Wouldn't he just be like, bisexual and cheating?" and I could tell Carrie was going to talk to me after class about it. We were really good friends last year and she thought she was maybe a lesbian. I wasn't actually sure if was was okay for me to be friends with her again, because the hockey season was still over, but it was still... I didn't actually know if it was okay anymore. My coach still thought I'd be going into the OHL and he still parked across from the school sometimes, so I just packed up my stuff and left without letting her catch my eye.

I looked it up later though, and she was literally right. They were totally... bisexual or something. So I knew that was the story. This guy killed Patroclus, and it made Achilles so angry that he killed the guy and dragged his body around behind his chariot, even though he shouldn't have done it. I'd imagined feeling that, back then, like: Finding someone really important to me, and having them die. How much I'd want to get revenge. What I'd do even if it made me a horrible person. I'd never really been in love, but I could imagine then.

So it was like I was being stripped, turned inside-out, by that poem.

Because everything sooner or later becomes a musical Or a collectible card or figurine Hitler or the Fierce Saladin Dracula the Impaler All stripped of any awareness of suffering: There is no voice in stones

I'd been a trading card for years. Like, a literal trading card. Top NHL Prospects of 2010. People would ask me to sign them when I was in the Q. "An investment for my grandchildren for when you make it big."

People still asked me to sign stuff with Jack on it. Memorial Cup... memorial stuff. Or from World Juniors. Every time I did it I'd just kind of wonder: How the fuck do you ask something like that? Like, what makes you look at a picture of two people, one of whom nearly died and might never be okay again, and ask his buddy if he'll autograph it for you? Why the fuck would you ask, "Do you miss him?" How the fuck do I answer that? "Yeah, I guess?"

For a moment, reading that poem, I could imagine myself in a box like a Barbie doll, wired to a plastic card, with a plastic tray that kept me pinned down, in the right position in the display window. They always took so much patience, finding the invisible tape. I used to open my sister's for her because she got so impatient, she tried to wrench the whole package apart, so I took it away from her, felt for the edges of the tape, took the cardboard apart and untwisted the ties.

That night I looked up “Achilles” in the Apple audiobook store and bought a double volume of The Iliad and The Odyssey, and I fell asleep listening to the gods fighting over an apple.

[the-wotog-collection]

current (4/27/2020) list of aus

so! we have one overarching universe (wotog) that almost everything falls under, with the exception of the chromatica crew and the Project 83 kids. and, because we have so many kids and so many ideas, naturally, we’ve come up with (entirely too many) alternate universes to put them in. designated tags for each au are after each description.

this is also gonna be really long so i apologize in advance. everything is under the cut.

pirate: this is actually set somewhere in the beginning-middle of True Canon, after the og crew (minus anne and viren) went around the continent, witherhurst, and decided “yknow what? there’s nothing else to do here, let’s go be pirates i guess” so they proceeded to steal a pirate ship and go be pirates. #pirate au

ccak: cats, coffee, and kink. this is the generic modern au, and i love it so much. to me, this is True Canon but for the modern aus. set in fantasy-modern new york city, it’s basically slice of life as the kids just kinda exist together. #ccak

flowers: ah yes, the soulmate au. [redacted] actually came up with the idea for this one: everyone is born with at least one soul mark. they have one that’s their own, and it takes the shape of their favorite flower somewhere on their body, and is filled in with the actual colors of the flower. but, because this is a soulmate au, most people have more than one mark. okay this is gonna be a little hard to explain so. person A has a rose on the back of their left hand, and that’s their soulmark. they have a romantic soulmate, person B, so they might have a red lily on their right forearm (or wherever it is on person B). they also have a platonic soulmate, person C, so they have a blue daffodil on their leg, and a familial soulmate, so maybe a green peony on their back. and a person doesn’t know what kind of soulmate they’ll have until they meet their soulmate and their marks start to fill in. a person’s personal mark goes gray if they go against destiny and love someone who doesn’t share a mark with them, and their mark fades almost completely when that corresponding soulmate dies. (in addition, fantasy races don’t exist in this one, and if i remember correctly, magic isn’t a thing either.) #flowers

wings: this one is pretty straightforward. everyone has wings (and everyone is human, rather than fantasy races), and it’s great. #wings au

wolf/vamp: so in this one, everyone is human, but can be turned into (or born as, i guess) a werewolf, a vampire, or, in some rare cases, a cross between the two: a vaewolf. this one is kinda grittier to me, but that’s just the impression i personally get from it. #wolf au #vamp au

outbreak: the obligatory zombie apocalypse au, feat. low magic and a very soft magic system. Zombies are made of a mix of magic and disease, so a cure is virtually impossible. Typical gritty ‘everyone’s depressed and just doing their best to survive’ apocalypse shenanigans. #outbreak

hanahaki: self-explanatory. a modern au, i’m imagining it as similar to ccak, but in which the hanahaki disease is a thing and occurs. #hanahaki au

fae-u: a modern-ish au, in which mythical creatures exist! has heavy ties into japanese folklore and myths, with some more western ideas as well. this one is pretty xander-centric. #faeu #fae u

pantheon: the kids are deities! based more on greek mythology, and takes place in ancient greece, if i’m not mistaken. #pantheon

vigilante: heroes and villains are a thing, and where there’s heroes and villains, there’s vigilantes! this one is mostly centered around xander, hatch, and glo. #vigilante #vigilante au  

reaperverse: set in a world where reapers come to collect souls when they die, one stubborn woman (spoilers: it’s eve) simply refuses, and forgets, to die, and shenanigans ensue. #reaperverse

prince and the gardener: based on a tumblr post i'll look for later, the palace gardener falls in love with the prince. they are, of course, none other than hatch and xander. they have therai, palace guard, and eve, reluctant queen, on their side, and life is good. #prince and gardener

warrior cats: the guilty pleasure au. (for me, anyway.) the kids, but set in the warrior cats universe, so they’re all cats. sue us. (actually please don’t, neither of us have any money.) #warrior cats au

dark carnival: Based on the vocaloid song Dark Woods Circus (i lost the link im so sorry), this au is Pippin-centric. Focuses on Pip as they’re dragged to a twisted hell by a demon that goes by the name of Ringmaster (Intem). Everyone in the carnival is a sinner, who was sent to hell for crimes they committed in their lives. Eve and Vik are the twins (Also based off ‘see no evil speak no evil’), Dante’s the deformed diva, and Therai is the blue beast??? He’s the cannibal guy. There’s a happy ending I promise. #dark carnival au

accidental summoning: based on the fic Twine (x) by CrunchyWrites on ao3, hatch is a witch and accidentally summons xander, a demon. they kinda fall in love, but also stuff happens. you’ll see. #accidental summoning

reputations au: ah yes, an au based on an au. this one is based on the fic Reputations (x) by Tromper on ao3. two empires have been at war for the past ten or so years, and it’s been a bloody one. until! each side decides to have their best warriors marry each other as a sort of peace treaty, and it’s a slow burn enemies to husbands to friends to lovers. #reputations au

class swap: basically, we were like “hey what if everyone swapped classes” so! this was born. gotta remember who swapped with who. vik and pippin switched (vik is now a rogue and pippin is a bard), therai and tal switched, i think eve and intem switched, and xander and maybe hatch switched? i think. #class swap

merfolk: everyone is a merfolk! their society is essentially made up of lesserfolk, higherfolk, serpents, and leviathans. anyway it’s life under the sea and it’s great. #merfolk au

pokemon: a pokemon au! we came up with our own region for this one, based on alaska, and it’s actually really good and a lot deeper than i thought it would be! #pokemon au

fairy au: different from FaeU in that everyone is a fairy, instead of mythical creatures. this one is pretty straightforward too. #fairy au

a pirate’s life for me: okay so we were both involved in our school’s production of the musical A Pirate’s Life For Me ([redacted] was cast, i was crew) and after a couple showings we were like “hey new au idea” so. this happened. long story short: eve is a lady, bored of noble life, and decides to go become a pirate to spice things up. her suitor, tal, is heartbroken and says yknow what! if it’s a pirate she wants, it’s a pirate she’ll get! so he goes and becomes a pirate too. eve runs into the notorious Captain Scars (intem) and Captain Vex (vik), and carves a place for herself in infamy as the pirate queen. #pirates life au

warrior princess: [redacted] came up with this one and it’s really cool actually! so, eve is a warrior princess, a role she filled after xander, the kingdom’s warrior prince, mysteriously vanished one day. she fills this role quite well, even if she isn’t particularly happy with her life, until a ~mysterious stranger~ offers to whisk her away to the feywild, so she can be free. (spoilers: she goes with him.) #warrior princess au

the witcher: this has been our hyperfixation for the past couple of weeks (at the time of writing this). marlowe and i decided to watch the witcher netflix series and said “hey new au idea”. i read copious amounts of fics and [redacted] is consuming frankly scary amounts of witcher media, so, this au was born. therai takes the place of geralt, and where would he be without his bard, eve? #witcher au

[fairiesherefairiesthere]

Lover’s desire

Ships : Aizawa Shouta/ Yamada Hizashi ; Kayama Nemuri/ Takeyama Yuu

Synopsis: It’s a hadestown au, but you don’t need to know anything about the musical though. A little knowledge about Greek mythology (Hades and Persephone) might help, but I also don’t think that’s necessary. It’s just soft and Aizawa adopts 1A, but what else is new? 

Word count : 12 836

Fic starts under the cut :

There's a stumble in his step, probably because of an old wound that never healed quite right, but Shouta would rather die than delay his eventual arrival in the city any longer. The exhaustion that has formed itself as dark bags underneath his eyes is tugging at him from all directions, daring him to rest for just a bit. When he staggers past a comfortable enough looking hollow tree, he considers it briefly. It wouldn't really hurt, right?

But as he crouches down intending to take a quick nap, the wind picks up again. The bothersome, ice cold nipping at his skin quickly evaporates his will to stay there. With a bone-deep sigh he picks himself and his few belongings up again. As he walks as fast as his legs will allow him, he hopes that he'll reach the city before the storm swallows him whole.

Eventually, he arrives. Not unlike the slew of towns he visited before this particular one, the streets are empty and barren. Howling, the wind runs through the streets, warning the people that a storm is inevitable. Vaguely, Shouta wonders if this town will be erased from the maps as well.

Shaking his head, he gathers himself again. It isn't logical to worry about questions he has no answer to (though it doesn't hurt to be prepared for bad situations). Just like the wailing of the wind, his sole footsteps sound eerily loud in this abandoned town and for a long time, those two are the only sounds he hears. That is, until the sound of someone singing rings clearly through the air, drowning out the wind and drawing Shouta in.

Before he's aware of what he's doing, he's already moving in the direction of the voice. Only a fool would still find a reason to sing in times like these and if anything, Shouta would at least get some form of entertainment out of this whole thing. That's the sole reason that he's nearly running towards the joyous sound, he tells himself. It's got nothing to do with the way the song sounds oh so whimsical, but steady at its core. With the way the wordless melody nestles itself in Shouta's heart with promises of warmth, of a home.

His feet halt before an unassuming wooden door. When he looks up, he can see a sign with the word "tavern" on it, letters nearly faded out. With a jolt, he breaks out of his musings when he notices the song has stopped and he considers walking away. The reason he came here in the first place has just disappeared into thin air, so why should he enter? But then the singing starts again and this time it sounds even more inviting than the first time. Judging by the stomping of feet inside the tavern, the other listeners seem to think so as well. Shouta has never been one for parties, but the melody is simply to alluring to resist.

From the moment the newcomer walks in, Hizashi has his eyes on him. He can't pinpoint exactly what it is that draws him to the ragged looking traveller (or local homeless man. He isn't really sure). But his fingers slow down until they aren't plucking at his guitar strings and anymore and the silence when he stops singing is a bit overwhelming. The people that had dared to dance stopped too and the eyes of everyone in the room are directed at the man with his shoddy hair...with his shoddy everything.

Recognising the way the man tenses up, Hizashi shoots him a quick wink before resuming his song. Immediately, the crowd sweeps into action again as tension bleeds out of the room. Unlike all the other patrons, the man doesn't dance. Instead he lays his head down on a table and Hizashi, thinking that the other has decided to take a nap while he's giving a performance, feels a bit vexed.

Inwardly pouting like a petulant child, he continues his gig. The petulance disappears however, when he catches the tired eyes of that peculiar man looking at him on more than one occasion. Each time their eyes meet, Hizashi winks cheekily and after the seventh or eighth time, the man turns his head after Hizashi winks with both his eyes, like the proper dumbass he is. For a moment he thinks he's lost his chances with him, until he notices the red flush on the other man's cheeks. Apparently his dim-witted attempts at across-the-room-flirting are more charming than he thought.

As the night dwindles to an end and everyone except himself and the singer has gone off to find a sleeping place, Shouta moves to do the same. He is tired and he isn't going to force the blond singer to stay up the entire night either. "Oh", he hears the other man breathe as he turns to leave the tavern. With a raised brow, he turns around again. "Is there something you want?" he asks, perhaps a bit too brusquely. He knows full well that he's being rude, but it's better to stomp out this little spark in his heart with his own foot. He wanders from town to town and he knows that everything he has is temporary. There's no use in bothering this handsome stranger with fleeting feelings.

His words, brief and ill-mannered, do not have the intended effect as the man nearly trips over himself to introduce himself. "Hizashi", he splutters out and Shouta wonders what he's supposed to do with that one word. "Me. You can call me Hizashi. I mean, my name's Yamada Hizashi. With the former being the last name and the latter one being the first. Ya know."

Shouta does in fact, not know. But it's hard to ignore the man- Hizashi's hand after he nearly smacks Shouta with it in all his eager enthusiasm. With a bone-deep sigh, he drags his own hand out of his pocket and reluctantly shakes Hizashi's hand. "Aizawa Shouta. Call me Aizawa."

Completely ignoring Shouta's request, Hizashi calls him by his given name as he tries to make idle conversation. "So Shouta", he starts and Shouta doesn't even attempt to hide his eyeroll. "What brings you here?"

"Basic human needs", he flatly replies and Hizashi's eyes widen. "Love?" he whispers in a conspiratory voice, eyes dreamy and far away. With a snort, Shouta pushes the man's face away. "Food and shelter. The storm laid waste to the last town I stopped in, so here I am now."

"Here you are", Hizashi echoes before his expression turns thoughtful and then hopeful, cheeky even. "Come home with me", he says with all the courage of a naive, hope-filled fool. The question or should he call it a declaration startles Shouta and a little laugh travels past his lips.

The sound escapes neither his nor Hizashi's attention and Shouta ducks in his scarf to hide his reddening face. "Lover", he drawls and hopes Hizashi will catch the obvious sarcasm in his voice. Judging by the starstruck expression on the man's face, it's clear he doesn't. "You have a home? Some man you must be. Most people these would be lucky to possess a house and yet you, a simple singer speaks of having a home."

"We'll make one together", Hizashi breathes as he tucks a stray strand of hair behind Shouta's ear. "We'll build a home where you can lay your head and worries down and where we'll be sheltered from the wind. We'll built a place of love."

The innocence behind those words tell Shouta that Hizashi hasn't experienced a storm yet. That he hasn't seen houses and families been torn apart by invisible forces of nature. Still, he's endearing. Shouta wonders just how long he'll be able to keep up that sunny optimism of his. "Well then lover, how will you feed me?" Before Hizashi can answer, Shouta takes his right hand and places a kiss on his ring finger (being bold isn't an issue if he's gonna leave the next day), "lover", he mumbles and doesn't Hizashi turn a delectable shade of red? "With what gold will you put a ring on my finger?"

For a moment, Hizashi is completely and utterly silent. When Shouta lets go of his hand, he shoots back into action. "I'll do it with my song", he declares, face still red but the expression on it is more determined than Shouta has ever seen on a man. "I'll sing a song so beautiful, that the trees will bend down and grant us their fruits, one that will make the earth bare her treasures for us, so the finger you kissed and the one I will kiss right now will match each other with a golden gleam." Immediately putting his words into action, Hizashi lifts Shouta's right ring finger to his lips and places a feather-light kiss on it. Contrary to his fingers, roughened by playing the strings, his lips are soft.

Now, Shouta is the one who is stunned as Hizashi gazes at him through his eyelashes with too bright green eyes. He snaps out of it and quickly pulls his hand back. Feelings weren't supposed to become a part of this. Still, he's curious about Hizashi and his lofty promises. "Sing it then." He coughs roughly. "Your song, I mean. Show me the song that's gonna change the world."

For the first time that night, Shouta detects uncertainty in the man standing in front of him. "It isn't finished yet", Hizashi admits and Shouta can't even muster up the energy to sigh at that. Of course. Of course Hizashi is just another sweet distraction without substance that life has thrown his way. "Forget it", he grunts and moves towards the door, fully planning on leaving.

"No wait!" He hears Hizashi stumble over some chairs and then he hears him plucking at his strings. Whatever. Before Shouta can reach the door, the wind throws them open and the icy cold gusts bite at his skin. Bracing himself, he prepares to throw himself into it, in search for another place to stay.

That is, until Hizashi's lovely voice sings a soothing melody and the wind changes from icy nails scratching at his skin to gentle hands that spin him around and carefully put him in the chair across Hizashi. The dead flowers in the vase behind him start to bloom and he temporarily halts his guitar playing to place a now gorgeous red carnation in Shouta's hair. "The song isn't finished yet, but trust me. When we'll marry, all the flowers will be blooming and they'll liven up that lovely face of yours."

"Oh", Shouta brings out, stunned before he manages to gather his words again. "If this is what your unfinished song can do, then it'd be a crime to leave before I heard it in all its glory." He grins and shakes his head. "I can't believe I'm saying this", he sighs and Hizashi's pretty green eyes gleam with hope. Shouta offers him his hand. "C'mon lover (he still adds a bit of sarcasm, just to uphold his image for a bit). Take me home with you."

Shouta comes to love Hizashi (or maybe he's loved him all along). The world hasn't changed, the cold winter has come and food is still hard to find. But in a certain sense, Shouta's world has changed. Cold and small as it may be, Shouta has a home now. One he shares with a beautiful man who serenades him with words and a voice sweeter than honey.

But for all he's loving (and that's one thing Shouta would never be able to complain about. Hizashi loves him, that's a fact), Hizashi also has periods where he's absent. His body remains there, seated on their bare wooden floor as he absent-mindedly plucks at his strings, trying to complete the melody that has the capacity of changing the world, but his mind is too far away for Shouta to reach.

There's another thing that's bothering him. If he looks carefully, he can easily count Hizashi's ribs and on some days, he can't hear Hizashi over the growling of his own stomach. The temperature has also been dropping lately. They're in love, sure, but they're also hungry and cold and it's as though Hizashi's so concentrated on finishing his song that he doesn't even notice it. But all would be okay, he just had to trust Hizashi and his song.

Weeks pass by and Shouta has to travel further and further to find some scraps of food. Lately, Hizashi hasn't been joining him any more. He's singing till his sore throat shuts him up and snaps him out of his daze and all that's left is a heap of weak artistic bones with a worn-out but still sincere smile.

"Shouta!" he hears the man in question call his name. "Wait for me!" he calls out and of course Shouta does so. Almost slipping, Hizashi arrives in front of Shouta and he steadies him by grabbing his elbow. "Thank you for being my tower of strength, where would I be without you?" Hizashi smiles and Shouta can't help but agree quietly with him. Hizashi is a songbird, but birds that don't get fed die.

All afternoon, they comb through the woods and left-behind houses in search of food and blankets, but find only a handful of berries next to a train station. "It's okay", Hizashi says softly. "We're gonna be okay, trust me."

The loud whistling of a train mercifully interrupts them, so Shouta doesn't have to answer. He isn't sure how he would've answered either. He loves Hizashi, but he isn't sure for how long he can keep trusting a man that doesn't notice he's hungry until his shaky arms drop his guitar on the floor.

"Look", Hizashi whispers as a dark haired lady steps of the train, clad in...barely anything. "I bet she knows how to live", Hizashi jokes but Shouta's looking past her at the other lady behind her. She has long blond hair tumbling down her back and a stern icy face. A thick, black coat is draped across her shoulders. It looks warm.

"Well then Yuu dearest", the dark haired one says, all smiles without warmth. "I can't wait to reunite with you next winter!" Her joy remains insincere until she turns around and shouts: "Hey Tensei, we've entered the realm of the living again! Let's liven it up on top!" Without looking behind back, she jumps off the train. Following right behind her is a man wearing glasses, whose clears up as soon as he sees Hizashi. "Hizashi, my friend, play us a tune! Spring has returned!"

With Kayama Nemuri, the flowers and birds returns. It doesn't need to be said, because Shouta can recognise the goddess Persephone without her having to outright state it. Iida Tensei had been a trickier one, until he winked at Shouta and told him he was a 'messenger of sorts'. Apparently the messenger of the gods, Hermes, likes to call himself Tensei.

Winter disappears, but there's no spring to speak of, only a scorching hot summer. No one seems to care, but as people dance and drink the wine Nemuri (what's with these people and insisting he uses their given names?) so gracefully offers them, Shouta doesn't lose track of the way he's dizzy because of the heat and still hungry because of the dying crops. He brings it up to Nemuri once, but she waves him off and offers him some more wine instead. He isn't like her, he can't drink his hunger away.

Hizashi and Tensei, they talk about it too, but not when Shouta's around. Tensei likes to drop cryptic hints when Hizashi is working on that one particular song, steering him in a certain direction. Maybe the future result would be magnificent, but Shouta can't help but notice the already meagre hours of sleep his lover get diminishing and he worries. Hizashi may be the key to solving this situation, but a broken key still would not be able to open a lock.

Six months pass and the lady in the black coat arrives again on the train, looking bored as before. Taking the vibrant Nemuri with her, Takeyama Yuu or as Nemuri told them, Lady Hades, plunges the world back into the bitter darkness of winter.

It's on a fateful day, when Shouta is out to gather food, that it happens. A storm catches him off-guard and as the hungry claws of ice also known as the wind claw his jacket off his back and tear his scarf away, he shouts for Hizashi. Shouts for the man who can turn these icy gusts to a gentle breeze with just the sound of his voice. Logically he knows that there's no way the man will hear him, but he's disappointed when he doesn't show up anyway.

He doesn't know how long the storm rages around him, but when it finally calms down he's left with just his shirt and pants as he lays on a blanket of snow. It's cold. Where is Hizashi now? Where's the man who promised him a shelter and food? Who promised him love? Where is the love in letting your significant other go out in this weather? Bitterly, Shouta covers his eyes with his arm to hide the tears that are gathering there. He should've known better really. Time to gather himself and go, he doesn't need anyone else.

"You look cold", a detached voice says and Shouta removes his arm from his face and squints at the woman above him. "Take this", she says nonchalantly and drops a heavy jacket on his body. Embarrassingly fast, Shouta scrambles to put it on. After he's wrapped in the cosy, sturdy material, he looks up to the lady, who Nemuri referred to as Takeyama Yuu or Hades. She gives him a once over and nods. "You look like someone who knows how to work."

"Maybe I do", he says and squints at her. "It depends on what they're offering me in return though."

With a seemingly heedless movement, she brushes her hair behind her ear. The action pulls up her sleeve, highlighting her warm gloves and revealing the sparkly jewelry on her ear. She's obviously wealthy. "I offer you what you're looking for. A place to sleep and a meal every day. All I want in return is for you to be mine. Work for me in Hadestown." She stretches out her hand to him and he takes the time to think the offer over.

It's not as though he's leaving something life-saving behind. There is nothing here for him, he reminds himself and ignores the voice that whispers Hizashi's name. He doesn't need anything beside a sleeping place and something to eat, it's only logical to go with her. Mind made up, he clasps her hand. "Okay", he simply says.

Within moments of arriving at Hadestown, Shouta notices that several things are severely wrong. First of all, there are only children working there, digging in the ground and carrying stones almost bigger than themselves. The second thing is the vacancy in their eyes and their stiff movements. "What is going on?" he mumbles and the woman next to him shakes her head. "They all wanted something and they got it. In return they are working for me. It's only fair. Now off you go."

"Shouta! Where are you ?!" Hizashi had always thought of himself as a loud person, but he's apparently not loud enough, because his lover can't hear him. Trotting down another road that he knows Shouta often takes, he slips and meets the ground face-first. Fuck. "Shouta!" he calls out again and this time he gets a response, though it's not from the man himself.

"He's gone Hizashi", Tensei's voice says from behind him and Hizashi whirls around. "What do you mean gone?" (He tries not to think of his mom, who left him behind. Tries not to think of how much of a handful he is.) "Let me ask you a question first. How for would you go for him?"

Oh, that's an easy one. "I'd go everywhere, until the end of time if I must", he answers honestly and Tensei allows himself a little laugh. "You're so spontaneous, it's what makes you humans so charming. I know where your Shouta is and I also know that you won't be able to get there."

"Why not?"

"Because your arms would snap in two if you'd try to lift a boulder."

"That's fair."

"Anyway", Tensei continues, "Have you heard of Hadestown? The town where the lady of the underground rules over her workers with an iron grip? I've heard you can reach it by crossing a certain river, but you know, it's just rumors. Who knows if it's true."

The look Tensei is giving him implies that he knows that Hizashi will be able to get there by using this way and Hizashi is gifted enough to read between the lines. If Tensei can't tell him more, so be it. "Guess I'll have to check it out then."

"Wait." Interrupting Hizashi's stride by grasping his arm, Tensei sighs. "There's a big chance he won't be coming back with you. People go there voluntarily, Takeyama Yuu can't force them to. Keep that in mind."

"I will", Hizashi promises before he sets off to find Shouta. He most definitely will.

Shouta works hard, until his fingers are littered with blisters and the darkness of the mines isn't foreign anymore. Every day is the same down here. Starting early, all the workers get up and dig out precious jewels from the ground. The more gifted ones reform them to whatever materials the lady of the mines desires. They work without a break till nearly midnight, where they get served a meal and then are sent off to bed. Sleeping happens in a communal room, though woman and men are separated.

Jarringly enough, none of the kids talk. Even long after the guards have dispersed, they still won't utter any whispers among themselves. It's deadly wrong, but Shouta doesn't have the people skills to start any conversations. He tries though, but it's like talking to little human-shaped walls.

As days go on, Shouta feels himself becoming part of this human wall. Memories flee from his mind faster than he would like and the emptiness he sees in these kids becomes apparent in him as well. He isn't sure why he came here, but it doesn't matter. He was someone before he was a worker. It doesn't matter. There was someone who...there was...does it really matter?

The worker loses track of everything. His name. His age. Where he came from. Every experience that has made him the man he is today. There's nothing left that's specifically his. Wracking his mind, he tries to come up with anything that could assign some sort of meaning to himself. Who is he?

The storm in his mind is laid to rest when a gentle melody enters his head and weaves itself between his thoughts. Significantly calmer, he continues his work while humming the song that sounds oh so gentle and familiar. Something about it pierces through the foggy atmosphere in the mines and for the first time in a while, he rears his head and thinks clearly.

It's as though he sees the kids for the first time, though he knows that this isn't the case. This time, he carefully examines each and every one of their faces and when one set of eyes quickly looks away when he meets them, he knows he's found another fully conscious person.

The young man in question has sleepy purple eyes that try their hardest to hide of vitality in them and when the worker moves to talk to him, the younger one opens his mouth first. "People who don't even know their name shouldn't talk at all."

"What-" "Go back to work. Don't ask questions." The worker grabs his shovel again. It's time to dig.

The spell wears off eventually and the worker is more determined than ever to get through these kids, starting with the purple one. "Don't", he starts before the young man can say anything. "Why not?" he innocently asks and the worker grunts. "Because it's not gonna help anyone in the long run."

"I don't care. It's helping me right now. Go back to work."

The third time, his strange melody helps him out again. As soon as the worker had been released from whatever that damn mind control exactly was, he had started singing the song. His voice is by no means something to write home about, but it does the job of comforting him pretty well. When he looks around, he notices that the song has other effects as well.

Eyes no longer vacant, the kids are staring at him. "Hey dead-eyes", one particularly mouthy kid addresses him. "Where'd ya learn that song?"

"I wish I knew", he answers truthfully. "But the truth is that I don't know anything. I don't even know my own name." Little by little, the kids seem to be becoming aware of their own lack of knowledge and of course, they're freaking out about it. "Sit down", he sighs tiredly and miraculously, the children actually listen to him. "Good", he mutters and joins the circle. "Let's go over the things that we do know. You, mouthy brat, start."

Affronted, the blond looks at him and hisses something along the lines of: "You wanna go, old man?" Gaining no reaction, the blond huffs and spits out: "The purple fucker did something. I suggest we murder him."

Well then. Scanning the circle, the worker does note that the 'purple fucker' is missing. Luckily for him, he's been blessed with fast reflexes and a piece of rope, conveniently laid by his feet. Catching the kid, who had tried to escape in vain, he yanks the rope back. He also keeps the child close enough to him so the explosive blond won't get to him first. "Fess up. What's happening here?"

"It's just the town man, I've got nothing to do with your shitty memories!" Struggling to get free, the kid scowls. "All I do is tell you to get back to work. That's it. If you manage to stay awake and I mean really awake, not wandering around in a zombie-like state, you'll regain your memories eventually."

"Prove it", a dark-haired girl with vague frog-like features says in a matter of fact kinda way. "Tell us your name."

Obviously uncomfortable, the child shifts in the ropes. Noticing that they aren't going to let him go before he tells them, he rolls his eyes. "Shinsou Hitoshi. Now let me go."

"How do we know you're speaking the truth? Based on the fact that you are the only person in this group who still retained any memories of his time before Hadestown, we can conclude that you must have some sort of advantage over the rest of us. We don't have any reason to trust you and your shifty demeanour isn't helping you either. Furthermore-"

The green-haired child's muttering gets interrupted by Shinsou flatly saying: "You think I'd realistically choose this name? It sounds stupid as all hell."

"He's got a point", explodo-kill (it seems appropriate for the child) grins and a spiky, redhaired kid elbows him. "Dude, be nice. It costs nothing."

"It costs me effort."

A headache is coming up and Aizawa can't believe that there was actually a period in his life where he wanted to be a teacher. Children are a pain in the ass. Aizawa? Aizawa! The epiphany he's just had must've shown on his face, because the curious green-haired child gives him a peculiar look. "Did you notice something?" The child asks and Aizawa shakes his head. "No, I remembered something instead. I'm Aizawa." He pauses for a second. "Or at least I think so."

A blond kid laughs obnoxiously at that. "Oh my god, I don't even think at all and I know my name's Kaminari Denki." Abruptly he stops laughing and looks at Aizawa in a state of mild shock. "Oh. I didn't knew I knew that. Or know I guess, because I still have that knowledge. Verb tenses." He fingerguns awkwardly and somewhere in his soul, Aizawa relates to that, though the kid doesn't need to know that.

"Anyone else magically remember something?" Their collective headshaking confirms their lack of new knowledge. "So now what?" A young girl with cheeks reminiscent of apples asks and gives him a look of anticipation. Honestly, Aizawa could go for a nap right now. All he has is his last name and a song, there's no way he can help these kids with just that. Luckily enough for him, another kid starts rattling while making a lot of unnecessary hand gestures.

"I suggest we give each other some sort of names! It is hard to organise without being able to differentiate between our forces!"

"Good idea", the explosive kid says with a grin that just spells trouble. "You there, blondie! You're glittershit (excusez-moi?!) from now on. You there with the raccoon eyes, take a big fucking guess what we're gonna name you (I wanna be alien queen!). Next, frogface, glasses, round face, tail and dunce face."

Damn. This kid is really going for it huh. Aizawa decides to let him finish, because let's be honest, the nicknames are very to the point. It's impossible to not immediately know who he's talking about.

"Furthermore we have shitty hair (it's not shitty, it's manly!), fucking rock(...), sugarlips, octopus, jacking girl (please don't), plain one (I can't believe I'm actually disappointed), edgelord supreme (I thrive in the darkness), icyhot, ponytail and fucking Deku too."

Before Aizawa can ask where the nickname 'Deku' comes from, someone huffs right beside the boy assigning the names. "I don't like your names, but you completely ignored me, man. That's so not cool!"

"Invisibitch."

"Nevermind, feel free to just ignore me again", she pouts. "Kacchan, look at what you do to people", Deku sighs and pats the invisible girl on the shoulder. He has to pat the air for a bit first before he finds her, but Aizawa thinks she appreciates it nonetheless. "You want to fight, shitty nerd?" Kacchan bristles and Aizawa raises his hand. "Okay, that's enough of that."

Both of them look surprised as he steps in between them, as though they're not used to people breaking up their fights. Right now, Aizawa is ninety percent sure that these two have some history together and based on the things he's seen, it isn't a pretty one.

The sound of unsteady footsteps echoes through the cave they're all huddled in and their conversation falls still. "It's the drunk lady", the one dubbed icyhot says in a monotone manner. "I'd recognise those drunken footsteps anywhere", he adds and then she appears.

Waving wildly with a bottle of wine at the children, she laughs loudly. "Hello children, did ya miss me?"

"No", Kacchan spits out vehemently and the other children tense up. "Why the fuck don't we know shit you hag? Let us go!"

"I'm merely the bosses beloved wife", she remarks and it's obvious from the way she states it, that she doesn't feel that beloved. "Six months a year I stay here, do you really think I've got any say in all of this? All I can offer you is some souvenirs." Giving the bottle of wine a shake and shooting the kid a meaningful look, Aizawa decides to step in again.

"These are underaged kids, you can't give them alcohol. Nemuri wasn't it? Show some responsibility, please." Carefully, her gaze travels over him and she gives him a joyless smile. "Love truly doesn't last huh?" She remarks, catching him off guard. Then, she turns her back to him and winks at the children. "Anyway, let's hold a little party, I'm sure Yuu won't mind. After all, it's not that often that I'm in this sorry excuse of a town!"

Something about the way she behaves is intoxicating and exciting. Nemuri, for all that she's faulty brings life to the mines and with her permission, the children drop the stones and materials they were gathering and enjoy the festivities she's throwing. Meanwhile, she also gives them the souvenirs she had been speaking of. They're all various objects that seem to spread vitality that is unknown to Hadestown. Flowers, fruits and even a bunny for the quiet kid that resembles a stone.

Late in the evening, when Aizawa is pretty sure that all the children are asleep, she sits herself down next to him. "Here, something for you", she announces and presses a little bundle into his hands. His first instinct is to reject it, because there's no way that he trusts this lady. But the tired, genuine light that shines in her eyes convinces him otherwise and with a little bit of curiousity, he opens the packet.

Inside, he finds two objects. The first one, is a bird's feather and the second one is a red flower. Spotting the confusion on his face, Nemuri laughs softly. "You like songbirds", she whispers and for some reason he thinks that he isn't supposed to take that sentence literally. "As for this one", she continues and picks the flower up. "It simply suits you." With flourish, she puts it in his hair and he grunts at her. "If you think so."

Following that, she gives him a thoughtful look that lasts too long for him to feel comfortable with it. "What", he says perhaps a bit too aggressively. "Nothing", she quickly responds and stands again, brushing the dirt of her skirt. "Just thinking that it's time to go. By morning, you will all be thoughtless zombies again and it's no fun to stay and see that happen. My wife isn't much livelier, but at least I know her."

"Why did you marry her? You don't seem to like her very much. I've also heard rumours that she calls you frivolous and faithless."

When the atmosphere darkens sufficiently, Aizawa is suddenly reminded that he's talking to a goddess. She has the power to smite him into oblivion if she wishes to and he sincerely hopes she doesn't. "Of all people, it's you who asks me that", she breathes and he wonders what information he's missing. "Tell me, would you fall in love with someone who's full of life? And should you do, would you stay?"

Because he doesn't answer (he doesn't know how to), she shakes her head. "I'll answer for you. You wouldn't. You'd like them for a while, because they're fun and exciting. Then, your logical side would rear its ugly head and you'll drop them without a warning, because there's no use in this relation you've got. If you're merciful, you'll leave and they can move on and heal. If you're ruthless like my Yuu is, you'll string them on and won't even give them a shred of love. I know she doesn't love me, even if she says she does. Her words are as cold as this town she leads. And because I'm stupid, I can't let her go."

After her surprisingly emotional outburst she takes a deep breath. "I'm chained to this town and my wife with pretty looking necklaces, silver bracelets and memories that haunt me. I'm just as free as you are." With a brusque movement, she turns around. "The only reason why I'm telling you this, is because you workers eventually forget everything. Goodnight."

Before she exits, she stops at Shinsou's sleeping body and before she can shake him awake, the boy bolts upright. Big chance that that one wasn't asleep yet and listened in on their conversation. Watching carefully, he can see that the boy's tired expression changes to angry and then resigned before he lays down on the floor again. He'll have to ask what that was about the next day.

Waking up, Aizawa immediately notices that there's something not right. The children have regained their blank stares and he bites at his lip in frustration. Yesterday they made a lot of process and now he has to restart all over again. Is every day going to be like this? If so, Aizawa isn't sure how long he can go on with this.

Traipsing through the dark mine, he nearly stumbles over Shinsou, who's sprawled on the floor. Unlike all the others, the kid has a near feverish, attentiveness in his gaze. Sweat is running down his forehead and there's both fresh and dried blood under his nose and on his lips. Opening his blue lips, Shinsou asks : Hey Aizawa, what is going on here?"

His first instinct is to reply to the kid, but he knows that there is more to Shinsou Hitoshi than his skinny arms and bloodshot eyes. Obviously, the kid possesses some form of magic and Aizawa isn't about to fall victim to it. However, he also isn't going to turn a blind eye to someone who needs help.

Wordlessly, he helps the kid to his feet and tunes out the fervid stream of questions that leaves the boy's mouth. It's then that it clicks, that he knows what the condition is that Shinsou has to meet before he can gain control over someone else. He wants to ask the boy why he is doing this, what he hopes to gain. Before he can do that, Shinsou's eyes roll up into his head and he goes slack in Aizawa's arms. Around them, shovels clatter to the ground.

"Piece of shit!" Kacchan yells and Aizawa stops him before he can maim Shinsou. "Knock it off, he's clearly out of it."

"Here", the girl with particularly rosy cheeks says and offers him a handkerchief. "To wipe away the blood", she clarifies. The girl with froggish features hands him a pitcher with water too. "This might make it a bit easier."

"So why are we helping him?" Kacchan demands to know and Kaminari rolls his eyes. "Because he looks like he's dying, Angerbomb. Simmer down, won't ya?" At this obvious display of a lack of selfpreservation, multiple people watch in amusement as Kacchan moves faster than humanly possible. The only thing saving Kaminari is the guy with wings on his feet, who's way faster and hooks his arms under Kaminari's armpits, effectively dragging him out of Kacchan's path.

"I suggest we all stay calm!" he yells and uses his weird hand-chopping motions again. "Let us go back to working as though not attract the attention of the guards!" It's by no means pleasant, but it's sound thinking. Aizawa stays behind with Shinsou and the two helpful girls stay behind too.

As he gives them a questioning glance, the rosy-cheeked girl nervously shuffles on the floor. With a gentle gesture, the other girl pats her on the back. "You've got this", she whispers and the first girl nods, determination evident in the set of her shoulders. "Mister Aizawa!" she yells unintentionally loud and he winces.

"Sorry", she continues on a more acceptable volume. "My name's Uraraka Ochaco. I know why I came here." Sensing her nervousness, he gestures for her to continue. "Go on, I'm listening."

"I uhm... I came here for money!" she flaps out and her cheeks burn a bright red, as though she's ashamed. "That's quite logical, isn't it? This is an industrial town", he states plainly and she slumps in relief. "Man, when you put it like that..."

"You shouldn't worry so much." Gently, he gives her a little flick on the forehead and she giggles. "Got it, teach! But what I actually wanted to say, was that I wanted to help my parents financially, so I thought I'd take lady Takeyama's offer." Sniffling she admits: "I miss them though. I'd like to go back to them."

Oh. Oh no. Aizawa doesn't know how to deal with a crying teenage girl, especially not when another teenager is laying unconscious on his lap and a third one is staring at him with unblinking eyes that seem deeper than any pond he's ever seen.

"... Do you want a hug?" he suggests in the most awkward way possible. As soon as he slightly opens his arms, he gets tackled. However, Uraraka misjudges where exactly Shinsou is laid and as Aizawa pats the girl on the back, Shinsou wheezes and bolts upright after she accidentally kicks him in the ribs.

"Why", is all he says before he slumps back again. Saving Shinsou from hitting his head on the floor, the other girl quickly catches him. "Shinsou-chan", she addresses him, "you remind me of my little siblings." Then the realisation hits her and she does let go, dropping Shinsou. "I'm Asui Tsuyu." Her voice trembles slightly. "I wanted to help my siblings. Frogs don't do well in the winter."

She's quiet for a moment and then she carefully looks at the other children, who're working dutifully. "This isn't right. None of us are supposed to be here, we've got people waiting for us. We have to go home." Her declaration is said calmly and Aizawa can't help but like her. She states things simply and straight to the point, he can respect that.

Snorting, Shinsou sits up. "How are you going to leave? The guards will kill you. I'm surprised they haven't noticed your returning memories yet, but as soon as they do, it's game over." Ah, another realist. Well, more of a pessimist actually but Aizawa can definitely see where he's coming from.

"We're certainly not getting out with that attitude", he remarks dryly and Shinsou scowls in return. "Do you want to work in these mines for the rest of your life?"

Gnawing at his lip, Shinsou shakes his head, shoulders drawn tight. "No. But I've got no say in this matter. In this whole escape plan, you shouldn't think of me as an ally. You shouldn't think of me as an ally in any circumstance, actually." His tone is bitter and Aizawa wonders what's keeping the kid back.

"How about a neutral force?" Asui suggests and he can see Shinsou's head peek up in interest, even if he tries to hide it. "You won't rat us out unless you're forced to and maybe you could casually drop some hints about how we could get out. Completely by accident, of course."

Smirking, Shinsou shrugs."It's not like I could help it if that were to happen. No one can see accidents coming, right?"

Kids and their anarchy these days. Aizawa's a fan.

In the following days, they plan their escape. Surprisingly enough, these kids work incredibly well as a team. The only one who occasionally strays from that path is Bakugou, but for some reason he mellowed out after remembering his name. (My name is Bakugou Katsuki and if even a single one of you extras refers to me by another name, I'll fucking kill you! This was of course met by the group collectively going: "Sure Kacchan.")

Bakugou isn't the only one who remembers his life from before Hadestown. By now, it is easier to count the kids who don't. Those are only icyhot and karate-chop. Oh and Aizawa himself too, but he is determined to not dwell on that.

The day after tomorrow, the first three people will leave. They've decided to slowly leave in small groups, as to not attract any attention. Beyond the walls, they'll all wait for each other, so no one gets left behind. Aizawa has volunteered to stay with the last group. Knowing full well that this is going to be a tension-filled mission, he's not about to let a group of teenagers alone, wondering if they would make it out like their friends.

The morning of the great escape, the kids all discreetly slip something to the members of the 'first escape squad yo' as Mina cheerfully dubbed them. Yaoyorozu hands them little dolls (for luck!), Tokoyami some capes he found God knows where (revel in the darkness), Mina and Kaminari team up to hand them 'only the shiniest of rocks' (they work in a mine and Aizawa knows that they picked out the shittiest rocks in this space). The list goes on.

The first team consists of Midoriya (a wildcard, but mostly the strategical planner), Icyhot (a powerhouse) and glasses (he's fast). Their degrees of tenseness ranges from Icyhot's passive and emotionless expression, to Midoriya's brows that are drenched in sweat. "It's gonna work", the guy repeats to himself like a mantra and to highlight the seriousness of the situation, no one complains about it.

At sundown when the guards will switch, these three will swiftly escape. Before that, they'll work with the rest of them. The silence around them is heavy and oppressing, until Icyhot interrupts it with a quiet : "Ah."

Hagakure nervously laughs at that and with way too much fake enthusiasm, she slaps him on the back. "What is it?" Her voice has a slight hysterical edge to it and Aizawa hopes that Icyhot isn't about to say something socially insensitive. "It's nothing important", he says and tilts his head and furrows his brow. "I just think I know who I am. Was. Am. I'm not sure."

"That's magically good timing!" Mina whoops and claps in her hands. "Spill the deets hot boy, we want to know!" Kaminari echoes her. "Yeah hot boy, the people want to know!"

They're cornering him now and Aizawa, blessed with quick reflexes, yanks the fools back before they get scorched by the flames erupting from the boy. His bi-coloured eyes frantically scour the room and his finger twitch erratically. With slow movements, Aizawa reaches out with his hand, offering it to the boy. "It's alright", he whispers. "It's okay."

The flames only climb higher and the boy draws back. "No. I don't want to remember. I don't want to carry this name. I don't... I don't..." Deciding that he can't let the kid keep panicking like this, he crosses the room. Putting a steady and gently hand on the back of the kid's neck, he lets him hide in his chest. Trembling hands hold his sleeves in a steel grip and once more Aizawa gets hit by the realisation that he would do anything to keep these children happy and safe.

"Sorry", the boy whispers once he's calmed down and Aizawa lowers himself to his eyelevel. "Don't apologise, you didn't do anything wrong. Are you alright?"

Mutely, he nods. "Yes." He turns his head to face both Kaminari and Mina. "Todoroki Shouto", he blurts out and both of them give him a confused look. "Who's that?" Mina asks as though it isn't obvious. "Me. Also sorry for your hair", he adds as an afterthought, pointing at Kaminari's hair. A black searing mark graces his hair, the shape somewhat resembling a lightning bolt. "It adds to my charm."

For a while, the kids squabble meaninglessly, drowning out their nervousness as Aizawa fondly listens. As the evening draws nearer, their chattering quietens down once more. When the time for the guards to change draws close, they all wait with baited breath.

Unlike every other evening, it's woman's voice that relieves the guards of their duties. The thought of escaping while she's the only one in the way of freedom doesn't even enter their head as Takeyama Yuu stands in the entrance with a small child clinging to her arm.

"Good evening", she says and all of them look away quickly, hoping that she doesn't see the frustration in their eyes. "Shinsou, Eri wanted to visit." Timidly, the little girl lets go of Takeyama's arm and hops properly into their view. Her ruby eyes travel from person to person until they land unto a frozen-looking Shinsou. The shyness disappears like snow before the sun.

"Hitoshi!" She yells before running straight into his leg. Slapping Shinsou's leg in earnest, she hops from leg to leg. "Up, up!" Stretching her arms, she pouts until Shinsou kicks into action and swoops her from the ground. "Sup squirt."

Hoisting her on his hip, Shinsou listens attentively as the girl babbles about how she read a picture book and how she would love to taste some of the apples that she saw in there. With a blank look on her face, Takeyama steps close and boops Eri on the nose. As the little girl giggles, Takeyama asks whether she likes it here.

With big gestures, the girl nods. "Yes! There are no scary birds here and 'Toshi's here too."

"And 'Toshi is perfectly fine where he is, right?" Takeyama stares Shinsou down, who clenches Eri a little tighter. "He wouldn't be so cruel to leave, would he?"

With big eyes, Eri looks at Shinsou who quickly presses a kiss on her forehead. "Of course I won't", he shushes soothingly. "I'm not going anywhere without my favourite Eri-berry." She smiles at the silly nickname, worries eased. "I know that!", she declares confidently, but she does tighten her hold on Shinsou a little.

"Eri-chan, we should go again." Pouting, Eri shakes her head. "No, I wanna stay. I haven't seen 'Toshi in such a long time. Please lady Takeyama?" The girl puts on her best puppy eyes, to no avail. "No." It's a simple answer, but it's enough to make Shinsou put Eri back down and gently guide her to Takeyama.

"There you go, I'll see you later." Wrenching his hand out of Eri's, he turns to Takeyama. "Lady Takeyama, I have a request."

"What is it?"

"Go outside the walls and gather a bouquet of flowers for your wife, she'll appreciate it. Take some of your guards with you, for help." It isn't until he sees how robotic Takeyama's movements are, that Aizawa fully comprehends what Shinsou is doing.

As soon as Takeyama is out of sight, he grins at the boy. "Damn. What a strange accident. Nothing to do about it."

Eri tugs at Shinsou's sleeve. "Is this anarchy?"

"It is, squirt." She nods determinedly. "Good."

"Anyway", he says and looks at the stunned group of children. "Change of plans. Squirt and I are getting out too, because I don't want to be around when Takeyama comes back. I think it might be smart for everyone to book it."

Opening his hand for Eri to take it, Shinsou strides towards the exit. "Let's go."

For a declaration that confident, Shinsou regrettably doesn't get that far. So do none of them for that matter. As soon as they turn the first corner after leaving the mine, they stumble upon Takeyama, who's carelessly filing her fingernails. When they try to back away, she looks up and sighs. "Do you hold me for a fool, Shinsou?"

Right before his eyes, Shinsou loses hope and Aizawa doesn't know how he can return it to him. Their eyes meet and with a brusque shove, Shinsou hands him Eri. Not a moment too soon, because a giant hand plucks him from the ground.

Squeezing the boy tightly, the now giant Takeyama tuts. "This won't do."

"Don't hurt him!" Eri yells, tears welling up in her eyes. "Let him go!" She trashes in Aizawa's arms and he doesn't know what to do. Shinsou entrusted him with Eri and Eri obviously isn't going to give up before Shinsou is freed. Seems like there's only one option left. "Hold on little one", he whispers and as Eri does so, he mounts the lady in front of him.

Something behind his eyes clicks as he reaches the fist Shinsou is enclosed in. More accurately, was enclosed in. The fist disappears and as the three of them tumble through the air, Aizawa grabs Shinsou by his collar and whirls around mid-air.

Knowing that it's going to hurt, he aims his foot through a loop made of rope he'd seen dangling earlier. The loop goes taut around his ankle, effectively burning through his skin. There he dangles, arms full of kids and blood dripping of his leg. Fantastic.

A dark shadow rises up from the ground and snaps the rope loose. Aizawa curls around the children in his arms, hoping that he'll somewhat shield them from the harsh fall. The action isn't necessary however, as the shadow carefully puts them back on their own feet. "I saw it as appropriate to help out", Tokoyami explains and Aizawa nods respectfully.

"Who do you think you are?" For the first time, Takeyama doesn't sound apathetic. Instead, her icy cold anger makes the wind rise up and the temperature drop. "This is my town. Who do you think you are to disrupt my peace?" she repeats and Aizawa unconsciously places himself in front of the kids. She's not getting to them as long as he's around.

"You", she spits and Aizawa nearly gets blown away by the stream of cold that hits him full force. "I give you a place to work and this is how you repay me?" As she sweeps her arm to gesture at the crowd in front of her, ice rains down on them. Todoroki melts it and the show of defiance clearly irritates her.

"You're an ungrateful bunch", she sneers. "But it doesn't matter. I'll stomp this little rebellion into the ground." The world fades to black after those words.

Hizashi is tired and hungry and pretty sure that his feet look awful. They feel like all the skin underneath them has been neatly peeled away and Hizashi is not a fan of that particular sentiment.

He's been walking for weeks on end and finally, finally he's found the outer wall of Hadestown. However, he still has a river to cross and stones to get through. There is no way in hell that he's going to back down now though. He has a lover to find and apologise to. His vocal chords don't feel great and his fingertips are worn down.

Without hesitation they find his guitar strings again and he opens his mouth to sing, to coax the river to make way for him and for the stones to let him through. 'Wait for me Shouta', he thinks as he wheezes after he's sang his unfinished song, trying to desperately catch his breath. 'I'm coming.'

Aizawa wakes up with Jirou peering back at him. "Good morning teach", she drawls and he vaguely wonders why these pesky children insist on calling him that. It's better than Kaminari's awful suggestion of 'dad' though.

"Good morning mister Aizawa!" the only still unnamed kid yells and Aizawa groans in return. "It appears they have split us up! Do not fear though, we've already established a communication system."

Of course they did. Aizawa does his best to smother the pride welling up in his chest. Plugging her earphones into the ground, Jirou tilts her head. "I can't hear the others right now, something else is overpowering them." Furrowing her brows, she concentrates a little harden. Then, her face clears up and she gasps. "It's your song teach. The one that you sang to wake us up the first time. I've gotta admit, this man does it better though."

With a voice that sounds as though the gods have personally bestowed it upon her, Jirou repeats the melody that's whispered only in her ears. The words and notes fill Aizawa's mind and he longs. He longs for the original singer and the aura of security that surrounds him. Longs for warm love and sun-filled smiles. Longs for home.

Startled, Jirou asks: "You alright there teach?" Only then Aizawa notices the stray tear slithering down his cheek. With a harsh swipe, he removes it from his face. "Yes, don't worry about it."

Aizawa isn't the only one affected by the song though, because the kid with the glasses is staring into the distance, eyes misty. Then he slowly removes his glasses before taking a deep shuddering breath and breaking into tears. Sobbing, he curls up into himself. "Why did my older brother leave me here," he asks between sobs and Aizawa doesn't know how to answer that. He does however hold Iida Tenya until his sobs die down and he gets back to work with anger and disappointment simmering in his eyes.

The next day they get a visitor carrying the name Bakugou Katsuki, who's holding a sadlooking Eri. As soon as she spots Aizawa, she sprints over to him and clings to him without speaking a word. She doesn't need to tell him that she and Shinsou have been separated.

"This is the middle ground where mindfucker and I are gonna trade small people", Bakugou bluntly states and Aizawa shrugs. "Sure."

Iida and Jirou both remove themselves from the situation because neither of them particularly wants to deal with Bakugou. Said teen currently looks as though he's trying to eat a particularly sour lemon. "Tiny, can you shut up about whatever I'm about to say?" Eri nods dutifully and mimes locking her mouth and throwing away the key. "You know what? I'll go play with the ear-lady, she looks very cool."

After Eri has disappeared out of earshot, Bakugou turns his scowling gaze to Aizawa while fiddling with a smooth rock in his handpalm. Ah, so he's nervous. "If you even tell a single soul about this, I'll kill ya", he threatens and Aizawa represses the urge to roll his eyes.

With his shoulders high and tense, Bakugou admits that he isn't sure about leaving Hadestown. "Don't you miss living? The sun?"

"The sun's not a coward. It attacks me and leaves lasting marks, I can admire that." That's probably the closests Aizawa is going to get him to confess that he wants to leave, but he'll take it. "I just don't think it's fair of me to do so though. I mean, I came here so I wouldn't fucking bother people anymore, so it's contradictory of me to go."

"What do you mean by that?" Aizawa asks. Sensing that they are nearing the core of Bakugou's anger problems, he prepares for the worst. "Do you think I'm dumb?!" he suddenly yells. "Do you think I don't notice how fucking scared people are of me? That I don't notice that no one actually likes me? The only thing people keep me around for is my skillset."

Aizawa knows that the way Bakugou acts is in no way inviting and no one in their right mind would try to approach him if they didn't know him. Listening to his outburst, it seems like Bakugou is one of those gifted children that has been given two choices: swim or drown. Bakugou, being the perfectionist he is, of course chose to swim, effectively estranging him from his peers and drowning himself in imagos and expectations of others. It's logical that eventually he'd crack under that. However, Aizawa has to keep in mind that none of these things excuse the things he's said or done to other people.

"Bakugou, you need help." The teen's fists tremble and Aizawa gives him a gentle knock on the chest. "But at your core, you're a passionate and driven young man. I respect that. Get out of here as soon as you can and make something out of that life of yours. The fun thing about being young is that you have the chance to grow. Take it."

Bakugou's eye are the sizes of dinner plates. Then he scowls again and buries his hands in his pockets. "Like your shitty opinion matters old fart." His cheeks are slightly pinkish and Aizawa hides a smile before rapping his knuckles on Bakugou's forehead. "That's mister Aizawa to you, brat."

"Yes sir", Bakugou retorts sarcastically and kicks him in the shins. It's probably not the hardest kick he could give, but it still hurts like a bitch. Before he can kick the kid back, two new figures appear.

It's Shinsou and Kirishima, the former one holding the latter one with great difficulty. "Echange of small people", he huffs and drops Kirishima right next to Bakugou before sprinting towards Eri. At Aizawa's raised eyebrows, Bakugou shrugs and slaps Kirishima hard on the shoulders. Without blinking, the other boy takes it. "Look at this rock-hard head. He's not a weakwilled coward." As the blond and the redhead start their own conversation, Aizawa goes to find Shinsou.

The boy finds him instead and the first thing he does is thank him for watching Eri and asking if he'd be willing to do it again in the future. "Naturally", Aizawa answers without thinking. "But I think it'd be best for her if you two don't get seperated again."

Shinsou is quiet for a bit. "There is someone I'd like for you to meet", he then says hesitantly. Aizawa simply nods. "Lead me to them."

They move through the dead city, dodging guards until arrive at a shabby looking house. The door is firmly closed, but Shinsou crawls through one of the windows, Eri following him obediently. She gestures for Aizawa to do the same and after double-checking for guards, he climbs into the small house.

Inside, sitting on the floor is another teenager, although this one appears to be older than Shinsou. "Aizawa, this is Mirio, to whom Eri and I owe our lives. Mirio, this is Aizawa."

As Mirio swiftly waves away the praise, he shoots Aizawa a beaming smile and salutes. "Hi there!" he greets cheerfully, eyes not quite meeting Aizawa's. That, combined with their milky colour reveals the fact that Mirio is blind. Upon closer inspection, Aizawa can also see that his legs are thinner than they should be. Muscle atrophy reveals that the boy hasn't walked in a while. "We can't leave Hadestown without him", Shinsou firmly announces and Mirio's eyes widen. "You're planning to leave?"

Aizawa nods before mentally kicking himself. "Yes." For a moment Mirio's smile falls and then the blinding grin is back in place. "Man, don't bother with me. At least I've got some use here." He laughs in self deprecation. "You can't exactly dump me anywhere you'd like."

"How about your parents?" Aizawa suggest and Shinsou balls his fists at that. "The scumbags decided to book it as soon as their son lost his superstrength while saving a fuck up and a little girl." Mirio shakes his head in denial. "No, it was just hard on them, dealing with a change that big."

"That's part of the job description of a parent!" Shinsou bristles and storms out, furious. "I'll go after him", Aizawa reassures him before leaving the cramped house. Finding Shinsou proves to be a lot easier than he thought it'd be, because the kid is just sitting on the roof, anger burning in his eyes.

"It isn't fair", he bites out and digs his nails into his palms. "Good things should happen to good people." He turns to Aizawa. "Make it happen. Give them futures, please." The desperation of the plea catches Aizawa off guard, but not enough to not make him notice certain details in that statement.

"You didn't include yourself in that list. Do you not think of yourself as a good person?" Shinsou snorts and lets out a bitter laugh. "I brainwash people regularly", he says as though that explain everything. "And?"

"And? It apparently means I'm an awful person. On top of that I never lost any memories after coming here. Do you know what that means? It means that no memory I had was worse than Hadestown, because otherwise the town would've gotten rid of it. Not only am I an inherently evil piece of shit, I'm also an ungrateful brat."

The frustration and anger drips of his voice, but Aizawa can recognise the deep self-hatred and sadness underneath it. "You've just given me all the more reason to get you out of here. You deserve memories that are good, better than this wasteland that calls itself a town. You and your companions deserve a home." Aizawa knows that he can't dispell years of self-loathing with a few words but fuck, he's gonna get these kids out of here and give them all the support they oh so obviously need.

They can't dwell on the topic for too long though, because down in the streets, something is obviously going on. People are gathering in the centre of the town and the miraculous thing is that no guard has moved to stop them yet. "Let's check it out", Shinsou says and Aizawa falls into step as Shinsou leads him over rooftops.

Once there, they spot all the other children too, gazing at a blond man who's serenading a very charmed Kayama Nemuri. She has her hand placed on her chest and looks at the man as though he's absolutely delectable. When he has finished his lovesong, she sighs deeply and tilts his head up so she can look him in the eyes.

"Oh darling", she sighs, "When I was as young as you, my then wife to be sang me a song just as sweet. Now she builds mines and factories, somehow thinking that I'd be charmed by those. You want to find your lover?" The blond man nods and she laughs without mirth.

"Give those sweet dreams up. He's probably forgotten about you or replaced you with sparkling stones."

Aizawa looks at them, frozen stiff and feeling guilty, though he has no idea where the feeling is coming from. Below him someone scoffs and when he turns to look, it is Takeyama. "Nemuri, are you off with some charming singer again? How long will this one keep you amused? Are you never sated?"

She turns to Shouta, who still hasn't moved. "If you want a lover, you should shackle them with jewels. Even then, they'll still be unwilling to spend time with you", she berates, but Aizawa can't hear her, eyes trained on the blond with the guitar in his hands.

"Shouta", he breathes and without thinking, Aizawa, no Shouta jumps off the roof, landing in front of Hizashi. "Hizashi", he says with just as much reverence, before both of them move and smash their lips together. It's desire in its purest form, one hand tugging at blond locks and the other gripping the other's sleeve. Hizashi isn't much better, hands roaming from Shouta's shoulders to his back before settling on his waist. They both draw back to allow just the tiniest puff of air to be taken in before connecting their lips again.

This time it tastes sweeter and Shouta takes the time to rediscover his loved one. He can feel tears, but he's pretty sure that they are Hizashi's. Like, the full 20 percent sure. Somewhere halfway, this kiss turns into them just smiling against each other's lips. "I love you", Hizashi says and Shouta admires how easily he does it. How easily he marches into Hadestown with Shouta's name on his lip and a declaration of love ready to be followed right behind it.

"And I'm sorry", he adds. "I didn't notice that you needed other things than I was providing and I'm sorry about my lack of alertness in general. I'm deeply, truly sorry."

"Lover", Shouta addresses him and it isn't lost on either him or Hizashi that this is the first time he's used the term withouth sarcasm. "I'm sorry too. I should've said something first before running. I shouldn't have abandoned you without a word."

"We're both a bit stupid", Hizashi laughs and Shouta snorts in agreement. It hasn't even been five minutes yet, but Hizashi being near makes Shouta feel as though the sun is shining and the birds are about to sing. All his life, Shouta perfected the art of surviving, while Hizashi learned how to live. Maybe they can finally share their knowledge in earnest.

"I uhm", Hizashi falters a bit. "I still don't have gold for a ring or enough wood to build a big and comfortable bed. Hell, I wouldn't even be able to fill a whole wedding table with food", he rambles, insecurities evident and Shouta is both worried and endeared. Interrupting Hizashi's babbling, he places a hand on the other man's cheek.

"Love, I don't need a golden ring. All I need is enough food to not starve and a fire when I'm cold."

"I wish I could give you more, like I said I would", Hizashi admits and runs his hand through his hair. "I know", Shouta simply says and softly strokes Hizashi's cheek. The man's eye close as he leans into the touch. "But the times are what the times are. All I ask is that you hold my hand, that you are a steady presence in my life. You light up my life by just being you, I don't need more than just you. Well, just you being somewhat more attentive."

"I'll be so attentive that you'll find it creepy", Hizashi says determinedly and a breathy laugh escapes Shouta's lips. "Sure. Take me home with you Hizashi."

"We're gonna have to walk back into the cold though."

"I know." He meets Hizashi's hypnotic eyes and repeats himself. "Take me home with you."

"You aren't free to leave though", Takeyama says, arms folded over each other. "You signed yourself over to me. You're a worker of mine. Stop this spectacle at once and get back to work."

Her wife lays her hand on Takeyama's arm and shakes her head. "Yuu dear, you can't mean that. Look at them." The longing in her voice is evident and Shouta pities her a little bit. Life must be awful if your significant other of god knows how many eons has decided to not be emotionally invested in your relationship anymore. "He came here for his lover, do you think he'll leave without him?"

"Then he can work like the others. I wonder how long his twig-like arms will keep up."

Nemuri looks forlornly at her estranged wife. "Will you do me a favour? Will you give his song a listen? Let him and his lover go if you like it, tear them apart if you don't." The goddesses exchange gazes until Takeyama lets out a irritated sigh. "Let's hear it then."

"Before I start I want you to know that Shouta and I are also taking the kids if you like my song. Ain't no way in hell that I'm gonna turn a blind eye to child labour." (Shouta falls a little deeper into this bottomless pit called love.

After striking a few chords, Hizashi turns to Takeyama and his determined expression turns into a much softer and sadder one. Opening his mouth, he starts to sing:

Heavy and hard, is the heart of a queen

Queen of iron, queen of steel

The heart of a queen who loves everything, like the hammer loves the nail

But the heart of one, is a simple one

Small and soft, flesh and blood

And all that it loves is a woman

A woman is all that it loves

(Takeyama places her hand on her chest, as though she's suddenly rediscovered her own beating heart)

And Hades is queen of the scythe and the sword

She covers the world in the colour of rust

She scraped the sky and scars the earth

And she comes down heavy and hard on us

(Looking around her, she finally realises she's gone too far with her attempts to keep her wife close. She's made the place that should be a home to her wife for six months a year into a living hell. Not only for her, but also for the people that turned to her with hopes to find a better life)

But even that hardest of hearts unhardened

Suddenly, when she saw her there

Nemuri in her mother's garden

Sun on her shoulders, wind in her hair

(She had looked stunning, Yuu remembers it well)

And you didn't know how

And you didn't know why

But you knew that you wanted to take her home

You saw her alone there, against the sky

It was like she was someone you'd always known

(They had joked in the beginning, teasing each other relentlessly)

It was like you were holding the world when you held her

Like yours were the arms that the whole world was in

And there were no words for the way that you felt

So you opened your mouth and you started to sing: La la la la la la la...

(Meaningless sounds, but they had perfectly described how she felt. The pure exhileration at the prospect of holding the most beautiful, funny woman with a misshievous streak in her own arms)

The more she has, the more she holds

The greater the weight of the world on her shoulders

See how she labors beneath that load

Afraid to look up, and afraid to let go

So she keeps her head low, she keeps her back bending

She's grown so afraid that she'll lose what she owns

But what she doesn't know is that what she's defending

Is already gone

(That line hits her like a punch in the gut. With all her being she'd tried to make Nemuri stay longer than those six short months, offering her pretty objects but not once had it crossed her mind to change her tactics. She'd shut herself out in fear of getting hurt and as a result, had hurt everyone around her)

Where is the treasure inside of your chest?

Where is your pleasure? Where is your youth?

Where is the girl with her arms outstretched?

To the woman she loves

With nothing to lose

Singing la la la la la la la...

As the young man's voice fades into the air, she's faced with her actions and inhumanity of it all, the cruelness that she bestowed on others and her inability to meet her lover's needs. Nemuri gives her a sad smile and Yuu reaches out, carefully as though she's scared that she might scare her away. Nemuri however, was never one to be scared of her lovers and with a laugh, she takes her hand. Without them having to prompt him, the young man , Hizashi if she recalls correctly, starts another song. It's a sweet tune that invites them to dance and for the first time in centuries, Yuu and Nemuri dance.

Hours later the impromptu 'ball' comes to an end and Hizashi gives Shouta a nudge. "Look at them", he whispers, giving a nod in Nemuri and Takeyama's direction. "There's no way they won't let us go."

Having heard him, Takeyama nods. "That's the least I could do for you. Take the children with you." She waves at Mirio who had eventually joined the crowd with Eri because Shinsou and Aizawa didn't return. "Someone fetch him a wheelchair, it'll make the journey easier." Placing her fingers in her lips, she lets out a loud whistle. "Hey Tensei!" she shouts at the sky. "Take these people home!"

"I'll have to go too", Nemuri says and Takeyama's expression becomes blank again. "Don't give up", Nemuri whispers. "It's just six months, I'll be back before you know it. Let's try to fix this." Reluctantly Takeyama agrees. "Let me bring you to your other home", she offers. "I haven't spoken to your mother in such a long time too, I bet she hates my guts by now. Time to try to fix that."

Shortly after the two ladies have left, Tensei lands in front of the group and as Iida pushes to the front, Shouta notices how similar they are. "Brother", Iida gasps, "Why would you leave me here?"

"Yuu and Nemuri are friends of mine and you aren't born out of the same relationship I was. They promised to keep you safe from my mother's wrath , but I suppose that wasn't the case?"

"No, it wasn't!" Iida cries out and Tensei nearly breaks his younger brother's ribs with a crushing hug. "I'm so sorry Tenya. I'll take care of you from now on, I won't be neglectful to my duties as an older brother again."

The Iida's reunion is the first of many. One by one the children get returned to their parents and Shouta and Hizashi make sure to leave them with ways to contact them, should it ever be needed. In the end, they're left with three children, which is one less than they'd originally thought. (Todoroki decided that he would join his two siblings in their search for the oldest of them).

"So", Hizashi said, turning to Mirio, Shinsou and Eri. "Would you guys like to go home with us?" Eri puts on a contemplative face. "Are there apples there?" she asks, as though that's the most important factor. Shouta looks up at the trees, who just started to bloom. Spring has come.

"Not yet, but there will be soon."

"Okay then", Eri answers and takes both of their hands. "Let's go home."

[jflashandclash]

Traitors of Olympus IV: The Fall of the Sun

Fifty-One: Kalypso

A Stalling Resolution

             Their sneak escape, if they could call it that, was the most pathetic, obvious one in the history of stupidity. They would have had better luck transporting a stack of cymbals on top of an elephant.

           That’s exactly what Pax wanted: the cymbals specifically, but Kally assumed he would also want an elephant. Thank the gods Frank had left in a huff before Pax came up with any ideas.

           Calex’s job was to reroute Reyna so Axel could get a proper goodbye with her, then ask Chiron to use the camp phone so he could call his parents. Axel disagreed with the first part of the plan, but liked that Calex could keep an eye on Chiron while contacting his step-dad and sister. If that didn’t take enough time, Calex would ask Chiron to come with him to check up on Vinyl’s healing process from being tossed by Python.

           Merry’s job was assuring Frank wouldn’t change his mind. And keeping Frank away from Axel and Reyna. And, really, making sure Frank was the happiest Canadian he could possibly be.

           Kally was supposed to escort them until the last minute, to make sure they only left the camp and no one incited unnecessary havoc.

           Calex and Merry said their goodbyes in their recovery room.

           Calex and Axel shook hands. They agreed with Kally: when everyone was better and Calex came back from Britain, they would have to have a proper soccer match. Pax tackled Calex into a forced hug, which left Calex frantically checking all his pockets, until he withdrew his Arsenal beanie. No one knew when or how Pax had gotten that from Thalia or how he could reverse pickpocket with a gimp hand. Maybe Kally shouldn’t have been, but she felt relieved to know he could still enact that terror on the world.

           After a few threats from Lapis, Merry confirmed she’d come wherever they were hiding to help out with Hiro within the next two weeks. She would also deliver news on how Sam Datta did on his makeup final. Lastly, Merry patted Pax’s head. “Don’t go kidnapping Kallybae, now,” she teased, “I need her here, at least for a bit.”

           “No promises,” Pax said with a grin.

           Then Merry and Calex were off, leaving Kally to wonder, casually, if she really was about to be kidnapped again. The others weren’t in any shape to do a proper kidnapping, but she wasn’t in any shape to resist.

Pax was brainstorming theme music for their slow, slow walk. There was a ramp down the Big House’s porch for Chiron’s wheelchair, but the rest was a trudge through grass. Every jostle made her scared of ruining her skin grafts. Will had strictly told her to lay off her powers for a bit, but she couldn’t help investigating how bad her burns were. They were gross.

“Then we’ll have a heavy guitar riff that rolls with the motion of Axel’s wheelchair wheels. The double-bass drums would be thumping along to Lapis’ limp. All heavy metal. Then, during our trailer, the camera will pan out and words will flash!”

           Pax put his hands on his hips and said with his deepest bravado, “Hospital Heroes: coming to save your town... Eventually.” He waved a hand in front of him to simulate the length of time.

           Eventually was correct. Lapis had to push Axel in a wheelchair while Alabaster pushed Kally’s. Axel had the weird birdcage with a blanket rested in his lap. The ride was bumpy and Kally felt stupid and silly having Alabaster silently walking behind her. Claymore got the glorious job of dragging Euna behind them in a bright red wagon with a squeaky wheel. Pax—with his maimed hand and sore shoulder—skipped happily alongside the others. Without any responsibilities.

           Everyone was surprised when another wheelchair raced from the cabins to intercept theirs.

           Pax leaned close enough to Kally for her to feel wisps of his hair and whispered, “Wheelchair duels. Let’s do this! We have an injured Axel, and can probably get a trash can lid and yard stick for jousting. We’re sure to win.”

           She swatted him away with her good arm, trying to hush him, especially when she saw Miranda Gardener pushing Sherman Yang towards them.

           “Hey! Wait! I have a bone to pick with you!” Sherman shouted. For a moment, Kally froze up, thinking he was talking to her. As they got closer and blocked off their path toward Farm Road, Kally realized the child of Ares’ dark eyes were narrowed above her at Alabaster.

           Miranda looked calm and… maybe relieved when she brought Sherman to a stop.

           Their noisy caravan paused.

           “He might need to wire you a message, since Alabaster can’t really talk right now—aye! What was that one for?”

           Kally glanced back to see Lapis releasing Pax’s ear. “Lazy and out-of-date word play, Ajaxapax. I expect better.”

           Squeaks erupted behind Kally. She glanced back to see Alabaster holding up his whiteboard. They’d tied it around his neck for the sake of ease. The white matched his medical smock.

           He wrote, What?

           Although his expression was difficult to read, since he had to move his head as little as possible, Alabaster’s emerald eyes appeared annoyed. Maybe they always looked like that.[1]

           Sherman inhaled and puffed out his chest. “Thank you for shooting me in the legs four times,” he said. His tone was neutral, eyes intense.

           Lapis choked back a laugh. “Holy Hun-Batz, Ajaxapax, you said this sissy-gorged camp was only for hair braiding.”

           Kally glanced down at Sherman’s legs. From what she could see under his lap blanket, both were fully wrapped in bandages.

           Alabaster raised an eyebrow. He wrote on his white board. It was my pleasure.

           “No really,” Sherman said.

           Miranda smiled softly and set a hand on Sherman’s shoulder. “He’s not being sarcastic.”

           Sherman reached up to take her hand. “I don’t know what would have happened to Miranda, Matthias, or Stoll otherwise or… or if I would have killed Clovis. I know we fought on opposite sides of the war but… you’re alright.”

           Both of Alabaster’s eyebrows rose. He nodded his head stiffly and wrote. Alabaster looked away as he held up the white board. I’m glad you’re both okay.

           With her good arm, Kally reached back to touch Alabaster’s side. Pax had shuffled closer to lay a hand on his arm.

           Alabaster shrugged them both off.

           Sherman cleared his throat. “Yea, well, the Stolls left a surprise for you in your Paxmobile. As a heads up, that Praetor chick just showed up there to supervise Matthias and Tyson.”

           “And she was not happy about it,” Miranda added. “She came from a weird direction and looked pissed. I hope they haven’t changed their minds now that Percy is gone.”

           Kally wasn’t sure what Percy had to do with this or what Matthias and Tyson were doing by the Paxmobile. If Matthias had his way, she was sure the son of Hephaestus would be painting the van pink.

           At the mention of Reyna, Axel shuffled in his wheelchair. He sat up, and for a terrifying moment, she thought he was going to try to stand. Lapis, seeming to sense the same thing, poked him in the chest bandages. Axel collapsed back. Sweat glistened on his brow as he fought to control his breath.

           At Percy’s name, Alabaster’s expression turned to a glare.

           “This is heartwarming and all,” Dr. Claymore growled, “but, if we get one more interruption to this happy promenade, I’m going to leave this wagon stranded here.”

           “He’s just sad we didn’t attach the balloon to his wagon,” Pax explained to Sherman, holding his hands out in a what are you going to do? gesture.

           Dr. Claymore shot Alabaster a look and Kally had to wonder how much Alabaster had warned Dr. Claymore about Pax’s… Paxness. Alabaster’s shrug looked exhausted and defeated.

           “Hardly,” Dr. Claymore finally said.

           Miranda gave them a soft smile, gave Euna’s slumbering form a worried glance, and pushed Sherman back towards the cabins. He nodded stiffly in parting.

           “If Doc gets tired of pulling Euna, we could make a sleigh. Tie Axel and Kally’s wheelchairs together with Euna’s wagon at the back. Then we could lasso Mrs. O’Leary and—”

           “I swear Alabaster. I’ll shoot him before the day is over,” Dr. Claymore grumbled, dragging the red wagon ahead. Kally hadn’t noticed until now that their escape was even more obvious than she could have imagined. Everywhere Dr. Claymore pulled Euna, a trail of flowers sprouted in their wake.

           Something about seeing Dr. Claymore with a flower trail made Kally choke on a giggle.

           They made it to the Paxmobile without anymore interruptions. A few Romans and satyrs saw them while they went through the fields. One of them—Ric?—scowled and looked like he was going to approach them, but another—Erin? A newer recruit Kally remembered being nice—dragged him away. Most of the Romans were pretending not to notice the caravan.

           Kally wondered how this felt for the boys. She knew how much Alabaster hated the Romans and Greeks and how terrified Pax had been of them. Despite Pax’s attempts at cheeriness, Alabaster and Axel’s faces had gone red with each Roman’s glance. Even Lapis’ mood darkened. They were leaving their former enemy encampment beaten and broken, as heroes running like villains, with their only reward being a chance to flee. Even that was treated like a favor.

           This wasn’t a joyful escape towards freedom for Alabaster, Axel, and Pax. It was a walk of shame.

           With everything they’d done and how much they’d risked, her insides burned at the thought.

           Before she could say anything, they crested the hill above Farm Road.

           Luke, the automaton golden donkey that pulled their van at mythological hyperspeed, shined in the sun. He munched at a bucket that must have contained motor oil. Someone had attached a This ass welcomes you banner around Luke’s neck.

           There was a new contraption on top of the Paxmobile. It was made out of celestial bronze and looked almost like a bike rack, but the bars came down the sides of the van, more like a cage. Her throat constricted until she saw Tyson helping to move something huge off a makeshift fork-lift and onto the top of the rack.

           Although it was tightly wrapped in protective coatings, Kally caught her breath, sharp enough that her ribs hurt. It was Joey’s statue. They’d reinforced the van structure to bear the weight of the stone.

           A blond chubby boy stood beside Reyna, appearing to argue with her. When he caught sight of them, he bolted forward. Kally had a surreal sense of déjà vu as Pax broke into a run towards Matthias Sverre Hanson.

           “Ajax Pax, here to relax!” the Nordic boy called as he collided with Pax in the gentlest collide Kally had seen. Matthias carefully lifted Pax around the waist to spin him.

           Through Pax’s laughter, his voice quivered. “Dude, you gave us ramming power. Now Joey can fight, even in statue form.”

           “We figured you guys would want her, and that Hera wouldn’t want her in her temple,” Matthias said. He set Pax back on the ground. The first time she saw these two hug, Matthias had been way bigger than Pax. Pax must have gone through a growths spurt in the last few months. Matthias had struggled to move him.

           The son of Hephaestus tapped his fingers together.            “I heard you were doing everything you could to get the Zhang man to change his mind about letting you go. Without Percy around to argue for you guys, I’d be careful of that.”

           “Percy?” Kally echoed, though immediately regretted it. Without turning around, she could imagine Alabaster’s scowl and could feel some of the hatred radiating outward.

           “Yea. Something about how the gods promised Percy that they would forgive all the children that fought on the Titan’s side, and how New Rome needed to respect that promise. He said it was Pegasus dropping that the gods back out on that promise by omitting you three. He was really pissed when they found out that they banished you, Witch Boy.” Matt pointed some finger guns at Alabaster.

           Tyson hopped down from the top of the van. The vehicle made a terrifying crunching noise. “Yes! Percy made me promise his friends would get away safely! Mattie said he make sure you leave safely from here!” He patted Matthias’ arm.

The son of Hephaestus almost flopped onto the ground under the motion. “You got it!” The cyclops gave everyone a huge, happy wave before walking back towards camp.

           “Say hi to your chicken for us!” Pax called after.

           Kally desperately wanted to know how Alabaster was reacting. He’d shown nothing but contempt for Percy, someone he blamed for the murder of many of his siblings. Kally would have to ask later. Reyna was approaching their group. Miranda had been right: Reyna did look pissed.

           Her dark eyes were icy as she examined Lapis. “You weren’t part of the deal.”

           Lapis snorted and would have taken a step forward had Axel not shot a hand out to block his path. Without turning from the praetor, Lapis said, “Hey, Witch Boy, Doc, can either of you drive stick?”

           “I’m a Mist form. I could dissipate at any second,” Claymore said, without truly answering. He set the red wagon’s handlebar down. Euna mumbled and tried to roll in the wagon, only accomplishing tilting it slightly.

           Alabaster scribbled onto his board. He’s not wrong and I don’t have a license.

           “Witch Boy is too good to drive himself places. He had sexy, Hispanic chauffeurs for that,” Pax said, brushing off his shoulder, then Axel’s.

Lapis put his hands on his hips, leaning heavily on his good leg. “Ajaxapax’s hand looks like a yeti’s chew toy and Tufted Ears is about to exhaust himself from breathing too heavily in your presence.”

           “I’ll remember this next time we’re all hanging out with Sapphire,” Axel growled softly. Kally glanced over at him. Axel managed to keep his chin up, but his ears were flattened against his hairline. His face was tinted red from embarrassment. One set of claws dug into the wheelchair’s armrest while the other gripped the blanket overtop the birdcage.

           Reyna examined the birdcage in Axel’s lap, not seeming to notice his humiliation in her anger. “That wasn’t part of the deal either.”

           Kally’s skin felt cold as she realized who, not what, was probably gagged inside the birdcage.  

           Dr. Claymore cleared his throat. “As thrilled as I am at the thought of getting rid of that thing, do you really want him lounging around one of your camps? If he’s under Orpheus’ curse, you can’t kill him. You know the other children will underestimate how dangerous he is. We were doing a fine job keeping him under control before some of your people attacked one of his wards in front of him.”

           Kally held her breath. That was the most direct she’d ever heard someone be with Reyna. Though, most people she’d seen interacting with Reyna were other teenagers, not angry middle-aged men. Kally had a feeling Dr. Claymore could have been talking to the Queen of England and had the same level of reverence.

           Reyna frowned and went to open her mouth, but Matthias raised his hand and waved them. “Yea, whatever. Reyna and Axel can go argue over who gets custody of the Plague Bringer. Meanwhile, uh, Lapis, if you’re the driver, I’ll need to talk to you about some adjustments I had to make to the Paxmobile for optimal statue awesomeness. And Doctor Dude, you’re the adult, so I wanted to go over some stuff with you too. Pax, Alabaster, and Kally can check out the gift Chris, the Stoll brothers, Sherman, and Clovis left for Alabaster.”

           Lapis snorted and jammed one hand into his pocket. With the other, he hooked his fingers around the birdcage to lift Jack out of Axel’s lap. “You could have just said you wanted to give Red some time to fondle Ajaxapax and Witch Boy before they say goodbye.”

           The words resonated in Kally’s head. Say goodbye. Although she had Alabaster behind her and Pax and Axel beside her, emptiness clutched her chest. Calex would be flying home to Britain soon. Merry still didn’t know where she and her brother would end up once the courts were done sorting out their family. Even if Merry were emancipated, she would have to live in New York, at Camp Half-Blood and Kally still didn’t feel like she could live here and pretend to worship these gods. Would she have to go home to Virginia, alone, and go back to school and pretend nothing happened? With all the struggles everyone else was facing, she felt guilty feeling sorry about it, but… She had no idea where the Pax boys and Alabaster would end up. Sure, Kally needed to get home and tell Mr. Paine and her family that she was alive, but would she really be—

           “We are not going to fondle,” Kally said, belated. Her face felt like it was on fire.

           By the time the words came out of her mouth, Alabaster was already pushing her wheelchair down to the van.[2] Matthias, Lapis, Dr. Claymore, and Jack’s birdcage were strolling further down Farm Road. Well, Lapis was awkwardly hobbling. Kally remembered Pax once telling her that you needed two feet to operate a stick shift. She wondered whether or not the boys would end up stranded a mile away after Lapis’ bravado ran out.

           “You two can talk in the back of the van,” Pax called to Reyna and Axel as he hopped alongside Alabaster and Kally. “You know. If your fight needs to get private—”

           Alabaster tugged Pax forward, cutting his words off. Assuming the truce between the Romans and the Triple A Chimera really was temporary, she knew who they were hunting down with a gag and a forty hour seminar on polite conversation. And, if Frank had his way, a grizzly bear.

           The ache in Kally’s chest grew the closer they got to the van. The beat-up white vehicle shouldn’t have made her feel fuzzy on the inside, considering how many times she’d almost died since stepping into it. Now, she knew the logo Pax had painted over belonged to his father’s pharmacy company, and she better understood the nearly burned-off, bright, kindergarten-like letters:

Pax Extraction Team

Ajax, Axel, Alabaster

Discounts on Protection Today!

           They would need to paint over the scratch-out and re-add Alabaster’s name properly.

           Alongside the van, there was a red satchel that bulged awkwardly, like Santa decided to give them explosives this year. Her heart sank even further to realize Christmas must have been a few days away.

           Alabaster stopped her wheelchair alongside the van. All she could do was look at the red satchel to ignore Axel and Reyna’s voices as they disappeared inside the back doors, and ignore how warm her eyes were beginning to feel. If she wasn’t careful with the teary-eyed thing, she would end up looking like a puffer fish had rolled all over her face, and she really didn’t want that to be the last impression Alabaster and Pax had of her before… before…

           How long would it be before she saw them again?

           Kally swallowed and went to open her mouth.

           Pax held a finger up to her lips. Really, he put a hand up to her face since he couldn’t curl the other three fingers back. He gave her that devilish smirk and winked his hazel eye.

           With his functional hand, he pointed to the cracked passenger window of the van.

           Alabaster rolled his eyes and leaned against the side. Although he tried to look nonchalant, Kally could tell he was either resting from being out of bed too soon or getting closer to the window to listen to the conversation inside.

           Kally knew she shouldn’t. Part of her insides squirmed to think of Axel and Reyna finding them eavesdropping and what the two powerhouses would do, even with Axel in a wheelchair. Hades, Axel would probably offer for Reyna to throw him and the wheelchair as violent ammo.

           But, Reyna’s voice came through the cracked window so clearly, and Kally really wanted a distraction.            

           “—pretending not to realize it, but it’s only a matter of time before some of my enemies in the senate start asking about why my father’s ghost was haunting me. They’ll use it to get me exiled or worse.”

“That doesn’t mean you need to resign due to a suspicion. Your soldiers love you.”

A sigh. The van shifted weight as, Kally guessed, Reyna sat down somewhere. “That might change once everyone hears the Triple A Chimera escaped from the custody of two praetors. One of us will have to take the fall, and I won’t let it be Frank.”

“I won’t—” Axel cut off abruptly. He swallowed audibly before his voice came out much gentler, almost fragile. “You know, if something happens, there’s this small group of friends of mine that are thinking about starting a camp. We’re kinda rag-tag right now, but there’s a position open for a weapons instructor.”

           Alabaster rolled his eyes, not pleased with that prospect. His hands clenched into fists. Instead of continuing to listen, he knelt down beside the Santa bag and dared to blindly open something from the Stoll brothers. Kally or Pax should have warned him what the Stoll brothers were like, but the singing satyr butt balloon was probably as much warning as Alabaster needed.

           Pax, meanwhile, pouted. “That sounds a disappointing amount like they’re not going to make out. I heard Axel got the title of Cat Breath while they were in Xibalba. Imagine Reyna’s reaction if she smelled the Fancy Feast on him.”

           Maybe she should have been more indignant on Axel’s behalf, but she was too excited about something he had said. “You’re still going to make the third camp?” she asked, trying to keep her hope from making the question too high-pitched. She’d been scared to ask about it, especially around the Romans and Greeks.

           “We’re still going to make the third camp,” Pax said. “You can’t get rid of us that easily. Like I told Axel, I’m like a parasite. Besides, you owe me too many drachma and Reese’s Sticks for me to just leave, Cyclops.”

           Alabaster made a startled noise and Kally guessed it didn’t have to do with her debt.

           As he stood up, he pulled the Cloven Terror helm from the red satchel. The Stygian iron enlaced in the ram’s head seemed to radiate darkness. Those eyes looked so hollow without the familiar green glow. Creepy as the helm was, Kally wanted to touch it, to see if its cold, taunting voice would greet her. For a startling moment, Kally wanted to wear it.

           When Kally shook off the feeling, she found Alabaster’s emerald eyes examining her. With that look of understanding, Kally knew she had shared something with Alabaster that he’d never shared with anyone else.

           Pax jumped gleefully and scurried to investigate everything else in the bag. Within a second, he recoiled from the next helm.

           The Leonis Caput helm, the Silver Tongued Snake helm, Axel’s Nemean lion pelt, Alabaster’s spell elements, and the pieces of Pax’s utility belt were all inside as well.  There was also a note that Alabaster snatched from Pax so Kally could read it aloud. “Please don’t use these to kill us. Love, the Stoll Brothers.”

           Pax mimed wiping a tear from his eye. “Weapons of murder. Such a sweet peace gesture. I wonder if we can recruit the Stolls to join our future pranking squad. I mean, camp.”

           With how much the Romans feared these, Kally was genuinely impressed that the children of Hermes had stolen them back. She considered all the people and items now expected to fit into the Paxmobile: Dr. Claymore, Euna, Joey on the roof, Lapis, a half-paralyzed Hiro, Alabaster, Pax, Axel, Backbiter, this satchel with the three darker alter egos of the boys.

           “Do you guys have somewhere to go? While you’re—um—we’re planning out the next camp?” She had no idea how that was going to work. This was too big a group to live out of the Paxmobile like the boys had been doing when she met them, let alone take a few hour drive without Clamore shooting Pax. If the Romans really did decide to hunt after the Triple A Chimera, they couldn’t go back to Alabaster’s ruined house. The Romans knew its location and Kally assumed his HOA wouldn’t appreciate the pieces of dragon strew across the lawn.

           “After we drop by the hospital for Hiro, I have an idea.” Pax gave her his devilish smirk. “I don’t really plan but—”

           Pax stopped talking. His mouth opened for a second as his eyes went wide. Then, they narrowed and his smirk took on a different quality that Kally wasn’t sure she liked. “I do plan. I am the schemiest of anti-hero schemers that has ever schemed. I do have a plan. And, it starts with this.”

           Kally flinched when Pax leaned directly to her eye level, his face close enough to smell his chocolaty scent.

           Kally glanced at Alabaster, panicked. This was Pax, right? Pax who never planned and was proud of it? If Pax could turn into other people to cause mischief, could Atë or Eris? Kally had no weapons on her. She didn’t know if she had the strength to conjure another sun javelin and would definitely melt off her skin graft if she tried.

           Alabaster’s eyes also went wide. One of his hands had hesitantly strayed into the red satchel.

           “Kalypso Kassand, I, Ajax Pax, hereby absolve you of any oath you have to me on the River Styx. You no longer need to keep my secrets under threat of an eternally damned soul, just under the threat of this sad panda face.” He reached to touch her chin. Without the ligaments to control his fingers, his caress was rougher than usual.    

           Kally had seen Pax’s puppy pout at least a hundred times over the last few months. This time, it felt different. The cute, happy innocence didn’t extend to his eyes.

           Kally couldn’t focus on that with what he said. Her mouth fell open. The tears she’d been trying to fight back threatened to surface. All this time, she couldn’t freely talk to Merry or anyone about everything. She didn’t always know what Pax considered a secret and had to wait for his permission to tell people things, things that could have probably saved lives. The freedom, something she just accepted she’d lost forever, made her heart thud.

           “Thank you,” she said. Kally choked back the tears. Her face would be lobster colored in no time. If she let herself cry, the ache in her ribs said it would hurt a lot. “However, since you tricked me into it in the first place, I want you to call off our drachma/Reese’s debt off.”

           Pax’s pout morphed into a smile. “You’re wising up, Cyclops. How about we cut it in half?”

           “Down by a quarter,” Kally said.

           “Deal. Alabaster, what’s a quarter of a lot?” Pax asked.

           Alabaster scribbled on his board. For a moment, Kally wondered if he actually remembered her debt and was doing the math. Then Alabaster flipped his board, revealing that he’d taken the time to draw a middle finger instead of just flicking Pax off with his hand.

           “Aw, Alabaster, the time you took to draw that shows that you care,” Pax said.

           Kally could hear the back door of the van open, letting Reyna hop out and adjust her braid in a way that made Pax do a giddy My brother got to make out and is probably unconscious because of it dance. By now, Lapis, Claymore, and Matthias were walking back towards them with the birdcage. The ache in Kally’s chest increased; their time was almost out.

           Kally felt stupid asking when she would see them again. Plus, she didn’t need to leave that to their hands. As Merry and Atë had pointed out, Kally wasn’t a doormat anymore.

           “You guys are Catholic, right?” she blurted.

           Alabaster went to write on his whiteboard.

           Pax swiped his marker.

           Alabaster scowled.

           “As Catholic as a Mayan-Greek demigod can be,” Pax said. Although Pax had answered for all of them, Kally had a guess as to how the god-hating child of Hecate might feel. That would need to be a discussion for a different day.

           “Come over to my parents’ house for Christmas,” Kally said. Her face felt like it would melt off if it got any hotter, but she didn’t care. She was taking a stand here.

           Pax’s expression softened. The darkness melted from his eyes so he could relax into a much more genuine Pax puppy face. “So we can scare your racist brother again? Kally, that’s the best holiday gift you could have given me.”

           The last time she was home, Axel had terrified John, her brother, and his drunk friends with a trick of the Mist. Had that really been the last time anyone from her family had seen her? She was terrified for the inevitable “I told you so”s about getting into a white van with two random guys and disappearing for a few months.

           Even Alabaster seemed to calm at her proposition. Either that or the exhaustion was getting to him. She wouldn’t know until he finished erasing and rewriting whatever he was doing on his board.

           “There’s a really tough conversation I need to have with my mom about my real dad,” Kally said, trying to keep her voice even. “And it would be nice to have back up in case she gets too mad to talk to me during the holidays.

           After rewriting one more thing, Alabaster finally held up his board.

           We’ll be there.[3]

           Kally’s heart skipped a few beats.

           Lapis, Matthias, and Claymore walked back over with the birdcage. Matthias and Reyna stood on either side of Kally’s wheelchair as the boys put the red satchel into the back of the van. Fortunately, Euna woke up enough to groggily stumble out of the red wagon.

           Euna paused, glancing at her sister’s statue attached to the top of the van. She reached up and touched Joey’s stone foot. Also fortunate, she didn’t seem to notice Lapis, who carefully avoided that, “damn, psychotic grass hippie.”

           Kally wanted to give Euna a hug or to ask her what happened when she disappeared down to Tartarus. She wanted to tell Euna that Calex had demanded she give him a phone ring as soon as she was feeling up to talking, and that Thalia said she’d hunt Euna down to slap her for the “flower cocooning.” Whatever that was.

           But, Euna’s dark eyes were so glassy, Kally wasn’t sure if Euna even knew she was awake. The eerie glow to Euna’s skin, made her look surreal and Kally was suddenly nervous to approach her friend. She wondered if Euna was aware enough to tell her father about what had happened to Joey.

           Not that the Pax boys, Alabaster, and Claymore wouldn’t keep her safe, but they weren’t the most comforting.

           Before Euna could disappear into the van, Kally said, as loud as she could with the ache in her chest, “Euna! Let’s get milkshakes sometime soon!”

           Despite everything they’d been through, Kally knew uncomfortably little about Euna except that she liked food. Kally hoped that would be enough.

           Euna’s distant gaze found hers. She gave Kally a thumbs up. “I like milkshakes.” Then she slipped into the van with Backbiter in sword form.

           Lapis hopped into the driver’s seat and put Jack’s birdcage in the passenger seat. Axel made Matthias roll Kally closer so he could give her the gentlest hug from where he was propped inside. The glance he shared with Reyna made Kally wonder exactly how their conversation had ended.

Alabaster reverted Claymore to a Mist card to conserve on car space, and to prevent him from shooting Pax. Alabaster squeezed Kally’s hand.

Then, Alabaster and Pax were hopping into the van.

           Pax paused in the doorway with the doors almost shut. Baller, his crazy weasel, scampered up his clothing to rest on Pax’s shoulder. He gave her a devilish smile and winked his yellow eye. “Just remember kids,” he said to Reyna, Matthias, and Kally. His gaze lingered on Kally. Reyna sighed in annoyance and Kally, similarly, had to wonder if Pax had rehearsed whatever he was able to say.

           He sucked in a deep breath. “The moral of the story is: if you’re cute enough or pathetic enough, you can get away with anything. The system is broken and villains get to walk free.”

           With those uplifting words, Pax shut the doors.

           Reyna walked behind Kally. Kally’s throat constricted, wondering if it would be worse to have Reyna—someone who still terrified her—or Matthias—someone known for pranking—push her back to the Big House.

Reyna made the decision when she rested her hands on Kally’s wheelchair. Kally wanted to watch the van drive away, if nothing else than to make sure Joey’s statue wouldn’t flip off. The older girl didn’t seem interested in such sentimentality.

           “Wait,” Matthias said when Reyna went to wheel her.

           They paused and looked at the Paxmobile.  

           The Paxmobile made a few revving noises.

Then made a pathetic puffing noise.

           Luke the donkey snorted once, seeming unimpressed with the van’s epic failure.

           Another rev.

           “Hansen?” Reyna asked.

           Matthias grinned. “Oh, I disconnected the battery to fuck with them. I’ll give it three more tries before Axel—”

           “HANSEN!” Axel roared from the inside. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY VAN!?”

           “And with that, I’ve made Axel angry enough that he’ll allow Pax to come back and prank me.” He withdrew a wrench from his pocket and walked towards the Paxmobile. Matthias cheered, “Now we’ll have to see them again.”        

Kally grinned. Even without Matthias’ disconnect and the promise of a chaotic, crowded Christmas, she was sure they would.

 ***

Okay! So I’m going to refrain from a long-winded, soppy author’s note until the second epilogue is out. For now: thank you guys for reading! T.T You’ve all been so nice and supportive, especially those of you leaving such encouraging comments and asks! I really hope you enjoyed!!! Stay tuned next week for Epilogue Part I.

I can’t believe this whole thing will be out and done at the beginning of August O.o T.T

 ***

  Bonus:

           Leo was definitely digging Brooklyn House’s set up, with the giant albino alligator, Sadie’s annoyed boyfriend, and Sadie’s panicking older brother. It was nice knowing Calypso was at camp, helping Chiron in the healing center and that he’d never need to see that creep, Pax, again. He just wanted time to figure stuff out, between Calypso’ trickery and how Pax had messed with his head. However, as he helped craft a massive carrier for all the healing vials Jazz, Brooklyn House version of a child of Apollo, had made for them, he couldn’t fight off the nagging feeling that he’d forgotten something else.

           On the plasma TV hanging above a fireplace that was large enough to park a car inside, he caught the words of a local news anchor.

           “—unsure if this is a runaway Christmas float, or a well crafted-prank drone—”

           Leo almost dropped his contraption. “Uh, Lady Sadie?”

           “Yes Commander Valdez?”

           “Uh, we may have left a homicidal, flying metal dragon loose in New York City.”

           “You left a what?!” Carter almost screamed from another room.

           “Nothing brother dear!” Sadie called sweetly.

 ***

Footnotes:

[1] Mel betanotes, “Maybe it’s Maybelline.”

[2] So, in the first rendition of this, I put, “Alabaster was already pushing her down to the van.” And I realized that wording might be a bit forward/unbalanced considering how much of an audience they have and how he can’t move his mouth.

[3] No, the epilogue is not a Christmas special. XD that was Mel’s first guess.

[whenthisstoryendsarchive]

Meta #7: Elizabeth’s Siren Song

In this meta on magic in the movie, I briefly mentioned Elizabeth’s power related to the siren song in the following quotes:

potentially a bit of siren singing {when Cam overhears her singing ‘When This Story Ends’}

In the third site, we see: Other times the songs are sung to call those within mankind to love a Mermaid, or are sung by those of the Mer-world seeking a mate from among mankind instead of one of their own. This would seem to indicate that Elizabeth’s song in her tent was a siren song, despite her not knowing Cam was there, and his initial alert being her music box. It’s her voice itself that makes him stay.

Her siren song is clear, and I think it helped to entice Cam to her more than he already was captivated by her.

And I’ll admit, it took an embarrassingly long time for me to realize Elizabeth’s song was a siren song. I don’t think it clicked until I was doing the research for that meta and found that quote from Witchvox. 

As such, today I’ll look into what a siren song is- mythologically, the powers it is said to have over humans, how it works with Elizabeth and Cam, and finally, break down the lyrics of Elizabeth’s song. 

Mythologically speaking, most of us probably relate sirens and their song to Homer and The Odyssey. Odysseus is warned of sailing near the island of the sirens by Circe, and tells his men to plug their ears with beeswax. He is then tied to the mast of the ship so he can safely listen to their song. 

Now, these sirens that Odysseus encountered are very different from what we consider a siren to be today. The Sirens of ancient Greece were closer to Harpies, as they were part bird and part human. Descriptions of them varied, with some saying that they were birds with the faces of young women, or young women with the wings, legs, and tails of birds. When we think of sirens today, we may see something closer to a mermaid; a young woman with a fish’s tail and long flowing hair. 

According to Mythology.net, this merger of mermaids and sirens may have taken place as far back as the days of Shakespeare, taking the beauty of mermaids and giving them the voices of sirens. Though the Greeks also had mermaids in their mythology as well, where mermaids were the daughters of Triton and the granddaughters of Poseidon. It is also speculated that the two were merged together because the powers attributed to mermaids were contradictory. Then, of course, as Grecian belief spread to Europe, myths of sirens increased as well; especially in the Roman Empire, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, and England. In these countries, sirens became fully water dwelling, dangerous, chaotic, and hostile. 

Mythology.net also says that this link tightened so much that the image of sirens and mermaids are nearly inseparable. This all despite the fact that mermaids and sirens are different species with the powers of hypnotic song.

The ties between sirens and mermaids are even more cemented in modern times because of languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Romanian, and Portuguese- where the words Sirena (which applies to 3 languages), Sirene, Syrena, and Sereia are all words for mermaid. And, of course, within the animal kingdom, the link exists as well. The family Sirenia includes fully aquatic herbivores like dugongs and manatees. 

Now, of course, we imagine a siren song being used to lure sailors and their ships to a watery grave, but there is much more to the siren song than just death and destruction. For example, the beauty and voice of a siren or mermaid may be used to draw a specific individual to them, according to Witchvox. The site also describes the song as leading to visions and mystery. 

Mythology.net also gives us some descriptions of the siren song’s powers. A quote from Nonnus portrays the song as thus: “When a sailor hears the siren’s perfidious song, and bewitched by the melody, he is dragged to a self-chosen fate too soon... Falling into the net of melodious fate, he forgets to steer, quite happy”. This would, of course, indicate the more sinister nature of the song. But another interesting aside is mentioned, saying that the song the siren sings may reach so deep because it is prophetic.

The 2018 Freeform show Siren also delves into the powers of the song. According to their Wikia page, it is described as a “potent ability”, one of almost supernatural levels, that stems from the special voice box of the siren; which is a hybrid of a larynx and syrinx at the base of the trachea. The song lures anyone who hears it with its melody, and makes the hearer feel an addicting level of calm, relaxation, and loss of stress. Furthermore, the song leaves the listener wanting to hear more and more because it imprints on their brain, and it is even said to be calming and addictive to the Siren that sings. Other powers include effectiveness regardless of distance or obstacle, even working through glass, and having more strength and effects on those who hear it more than once. 

A quote on the page additionally says that “My Ancestors always said it had different meanings: Great love to some, but to others, it could be dangerous”. 

I found this quote to be interesting, especially in relation to a section of quotes on Witchvox that I felt applied greatly to Elizabeth and When This Story Ends. “Mystical Meramid represents the power of unconscious desires”, “Reminds us that unless we follow the truth of our inner selves, our lives are as momentary as sea foam with nothing left behind”, “Gives power to seek beneath the waves of our emotions and imaginings for the pearls beneath”.

These quotes, I felt, linked back perfectly to the section in the meta mentioned above that the siren song can be used to make a human fall in love with a mermaid, and my own belief that the song reflects the wishes of both the singer and the listener. 

No matter what train of thought a person believes, the siren song is an appealing temptation that without a doubt is hard to resist, potential consequences notwithstanding. 

In the film, we see Elizabeth able to draw Cam to her tent from across the fairground, though his initial draw is her music box. Even then, he backs away and comes back to listen again. It even appears at times that he has tears in his eyes as he listens to Elizabeth. 

And if we consider the characters of both Cam and Elizabeth, we can see that the song describes them both in a way. It is, of course, Elizabeth’s song, and her monologue to her inner emotions. We hear her pain during that song more than perhaps any other time in the film. But if we consider that Cam and Elle’s family are gone, and all they have are each other, we can see how it would describe his emotions as well. 

Cam has had to leave England and move to America to care for his sick niece after the death of her parents. He has already lost a sibling and potentially his own parents. And he may lose Elle as well if he doesn’t find a cure for her. Cam is just as lonely and far from home and all he knows as Elizabeth is. He may not be trapped by magic, but he is trapped by fear. 

Elizabeth sings to comfort herself and renew her belief that she will someday be free to return to the sea and her family. She sings to give herself hope that she might find the true love she thought the prince would be able to give her. 

Cam, if we consider that he felt comfort and saw a reflection of his own wishes in the song, not only wants to save Elizabeth and take her home, he not only feels drawn to her, but he also feels that he isn’t alone. He wants to have someone there for him too, just as much as he wants to be there for her. 

Now, we’ll look at the lyrics of the song, and how they reflect Elizabeth’s wishes. 

It's so enchanting I'm trapped and drowning Here for everyone to see They don't notice How far away I am From everyone and everything Silly to have gambled with my heart out on the line I guess that's just the way it goes But I'm holding on I know a day will come when I can be myself again And I hope someone will love me When this story ends Round in circles, pointless wandering And the crowd lines up again "Give a smile, girl! You make them happy " "Bring your parents, bring a friend " Silly that main attraction would long so much for love I guess that's just the way it goes But I'm holding on I know a day will come when I can be myself again And I hope someone will love me When this story ends If someone could, someone right for me Finds a way to take me home again I believe it One day I'll be home Still I'm searching Round in circles While the crowd lines up again

Breaking it down by verses, we see that in the first verse, Elizabeth is reflecting on her life in the circus, and her past mistake by trusting Locke. 

It's so enchanting I'm trapped and drowning Here for everyone to see They don't notice How far away I am From everyone and everything Silly to have gambled with my heart out on the line I guess that's just the way it goes But I'm holding on I know a day will come when I can be myself again And I hope someone will love me When this story ends

The 2nd and 3rd lines here are particularly interesting, because we see that Elizabeth feels that she’s suffocating, and everyone is watching her, and think it’s just a part of the charming show. No one sees how she feels, and no one cares. Additionally, because of how small the tank is, how it doesn’t allow for the movement of the water, or her body, she literally is drowning every time she gets into it. And everyone just stands and watches. 

She admits that she was wrong and foolish to trust Locke to help her. She was naive to believe that love would have given her the acceptance that she felt she was lacking at home. But she admits that there was nothing she could do to change it. Still, she clings to the hope that things will work out in the end. 

Round in circles, pointless wandering And the crowd lines up again "Give a smile, girl! You make them happy " "Bring your parents, bring a friend " Silly that main attraction would long so much for love I guess that's just the way it goes But I'm holding on I know a day will come when I can be myself again And I hope someone will love me When this story ends

This verse is even more about her life in the circus, and how every day runs into the next. There’s no change. There’s no stimulation or anything to sustain her. Then, of course, we have lines that were likely told to her by Locke to gaslight her. He tells her to smile for the sake of the crowd, to ignore her own pain and misery for them. Because the crowds matter more than she does. 

She then says that it’s ironic and rather ridiculous that she should be so desperate for love when everyone comes to see her. But she can’t do anything about that either. All she can do is to continue to be hopeful that someone will see and love her the way that no one else does. 

If someone could, someone right for me Finds a way to take me home again I believe it One day I'll be home Still I'm searching Round in circles While the crowd lines up again

This verse is the one that focuses on her real wish. Yes, Elizabeth wants and needs love. But more than that, she wants freedom. She wants to go home. And she has to believe that she’ll be able to go home because it’s all she has. Because in the end, the crowds will not stop coming. People won’t stop using her, and her hope is the only thing that keeps her going. 

Now in a way, Cam too is trapped because he has so much stacked against him. He’s terrified that he’ll lose Elle too, and he’s also given the task of raising a child on his own when he’s so young himself, in a country that he has no familiarity with. But he has to do what’s right for Elle. He has to put his own misgivings and worries aside for her. 

Perhaps he even realizes that he’s one of those people Elizabeth sings of; coming to use her for her ability to heal while ignoring her pain. And if this is the case, I’d like to believe that this is when Cam turns his leaf. He knows after this that something at the circus isn’t right, even if he has yet to believe in magic. 

And in the last verse, it shows that he also wants some companionship, someone to help him and for him to turn to when he’s scared or unsure. It cements his desire to save Elizabeth and set her free. 

Sources:

https://www.gonext.com/2018/11/08/sorrento-sirens-the-truth-about-mermaids/

https://www.crystalinks.com/sirens.html

http://www.realmermaids.net/mermaid-history/siren-history/

https://siren.fandom.com/wiki/Siren_Song

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usfl&c=words&id=8519

https://mythology.net/greek/greek-creatures/siren/

https://whenthisstoryends.tumblr.com/post/181177903367/meta-4-magic-in-the-little-mermaid

[queerveluv]

A feminist analysis of Sunmi’s “Siren”

“Sirens are used for warnings, and I was also inspired by sirens in mythology. They are known as beautiful but frightening presences that lure sailors in with their beautiful voices and drag them down to the bottom of the ocean. The mermaids that appeared in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ were also sirens. I think I’ll be able to take that unique concept and express it well.” She went on to add, “The reason sirens stuck out to me is that they’re what are used in the most dangerous of situations. And the origin of the word ‘Siren’ is that mermaid figure. The song itself has an ambiguous meaning, so I wanted to use that word.”

- Sunmi

Link to Video

So this is a blog dedicated to Red Velvet, but after Secret Unnie I now consider Sunmi as extended family since she’s eventually going to marry Seulgi anyway and I will now extend my analyses to her oeuvre.

We know, both from Sunmi’s quote above and the imagery in the music video, that “siren” references both meanings of the word: as a dire warning that something is not right, and a mythological female creature who seduces men to kill them. There is an immediate contradiction in how both meanings of the word relate to danger: the former alerts one to danger, to tell them to back off, while the latter deceives one in the face of danger, lulls them into complacency until it is too late.

The song lyrics revolve around a woman telling a man to stay away from her because she is dangerous. At first she sounds cautionary (“I told you not to be fooled”) but becomes increasingly aggressive (“get away out of my face”). Near the end of the song, she says “I ain’t cry no more”—which suggests she once cried, but no longer does.

It’s clear that the song lyrics satisfy the first meaning of “siren” as alarm. Sunmi is warning men to stay away from her, for their own good. But how does the second meaning of siren as seductress come into play? Sirens neither warn men to stay away from them nor cry for men.

With all this in mind, let us turn to the music video.

I suggest the house represents Sunmi’s inner psyche, and the various Sunmis represent different facets of herself. We open with the protagonist Sunmi, who has just taken a shower and applied makeup. She seems to have made herself pretty for what we can assume is a date with a man. Protagonmi sneezes, revealing her body is flawed despite its doll-like image, but she quickly suppresses it and readjusts her eyelashes to look pretty once more. Protagonmi represents Sunmi’s default state of consciousness: she feels compelled to make herself doll-like and pretty for men, and even feels pleasure doing so.

As Protagonmi looks outside the window, prepared to leave the house of her inner psyche to present her made-up self to the external world, a siren suddenly fires off and the room turns red. Another Sunmi arises from the bathroom in a manner suggestive of horror movies—now THIS is the siren I was looking for. Sirenmi is wearing a purple costume that looks like a blend between the blue sweater Protagonmi has now put on and the redness of the blaring siren. Sirenmi starts dancing in front of Protagonmi aggressively, as if trying to warn her of something, and at one point she directs Protagonmi’s gaze towards the camera, making her aware that she is being watched by us, by a masculine voyeuristic gaze.

Sirenmi’s warning makes Protagonmi uncomfortable, and she runs out of the room so that she can bury the thought, leave the house, and go for her date in peace. However, Sirenmi has instilled a seed of doubt in Protagonmi’s mind, and she pauses in the corridor and goes to check on her other personas. In the first room, she sees herself sitting on a chair wearing a tiara looking like a queen, with roses in a jar and scattered across the floor. In the second room, she sees herself sitting invitingly on a bed. These are two personas Protagonmi has treasured because they make her attractive to men—as a figure of beauty and sexual companionship—but she now realizes how powerless and passive they look and is disgusted by them.

In the third room, Protagonmi sees Sunmi dressed as a mermaid. Sunmermaid, unlike Sirenmi looks rather less like the vicious sirens of Greek mythology and more like the infantilized little mermaid variant. Sunmermaid still sings the song, suggesting she has more agency than Protagonmi does (only Sirenmi has sung the song up until now), even if she has been compromised as a symbol of empowerment; she sits on a washing machine, suggesting even the aquatic freedom she supposedly represents has been assimilated into domesticity. Nonetheless, Protagonmi recognizes that Sunmermi minimally has more agency than Queenmi and Bedmi, and she looks on in contemplative silence.

Protagonmi goes down to the living room, finally prepared to present herself to the external world. She sees a rose in a birdcage. The rose symbolizes the flattery men give her for her beauty, the boost of self-esteem she gets from knowing she is desirable, which entrances but simultaneously imprisons her. Protagonmi momentarily forgets about Sirenmi and wishes to become the rose in the cage. As she reaches out to touch it, however, the siren blares and turns the room red again, and Sirenmi appears in the living room trying to warn her. Sirenmi briefly gets Protagonmi to sit down and try to see things from her perspective; when this happens, Queemi and Bedmi shake off their lifelessness and begin to move.

Eventually, Protagonmi does not want to make her date wait any longer, and with a somewhat apologetic gesture, turns away from Sirenmi and tries to leave the house. This is when she realizes the entire house has been covered in warning tape. The warning tape is not meant to warn her about the outside world; it is meant to warn the outside world about her. Because the feminist siren has been blaring in her house for some time now, men have decided that she is too dangerous and must be contained, until she has successfully exterminated Sirenmi within her and can be easily assimilated back into society as a passive doll, a rose in a birdcage. (One is reminded of triggered Korean men when they realize a female idol might “secretly” be feminist).

Protagonmi finally realizes that Sirenmi is not a danger to her—a siren in the second sense of the word—but a warning to her of her internalized misogyny—a siren in the first sense of the word. Women often feel compelled to pacify themselves, to tone down their harshness against men and appease their feelings, lest they become branded as monstrous sirens and lose their desirability. Sirenmi is trying to warn her not to forsake the part of herself that perceives this injustice in her effort to navigate the external world.

Protagonmi experiences a newfound determination to break out of the cage and starts to merge with Sirenmi, finally accepting the siren within her as an integral part of herself. Protagonmi finally begins to sing the song, suggesting a newfound consciousness. Queenmi begins to dance (unfortunately, it looks like Bedmi is beyond reclamation). Finally, Protagonmi manually switches on the siren herself, suggesting she wants to leave it on within her conscious mind and how she interacts with the external world, both as a warning to herself about men and a warning to men about herself.

Let us turn back to the song lyrics. An line that caught my eye was in the pre-chorus: “You know that in your fantasy I’m not beautiful.” Normally, it is precisely in the fantasies of men that sirens are beautiful, and in reality that they are monstrous. However, Sunmi rejects this artificial beauty men project onto sirens from a distance that objectifies them. Rather, she sees beauty IN their monstrosity. Sunmi tells men the beauty they project onto her in their fantasies is not true beauty, and they ought to know it is not really who she is.

However, due to her internalized misogyny, Sunmi feels compelled to shoulder all the blame at the start. She blames herself for “fooling” her male suitors by pretending to be a doll she increasingly realizes she cannot be. As the song progresses, Sunmi gradually accepts her inner Sirenmi. She stops blaming herself, and starts telling her male suitors to fuck off. She will no longer cry for them; she will no longer feel sorry for their feelings of betrayal that she is not who they expect her to be. In order to heed her inner siren, Sunmi must become the siren, even if it means wearing bright yellow warning tape across her body. She may be witch-hunted for it, but it is still better than being a rose in a birdcage.

Horror movies featuring female monsters that are out of control are used to domesticate women into associating safety with normality, to condition them to be afraid of their own liberation. Sunmi’s "Siren” asks women to recognize that these monsters are sirens in the second meaning to men, but sirens in the first meaning to women. Sirens are scary to women because they warn them precisely of the dangerous misogyny of normality and normative desire.

[jdc-discord]

Day 8~

Buckle up. This is a long one…

It all started with dragons.

-When Jack uploaded the newest Dad of Boy God of War episode (yet another 2-hour installment, I think) someone (Jay was it? I forget, oops) mentioned "DRAGONS!", and me and another person (sorry I'm forgetting who, aah D:) had no idea what they were talking about because neither of us had seen any of the series yet. The first person then explained that there were now dragons in God of War, and that also was the source of the numerous turtle jokes in the community lately, which explained a lot. xD

-Then @a-septic-mind and @septilover2 told us the struggle of another 2-hour episode vs. finals. (Dawn especially, she's gonna be a doctor!!) So all of us hit her up with that PMA!

-Debating how we might pose for a squad selfie if all of us met at a convention or something one day. Many were proposed (Power Rangers, etc) and since there are so many of us, I sent in this, which got a lot of "aww"s in response :3

-But then Gee sent in this one, which then brought up the name "Instant Chill Stack"! xD

-And then Anti barged in and knocked over the Instant Chill Stack, which brought back the Revolution (as led by @imallwaysconfused!) We have the power of PMA and magic charms on our side! ("Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of PMA? It is the music of a people who will all meet up one day! Raise your charm up to the sun, it will make us into one, we will fight the negativity when it comes!")

It also brought about the triumphant return of Antiturtleye!

-The aforementioned charms were an idea by @thelighthousekeeper since they can make things out of clay– and then I was taken by surprise when they said they wanted to make ME one first and everyone else thought that was a good idea?? 

Little did I know, this would only be the start of me getting emotional.

-Because a bit later came the heart spam. I don’t remember how we got back on the topic, but people kept thanking me for things and I felt like I didn’t deserve it. 

I can’t even describe the feeling I had when my screen just kept going and going with all the hearts... 

The first thing I could relate it to feeling like was when all the stars turned green for Seán at the end of The BOSS. 

(By which I mean I started crying actual tears. I won’t get into all the feels again right now, but, just... thank you guys, again.) 

@-b-a-c-k then decided to DRAW THAT. Which made me emotional all over again. :’)

-... then Nora “happened”, and we all started talking about Phineas and Ferb xD

-Egos Phineas and Ferb AU where Henrik is Dr. Doofenshmirtz, Sam is Perry, Jackie is Phineas, JJ is Ferb, Anti is Buford, Marvin is Baljeet, @no-strings-puppet is Candace (always trying to bust JJ for being Anti!) and Dawn is the mom! Example:

Nora (dragging Dawn by the sleeve): MOM MOM MOM MOM YOU NEED TO SEE THIS

Dawn: What is it, sweetie?

Nora: JJ! HE’S ANTI! LOOK, I CAN PROVE IT-- HE'S GLITCHING!

JJ, standing still, the perfectly innocent bean he is: … :3

Dawn, glaring at Nora: He's not "glitching", Nora. He's not doing anything.

Nora, jaw dropped: B-b-b-b-but… 

-The new “JJ is Anti” emote: “:LIES:” :D

-Also, the mods became the gods apparently. There’s three of them, and Dawn has already claimed the role of Hades-- but then that raised the question of what I am in relation to that. I think they decided on Kronos, the Greek Titan of time (I *am* a broken clock, after all) but then I objected because as much as mythology interests me, I really would prefer to not be banished to the depths of hell for eternity because I ate my kids. xD (Apollo and Hermes my favorite Olympians, anyway!)

-And finally, Jay finished the first JDC charm, and it’s AMAZING! 

And that about does it for this recap! I know there was more that happened, but with all of the pictures, this post is long as it is. 

(Also... just thank you again for all of your kind words. Never in a million years did I think I’d ever have as many people willing to be here for me as I do now, and... I’ll do my best to do the same for all of you, okay? I promise. 💙) 

See you next time for the next Rogue Recap! This is Rogue, signing off. (And now, for the weather! Jim?)

[honestgrins]

The Floral Stench of Death || Klaroline

Klaroline AU Week Day Five: Mythology and Creatures

The old gods had fallen into mere myth, relegated to a muted life among the mortals. Sometimes, one needs a reminder of what it means to rule the Underworld. (Hades and Persephone AU, with an American Gods bent)

Klaus was busy with the books when a ringing bell broke the austere silence of his funeral home. His eyebrow raised at the interruption; few bothered to cross his threshold anymore, not without a corpse to visit. Only his closest family made the effort, which was why he was surprised to find a great nephew loitering in the foyer.

“Anteros,” he greeted with suspicion. “I’d thought you long forgotten, unlike your arse of a brother.”

The gods of old were a scattered bunch, but a few of the Greeks had managed to remain a part of human knowledge. Eros made an annoying resurgence every February, his name invoked too often for Klaus’s liking; the popularity made him cocky. But sexual attraction was an easy thing to celebrate, and Anteros encouraged a deeper love meant to be requited in full. Klaus always found that to be more interesting.

Shuffling uncomfortably, the younger brother even seemed to hold a proper respect for the power Klaus still held in the world. “I go by Stefan,” he explained carefully, knowing the importance of names among their kind.

His real name had been rendered unusable by unfriendly myths and ridiculous cartoons, an unfortunate problem that irked Klaus to no end. Persephone chose well for its replacement, but he missed the reverence of those terrified of Hades himself. This Stefan was a delightful memory of eons past. “Why are you here, Stefan? Not many would dare to ask favors of the Underworld.”

“Eros- Damon,” Stefan cleared his throat, concern furrowing his brow. “My brother has gone missing.”

Lips pulling into a smirk, Klaus’s head canted to the side as the boy squirmed. “I fail to see why that is my problem,” he responded cheerfully. “These days, I’m a simple estate lawyer who happens to run a successful business providing mortuary services.”

Stefan bristled. “You’re the god of death,” he accused, though his voice was strained with the effort to sound polite. “I would hardly belittle your influence in this world, and I think you know what happened to him.”

“He hasn’t fallen under my purview, if that’s what you’re asking.” Klaus shrugged, taking great pleasure in the obvious irritation Stefan poorly hid. “Perhaps it is for the best. Your brother’s not a favorite among the old guard, I doubt many would miss him.”

“My wife is worried, as am I,” he countered, ignoring the gleefully curious look on the god before him. “Certain friends directed me here, loathe as I am to discover why. Have you seen him?”

Klaus dragged his tongue across his lips, hands folded behind his back as he stepped into Stefan’s space. “It was my duty to take stock of a man’s life,” he all but purred, a thrill of power firing through his veins. “To lay judgment for his actions and to decide the course of his eternity in the Underworld.”

Hazel eyes wide with a lack of guile, Stefan fought not to lean back from Klaus’s intrusion. “So?”

“So,” Klaus mocked, “there are no secrets that can be kept from me. I see it all. Your wife, Stefan, does she love your brother?”

Fists curling in his Henley, Klaus smiled, a ferocious thing as Stefan shoved him against a wall. “Where is he?”

Chuckling, Klaus easily broke the finger that held a shiny silver ring, forcing Stefan to release him. “A human, too.” He clucked his tongue in faux remorse. “Imagine Aphrodite’s sons, torn between the same woman. She loves you, but she lusts for him. Think of the stories that would be told.” But his smile turned wicked, a hand reaching up to grip the boy’s throat. “If we weren’t dying out, that is.”

Stefan squeezed his eyes shut, muttering a silent goodbye to Elena, only for them to fly open as the god of death released him from his fate.

“Try next door,” Klaus dismissed with a wave. “You can buy your wife some pretty flowers, so she can properly mourn your brother.” Without bothering to watch Stefan leave, he went back to his work. Some luck, and he might not be late for his evening plans.

“And you’re going to grow deep,” Caroline whispered to the rose cactus, “just be sure to remain moist.” She ran a finger along one of the plant’s spines, coating it with the viscous blood that ran from the man’s thigh it pierced. “I want the pain to last.”

There were days that Caroline missed the simple life of tending her mother’s garden, but Persephone’s botanical prowess still thrived as a florist in the modern world. What lacked were the opportunities to punish those who wronged her, with their behavior, their attitude, their disregard for her position.

As Eros - or Damon, as he preferred to be called, the douche - had committed all three wrongs, she delighted in the angry hiss that came from her favorite plant box.

“I already apologized,” Damon spat, though breathless with contained agony as a stinging nettle wound around his neck. “You were just a cute blonde at the bar, how was I supposed to know who you were?”

Smiling, she urged the hemlock away from his lips. “You were just to keep him still,” she scolded the poisonous plant. “Any more, and it will be too quick.” Her fingers ran lovingly through the soil half covering his naked, prostrate form.

The chime hanging over her door sang out, jauntily clashing with the pop music playing in her shop. “Just a minute,” she called, clearing her hands of dirt. Standing, she rolled her eyes as Damon greedily tracked her sundress up the line of her leg.

This was just one reason why he was going to rot for as long as it took him to die.

Leaving the refrigerated storage room, Caroline found a pretty young man among her more exotic lilies. “You have good taste,” she greeted approvingly. “Can I help you?”

“I hope so.”

She frowned at the hesitant, almost fearful tone of his voice. Hardly anyone would fear Persephone at first sight, let alone her persona of Caroline Forbes. While she enjoyed the reminiscence of her old reputation, the suddenness of it all put her on edge. Her head canted to the side as recognition hit. “I know you.”

Stefan nodded, not bothering to deny the Olympic blood that tied them together. “I suspect you know my brother as well,” he answered instead. “Klaus sent me here. Do you have Damon?”

“He’s asked for you.” Determination in every step, Caroline walked through the aisles of her shop, plucking cut flowers and greenery to some unknown rhythm. “Well, he asked for Elena, but your name was sprinkled in there, too,” she explained, nonchalant.

Sighing, Stefan ran a hand across his face. “Dare I ask what he did to offend you, your grace?”

She positively preened at the use of her former title. To reward his manners, Caroline decided to grant him peace of mind. “I happened to run into your brother last night while having drinks with a friend,” she explained. “He seemed to think a pleasant conversation was an invitation to drug my margarita.”

Like a light had been extinguished, his shoulders sagged in resignation. “Please, I know he doesn’t deserve mercy,” Stefan begged, “but-”

Caroline held up a quelling hand, her glare deceptively friendly. “And when informed of his mistake in attempting to take advantage of the queen of the underworld, he laughed.” Her expression hardened, making Stefan wince. “In my face.” But as quickly as it came, the stern frown left and a bright smile was in its place. “You seem nice,” she told the young god, bouncing on her toes as she went about wrapping the bouquet she had gathered. “I’ll let you say goodbye.”

Before Stefan could follow her nod to the back room, though, her eyebrows raised in warning. “If you try to free him, you’ll pray my plants kill you before I do.”

With an audible swallow, he left her alone. She set the bouquet in a lovely crystal vase, and she was busy arranging it for perfect balance when her door chimed again. Glancing up to the clock on her wall, she shook her head. Even with a cheerful smile on her face, Caroline’s voice fell flat with disappointment. “You’re late.”

“My apologies, love,” Klaus answered lightly, careful not to brush the vines slithered up the doorway on his way in. Leaning on the countertop, he watched her murmur encouragement to a too small flower until it grew to her satisfaction. “I’m afraid I suffered the same distraction of Stefan’s brotherly woes.”

Caroline shrugged, fondly patting the display before setting it aside, just outside his reach. Reaching across the counter, she welcomed her husband with a kiss. “Unfortunately, it takes more than a few growing buds to sap a god of his energy,” she sighed, brushing through Klaus’s brassy curls. “But I hope a few months in my planters will teach young Damon a lesson he won’t soon forget.”

Turning into her touch, Klaus pressed a kiss to her wrist. “I wish you would let me take care of him.”

“And I wish you would let me enjoy hunting him down over the centuries when he surely does this again,” she sighed, adopting what she called his patronizing tone.

Klaus knew better than to keep up the fight, so he held out his hand. “Shall we?”

Happily, she let him lead her toward the door. “Oh, Stefan,” she called. The god returned obediently, looking worse for the wear. “Mythic Florist is closed for a standing dinner date, but that arrangement is yours, on the house.” Caroline winked at his utter bemusement. “It should go where Elena sleeps. Hyacinth to promote her grieving process for your brother, hyssop for the sacrifice you both make for his foolishness, and forget-me-nots to remind her of the true love she still has in you.” She leaned into Klaus, her own love that had sustained her through the ages. “Rot and ruin like Damon is only as good as the healing it can provoke.”

Tense with anger, Stefan moved to throw the vase. Klaus, however, laughed. “My wife is a generous soul,” he said, kissing her temple. But turning back to Stefan, his smirk turned dangerous. “Don’t test it.”

As Stefan stalked out of the shop, still clutching the vase and powerless to challenge them, Caroline laced her fingers with Klaus’s. “He’ll be back.”

Klaus smiled, squeezing her hand. It had been so long since their status had been recognized, even mere acknowledgement a powerful taste of addictive belief. “We can only hope.”

Links: FFnet and AO3

[takaraphoenix]

Book Adaptations Wishlist

Let’s start with my biggest fandom that is based on a book-series. Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan.

I’m one of the... very few who likes the Percy Jackson movies. Most certainly not in the sense of them being adaptations of the books. Hah. Good one. No, I view them more as “motion picture fanfiction”. I mean, damn the pretty cast they got. I love Clarisse and Chris in particular. And I will forever be grateful to the first movie because without it, I would have never in a million years found the books simply because I’m not a big reader so the only way I ever learn about books is by watching an adaptation and deeming it to be my taste.

Now, things with PJatO were a little more complicated than that. Back before the movie hit theatres, I was checking out all the releases announced for the year and among them was this. The word “Thief” in the title caught my attention because I love a good con movie or show. I clicked it and back then the link only lead to the book and a section about it getting an adaptation, so that’s how I found out it was a book adaptation. Reading the synopsis of the book, I thought it sounded pretty cool. Next step was, of course, to check the character list. Because I love Greek mythology.

Main character a son of Poseidon. That’s cool. I love elementals, particularly those with water-powers. And there, not far down, was the name that got me hooked. Nico di Angelo, son of Hades. HOLY UNDERWORLD YES. Hades is my favorite male god. That his kid was listed as one of the main characters of the series - and NOT as a bad guy, because if modern adaptations taught me one thing, it’s that American authors love to paint everything in black and white and anything related to the underworld had to be the devil.

So Nico di Angelo was why I went to see the movie. Needless to say, Nico wasn’t in it because he only joins the series later on. But I did like the movie, Percy was cute, I was still curious to meet Nico, so when I found myself on a classtrip to Munich weeks later and was dragged from store to store and ended up in a bookstore where all six books (I do count The Demigod Files as part of the original series too) were on display at the time, I impulse-bought them.

I loved them. A lot. We’re not gonna talk about Heroes of Olympus here because that will take too many hours of my time. Let’s just say I don’t love them.

But yeah, the movies are not good adaptations of the books.

Then again, personally, I think that no movie can ever properly do a book justice. You can’t take a story that unfolds in like 500 pages of book and cram it into a two hour movie. You’re forced to cut sooo much out of it. It just doesn’t work.

That’s why I’m a huge fan of this new trend of adapting books as TV shows. It’s a very good way of covering more ground, taking things slow and giving the plot its due.

I’m desperately waiting for a good Percy Jackson adaptation. But I don’t want it to be live-action, to be honest. I mean, between Grover’s furry butt, Chiron’s horse-hide, the monsters and pegasi and demigodly powers, the show would need a huge special effects budget. And that’s just not gonna happen. So it’ll look cheap as fuck. Which would be an utter shame.

No.

I want a Percy Jackson cartoon show. I’d entrust DreamWorks with this. DreamWorks has done some amazing cartoon shows the last decade - Voltron, Dragons, Trollhunters. Particularly the cooperation with Netflix is working well for them. And with the team behind Avatar, like they’re doing with Voltron, I could REALLY envision a Percy Jackson cartoon. Imagine Percy water-bending like Katara or Korra, Nico looking like Keith in goth-clothes, I’d be dying to see that. Particularly considering that Avatar and Voltron use this beautiful 2D art style. I wouldn’t object to quality 3D like Trollhunters and Dragons, but I’d prefer 2D. I’m an old-fashioned gal like that.

To me, that would be the perfect way of adapting Percy Jackson.

Aaand I got a little lost in Percy Jackson. It happens. Oh well, I guess this is gonna be a long-ass entry then.

What I wanted to say was that I thoroughly approve of the TV show adaptation of books. I know I love Game of Thrones and Vampire Diaries and, of course as you may have noticed if you know me at all, Shadowhunters. All books I haven’t read (though I’m trying to read The Mortal Instruments. I’m just slow). I’ve just always been more of a TV-show kinda gal than a book-reader.

Now, if only they’d adapt the books that I actually love to read. That would be amazing. But somehow, I read stuff that doesn’t even get movies. Sure I read Percy Jackson and that got two failed movies, but we already covered that.

Because yes, I actually do read. Books that I haven’t met through their adaptations.

My all-time favorite book is Wicked, by Gregory Maguire.

I started reading it back in 2010 when I was doing an internship at our cozy local little bookstore - a very homey little place that was specialized on fantasy and sci-fi books. And Wicked was relatively fresh out back then and stood there in the special display and drew me in because of the green-skinned lady. I have a thing for green-skinned ladies, but that’s between me and Shego. So I started reading it during my breaks, when I had nothing else to do. Ten pages here, twenty pages there. By the time my internship ended, I was too hooked to forget about it so I bought it.

I saw its musical adaptation twice. Once in Stuttgart, the German version, and then when I was in London for the first time, the English version.

I love that musical as much as I loathe it.

The same as The Lightning Thief movie. And I mean it. Literally the same. You can view it as live-action fanfiction, but you can not with half-a-mind view it as an adaptation. It has as much to do with the book as The Lightning Thief movie had to do with The Lightning Thief book. That is to say, the characters shared the same names, but neither their behavior nor their physical appearance actually fit. And the plot, if you cook it down to a very basic one sentence summary - “Percy Jackson has to find the Lightning Thief” and “Elphaba Thropp rebels against the wizard” - fits, but do not ever dig for actual details, because those do not cover what happens in the book.

As a musical lover and someone who can view an adaptation as a separate thing from the source-material, I thoroughly love the musical. But as someone who loves that book to bits and pieces, I hate that the majority of people have only ever heard about the musical and are most likely not even aware of the book or haven’t bothered reading it and are now actually under the impression that all it is is a cheesy love-story. Which it is not. The romance is a foot-note in this long masterpiece that is basically a metaphor for the holocaust. And I will never be able to forgive the stupid fix-it shit of “Oh, Fiyero was turned into the scarecrow and they lived happily ever after”. No. They don’t. Or the fact that they turned my favorite character into a vindictive piece of crap.

(Okay, so maybe I am not as able to separate the two as I like to think, but cut me some slack they turned Elphaba’s trusted friend into a literal heartless tin-man who wants to slaughter her. What the fuck is that even.)

And I got lost again.

So, yes, I want a Wicked adaptation done right. A TV-show. After all, this is a book that literally covers her entire life, from birth to death. It tells a pretty long  story and I’d like to see it done right, instead of turned into a high school musical love drama, as the musical did. Not to mention I want to see the polyamorous relationship between Elphaba’s parents and Turtle Heart, maybe if we take more time for her childhood, we’d get more feels for the threesome too. Her two gay friends Crope and Tibbett. Her own “maybe not quite just friends” with Glinda. Her bisexual son who was entirely cut out of the musical. I mean, maybe we cut the girl out who married the Cowardly Lion, but uh they never had sex because she was a rape survivor who had no interest of ever having sex again - perhaps was even asexual, though it was never explicitely stated in the books - and only married him for safety reasons and all that did connect them was deep friendship?

I’d also like to mention my favorite book-series - while Wicked is my favorite book and its direct sequel Son of a Witch might be the only book I ever read within a literal day because I couldn’t put it down, the third and fourth books were a little on the... drawn out and exhausting side of things.

The Bartimaeus-series by Jonathan Stroud.

Bartimaeus is my favorite book-series, because it is - from start to finish - perfection. And Bartimaeus himself is a sassy little shit. We’d definitely need voice-over narration to not forget his sass. Can’t decide if I’d want it as a cartoon or as a live-action show though. But either way, I’d kiss the feet of the person who would fucking finally decide to adapt that book-series. I mean, seriously, among all the many, many shows and all the many, many adaptations these days, how has no oneever thought about giving this book any form of adaptation? It deserves it. It really does deserve a good adaptation.

And then there’s just one more. My favorite childhood books.

The Woodland Folk, by Tony Wolf.

I don’t think many people have ever even heard of this. It’s from an Italian author and as a child, I only owned two out of the twelve books that existed. But they were my most often read books. I knew them by heart, literally.

I later on, as a teen, bought the missing ten books on the internet and devoured them.

Those books are the reason I got hooked on fantasy, why I am obsessed with fairies and mermaids and witches. Tony Wolf’s illustrations in those books are the reason I always wanted to draw. They are beautiful and sweet and they would make for an amazing cartoon.

I know out of all of those books on this wish-list, this is the one that’s most far-out-there and will probably never happen, but I’d be ridiculously happy if it did.