#this truly is the polites saga

[captainmyveryowndreamland]

In Odysseus when the suitor mentions "Open arms" I just imagine Ody seeing Polites' ghost pop up and panically shake his head, like:

Suitor: "let's have open arms instead"

Polites, being summoned like Beetlejuice: "please dear God no!"

Odysseus, to the suitor: "no 🥰"

[witless-winion1]

Nobody:

Polities, about to give That One Suitor a smack down when he comes down into the Underworld:

[dangerclaw]

This dude (Polites) really went through a ten year war and:

1. decided that life isn’t a battlefield

2. deliberately chose peace, then

3. died during a round of deadly whack-a-mole

The gods didn’t like his hope for a world of peace and harmony ig

[troyssix]

we are literally getting vengeance saga in TWO days, peeps

[witless-winion1]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

*cough*

Y'know when Ody was like "I need to be a monster to get home, rarwrr"

Yeah, he didn't actually give up Polites' "Open arms" thing until "Six Hundred Strike"

In "Get In The Water" Ody doesn't jump straight to planning, scheeming, attacknng, or anything really. He actually tries to reason with him, to use compassion and sympathy. He tries to relate to Poseidon and apologizes, encouragung him to forgive.

Then when he's in the ocean, sinking, Poli, Eury, and Anticlea sing to him. But their words are different from the usual.

Eurylochus, is encouraging him, rather than criticizing him.

Anticlea is telling him that she loves him, instead of making it seem like he let her down.

But Polites' what he said. That is what gave Odysseus the ability to go Ruthless on Poseidon. Instead of what he's always been saying, which is "This life is amazing, when you greet it with open arms." He now says, "You can relax my friends, I can tell you're getting nervous"

This is him telling Odysseus, "I know what you've been through... Do what you must to see them."

This 'acceptance' is what allows Odysseus to abandon any form of compassion and mercy and why he's able to be as ruthless as he is.

That's also why he was quick to kill Eurymachus, he mentioned open arms, Odysseys didn't need that philosophy anymore, dead.

Also, y'know when he says "My mercy has long since drowned" ?

yeah thats bs. It only drowned like, 4 hours ago, when he was sinking in the ocean. Because yes, the spirits whre pushing him up. But Polites took his philosophy down with him.

so uh yeah.

[nelle-y]

A love story told through voicelines (III)

C/W: slow-burn, Diluc x gn!reader, reader works at the flower shop in Mondstadt, more Wicked and Epic: the musical references, fluff, angst, Crepus mentioned, rumors, no-no word: twat

Note: Pls pretend Donna doesn’t work at the flower shop yet- (here’s part 1 and part 4)

(You) About Diluc: Smiling

He never smiles—I know that for a fact. But when he came to the flower shop today, I swear the corners of his mouth were pointing slightly upward. Hah, I guess you could say the flowers worked! That’s good. Flora took the cost of those flowers out of my paycheck.

(Diluc) About you: Smiling

The way they smiled at me when I came in today… It was different. It wasn’t just a polite smile, but something deeper, something unspoken. I’ve never been good at reading people, but I think… I think they know more than I realize. I just wonder if I’m ready for whatever this is.

(You) About Diluc: Reputation

There are times I feel whispers on the street that have to do with me and Diluc. It’s not like we’ve been particularly discreet in our lunch meetings, so it’s only natural. I just hope nothing bad will happen because of it. No, I’m not so worried that it eats me alive—I’m tougher than that, you know! I’m prepared to take what’s thrown at me.

(Diluc) About you: Reputation

When it comes to ‘reputations’, eyes automatically lock on me, being the Master of Dawn Winery, and—to the Knights of Favonius and the Abyss—the Darknight Hero. But I’m already used to dealing with rumors and disapproving gazes—it’s them I’m worried about. Do they feel the pressure of being seen with me? Or do they understand that it’s not just the weight of my family name that comes with me, but all the expectations and rumors, too? I want to protect them from all of it. I don’t want them to feel like they’re being judged for something that has nothing to do with them.

(Kaeya) About Diluc: Recent behavior

Master Diluc. I see him gracing the flower shop more often. Haha, tell me, is he buying blooms for the winery… or for someone special?

(Flora) About you and Diluc

They’ve been getting distracted since Master Diluc started to pass by more; always rushing out the door the moment lunch time comes. Ooh, is something going on between them?

(Fischl) About you and Diluc

Ah, the tale of thy heart entwined with the ever-guarded Crimson Knight of Flames has reached my ears! Truly, a most beguiling confluence of fates!

Oz: Mein Fräulein, it seems that their bond appears to be progressing at a steady pace. Perhaps the Crimson Knight has begun to lower his defenses.

Indeed, Oz! I, Fischl, Prinzessin der Verurteilung, have observed the signs! The subtle glances, the fleeting moments shared between them—these are no mere happenstance. Yet, let it be known, they must tread carefully, for to enter the heart of a man such as he is to walk through a storm. But fear not! For they art no ordinary soul, and the stars favor their cause.

Verily, shouldst they require guidance, I, Fischl, shall lend my wisdom! Together with the ever-watchful Oz, I shall ensure that their journey to the heart of the Crimson Knight is as glorious as it is fateful!

Oz: Or perhaps simply buying him another bouquet might suffice, mein Fräulein.

Hush, Oz! A saga of this magnitude deserves nothing less than grandeur!

(Venti) About you and Diluc

Ah, the stoic knight and his admiring florist—it’s practically begging to be sung, no?

(Amber) About you and Diluc

I’ve been keeping an eye on those two lately, and honestly? I think there’s something special there. I hope it all works out between them.

(Klee) About you and Diluc

That florist is the best! You know… Master Diluc used to be sooo grumpy all the time, that’s why I thought he was weird. But now, whenever they’re around, he’s a lot less grumpy, and that’s pretty cool! No one’s ever made him smile before. It’s like they have a superpower… with flowers!

(Lisa) About you and Diluc

So someone has finally brought down his walls, huh? Hm, well done.

(Jean) About you and Diluc

I don’t know all the details, but… whatever bond the two of them share, it seems to have brought him a sense of ease that I haven’t seen in a long time.

(You) About Diluc: Constellations

I found him sitting alone near Windrise one night, looking more tense than ever. Without thinking, I sat next to him in silence, just watching the stars with my head near his shoulder. He didn’t say a word neither, but I felt his eyes on me for a brief moment before returning to the costellations above us. I’m not one for silent moments, but there was something comforting with how quiet it was. Like the night spoke for us. It felt… nice.

(Diluc) About you: Constellations

The quiet of Windrise was unlike anything else. I had hoped for solitude that night, but when they sat beside me, I didn’t feel the need to chase them away. They were calm, simply being there, with their presence more than enough. The stars above seemed so distant, but in that moment, with them there, everything felt strangely within reach. I didn’t have to speak. We just… existed together. It was a feeling I wasn’t used to, yet something about it felt right.

(Adelinde) About Diluc: Recent behavior

I’ve seen Master Diluc return to the manor with a lighter step recently. I dare say, it’s been a while since he seemed this… at ease. Reminds me of when he was still a child; always causing trouble, that one.

(You) About Diluc: Could it be?

It’s hard to put into words, but lately, every time he stops by the flower shop or shares a quiet moment with me, I feel this… pull. Like the world is shifting, and he’s at the center of it.

Could it be some kind of sign? That my life, my world, is all about to change?

But then there’s that doubt—that nagging little voice in the back of my head. Maybe I’m just imagining things. What if I’m wrong about him? About us?

Still… I can’t help but wonder.

(Diluc) About you: Could it be?

I can’t stop thinking about them. Every conversation, every glance—it stays with me long after they’re gone.

But then, one question keeps haunting me: do they feel the same?

I’ve always thought myself strong, unshaken by the opinions or approval of others, yet this… this is different. What if I’ve misread everything? What if the way I look at them, the way my heart quickens when they’re near—it’s all just me?

Was I really seeking something good with them, or was I just seeking attention? Am I holding onto this feeling because I don’t know how to let it go?

(Donna) About “you and Diluc”

Oh, you won’t believe what I’ve heard! You know that florist that’s been hanging around Master Diluc all the time? Yeah, turns out—they have a little arrangement, if you catch my drift. And it’s not just the flowers. Hahaha! Seems like a desperate move, but who knows? Maybe they’ve been waiting for more than a paycheck.

(You) About Diluc: Rumors

I thought it wouldn’t matter to him, you know. He seemed like the type not to care about gossip. Maybe I was wrong there. Archons—maybe I was even wrong about us! I’m so confused… how could he throw our friendship away like it was nothing?! All because of that Donna—psh, who even is Donna?! Who is she to mind Diluc and my’s business? If she has something to say, then come on! I’m all ears! In a moment, I’ll be all fists too. She’s just jealous! Twat.

It’s no use being angry, Diluc’s gone. He’s gone… and I don’t know what I can do to get him back. … I need to see him. No—I don’t care if he doesn’t want to talk! He can’t just throw away what we have! Whatever that is. I’m going to the manor!

(Diluc) About you: Rumors

I heard about it… from one of my staff. Some girl, Donna, spreading terrible lies about them. I had the situation dealt with, of course. …They don’t deserve this—these watchful eyes and loathsome minds that seem to misinterpret every step they take. I thought by letting them go, I would be freeing them from all of this. That was the right thing to do, isn’t it? Protect the people I care about, even if it hurts me? That’s what my father would’ve done.

(Diluc) About Crepus: Protecting loved ones

Truth is… I don’t think I’m anything like him. He would have handled this better. He wouldn’t have been so cowardly—so afraid of ruining something good that he let it slip through his fingers entirely. I wanted to keep them safe, to protect them the way I couldn’t protect him. But instead, I’ve only driven them away.

If my father were here, what would he think of me? Would he see me as strong, or as a coward hiding behind excuses? I don’t know anymore. All I know is that I’ve hurt them… and I can’t stop thinking about how much I’ve failed them. I promised to protect them, but I’ve only hurt them. And now… I don’t know if I’ll ever have the chance to make it right.

—

Note: now how tf do I write part 4-

[theconstitutionisgayculture]

If you could fix one film or one film franchise, which would it be?

Star Wars, and it's not even close.

I used to love Star Wars to death. It was my thing ever since I was 5 or 6 and my dad rented the movies for me at Video Forum. I cannot undersell how much this series meant to me. When I was 11 my mom, who worked at IBM, took me to a take your kid to work day/tech exhibition and there was a portable TV being shown off and to show it off they played the trailer for Episode 1 on a loop. I must have watched it dozens of times, both before and after my mom dragged me away. I was so happy that in a few short months I was going to be able to see a Star Wars movie in the theaters! Just like everyone who was older than me did when the original trilogy first came out. When I was 17 I went to a midnight showing of Revenge of the Sith with my dad. Standing in line about to finally see how The Saga was going to be completed surrounded by super enthusiastic Star Wars fans buzzing and having fake lightsaber duels in the lobby was the closest thing to a religious experience by teenage edgelord atheist self would ever have. I can't even count how many times I got in trouble in school for reading Expanded Universe books when I should have been working.

I. Loved. Star Wars.

And in less than 5 years Disney killed that.

They took this thing I loved, killed its soul, and turned it into a zombie. Worse, they used that zombie to promote their pet politics and truly awful social views. Star Wars as it exists now is, in every conceivable way, worse than it was under Lucas and Lucasfilm. And I can't even find enjoyment in fandom spaces that hate Disney Star Wars and love the EU and the original films, because those spaces are filled with constant fighting with Disney fans about the franchise. And so many real SW fans are so...I don't want to use the word traumatized...maybe battered is a better word, by what Disney and its fans have done to Star Wars that they keep demanding lockstep opinions about everything and creating circular firing squads.

Star Wars just isn't fun anymore. And yeah, the old movies are still there, and sure, every once in a while something like Fallen Order/Jedi Survivor comes out that is actually pretty decent, but the stink of what Disney did to the franchise is always there in the background.

So I would save Star Wars. I'd do it for everyone who had to see the thing they love murdered right before their eyes. I'd do it for the kid I used to be, whose lonely tween and teen years would have been so much more bleak and grey if he never had Star Wars. I would savagely tear the Disney canon away just like Disney did with the EU, throw it in the trash, and start over. I'd adapt the literal decades of stories in the EU, as faithfully as possible, and treat what came before with the love and respect it deserves.

And if that's impossible, if there's no way to build Star Wars back into what it was, I'd let it die a dignified death instead of letting a bunch of shitty, talentless hacks parade its corpse around like a trophy of war.

[maxdibert]

Lila and Lenú are two sides of the same coin.

I often come across criticisms of one or the other, mostly against Lenú, which is understandable because Lenú is not a likable narrator. Lenú is not a narrator who endears herself to the reader. She tells us her story like a personal diary, laying herself bare to share her desires, ambitions, loves, and achievements, but also her insecurities. And Lenú is terribly insecure. She has always had very low self-esteem, and it is this lack of confidence that often leads her to terrible behaviors or even regrettable decisions. But most of all, her constant insecurity throughout her story (and her life) is focused on constantly comparing herself to Lila, which at various points in the saga makes the reader find her heavy and even exasperating, as she is unable to overcome that childhood rivalry even when both are living in completely different worlds.

On the other hand, Lila can also be disliked at times. Lila is selfish, resentful, and unstoppable when she wants to hurt someone—she knows exactly how to do it. Lila is ambitious but hasn't had opportunities, so when they arise, she steps over everyone to seize them. Lila is not fair and sometimes has a very biased view. Lila is toxic and can be truly damaging. But without Lila, there would be no Lenú. And without Lenú, there would be no Lila, because they are the center of each other's worlds, and their absolutely turbulent, poisonous, and codependent friendship is what not only shapes the Neapolitan Novels but is also the constant driving force in their lives.

Lenú is the narrator without natural talent, but with enormous work discipline. She has envied Lila since childhood and feels terribly inadequate next to her because what Lenú achieved through hard work, Lila possessed with natural brilliance. Lila was the brilliant friend, the one who learned to count and read by herself, and who, despite being forced to leave school, would always have the ability to surpass Lenú if she wanted. This is something that haunts Elena throughout her life: the fear of confronting the reality that if Lila had been able to keep studying like her, she would probably have outshone her as she always did in their neighborhood. The ghost of being the second, always one step behind her genius friend—the one who is thinner, prettier, more extroverted, and more charismatic—marks Lenú’s growth process, and its effects are visible even in adulthood. But it is precisely because of this, the fear of being overshadowed by Lila, that Lenú strives to be the best she can be, to reach the highest possible level. Lila is Lenú’s motivation. Lenú, who over the years tries to shake off the dust and grime of her humble origins, to distance herself from that neighborhood full of poverty and violence, to become a self-made intellectual bourgeois woman who wants nothing to do with those uneducated poor savages she grew up with. And yet, she always ends up back in the neighborhood. She cannot escape her own nature, her origins, her blood. She cannot escape Lila.

Lila is the genius, the one who could have been greater than anyone, the girl who was forced to leave school and got married at just 15, thinking she could escape her home but ended up trapped in an even worse hell. She always wanted to leave, see the world, and she was the one who pushed Lenú from childhood to dream and go beyond. And she is the one who ends up abandoning all her dreams, acquiring a cold, raw, and cynical view of life, politics, and social classes. Lila is terribly envious. She envies Lenú because Lenú has the life she always wanted, without realizing that Lenú envies her for having the energy she always longed for. She envies Lenú because Lenú has been able to leave the neighborhood, because she can study, because she has choices. That’s why, when Lenú messes up, Lila always gets angry with her and reproaches her, because if Lenú messes up, then what does Lila have left? Lila is the neighborhood, the origins, the wild, the dark—she is the reminder that no matter how far Lenú goes or how high she climbs, she will always be from the neighborhood. Because you can take the girl out of the neighborhood, but you can’t take the neighborhood out of the girl. Lila is strong and weak at the same time, she is invincible and terribly vulnerable. And this weakness, this vulnerability, she only shows to Lenú. She only fears in front of Lenú, only cries in front of Lenú, only shows herself lost with Lenú. Because Lila, who is visceral, who is from the earth, from the roots, knows deep down that she and Lenú have a connection that goes beyond years and misfortunes. Because Lenú, though she will never know it, is her brilliant friend.

The magic of their relationship is that they are each the brilliant friend to the other, and that makes them both wary of each other, while simultaneously falling into their toxic dynamics again and again. But at the end of the day, they always have each other, even if in a completely dysfunctional and quite messed-up way. I could spend hours and hours talking about them, but I will just say that their relationship is the most incredible I have ever read about two female protagonists. It’s complex, it’s beautiful, it’s horrible at times, exasperating most of the time. It’s treacherous, it’s doomed, it’s stronger than everything, weaker than most. It is, in the end, just like life itself.

[saixria]

Don’t think about how most friendships in Epic are/ end up one sided one way or another lolololol (more in the tags I went a little crazy oops)

The way friendship is a recurring (literary) motif in Epic like light vs darkness and “sleeplessness” kills me. Like yeah this is a tragic Greek myth story about gods and monsters and war and bloodshed and death and gore, but also friendship and love. It’s not just the friendship between Athena and Odysseus/Telemachus, but Odysseus and the crew, Odysseus and eurylochus and Polites. Even after sacrificing his whole crew to get home, betraying them and being betrayed by them, Odysseus still sees them as his friends in WYFILWMA. Athena still sees Odysseus as a friend regardless of if Odysseus still sees her as a friend. Hermes flippantly calling Odysseus “old friend” vs Athena genuinely, wholeheartedly calling Odysseus “old friend”. Odysseus calling Athena “mentor” instead of a friend in Monster after My Goodbye thinking she never saw him as her friend like he saw her as one (you can also argue this is just bc he already called Polites his best friend and it would be weird to use the word friend again but still)

Just. URGH. Friendships in epic.

[mariacallous]

What the 2024 election results made clear is that the Obama coalition is dead. If Democrats are to have any shot at reclaiming power, so too must be the niceties and mores of the Obama era.

Yes, Democrats must get mean – ruthlessly, bitterly mean. This is not to say, however, that they need merely to cast aside the former first lady’s once-famous, now-infamous messaging mantra. No, what I prescribe is not just a new approach to political discourse but a new theory of opposition party politics.

Trumpsim has corrupted America in many ways, but one of the most obvious is how voters now expect lawmakers and surrogates to be truly vicious cultural warriors for them. One can see manifestations of this in the congresswoman Nancy Mace’s deranged bullying of the congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride, the endless and deliberate mispronunciation of Kamala Harris’s first name, and the fact that Marjorie Taylor Greene is one of the top fundraisers in the House of Representatives.

This phenomenon also exists on the left. The coffers poured open for Jasmine Crockett following a tête-à-tête with the aforementioned Taylor Greene, during which Crockett mocked her colleague’s “bleach-blonde bad-built butch-body”. And one could argue the strongest period of the Harris-Walz campaign – at least in terms of Democratic enthusiasm – was during the “weird” and “couch” sagas of Brat summer.

As the commentator SE Cupp recently observed, “it doesn’t get said enough, but Trump’s enduring legacy will be convincing BOTH parties to lower the bar, and that possessing moral authority on anything is no longer a currency that matters”. Democrats can either bemoan the fact the fundamental rules of politics and discourse have changed or they can adapt to it. In the four years to come, emboldened voices on the right will work to expand the Overton window. Democrats’ reaction to this effort must not materialize as feigned – or earnest – injury and horror. Take the punch and return the favor.

This new, more muscular messaging strategy must be combined with a far more aggressive war footing in the halls of Congress.

The Democrat Adam Gray’s unseating of the Republican congressman John Duarte in California’s 13th congressional district cemented a nigh-historically tenuous situation for the House Republican party. Mike Johnson, the House speaker, will have only a 220-seat majority. However, Republicans are poised to lose three seats (if not more) as members resign to join the Trump administration. That will leave them with a majority of 217-seats, meaning Johnson can only afford to lose one member on major – and minor – votes.

The Republicans’ legislative to-do list is nothing to scoff at. In addition to renewing Trump’s first term tax cuts and possibly imposing hyper-controversial tariffs on various imports, Johnson will need to pass a bill to fund the government. Democrats must not help him.

Time and again congressional Democrats have swept in to save Republican leaders – and Republican voters – from their own lawmakers. This generosity must end. The Dems must bleed the Republican party of its political capital at every opportunity, even if it means the American people experience some pain. On a Bulwark podcast this week, the writer Jonathan V Last channeled Alan Moore’s iconic comic book anti-hero Rorschach to describe the mentality Democrats should adopt: “The politicians will look up and shout ‘save us,’ and I’ll look down, and whisper ‘no.’”

Yes, Democrats should make the next four years of Republican governance as grueling and painful as possible. Do not help them pass a budget (if Johnson, as Last playfully notes, offers up DC statehood as an incentive for cooperation, we can have another conversation). Do not vote for a single cabinet nominee – even those who qualify as “adults in the room” (sorry, Marco Rubio). Relatedly, do not hold back from highlighting all the darkest aspects of said nominees’ backgrounds – from former Fox host Pete Hegseth’s alleged sexual assault to Robert F Kennedy’s purported role in the deaths of dozens during a 2019 measles outbreak in American Samoa.

While on the Hill, casual comity is fine. Lawmakers should continue to break bread and imbibe brandy with one another. That is all to the good. But Democrats’ outdated impulse to prioritize good relationships with their conservative colleagues at all costs must end. Recall, many of these men and women have spent years valorizing a violent mob that sought to kill them. Comity for the sake of comity is, well, utter comedy.

On that note, there is no world in which Joe Biden and Harris attending the inauguration makes basic strategic sense. Such a move would only serve to undermine trust in a Democratic party brand that’s already on life support. Either Donald Trump is a fascist or he isn’t. There is no such thing as Schrödinger’s autocrat.

Liberals made the decision to compare the former and future commander-in-chief to Hitler. Rhetoric like that can’t be memory-holed. Thus, symbolically lauding the man’s re-ascension to power will not preserve the Democrats’ reputation as the “party of norms”. On the contrary, it will cement the growing sense – particularly after the pardon of Hunter Biden – that Dems traffic in lies and deceit with the same shamelessness as Republicans.

These strategic shifts – in messaging, in oppositional governance, and in observation of norms – will be difficult for some to swallow. After all, as Robert Frost often liked to observe, “a liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel”. Democrats must get over themselves; far too much is at stake.

What gives me hope now

To the limited extent I’m optimistic about the next four years, my resolve is rooted in the fact that Trump’s incoming administration – and his Republican coalition more broadly – will probably prove to be more fractious and wracked with infighting than it was during his first term. As we saw following the “Doge” chief Vivek Ramaswamy’s deranged, 90’s sitcom-addled tirade about H-1B visas and the “mediocrity” of American culture, deep policy disagreements plague the current marriage of OG Maga and the Silicon Valley tech bro billionaire class.

Steve Bannon, even more recently, vowed to “take down” the “truly evil” Elon Musk and excise him like a cancer from Trump’s orbit. Throughout the president-elect’s last stay in the White House, intra-party conflict was largely drawn along old guard versus new guard lines. Trump has since turned the Republican into a cult of personality. As such, slavish loyalty to the king is the only coin of the realm – and there are now major competing policy interests among his yes-men. Couple this with the reality that Trump is a lame duck and party elites will constantly be jockeying to be viewed as the heir apparent, and his den of vipers may just consume itself.

[captainmyveryowndreamland]

Polites honestly such a based character for being able to undo years of training under Athena through the duration of one (1) song in Odysseus

[toxinoire]

While Polites isn't my fave, he seems very strong willed but very traumatized and Open Arms shows it.

It's the fact that he's a soldier, he's killed people, he's seen the filth of the world.

He chooses to greet the rest of the world's beauty with kindness and open arms, but for a more twisted traumatized reason.

Listening to the song, you hear these specific lines: "I see in your face, there's so much guilt inside your heart" and "So why not replace it and light up the world? Here's how to start: greet the world with open arms"

It feels enthusiastic, until you recall that Polites is also a soldier.

Come on, "I know that you're tired of the war and bloodshed" so is he. "You can show a person that you trust them when you stop and lower your guard" He wants to trust more people, but ones he knows he can trust. For example: Ody, Eury, the crew. He wants them to have open vulnerability, because they're all traumatized and should, quite frankly, be open with each other.

He should have the same guilt as Odysseus. He has just as much blood on his hands as Odysseus. He does. But he lets go of the guilt, why? Those are the filth of the world, they're not the ones you can embrace with open arms, they're not the amazing parts of life.

Polites is ruthless in his own way. He greets the beautiful things in life with kindness and open arms, yes. But I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to rid of the filth in it. The Lotus Eaters for example: they welcomed them on the island. They hadn't tried to attack, hadn't been on guard. No, they were all "Welcome :D" which is why Polites believed them to be nice, and he was willing to believe that because he literally just got back from killing multiple Trojans.

In the Cyclops Saga, Polites doesn't even protest killing Polyphemus. If he's truly as kind as he appears, he probably would have protested. He'd probably tell Ody that they killed his friend first, try to negotiate more. Maybe he'd be the one to negotiate. But he doesn't, he was also one of those soldiers fighting Polyphemus, but he had died.

But one might say "Oh but in the Underworld his last thoughts-" Yeah true, but when you're on the brink of death, after seeing so much filth in the world, you'll want to see something nice in it.

He wanted to still see the beauty of the world even as he was smashed by a club. Wanted Odysseus to let go of the guilt as Ody is very much a dear friend of his and doesn't want him to suffer, so he tries to convince him to at least see the beauty of the world.

He wasn't intending for Odysseus to try to be merciful or spare his enemies, he just wanted him to see the remaining beauty in an otherwise filthy world.

Polites is actually more layered if you take note that he's a soldier. He wasn't naive and too trusting, he just wanted to see good in an otherwise bad world. That was a trauma response.

[yoakenouta]

ㅤㅤWOAH, he was really resisting now ! The master continued to push, his smile slowly dropping into a slight pout at his words while he refused to relent. " And I'm insisting that you take one ... ! Just because you guys are thieves doesn't make you inherently bad people and frankly, I've met plenty of genuinely, horrible people so I think I'm pretty reasonable when I say that you're a good person ! And it's not because I think you're the lesser of any evils or anything -- it's because that's who you are ! The fact that you constantly worry about what's right and wrong and the fact you concern yourself over the sentiment and wellbeing of others -- isn't that what any good person would do ?! You know I don't judge others based on what they've done but who they are as a person ! You deserve to enjoy ordinary things just as much as anyone else and it's because you won't accept this that I want to give it to you ! As your master and most of all, your senpai, I want to make sure you enjoy yourself ! If you're worried about Dark, then I definitely won't have any problems reprimanding him ! "

his head frantically shakes ; his cheeks puff with strain , tearing his gaze away from the box in front of him with his hands forming a small wall , he's not backing down !! ' i can't !! i said that i can't , fujimaru-san ! besides , if dark ends up stealing something at some point anyways , wouldn't that just be doubly wrong ?! ' everyone deserved a little pocky , including him , what was something like that supposed to mean ?! ' thieves ... thieves don't deserve anything ! i'd be happier if you just ate it yourself ! ' ( that was really a lie , but ... ! )

[h0c-if]

HOUSE OF CARDS: THE CRIMSON COURT is a character driven romance interactive fiction set in a realm that resembles earth. The story follow you, a noble from the kingdom of Argonia sent to the kingdom of your enemies in an arranged marriage, all in the name of peace.

This game depends and focus heavily on the component relationships, Complex Relationships, and choices.

MAIN-THEMES (GENRES): Court Intrigue, Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama.

SUB-THEMES: Family Saga, Revenge/Vengeance, Cultural Clash.

TAGS:  Betrayal, Manipulation, Assassinaution, Complex Family Relationship, Affairs, Arranged marriage, Discrimination.

War. The malevolent force that breeds corruption, inflicts pain, nurtures hate, and reaps death, casting a dark shadow upon all that is good. Can love find a way to bloom within its merciless grasp?

SUMMARY:

As fate would have it, you find yourself torn from familiar shores and thrust into the clutches of a kingdom that has long been embroiled in conflict with your homeland. And to further complicate matters, your partner in this arrangement is none other than the Commander of the enemy's fleets, a name that reverberates with terror throughout the land. Whispers of their ruthless prowess in the merciless ways they dismantles their foes, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and etching a chilling image of their power.

As you journey towards your own path. Will you rise to the challenge and become a beacon of hope and peace, or will you succumb to the siren song of ambition and greed?

Only time will tell, as the fates of kingdoms hang in the balance.

Follow the story of the noble House Scion as they traverse the complex web of politics, alliances, and betrayals. Will they prove to be worthy, or will their own desires and flaws consume them, leading to the downfall of all they hold dear?

Immerse yourself in a richly detailed world inspired by historical fiction, where court intrigue and political machinations shape the destiny of nations:

As an influential figure, what kind of reputation do you want to build for yourself? And as a character, what personality will you adopt? Play as the dove of peace, a brutal iron fist, a sly snake, or a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Romance three main characters, each with their own relationship dynamics. Plus; a possible secret Ro: Experience a captivating romance that defies societal boundaries, or would you rather find yourself entangled in a forbidden love that challenges loyalties and tests the limits of your own heart.

A diverse cast of characters to build and form relationships: Deepen or sever relationships with a number of important characters and; betray, befriend, antagonise or kill.

Your choices will impact both your personality and the game's story: Make choices that will have far-reaching consequences, shaping the course of the story and influencing the fates of both individuals and empires. Interact with the world and discover who you truly are. Will you be able to forge a new future for yourself and those around you in the midst of this chaos?

There are always hands playing in the shadows. Play their game or make your own: Navigate a world filled with people striving to feed their own agendas. Engage in strategic alliances and tactical decisions, as you use your wits and cunning to navigate the dangerous waters of war and diplomacy.

ROMANCE TROPES: Love at First Sight. Fake relationship. Rebellious Love. Amour Fou (Mad Love). Domestic Affair OR Friends to lovers. Enemies to lovers. Forbidden Love.

THE COMMANDER [M/F]

ELISAE ROWAN DELACROIX:

Elisae is hailed as a war hero in Borgia. Born to the King's second sister, the Grand Duchess of the North, Elisae followed in their mother's footsteps and joined the war from a tender age. Their valor and strategic brilliance earned them numerous titles and led the kingdom to many victorious battles. They played a vital role in shaping Argonia's destiny.

[DESCRIPTION]: Elisae is a formidable presence with a commanding stature, standing tall at 6 feet. Their piercing grey eyes, sharp as steel, hold a depth of determination and wisdom. Their ebony hair, meticulously styled and slicked back, contrasting against their tanned skin.

Have you begun to devise a plan to melt the icy barrier encasing your spouse's heart? Or do you intend to shatter it into fragments?

DUCHESS/DUKE[F/M]

JADE MAXIMILLIAN WINTER:

Jade is a figure of grace and elegance. As the esteemed Duke/Duchess of House Winter, Jade's political stance differs from your spouse's, which created a strain in the relationship of the two childhood friends.

Renowned for their esteemed position among the nobles and loved for their charming and easygoing personality, Jade exudes an aura of refinement and unyielding confidence. Their presence commands attention, while their subtle gestures and expressions hint at a depth of emotions and hidden desires. With a captivating charm and an enigmatic aura, Jade leaves an indelible mark on those who cross their path.

[DESCRIPTION]: Jade's mesmerizing eyes, a striking melted honey color, exude an air of mystery and intelligence. Their ash hair, cascading in waves, complements their fair complexion, imbuing them with an ethereal allure.

But what does that flaming smile hide? Can you withstand the searing heat of their radiance and still dare to draw near?

THE ESCORT [F/M]

RAINE HAWTHORNE:

[ABOUT]: Raine is a figure of quiet strength. With a quiet confidence and a sense of duty ingrained in their every action, Raine emanates an aura of reliability and protection.

Raine is assigned as your escort by the House of Delacroix upon your arrival in Borgia, Raine appears indifferent, showing little interest in anything. However, when it comes to protecting you and ensuring your safety, Raine is unwaveringly dedicated.

[DESCRIPTION]: Raine stands at an average height. Their piercing green eyes, sharp and discerning, hold an intensity that mirrors the depths of their soul. Their chestnut hair, tousled and windswept, adds a touch of ruggedness to their appearance. Raine's bronze skin bears the faint marks of battles fought and hardships endured. As a guard, they possess a lean and agile physique, honed through years of training and dedication.

Beneath the stoic facade lies a well-guarded heart. Can you unravel the secrets that lie within Raine's enigmatic gaze?

[SECRET RO]

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[sassylovermongerbear]

Polites is one of my favourite characters of Epic, even if he barely is in it, cause he is such a genuine kind soul and loyal friend. He is a free spirit that see the good in the world even after years of war and he is trying to help Odysseus to relax and enjoy life after the war. He is his best friend and he does his best to make him happy.

He is so kindhearted that even in death he's still trying to tell his best friend to see the good in the world. In the underworld saga we hear him sing open arms even if it's in a sadder way than the upbeat version in the first saga. All while the rest of his men trash him and blames him for their death when his only fault was to give his name to the Cyclops.

Meanwhile the man that actually betrayed them all, including his captain that he dare called his brother, get to go blame free ? And then keep betraying them over and over, telling Odysseus to leave them behind on Circe's island and opening the bag with the storm cause he was greedy and wanted to get his hand on the supposed treasure. He didn't believe in Odysseus, not once, only listening to him when he got them out of the shit Eurylochus put them in. Even in the cave with the Cyclops Odysseus clearly had a plan but Eurylochus kept punching to ran away when Odysseus proved many time, especially during the war, that he was smart and could get them to win.

And I think Odysseus knew that. He knew that the only person he could actually trust was Polites and he tried to honour his memory by trusting others, by revealing his name to the Cyclops and letting them live. Because that's what Polites would have done, he would have spared the Cyclops. It was his way of remembering him. He tried to go keep an open mind all along but things just never works out cause while he trust his crew, they don't trust him back.

That's why in the underworld saga seeing Polites and his mom hit the hardest cause, while his other crew members blames him for their death, wrongfully so, he is already eaten by guilt, but those 2 don't blame him at all. Sure they are sad but they don't blame him. Which make it worst for him cause he realised that those person that believed in him completely still do even in death, but they are dead and that's the only time he'll be able to see thel again befire he dies himself and he cant even stop to talk to thel properly. Plus his mom being here just show him how long it actually has been since he left which feel far more than it actually been for him in that instant. Yet she still loves him and doesn't blame him, while the 599 other men he brought in war, he lead them and didn't let a single one of them die for 10 years, blames him for their death when he always did his very best to get everyone home safely.

Out of all the 600 men under his command only one was truly loyal to him even in death. Odysseus realised that in the underworld and I think that's what pushed him to turn into a "monster" and putting himself first after this because everyone blames him for everything when he just wanted to get home with all his soldiers.

Polites is my favourite characters cause even if he doesn't stay in the story for long his impact goes far beyond. At least in my opinion, that's just my interpretation of it

[grape-jucie-dog]

OK. NOW I GOT IT ALL FIGURED OUT. (Yap session incoming)

You know how earlier I was like "Yup, she definitely gets it after My Goodbye."

You do? Great. Now throw that shit out the window like Zeus threw a lightning bolt at his golden child.

I'm going back to the idea that this has been a thing since Pallas, with the idea that Zeus was low-key (high-key.) putting a lot of pressure on Athena to perfect her abilities as she discovers them, and to be the best fighter of them all. Triton and Pallas help her control her emotions and stress in a healthy manner, but after Pallas' death, it gets worse for a while before she learns to manage it herself.

(Credits to @figureitoutinthemorning for the next bit :3)

Years later during the Trojan War, Odysseus finds Athena coughing up the ink, due to the stress she's feeling from the war. She (very reluctantly) explains to him about her disease, and how she's unsure of a cure. Odysseus is surprised, as he believed gods were incapable of getting sick, but he sympathizes with her, saying he won't tell a soul about it (I always loved the idea that Polites and Eurylochus knew about Athena, and then Diomedes ofc). This helps them get a little closer (Athena doesn't want to admit it however), and the topic is never really brought up again. Maybe there are a few moments where Ody helps Athena with it, I'll let you guys decide that.

During My Goodbye, when they're arguing back and forth, Athena starts to cough a little bit of ink, and Odysseus snaps, saying something like "How can I trust anything you say when you can't even figure out a cure to your own sickness?" He immediately regrets what he said, but it's too late to take it back, and he's too blinded by grief and anger. This greatly hurts Athena, and she leaves heartbroken, which makes the disease even worse.

10 years later, during We'll Be Fine, Athena ends up spilling the beans to Telemachus. She doesn't tell him about Odysseus directly, but she mentions how her friend had snapped at her about it in a state of grief. Telemachus suggests how possibly making up with her friend could be the cure, and he says that he'll stay by her side if her friend won't. The disease lessens a bit, and Athena goes to Zeus for Ody's release.

After God Games, everything goes completely downhill. Athena is in more pain than ever before, truly thinking that this would be her end. She sneaks out to train Telemachus, and in this AU, I'm deciding that Penelope helps train him too. If Athena is in too much pain, Penelope takes over the training when possible.

In the Ithaca Saga, with Ares' help, she's able to help Telemachus fend off some of the suitors, and all the Ithaca Saga shit blah blah blah. Athena and Odysseus have a long, heartfelt talk about everything. For hours they talk about what happened, and they tearfully apologize and hug. Athena expects to cough up more ink, but she doesn't. The entire conversation, she hadn't coughed once. Not when they talked about the argument, about the disease and what Ody said, not about the games. For the first time in centuries, she can breathe clearly. The inky taste doesn't plague her mouth anymore. For the first time, She's finally free.

(credits to @juno-stuffs and @hunterofartemis7 for the cure)