#tw penny's death

[charlietheepicwriter7]

@anotheroceanid

Between Calypso’s island and his home, on a rocky shole surrounded by mile-high waves under a black sky, Odysseus became a monster. And like all monsters, he eventually watched all his loved ones die without him. 

At first, he didn’t notice. In his relief to be home and his joy to get to know his wife and son again, Odysseus didn’t realize how strong he was until he reached out to hold his wife’s hand and accidentally snapped her wrist. After that, he couldn’t stop noticing how different he was. Everything felt fragile, like spun glass under his fingertips. His form flickered like the wind, one moment strong and steady with the face of a man, the next moment shadowed and looming and clawed and every inch reeking of danger. He could see farther than his son, hear further, and one day Odysseus looked Telemachus in his face and realized they could be mistaken as equals rather than father and son. 

His family grew old while Odysseus stayed the same.

Well, not the same. Odysseus changed in far more horrifying ways. 

Eventually, his family died. First came Penelope, weak and frail and beautiful as always, passing away gently in her sleep, in his arms. Then his Telemachus, decades later in a sickness that swept across the island. Then his son’s son, then that son’s daughter, and her son, and on and on until his last descendant drowned in a flood that buried the whole island for a day. 

When he finally left Ithaca, the first time he’d left since he came home, the world had changed. And Poseidon’s children were everywhere.

Every single one of his son’s children were dead. Yet Poseidon just… kept popping out more and more bastards, like there wasn’t a target on each and every one of their backs. So Odysseus became the arrow.

Odysseus usually avoided eating demigods. There had been one son of Ares on Ithica who harassed his great granddaughter that Odysseus dealt with, but for the most part, he kept his human morals. But he always made an exception for the children of Poseidon.

They weren’t his favorite demigods to eat, by far–too fishy, and Ocean demigod meat always had a weird texture, like eel but tougher. But the joy Odysseus got from Poseidon’s screams of agony, screams Odysseus could hear every time one died, screams Odysseus could hear from anywhere on the globe, gave greater satisfaction than pleasure ever could. 

Many demigods had been sent to kill him. At first it was only Poseidon’s children, seeking him out in revenge for their lost siblings; a noble cause, so Odysseus killed them quickly and properly buried them with payment in their mouths. Then it became quests, demigods sent for the “glory” of killing the Monstrous King of Ithaca. Those, Odysseus killed slowly, ripping out their stomachs with siren’s talons and leaving them to die in pools of their own blood. He didn’t even spare his old friend’s children, nor his relatives. 

Then, the Prophecy. 

Odysseus had lost track of time since the reveal of the Great Prophecy. At first, he’d kept busy by killing Poseidon’s children still; a few had survived the second moral world war and were already older than 16, so Odysseus could hunt them to his heart’s content. But as the well of available revenge dried up, so too did the demigods chasing after him become… younger. Children baby-faced and desperate to survive Odysseus in battle and Odysseus… he couldn’t kill them. Not children, so small and shaking and unable to hold their knife correctly as a child barely old enough to fight stared up at him with watery gray eyes. 

Men, he could kill. Women, he could kill. But children?

Not again. Please don’t make him do it again.

So he disappeared. It wasn’t the first time he’d lay low out of the Gods’ gaze, so Odysseus let the decades wash over him until, finally, he heard rumors of Poseidon making landfall in New York. 

He’d known his old foe would slip up eventually; it wasn’t in Poseidon’s nature to keep himself from ruining young women’s lives. 

Slipping through the streets and alleys of modern New York, it took Odysseus weeks to catch the faintest trace of Poseidon’s scent. Demigods had a weak scent as long as they relied on their parents. It was meant to protect them. But the Kronide’s children always had strong scents, even as babes. 

Odysseus couldn’t figure out how old Poseidon’s newest bastard was, but no matter how young they were, the child was strong. He could smell it in the back of his throat. 

Triangulating the scent, Odysseus approached the rundown apartment building and scowled. Gone were the days where a lover of Poseidon was draped in fineries and set up in a golden palace. He took a moment to pity the poor mortal woman. She had to suffer the indignity of having that thing as a lover, without any of the perks her predecessors enjoyed; not only that, but soon she’d have to confront the reality of being a parent that has outlived their child. Odysseus pitied her, truly. 

He didn’t want to do it. But he would. It would be better for the babe if it never grew up into a pawn of its father, and better for the mother that she wouldn’t need to die at the hands of a less considerate monster. 

The sky rumbled overhead as the first fat drops of rain fell on his head. He looked up. Natural occurrence or divine attention? Either way, few gods would interfere with his task, if they noticed at all.

The lock crumbled under his grip and Odysseus crept into the building like a thief. Each floor stunk with humanity, of beer and tobacco and sweat, but the salt of the sea grew stronger with each floor until he finally found himself at a corner studio apartment a few floors off the ground.

This lock, he picked with ease. The sanctity of the home did not protect them as he snuck inside. The apartment was shockingly full, stuffed with oversized furniture that cluttered the already cramped apartment. A thin pathway carved between the back of one of three sofas and the wall led Odysseus to the back of the apartment. A bed had been pushed against the apartment’s sole window–lightning flashed outside–and against that bed, a crib. 

He inspected the mother first. Young. Not as young as he and Penelope had been when they met, but younger than Telemachus had been when he returned home. She was thin too, lean but the baby fat still clung to her face. Poor girl. 

Poor, poor girl. 

His attention turned to the Sea Spawn. It wasn’t big, smaller than Telemachus when he left for Troy, and his scent was just a wispy hint of ocean. If he hadn’t been following Poseidon’s scent, he would have had no idea this child was more than mortal. 

Odysseus loomed over the crib, studying the creature inside. With siren’s talons, he traced the pudgy babyfat of its cheeks. It huffed softly, struggling against the tight hold of its swaddle in their sleep, and Odysseus unconsciously smoothed out the wrinkle on their forehead with the soft flat of his finger. 

They did not look very much like Poseidon. Maybe with their skin color, but little else. Though perhaps Odysseus wasn’t the best judge; he’d sworn on his life that Telemachus looked just like his Penelope, but she’d claimed their son to be his copy in every way. Odysseus didn’t see it then, and didn’t see his enemy now in this babe’s face. 

Odysseus stood over the crib, his massive frame casting a shadow over the small, sleeping form. His claws hovered mere inches from the baby’s chest, but his hand trembled. This was Poseidon’s child. He could smell it clear as day, better than any other monster before him. Odysseus was practically made to murder Poseidon’s children, his very being honed to track them down and kill them, so why was he hesitating–? 

Lightning flashed, the light reflecting off shiny words on the crib’s backboard. Painted above the baby’s head in streaky gold paint was the name Penelope.

His breath hitched. He blinked, his monstrous form stilling as though time itself had paused. Reaching out a hand, he touched his wife’s name. “Penelope?” he whispered, his voice barely audible, rough from disuse. He said it again, this time louder, as though speaking the name would summon a ghost from his past. “Penelope.”

The child stirred in sleep, her tiny face scrunching as if disturbed by the sound.

He could barely think over the ocean of blood rushing in his ears. Poseidon’s child was named after his wife. Had he…? Was this a deliberate offense or mockery? Had Poseidon named the child after her to taunt him, to twist the knife of his losses deeper? Or… his crimson gaze turned to the mother. Was this her doing?

Did she think naming her child after his wife would stay his hand?

Worse of all, was it working? 

Odysseus knelt, his monstrous form folding into itself, making him seem smaller, almost human. He stared at the child who bore his wife’s name, his mind warring with itself. The rage that had sustained him for decades demanded he finish the task. But… Penelope. 

[writer-by-the-sea]

Um, hi! I'm new and I really like your works!

I want to make a request for Haley and Penny (separate) if that's okay with you!

Scenario: how would they react when they find out that their s/o, the farmer, used to be a member of the Mafia? A hitman to be exact, but they've changed and left that life behind.

I don’t think I’ve ever done a full on headcanon before, but I figured why not! 

Instead of doing mini fics for only two characters, I am going to attempt to write these thoughts into a slightly coherent but readable mess. WARNING: These do not all end happily. Some are very heavy angst and they break up with you.

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“There’s… something I need to tell you,” the farmer began, rubbing the back of their neck while they looked away from the person in front of them. Someone that they’ve come to love, to trust enough to finally open up to, and someone who might understand.”Before moving to Stardew… I was... Part of a very bad crowd,” they pause and take a deep breath. “Not just a little group of delinquents that spray paint the side of buildings.

“Something.. Far worse. I know that you might view me differently because of this but– I want you to know who I truly am. I never want to lie to you, and while I wanted to keep this secret buried deep inside; I care about you too much to allow you to continue dating me without knowing… 

“I was a hired killer, an assassin, a hitman.” 

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Alex

“Hey, man, you don’t have to lie to me to look cool,” Alex laughed and gave you a thumbs up. “You’re already really cool in my book.” 

You grimace before saying, “Alex, I’m not lying.” 

“Oh,” he breathes out. A minute passes, the gears turning in his head as he thinks it over. “Ohhh.” 

“Yeah, oh,” you reply. “I understand if you need some space–” 

Alex leaned back into his bed, letting himself land softly on his back. “Gramps has killed a few guys, so I’m not really worried about it.” 

You look down at him and raise a single brow, “Wasn’t that in war though?” 

“It was, but it’s the same thing, isn’t it?” 

“Not.. really.” 

Alex shrugs and sighs, “if you asked him for stories, he would spend the rest of the day telling you every single bloody detail. I’ve heard them all a thousand times.” He sat up, dropping her face to a sneer and pulled his lips back. “During that war,” he began, perfectly mimicking his grandfather. “I killed fitty men! I collected their earlobes and wore them around my neck like a trophy!” 

You laughed, bumping your shoulder into Alex. “Okay, that’s a little fucked up actually.” 

“You haven’t even heard the worst of it,” he answered with a grin. “He likes to tell this story about the time they had to go save some guy–”

“Wait,” you cut him off, gently placing your fingertips against his lips to stop him. “I just.. I want you to know that I love you, and that all of that shit is in the past… but I understand if you want nothing to do with me after this.” 

Alex pushed your hands away with his lips, laughing again as he pulled back. “It’s alright, I get it. Just don’t keep anything else from me, okay?” 

You nodded and pulled him into your arms, giving him a good squeeze. “I promise.” 

Alex slid out of your arms and ran to his bedroom door, swinging it open before playfully glaring at you. “As punishment for not telling me in the first place!” He took a really deep breath filling his lungs before shouting “Grandpa! The farmer wants to hear all your war stories!” 

Alex wasn’t scared of you. Afterall, nothing you’ve done could ever compare to the stories he grew up with. He knew his grandpa regretted the choices he made, but sometimes, you have to do cruel things to survive. 

Elliott

Elliott quickly grabbed his wine, downing the glass in one huge gulp before placing it back onto the table. “What you’re telling me,” he whispered, his gaze focused on the empty wine glass. “You’re being truthful? This isn’t a jest?” 

“No,” you answered, scooting your chair closer to his. “Just.. I know you’re in shock right now, but please just give me a chance to explain–”

“This is wonderful news!” Elliott jumped up from his chair, darting to a notebook that lies open with scribbles across the pages. He sprinted back, throwing himself back into the chair as harshly it nearly toppled over with him in it. “Tell me, what does another man’s eyes look like as you choke the life out of him?” 

“W-what?” you stammered, glancing down at the notebook that was now on the table where Elliott held his quill above it, ready to write. “Are you trying to get a confession from me?” 

“Heavens no!” He replied with a laugh, putting his quill down and turning to grab your hands. “My next novel is a murder mystery! I would love to have your feedback.” 

“You’re kidding,” you replied, your mouth hanging open. 

“Not at all, my love!” Elliott smiled so brightly, you would have thought you just told him his book had a million sales; not that you used to kill people for a living. “It truly is destiny that we were to meet!” 

“Do… Are you okay with my past?” 

“Ah,” Elliott nodded, understanding now why you seemed so hesitant with your words. “We all have our demons, don’t we, darling? If I were ever to judge every person I knew by the skeletons in their closet.. Well, life wouldn’t be very fun, now would it?” 

“I’m…” you tried to focus, confusion swirling in your head making everything foggy and hard to follow. “What?” 

Elliott was already back to his notebook, licking the pad of his thumb while he flipped through the pages. “This part here,” he held the book out to you, the page filled with brainstorms and more messy scribbles. “Could you fact check it for me? I honestly don’t know what a man sounds like when he gets stabbed like this. Also, the shoulder would be a good spot for them to survive from a stab, right?” 

You laughed, shaking your head at this ridiculous man. “Well, actually, there’s a main artery that going along the shoulder–” 

Part of you wasn’t surprised that Elliott was excited to discuss bloody, brutal, cold murder with you. Although, the writer did make a point the next day to scold you for keeping the secret from him. He could have finished his novel even sooner, and… he could have told you how much he loves you and would never give you up. 

In fact, he would help you get away with murder. 

Harvey

“No,” Harvey stood abruptly, his knee hitting his kitchen table and nearly knocking his coffee over, the hot liquid jumping out of the mug and onto the table. “Shoot!” he cried as the coffee landed on some of his folders that were spread out. 

You joined him in grabbing napkins, trying to clean the coffee before it caused too much damage. 

“I can’t believe this,” he whispered as he tossed the dirty napkins aside, uncaring of where they would land. “Not you, not my farmer, no…” 

You pressed your lips together, trying to hold back your emotions. “Harvey–” 

Then he broke before you, a sob ripping through his throat right before he began sobbing. His glasses getting wet and foggy as he let each tear slide down his cheeks. “Not you…” 

“Please, I just–” 

Harvey straightened up, taking a deep breath and forced himself to meet your eyes. “I have dedicated my whole life to helping those who need it. I took an oath to assist any single soul that cries for help. If a patient dies on my table, I have to live with that for the rest of my life. The rest of my life knowing that I couldn’t do enough for them!” 

Your eyes widen, dread filling you as you realize this is the end. “Harvey, please–” 

“Get out,” he growled, his voice deep, dangerous, and oozing with hatred. 

“Let me explain–” 

“For you to come to me, and tell me that you took human lives for your own gain? I don’t need to hear another word,” Harvey took a step towards you, his body tensing, preparing to fight you if he must. “Get the fuck out of my home.”

Everything in you wanted to stay, to fight for what you had… 

You left, crying on your way back to the farm, your heart shattered beyond repair. 

Sam

“For real?” Sam's face scrunched in disbelief. “No, you’ve gotta be joking. Ain’t no way the hot farmer killed some dudes.” 

While your hands may have been tough from constantly working in the dirt, Sam could never imagine in a million years that you would kill a fly on the wall, let alone another human being!

“Is it April Fool’s? It is, isn't it?” he joked and nudged you. “Well, you got me–” 

“Sam,” you breathed out in reply, the truth hanging between you. 

“Holy shit,” Sam stood slowly, taking a step back from you. “You’re serious? You’ve actually killed people?” 

“Yes.” 

“Dude…” he ran a hand through his wild hair, not caring how the gel stuck to his fingers. 

He needed more information, but right now, he needed to make one thing clear. 

“Look,” he started and made his way back to you, dropping himself on his mattress next to you. “Like, I’m not gonna dump you over this; but keeping that from me was seriously not cool.” 

“I know,” you mumbled in reply and offered a weak smile. “I just–” 

Sam raised a hand, cutting you off. “No, we’re gonna talk about this later, after we’ve both had some pizza, and maybe a couple… or an entire case of beer. You’re gonna break all this shit down for me, and then we’re gonna talk about how you’re doing like.. Mentally. After doing all that shit.” 

“Mentally?” you asked with a laugh. “What--” 

“Nope,” Sam stood and grabbed your hand. “Pizza first, you asshole. I can’t believe you killed people, so fucking weird.” 

Sam was in it for the long run, and while he viewed you differently (as like, a cold blooded killer what the fuck,) he wasn’t going to give up on you just because of a dark past. 

Sebastian

“I mean, who hasn’t?” 

Your head whips up to stare back at Sebastian, not sure you just hear those words correctly. “Wait–” 

“You think I haven’t killed a man? Why do you think I hide out in the basement coding shit all day instead of living in the city and making a fortune? Be realistic.” 

“Sebastian, I–” 

“No, it’s cool. I really don’t care,” he said with a shrug and went back to typing on his computer. 

“Well, no, wait; Sebastian that’s a lot to drop on someone–” 

“Hey, I wasn’t a fucking hitman though now was I?” 

“I don’t know, were you?!” 

He shrugs again, reaching for an open pack of cigarettes and lights one up. He takes a deep drag and then blows it out slowly. “I’m gonna go get some leftover pumpkin soup, I made it last night, you want some?” 

You just stare back at him, your jaw hanging open. Now you were the one that needed more information! 

But, you supposed that could wait. Pumpkin soup was on the line, afterall. 

Shane

He takes a sip of his soda, savoring the flavor and bubbles before putting his can back down on the kitchen table. 

“So,” he began, forcing himself to sit up straight and meet your eyes. 

“Are you here to kill me then?” 

“What?” 

“Are you.. here, to kill me?” Shane asked again, slowly. 

“No!” you shouted and waved your hands in front of you like a white flag. “You’ve got the wrong idea!” 

“I’m not telling you how I made the chickens blue, you can beat me to the brink of death and I’ll never spill–” 

“Shane, babe, no– well actually how do you–” you stopped speaking as Shane glared at you and narrowed his eyes. “Nevermind the chickens, I’m not here to kill you.” 

“To kill Marnie then?” He asks. “To end the competition for milk and eggs? You make me sick,” he spit. 

“No, what? I turn all my milk into cheese to make you Pepper Poppers or Pizza–” 

“Then the eggs!” He declares and stands up, pointing a finger down where you sat. 

“Please, just listen to me,” you stood with him, on the verge of tears knowing that this could be the end–

Shane’s frown twitched, so quick you could almost miss it. 

You opened your mouth to speak, then closed it, then opened it again. 

“Oh, I see. You came here to kill Willy, with your gaping fish mouth.” 

Any doubt or worries you had dropped instantly. “You’re totally fucking with me, aren’t you?” 

“Yeah, I found your list of names a few months ago. You really shouldn’t leave that stuff lying around you know?” 

“Yoba,” you sighed in relief and dropped back into your chair, the wood lightly squeezing on the tiled floor. “Why didn’t you say anything?” You kept your head down, ashamed to have ever tried to hide this from him. 

Shane chuckled and sat back down, “I figured you’d tell me when the time was right.” 

You risked a glance at Shane, “do you hate me for it.” 

“Hate you? Of all people to hate someone for the mistakes they made in their past, you think I’m going to be one of them? I’m a little offended, farmer.” 

“I’m sorry,” you cracked a smile as he gazed at you, his eyes filled with all of the love and support in the world. 

He was right, Shane would never judge you for your past, just as you never judge him for his. The only thing that matters is the kind of person you are moving forward, and that suits him just fine. 

Abigail

The first thing she asks, with a wicked grin and excited eyes, “So, how many people did you kill?” 

While she knows the value of a human life, she could never allow her thoughts to wander towards ‘what if I killed someone?’ She feared she may pursue it herself. 

“What was your weapon of choice?” she would ask next, hardly containing the buzz flowing through her body from the quick high; knowing she was talking to (dating!) a certified badass killer. 

She does view you differently, however. 

Not as an evil person, as you might have expected; but someone strong enough to protect her, someone who told her this knowing that she might turn away from them, someone who loves her enough to put her first. 

The subject is sensitive, and she knows not to tease you too much or ask for too many details; but she does ask for the occasional story – if you’re willing to give it. 

Emily

She gasps, her hands flying up to cover her mouth as she stares back at you in horror. “W-what do you m-mean,” she stumbles over her words, her hands now shaking as she lowers them away from her face, trying to steady them as they rest in her lap. “You.. you actually, ki–” she can’t finish the sentence. 

“I did what I had to, to get by. Please understand that I’m not a bad person-” 

“You killed people,” she dropped her head and watched as tears fell into her lap. “You actually killed people…” 

“Emily–” 

“How can I trust you after this?!” She jumped up, still shaking while she paced around her room. “How can I know that you’re not withholding more?!” 

You stood and put your hands on her shoulders, holding her in place, but she refused to meet your eyes. “I swear to you, I will never hide something from you again… if you just give me a chance to prove myself.” 

Emily dropped her head onto your shoulder, softly sobbing and letting her tears drip onto your shirt. “You’re going to tell me everything.” 

“Okay,” you whispered back, your arms moving down to wrap around her. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” 

There would be a lot of trust issues moving forward, and Emily would keep you on a tight leash for a while; but she knew that not everyone was perfect, and while she might not like your past, she loves who you are now. And she’s not willing to give up yet. 

Haley

She looked up from her phone, her brow dropping down and her eyes narrowing, “Ew.” 

You tried not to snort a laugh at her reply, but failed miserably. “That’s all you have to say? Ew?” 

She rolled her eyes at you, “what else am I supposed to say? Oh no, please don’t kill me, super scary hitman?” 

“Uh,” you looked around you as if you could find the answer hovering in the air. “I’m.. not.. sure, honestly.” 

Another eyeroll. “You’re making a bigger deal out of this than it’s worth. I’m still going to love you no matter what dumb shit you’ve done in your past. I mean, did you know that I dyed my hair black once? Also, ew. Total regret.” 

Bewildered, you plopped down beside her, shaking your head in disbelief. “You don’t care?” 

“Ugh. Of course I care,” she slapped you on the side and finally put her phone aside. “But you obviously regret it, like I did with the black hair, and while our past mistakes may have been huge; it doesn’t dictate who we are today. So, don’t worry about it.” 

“You realize you’re comparing black hair to the murder of a.. Lot of people?” 

“Babe,” she took a deep breath, staring deep into your eyes, begging you to understand… 

“I used a box dye. Tell me a worse crime than that.” 

You laughed together, her crime never coming close to your misdeeds, and she knew it. But after getting to know you, she knew she could continue to trust you just as she always has. 

Leah

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Leah threw her paintbrush at you, hitting you in the chest and leaving a splotch of yellow paint. “Not again!” 

“Again?!” you shouted back in shock. “What do you mean again!?”

“Tell me,” she hissed. “How many, what organization, and why the hell did you make me fall in love with you?!” 

“Leah,” 

“Do. Not. Leah. Me.” Each word spit in your direction. “Answer me.” 

You sighed, “it was a lot of people.. The organization was international and I never really knew who was in charge..” Closing your eyes, just to get away from her angry glare for a moment, you continued, “I never meant to mislead you. I wanted to tell you the truth to see if I even still stood a chance with you.” 

Leah relaxed, shaking her head before finding a place to sit down. “Thanks, for telling me, I guess.” 

Moving to her side, you kneeled next to her, taking her paint stained hands into your own. “Please, just give me a chance to make this up to you. I never wanted to hurt you.” 

“Yeah, well. You did,” she gently pulled her hands away, turning away from you. “Honestly, I don’t know if I can go through this again.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“You’re never fully out of that life, farmer. That past will come back to haunt you one day, and I don’t think I have the strength to endure it.” 

“No, Leah, it’s over, I swear–” 

“Just leave, okay? I have a lot to think about.” 

Dejected, you do as you're told, stopping to say one last thing before you go. “I hope you’ll give me another chance, Leah. I’ve never felt this way about someone before, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. 

She sniffles and wipes a tear away, “we’ll see.” 

Maru

She begins by tilting her head at you, her eyes scanning you up and down before turning back to her studies. “I know that, it’s pretty obvious.”

“Huh?!” you blurt out, shaking your head. “How–” 

Maru sighed and put her work aside, realizing that they needed to have a full chat about this now, despite her samples calling for her. 

“Once, you mentioned the amount of required poison to kill a person without raising suspicion to require an autopsy.” 

“Okay, but–”

“Another time, when my dad asked if you wanted to go camping one weekend and maybe hunting, you asked if a Heckler & Koch P30L would be an appropriate gun to bring.”

“I’ve never been hunting before!” you defended, weakly. 

“Sweetheart, it’s a handgun. You don’t go hunting with a handgun.” 

“Hang on–”

“Furthermore, you have two bullet wounds that I know of. One on your lower left calf and the other on your upper bicep. You also have obvious scars from being stabbed or sliced and it was most certainly not from a childhood cat.” 

You both stared at one another. You felt like an idiot for thinking you could ever hide anything from her. 

“Does it bother you?” 

“A little,” she admitted with a small shrug. “So long as you don’t go back into that kind of work though, I can get over it. Just don’t ever try to lie to me again, I will always know.” 

Penny

Her eyes widen and her heartbeat jumps so quickly she thinks she might faint.

She would have never expected this of you. 

Going into the mines was one thing, but killing people was a whole other level of insanity. 

It takes her a minute to process what you’ve just told her, her hands twisting in her lap, fearing she’s going to say the wrong thing. 

“Were they all bad people?” she finally asks, lifting her eyes up to meet yours. 

You take a moment to respond, a lie resting at the tip of your tongue, but you squash it and say, “No, they weren’t.” 

At this, Penny breaks. 

She drops her head into her hands and cries, pulling her knees up and to her chest while the heels of her feet rest on the edge of the couch. 

She was in love with you. So desperately, eagerly, pathetically in love with you. 

And now, she doesn’t know how to move forward. 

Her whole life, she has dealt with bad people. From the moment she was born she has fought with everything she’s ever had to be one of the good ones. Abiding by the rules, keeping to herself to avoid stepping on any toes, taking care of others when they don’t even appreciate the kindness she shows to them. 

“I don’t-” she gasped between her tears. “I don’t think I can do this.” 

The farmer nodded, taking her hands into their own and squeezing them gently. “I love you, Penny. More than anything.” 

“Why did you have to tell me?” she whispered. “Why..” 

“I couldn’t keep lying to you..” 

Penny stood, ripping her hands away to rope the back of them under her eyes. “Don’t talk to me. Don’t talk to me ever again.”

Then she ran off, leaving you there as the guilt washed over you. 

[onlytiktoks]

[z-1-wolfe]

*sad kazoo music*

[cosmokyrin]

What's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand? Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end: O churl! drunk all, and left no friendly drop To help me after? I will kiss thy lips; Haply some poison yet doth hang on them, To make die with a restorative.

YEAH I’VE OFFICIALLY GONE OFF THE CLIFF

RUBY AND PENNY ARE ROMEO AND JULIET AND YOU’LL HAVE TO FISTFIGHT ME FOR THIS!!!!

here’s my reference like, HOLY CATS OKAY

—

Artwork powered by Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS): Linux Mint MATE 21.1 and Krita 5.1.5

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Thank you so much for the furfrou headcannons I absolutely loved it🥰

May I request headcannons for Arven,penny,Nemoma and Mr Hassel(my new dad) with a reader who actually lost their main partner who was a deathly protective mightyena but was…removed should we say…by their dad who was a fighting type gym leader but hated that his kid had a Pokémon like Mightyena,so he had a incredibly violent fight with his lucario and mighty was unfortunately lost in the end.Reader ran away and found a little rockruff puppy who was abandoned,he later became a dusk form lycanrock who is fiercely protective of reader.

I wonder how Hassel would react to a parent doing something so unforgivable to their child and seeing how close she is to her lycanrock and how terrified of fighting types she is.

How would Arven feel seeing someone who dropped everything to help him because she couldn’t stand seeing the cycle repeat in a way.

What about nemona? Would reader be terrified to let lycanrock battle against her pawmot?

If this is to dark I completely understand!

Oh ouch :(( This is fine to request dw!

......

Arven

He knows a thing or two about having shitty parents.

But absolutely nothing could've prepared him for the truth of why you never spoke to your dad and went through so much trouble to help his Mabosstiff recover:

Because you, too, had a dark type dog Pokémon partner..but tragically lost them after a vicious battle with your dad, a fighting type gym leader who was disappointed in you choosing Mightyena as your ace.

You two had an argument that turned violent as he sent his Lucario against Might, Mega Evolving him to teach you both a "lesson" that ended up wounding them badly.

He didn't think it was fatal, but sadly not even a Pokémon Center could heal their severe injuries.

So you comforted Might in their last moments, burying them that night and grieving, before running away from home--never speaking to your father again after that incident.

At some point, you found a friend in an abandoned Rockruff: a very young one left on a leash outside by their trainer.

You two formed a connection, and years later they remained by your side, having evolved into a Dusk Lycanroc that had the same protectiveness and loyalty as Might once did.

Arven already has tears in his eyes by the time you finish telling him everything, and when you bring out Lycanroc, he has nothing but respect for them.

Both of you wind up making sandwiches and take a break from tracking down the Titan Pokémon.

He's glad he opened up to you, and vice versa.

But boy, he'd love to give your dad hell for what he put you through.

Penny

During Operation: Starfall, you had a pretty bad panic attack when Eri brought out Lucario--an event that Penny unfortunately witnessed.

Your Dusk Lycanroc knew why you were so distressed and, despite the obvious type disadvantage, was fueled with enough rage to cleave through her team and take down the Starmobile.

After that, they helped you calm down and recuperate.

Later, after Penny reveals that she's the Team Star leader, she talks to you in private and admits to seeing that frightening moment.

But she's still unsure why you reacted that way.

Since she was open to you, though, you decided to open up to her about your past with Mightyena and how you lost them after fighting your dad's Lucario.

And you see the shock in her eyes before she shakily mutters "I'm so sorry", realizing she played a part in making you relive that trauma by battling Eri.

But you reassure her it's okay. She didn't know, and you don't hold it against either of them.

You've just been afraid of fighting types for so long, which is why you saved the Caph Squad base for last.

She's a gal of few words, but she's willing to lend you her Eeveelutions for emotional support should you ever need them.

There's a good chance she's always gonna feel somewhat guilty, especially when she catches Lycanroc sneaking glares at Eri and her team.

Nemona

Your battles with her start out normal, with your Dusk Lycanroc taking down most of her team with ease.

But when she sent out her Pawmo for the first time, you become frozen with fear--something that she notices right away and stops the fight.

She asks if you're okay, but you just quietly switch Lycanroc out for another Pokémon and swiftly end the battle before leaving.

It'll be a long while before you admit to Nemona why you looked so terrified that day, so she assumes you had a bad experience with a Pawmo before.

But when you feel comfortable enough to tell her, she feels guilty and promises to change up her team.

Ngl she's probably gonna tear up after learning how awful your dad was to your Mightyena.

She vows to battle the bastard himself and take away his gym badge for good.

But you tell her it's okay. Karma will come for him, and you just wanted to continue healing from your past wounds.

Eventually, you'll be fine battling her Pawmot, though knowing her passion you just...have this nagging fear that she might overdo it and seriously hurt your Lycanroc.

So you avoid using them if she sends that one out.

Hassel

Of all the teachers, he was closest to being the father figure you always wanted, but never got (considering your own was a dirtbag who didn't deserve his gym badge).

So you trusted him a lot, often chatting with him about homework, his elite four job, or how your treasure hunt was going.

But one day, Hassel notices how sad and distant you seemed in class today.

Considering you're always participating, it's unusual seeing you be so quiet.

So he asks you to stop by later, wondering what was weighing so heavily on your mind.

He may or may not have brought you to tears as you explain that today was the anniversary of your Mightyena's death.

After you go into detail of how your Dusk Lycanroc became your next companion, he starts sobbing his eyes out while hugging you.

Never in his life could he imagine a parent doing something so awful to their child's Pokémon.

It shatters him to know that you, too, were being forced to follow in someone else's footsteps, with your dad wanting to raise fighting-type trainers but you wishing to have a dark-type partner...and ultimately being punished for it.

Since then, Hassel has been 100% supportive of you, always saying that he'd proud of you and how well you raised your Lycanroc.

[suspensefulpen]

Choice

TW: Wounds, Death

Whumpee winced as he dragged himself across the rubble. He was injured somewhere, but he didn’t care to find out exactly where. He was looking for his team, he’d been out for a couple of minutes and everything had gone silent. 

They hadn’t left him, had they? They couldn’t have abandoned him. There was no way. 

The more Whumpee adjusted himself to get a better look at his surroundings, the more he was convinced otherwise. Absolutely no one was around. At least, no one who was alive. Despite not wanting to believe it, Whumpee couldn’t ignore the rising hurt he felt. And not the hurt from the wounds he was still choosing to ignore. He wasn’t usually one to be emotional but, he suddenly felt the urge to cry. Why had his father figure Team Leader decide to leave him? Didn’t they all care about Whumpee? Didn’t he care about Whumpee? Was anyone going to come back for him? 

Before he could dwell in his thoughts any longer, he heard something behind him. Grabbing the nearest jagged object, he turned to face the source of the sound. He frowned deeply when he faced Carewhumper in all their annoying glory. 

“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.” 

He lowered the makeshift weapon and turned his head. “Go away.” 

“Why when you seem lonely out here?” 

“Gee, I wonder why that is.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t you have something better to do than bother me? Shouldn’t you be with your own team? With Whumper or something?” 

“Oh but I am here for one thing.” Carewhumper’s smirk turned mischievous. “And that’s you.” 

Whumpee quickly turned back to face them. He frowned again, narrowing his eyes. “That sounds like a bunch of crap.” 

“Oh, but Whumpee, remind me why you’re out here alone again?” They mirrored his expression, making him pause to consider their words. He shook his head. 

“I’m not… I’m not alone.” 

“Of course you aren’t.” Carewhumper smiled softly. “You have me.” 

“No I don’t! I have my team! I’ll always have them!” 

They shook their head, almost in disappointment. “Whumpee, you just don’t understand, do you? Your team does not care about you. Your team does not have your back. Your team did not come back for you. But I did.” They said. “And I always will, no matter what happens. That is, if you want that.” They extended their right hand, the left out of his line of vision behind their back. 

He stared at it for several moments. “How do I know you won’t hurt me? You’re not exactly known for not hurting people…” 

“But Whumpee, your team isn’t known for leaving people behind are they?” 

Realization sank deeper into his mind. No. That wasn’t what his team was known for. Yet here he was, all alone in a field of dead bodies. And the person who came back for him wasn’t on his team. 

It was Carewhumper. 

If they were willing to come back for him, they couldn’t possibly want to hurt them in the same way. Would they? Would they hurt them at all? After all, Team Leader told them to give everyone a chance sometimes. 

But he was the reason Whumpee was stuck out here in the first place. Why should he wait for him longer only to bleed out and die? Or even worse, get attacked again. 

He looked up at Carewhumper, seeing the look in their eyes. Eyes like those wouldn’t hurt him. Would they? 

“Okay.” He nodded and took their hand. 

Carewhumper smiled. “Good choice.”

[galacticturnip-art]

My beloved love of my life has passed away today. Penny has been with me for over 17 years, since I was 11 years old. She is my best friend, my soul mate, and sharing my life with her has been the greatest gift I could have ever received. Today, I had to let her go, and it’s one of the most devastating losses of my entire life.

She has always dealt with health issues that have made us question how long she was going to live, over and over again, her entire life. And here, in the blink of an eye, she developed cancer and suddenly it was her time to go. She was in so much pain.

I have loved her so so much. I have loved sleeping with her every night, having her hold my hand so tightly with her little paws. I have loved her sense of humor, and her kindness and intelligence. My sweetest angel, I miss you so much.

[ad0rati0ns]

open to: m/f/nb

verse: period/fantasy

plot: (death, blood tw) reyna is a servant/handmaiden in the palace or manor where your character lives. your character can be noble or royal. reyna cares for your character and has taken care of them for years. tonight, someone broke into the home and tried to kill your character. reyna managed to hit them on the head really hard, killing them. this is the aftermath. we can go anywhere with this!!

"he was going to hurt you," she murmurs, twisting her hands into her apron. "i didn't mean to..." reyna inhales shakily. "are you alright? i saw him and i..." her brows furrow. "oh what have i done?" she stares at the man on the floor of the bedroom. "i was coming to check if you needed anything before...before you slept."

[ofowlsdinosaursanddragons]

“Back together in an eternal bed of flowers into a new life.”

Art trade with @indigodiskmybeloved’s chained trio.

[rtc-spin]

okay heres the. ending of how i believe penny could have died (note: she has a doll bc i have this idea that she had the doll in her lap so her safety bar didn't click correctly and she fell out before everyone else and landed on the tracks then. the actual coaster fell on top of her. so thats the context i guess... might delete this later idk)

     The world slowed as the cart did. It had changed, and now Penny was floating. Her grip began to slip as she was pulled downwards. She shut her eyes, and paused her scream to draw in a quick, final breath.

     She let go of the bar and clutched her doll close to her chest.

      Penny allowed herself to fall. She didn't know everyone else was falling too. 

     There was a crack. Then another. Her scream finally faded. Her entire body was broken, but her doll remained perfectly pristine. She could still breathe.

     How can I still breathe?

     That was the last thought she had before the cart came down upon her, tearing her head away from her body and dragging the now-unidentifiable corpse of Penny Lamb off the tracks and to the ground.

[penny-for-her-thoughtsdv]

Penny For Her Thoughts

I

A Kinder Place

Words: 2200

TW: animal abuse, animal death, alcohol mention, vomit, heavy emotions

When outsiders thought of Pelican Town and its history, they often fixated on its rich (and frequently tragic) mining past. But long before miners from ZuZu City and beyond migrated to the then-village, the valley had a legacy of seafaring folk who frequented the area to sell their fresh catches and enjoy the temperate weather. Even in Mr. Mullner’s youth, while he worked in the mines, he would snack on fish products sold by these fishers.

As the town expanded—thirteen buildings erected on the land, plumbing installed under the soil, a singular public parking spot added, and twenty-six permanent residents calling Pelican Town home—the fishing culture remained an integral part of the valley’s identity. Willy wasn’t the only enthusiast sailing the clean waters in search of the season’s bounty. Commercial fishers contracted by Joja occasionally visited, though not as often as trawlers from Ginger Island, drawn by rumors of relics hidden beneath Stardew Valley's depths.

The early mornings in Pelican Town were busier than most people realized, thanks to the frequent fishers. Each ship docking at Willy’s shop carried about twelve crew members, though only three typically disembarked to refuel or sell their catch. By those numbers, Pelican Town arguably saw more foot traffic than any other area in Stardew Valley—except, perhaps, the Calico Desert during festival season.

Not that Penny kept track. She had no interest in statistics as she sat on a washed-up log overlooking the beach every morning. The salty air, the lull of the waves, and the cries of gulls were a welcome reprieve from the stale smell of alcohol and the strained gurgles of hungover vomiting back home.

Still, her mind wandered. If her calculations were correct, Pelican Town gained nine visitors with each docking, three times a day—eighteen additional people setting foot on its shores daily. That surely outnumbered the participants at desert festivals. Penny chewed on the inside of her cheek, trying to picture the numbers in her head but giving up when the variety of festival-goers muddled her train of thought.

Her emerald eyes shifted to the distant blue horizon, idly noting a boat unloading in the distance. Her gaze lingered on the fishers, though she barely registered how quickly they worked that morning.

“Hm.” She hummed softly in thought, lowering her eyes back to the grayscale pages of The Solarion Chronicles: The Caves of Glass. Though she had read the book countless times since she was eight, its evolving lore and characters never failed to captivate her. Detective Daniel Stryfe’s discovery that his companion was secretly an intergalactic Leko always struck her as humorous. How had Stryfe not noticed? The signs were so obvious.

Sam had once told her the Leko species were the best to play in the board game adaptation of the series because their glassy bark-like skin made them nearly impervious to mortal weapons. Penny scoffed at the thought as her finger marked her place in the book. Closing it to give her eyes a rest, she looked up to find the boat now idling offshore, its lines plunging into the sea.

Curious but thankful that none of the fishers had interrupted her reading, Penny stood and brushed sand from her skirt. She decided to visit Mr. Willy. Leaving her book safely on the dock railing, she trudged across the beach, the coarse sand shifting beneath her flats and forcing her to exert more effort than she would have liked.

Reaching the wooden dock, she hesitated at the shop’s door. Just as her fingers brushed the handle, a sharp rustling sound from a trashcan beside the building drew her attention.

The noise was frantic, irregular, and louder than the usual clamor of seagulls scavenging scraps. Penny froze. It didn’t sound like a bird. The rustling stopped abruptly, as if whatever was inside had sensed her presence.

Her heart quickened. Clutching her skirt, she approached the trashcan cautiously, the early morning stillness amplifying every sound. Taking a deep breath, she lifted the lid.

Inside, atop rotting fish and decayed food, lay a small, twitching rat. Its tiny eyes darted around frantically. Penny gasped and, without hesitation, scooped it up into her hands. Her mind raced. She couldn’t leave it there to die. That would be cruel.

Emerald eyes darted to the fishing boat in the distance, her thoughts teetering between accusing the fishers and desperately hoping they weren’t responsible. She swallowed her rising sadness. The rat deserved better.

Cradling the trembling creature, she pushed open the shop door. “Mr. Bateman!” she called, her voice tinged with urgency.

Behind the counter, Willy looked up from weighing a herring. His salt-and-pepper eyebrows rose in surprise. “Aye—”

“Can you help it?” Penny interrupted, holding out the rat.

Willy frowned. “I’m not sure there’s much I can do, lass,” he said gently. Still, he signaled for her to wait as he disappeared into the back. Moments later, he returned with a dusty old box, likely once used for storing photos.

Carefully, Penny placed the rat inside. Willy sighed and scratched his beard. “Sometimes, even the smallest critters just need a bit o’ care. Maybe Marnie’ll know what to do. She’s got a knack for these things.”

Eyes watering, Penny nodded and thanked him before rushing out the door. She passed the log where she had been sitting earlier, the Harper sisters’ home, and Ms. Jodi’s house before reaching Marnie’s farmhouse.

Her focus had engulfed her to the point that she nearly ran face first into Shane, Marnie's nephew, as he turned the corner between his home and Ms. Jodi's.

"Yob-- fuck!" A very tired, very messy and very unsatisfied Shane shouted as the pair nearly collided.

"Oh! I'm sorry--" Penny replied. Then, she was gone.

Although Shane had been quite hungover and a tad late for work he stopped in his path and watched Penny rush to his home. Whenever they crossed paths she would always ask how he was or where he was going. Not this time though. With the lingering thought of her behavior, Shane continued his morning walk to Hell...or rather Joja Mart.

Marnie had no intention of starting her day as early as her nephew, she relished her morning ritual: several cups of coffee brewed slowly while she stood in front of the machine, watching each cup fill with steaming liquid. She sighed, savoring the calm before the inevitable busyness of the day.

The tranquility was interrupted by a knock at the front door. Rolling her eyes, Marnie moved toward it, assuming Shane had forgotten something again. The house was comfortably warm for a late autumn morning, and she didn’t rush. If it was Shane, he could wait.

The second knock was softer, almost timid. That difference prompted her to open the door, revealing Penny standing on the porch, her face tight with unshed tears and a shoebox clutched in her hands.

Without needing an explanation, Marnie stepped aside to let Penny in. “What happened?” she asked in a raspy voice, the result of years of smoking. Guiding Penny to a small workbench behind the counter, she placed a comforting hand on her back.

“I think…” Penny hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I think it got into something it shouldn’t have.” She placed the box on the table and opened the lid, revealing the still body of the rat.

Years of scavenging scraps on ships had made it larger than the rodents Marnie usually saw scurrying for food around her farm. Its pale body bore a brown blaze running from its small head down its back.

“It was alive when I found it,” Penny whispered, her voice trembling as her gaze remained fixed on the lifeless creature.

“Oh, honey,” Marnie said softly, wrapping her arms around herself. She placed the lid back on the box, then sat beside Penny. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I really thought I could help it. It couldn’t have been there for long.” Penny’s voice cracked.

Marnie nodded, knowing the truth: rat poison worked over days, not hours. The rat had likely spent its last three days in ignorant bliss, feasting on discarded fish and resting under the warmth of ship decks. There was nothing Penny could have done.

“I know you tried, honey,” Marnie said gently. “And I think the little one knows, too.”

Penny’s face twisted with grief, and Marnie could see how deeply the death of this small creature had affected her. Perhaps it wasn’t just the rat Penny mourned.

“What would you like to do with it?” Marnie asked after a moment of silence.

“I’d like to bury it under the big tree in the meadow,” Penny said. “It’s so beautiful—it deserves that.”

Marnie nodded. “The soil’s still hard from the cold night, but we can wait until the afternoon when it warms up.”

Penny hesitated, then said, “I can leave so you can start your day. I’ll come back later for Jas.”

Marnie shook her head, tying back her thick hair with a band from the counter. “Have some coffee with me, Penny. We can talk about the celebration of life. Jas would probably love to help, too.”

Penny pressed her lips together, emotion welling up in her eyes. The simple kindness in Marnie’s offer felt foreign to her—her mother never interrupted her routine for anything, and Penny couldn’t remember the last time someone made time for her.

The two women moved to the kitchen, leaving the box on the counter. Dust swirled in the golden sunlight streaming through the window. The rat, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, was finally at peace.

When Jas woke up and heard why Penny was there so early, she simply sat beside her and said, “Flowers are nice."

“They are,” Penny agreed with a faint smile. “Maybe a poppy would suit.”

The hours passed as the three of them collected flowers in the crisp autumn air. Marnie and Penny took turns carrying the small box as they walked toward the big tree in the meadow. The soil had softened by the time they reached their destination.

Penny knelt and began digging a tiny grave while Marnie and Jas helped shape it with sticks. They lined the hole with berry leaves and petals, creating a resting place that felt almost sacred.

“Mom and Dad had pillows,” Jas remarked matter-of-factly. “But I think this will do just fine.”

Penny watched her with quiet fascination. Everyone in town knew about Jas’s tragic loss, but the girl spoke about her parents with an unsettling casualness. Marnie, her expression tinged with sadness, said, “Maybe I’ll get a few feathers from the chickens to make a pillow.”

“Yes, please,” Penny replied with a small smile, watching Marnie head back toward the farmhouse.

In the background, near Marnie's farmhouse, Shane rounded the corner. It was early but not odd for him to be returning home.

Then came Sam Maddox, his brother Vincent trailing behind.

Penny stood from her spot on the ground and quickly wiped the dirt off her skirt.

“Is everything okay?” Penny asked, her concern genuine.

“Mom burned the pie!” Vincent shouted with a laugh.

Sam grinned. “A little bird told us you were in a rush today, so we ditched work.”

Penny’s throat tightened. She glanced at Shane, who had appeared nearby and was avoiding her gaze, a knowing look on his face. “Thank you,” she managed to say.

Word spread quickly. Soon, more townsfolk arrived, bundled against the chill but drawn by curiosity and camaraderie. Emily and Haley brought warmth with their contrasting personalities, Clint followed Emily dutifully, and Gus came toting his hearty laugh.

Jas spoke first. “We should say something.” Her quiet comment broke the silence, prompting Willy to step forward.

“Aye, it was a good rat,” he began. “Ate the bad fruits and kept the flies away.”

“It got to see the world,” Haley added, surprising Penny with her contribution.

“And eat so many rare foods,” Gus said, his voice thick with emotion.

A long quiet fell over the group, each person finding their own to bury. Emotion hung heavy and eyes set downcast on the ground.

"To a kinder place." Maru said, her voice low. She too buried something and sent it to a kinder place; a place it could be set free and forgotten.

The group shared stories, each person reflecting on small, seemingly insignificant losses in their own lives. The burial became more than a goodbye for the rat—it was a farewell to unspoken griefs and forgotten dreams.

Once the crowd dispersed, Penny stayed behind. Alone beneath the tree, she wept—not just for the rat, but for her own innocence, for all she had lost and couldn’t regain.

Yet her tears were not entirely of sorrow. She cried for the kindness of those who had gathered, for the small but meaningful gestures that gave her hope. They hadn’t come out of obligation; they had come because they cared.

As she sat cross-legged before the tiny grave, looking up at the bronzing leaves, Penny thought to herself, “To a kinder place.”

[drfirsnogayny]

With my idea to revive AKAU, I decided to remember my old art. I thought it would be terrible, but thankfully it wasn't

(Damn, Penny and Jerome are so cute)

Yes, Kindergala

And sketches outlined with a black pen

There will be no pencil sketches, because there are already a lot of them.

I have two more sketches, but one depicts death, and the second depicts mutation, look at your own risk

.

.

.

.

.

[sheldoney]

I will be back soon

I had two unexpected deaths in my family last weekend. I don't feel like talking about it at this time but we are just trying to do our best. Blessings and good vibes are appreciated always and I will be back to check in on things but as of right now things are going to be put on hold for a bit. Until I feel up to writing. I need some time. Thank you. I know so far its been a horrible few months. I can only hope that things improve.

[cosmokyrin]

IT WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR IMAGINARY SALADS ALL THIS TIME

Y’ALL Y’ALL Y’ALL

RUBY AND PENNY ARE PATTERNED OVER ROMEO AND JULIET.

I mean

oKAY I KNOW I SOUND CRAZY RIGHT NOW but why not-- they CONFIRMED NUTS AND DOLTS IN SUCH AN UNTOWARD WAY ON MY DUMB FACE

but LISTEN (tw suicide)

Romeo and Juliet’s ending is happening right in front of our eyes. (I’m basing on the Leonardo DiCaprio movie I remember, but the basic premise follows). When Juliet didn’t want to marry Paris, she sought help to fake her death--- by drinking some medicine / poison that should stop her heart temporarily but should wear off within a day. Romeo was supposed to know this, but he didn’t. So he thought Juliet was gone for good, and heartbroken, he killed himself where Juliet lay (in a church altar). Juliet woke up too late-- Romeo already drank the poison and died in front of her. Washed with grief, Juliet shot herself in the end (the method is different in the Shakespeare play). They laid beside each other in the said altar.

You can already see what I mean by this with Ruby and Penny right-

[aspoonofsugar]

Ironwood and Penny: Atlas and Amity

Winter: You chose nothing. This...was a gift.

Winter: No, you have sacrificed everyone else!

Winter’s 2 remarks above highlight 2 important themes explored by Ironwood and Penny throughout the Atlas Arc:

Trust - Ironwood wants to control Winter, but Penny trusts her with the Maiden Power

Sacrifice - Ironwood sacrifices others, while Penny sacrifices herself

These ideas are also at the core of 2 settings of volume 7 and 8: Amity and Atlas.

On the one hand Amity means “friendship” and the arena represents the ideal of unity among Kingdoms (the Vytal Festival, the Amity Project). It is then a place symbolic of trust.

On the other hand Atlas takes its name from a Titan in Greek mythology, who holds the sky in place. This alludes to Atlas’s role as the Greatest Kingdom, which should support everyone else with its technology and richness. For this reason the Kingdom frames itself as ready to selflessly make sacrifices. In reality, though, it is supported by others’ sacrifices.

How do these 2 places comment Ironwood and Penny’s arcs? And what do these characters have to say on trust and sacrifice? Let’s discover it, by analyzing their parallel and yet opposite arcs.

CREATOR AND CREATION - 2 SIDES OF TECHNOLOGY

Ironwood and Penny are introduced in the Beacon arc along 2 opposite creations of Atlas Technology.

Ironwood: There are still many situations that will undoubtedly require... a human touch. So, we are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!

Penny: Most girls are born, but I was made. I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an Aura.

Ironwood wants to substitude soldiers with robots and presents the Atlesian Paladins. Penny is instead the first synthetic person with aura and she wants to be a normal girl.

This juxtaposition foreshadows 2 things:

1) Ironwood is linked to a technology with no humanity, while Penny embodies technology made with humans in mind

2) Ironwood is a creator, while Penny is a creation

1) 

Ruby: You're not like those things we saw back there. You've got a heart, and a soul; I can feel it!

Ruby juxtaposes the Paladins to Penny. They are only puppets, but she is a real girl. This opposition gains more weigh when we remember that:

The Paladins are made by Watts

Penny is made by Pietro

Watts and Pietro are Atlas’s 2 top scientists, but Watts’ creations are cold and logical, while Pietro’s have hearts. And yet, when it comes to choose a project, Ironwood chooses Pietro’s.

Why is that so? There are 2 possible answers.

a) The first one is what Pietro believes:

Ruby: You wanted a protector with a soul. Pietro: I did. And when General Ironwood saw her, he did too. Much to my surprise, the Penny Project was chosen over all the other proposals.

Ironwood used to wish for a protector with a soul, even if he later changes his mind. It is coherent with Ironwood being the Tin Man who loses his heart. His problem is not that he is a bad person.  If anything, several characters aknowledge Ironwood’s heart is in the right place:

Glynda: You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable.

Blake: The General's heart seems to be in the right place, but that doesn't mean we should trust him yet.

Still, he sees it as a weakness and refuses to follow it:

What if it’s true as they say That I don’t have a heart That I'm more a machine than a man? What would that change? Would it matter at all? I've made my plan Hearts and minds may not agree Emotions topple strategy

b) The second one is present in subtext:

Ironwood: For the past few years, Atlas has been studying Aura from a more scientific standpoint; how it works, what's it made of, how it can be used. We've made... significant strides. And we believe we've found a way to capture it.

Isn’t it interesting that Atlas has been experimenting with aura machines while also developing an android able to generate aura?

The aura machine takes and transfers aura, while Pietro gives his aura to Penny to bring her to life. It sounds as if the 2 technologies might be similar, doesn’t it? What if what really intrigues Ironwood about the Penny Project isn’t giving a soul to a robot, but rather controlling a soul? By studying how Pietro gives his aura to Penny, Atlas can learn more about aura itself, how it works and how to artificially manage it.

In the end, we don’t know why ironwood chooses the Penny Project over others, but this ambiguity fits his inner conflict between the heart and the desire of control.

At the same time, Penny ends up objectified in both cases. She is seen as a protector at best and as a puppet, at worst. This ties with the difference between creator and creation (point 2).

2) Ironwood finances new creations, like the Paladins and the Penny Project. In this sense, he is a creator. Penny instead was built by Pietro, so she is a creation. This dychotomy is articulated in 2 ways:

a) Ironwood is active, while Penny is passive

Ironwood: I refuse to believe that a man that I've trusted for so long would act so... passively.

Penny: I want to stay at Beacon. Ruby: Penny, they'll never let you do that. Penny: I know, but I have a plan.

At the beginning of the story Ironwood and Penny are opposite in how Ironwood has much agency, while Penny has none.

Ironwood is basically the ruler of Atlas and everybody in the Kingdom follows his orders. He is so used to have his way with everything that he enters a conflict with Ozpin over exactly this. He claims Ozpin is too passive and uses his influence to take control over the Vytal Tournament.

Penny is a child-soldier whose life has been decided by adults around her. Pietro asks her not to venture too far despite how lonely and curious Penny is. Ironwood controls her schedule to a ridiculous degree to the point she is forbidden to talk with anyone. Even when Penny musters the courage to pursue a personal goal, the narrative kills her off before she can act on her wish.

In the end, Ironwood and Penny’s arcs in Vale are decided by their respective activity and passivity. On the one hand Ironwood is so active he doesn’t trust others’ agency. He wants to control everything and everyone, but this is his downfall, as Cinder and Watts use his own robots against him. On the other hand Penny is so passive her role is reduced to that of a pawn in Cinder’s plan. Her feelings are ignored and dismissed to the point they meta-narratively have no impact on the story.

b) Ironwood is framed as a “second father” to Penny

Ruby: Was your dad that upset? Penny: No, it wasn't my father...

In A Minor Hiccup Penny links Ironwood and Pietro. This is a way to show Ironwood is an authority figure in Penny’s life. He is some kind of metaphorical father to her. Not in the sense their bond is necessarily familiar, like Penny and Pietro’s. Still, Ironwood is the one who finances Penny and is her teacher and mentor. His influence on the girl is as much if not more than Pietro’s. Ironwood is the one who decides Penny is gonna be a Huntress and a Protector. Penny instead loves and trusts him.

In summary, Ironwood starts the story as a controlling father figure, while Penny as a controlled daughter. From this initial point they have opposite progressions.

On the one hand Ironwood loses his 2 daughters (Penny and Winter) and ends up passive:

Ironwood: So, consider this my last order: step aside. Winter: I've never wavered in fighting the enemies of this Kingdom--And I won't start now.

On the other hand Penny emancipates herself from his 2 fathers (Ironwood and Pietro) and grows more active:

Pietro: I want the chance to watch you live your life. Penny: But dad… I am trying to.

They do so by adhering to opposite ideals. Ironwood chooses repression and control. Penny chooses expression and trust. Ironwood acts selfishly and loses himself. Penny acts selflessly and finds herself.

THE BATTLE OF AMITY

Ironwood: It goes without saying that this arena holds a significance to all of us.

Amity is an important place for Ironwood and Penny. On the one hand it is both where Ironwood loses the battle of Beacon and a weapon to use against Salem. On the other hand the arena is where Penny is killed and it gets repaired together with her, after they make it back to Atlas:

Pietro: Died? I guess, in a manner of speaking, she did. But we were able to recover her core from Amity Arena once it had made its way back to Atlas.

At Beacon Ironwood loses both Amity and Penny, but in Atlas they are repaired and enhanced, so that they fit the general’s plans even better. Amity Arena becomes Amity Tower, a giant antenna that can unify all nations against Salem. Penny becomes the Protector of Mantle, a super-hero that fights for the poorest and most defenseless people of the Kingdom. The overlapping between Amity and Penny is highlighted also by their technologies being similar:

Watts: Penny’s blades operate on the same principle as Amity in the launch terminal. In order for her to control them all, they need to communicate with one another.

Ironwood and Penny’s stories are intertwined with Amity, but once again Ironwood gets to be active, while Penny is forced into passivity. Ironwood controls the arena and Penny, while Penny is a super-weapon tasked with the burden to be a symbol of trust.

However, things start to change in Amity itself, where both Ironwood and Penny have a pivotal fight with a dangerous villain:

Watts and Cinder are strong foils and personal antagonists to both Ironwood and Penny.

On the one hand Watts is a foil to Ironwood. Both are Atlesians’ elites who believe true strength is found in the mind rather than the heart. They are also very ambitious and wanna best and control others. In particular, they wanna control Penny.

On the other hand Cinder is a foil to Penny. Both are girls (maidens) objectified and used by Atlas, who wanna be free. This search for freedom leads them both into a conflict with the elites (Ironwood). However, the way they go at it is different. Penny refuses the mentality of Atlas, but tries to save its people. Cinder can’t escape the Atlesian framework, but wants to destroy the Kingdom.

So, Watts and Cinder are dark mirrors, who are meant to challenge Ironwood and Penny. Are the General and the Protector of Mantle really different from Salem’s servants? And why?

In particular, the 2 villains test Ironwood and Penny on the theme of trust, especially in the 2 Amity Fights. After all, both confrontations happen because of an exhibition of trust:

Ironwood chooses to trust Robin and to tell Mantle and Atlas the truth. He is open about everything, even the Amity Project, which works as bait for Watts. Penny chooses to trust Ruby and the world with the secret behind Salem. This is why she has to protect Amity Tower at all costs when Cinder arrives.

At the core of both Ironwood and Penny’s plans there is a dangerous bet:

Watts: It wasn't finished... it was bait.

Penny: This does not seem like a very good idea. Pietro: There is a difference between a good idea and our best idea. Sadly, we don’t have time for much else.

Ironwood knows that telling his Kingdom the truth may cause panic. He knows he is putting Amity in danger. Penny knows that Ruby’s message may go ignored and the world might not come for Atlas in time. Similarly, she knows Pietro’s method to have Amity work is dangerous.

They both trust and take a risk:

Weiss: Trust is a risk.

Watts and Cinder appear out of nowhere to weaponize this risk for their own selfish interests:

Watts: Our tin soldier's heart has cost him his mind. We need to keep their attention on Mantle for as long as possible.

Cinder: Salem doesn’t know those children like I do. They wouldn’t just abandon their misguided attempt to save the world.

The main difference is that Watts understimates Ironwood’s feelings, while Cinder takes advantage of Penny’s.

Watts immediately thinks the General has fallen prey of his emotions and has made a misstep. In reality, this is a moment of clarity for Ironwood, where he follows his heart and makes smart choices.

Cinder reads the protagonists’ way of thinking correctly. She understands Ruby and the others would want to try and use Amity to warn the world. She doesn’t ignore their feelings, but makes use of them.

This is why Watts embodies control, while Cinder represents manipulation. Control relies on the repression of feelings. Manipulation is instead the ability to twist emotions, so that a person would act in a certain way. These 2 approaches are present also in the 2 Amity fights.

Watts uses his rings to control the whole Arena and have it attack Ironwood.

Cinder uses Penny’s feelings for Pietro and the world to manipulate her.

Still, by the end both Ironwood and Penny win. They defeat their opponents in what is a crowning moment of awesome for both characters. So, is it everything alright? Have they defeated their nemesis and affirmed they are good? Not really, because heroes are really tested not when they win, but when they lose:

Just after such draining fights, Ironwood and Penny have to immediately deal with another problem. Ironwood is manipulated by Cinder, while Penny is controlled by Watts. They are both victims of the enemies’ schemes. Still, their reaction is different.

Ironwood gives up on trust immediately. This choice is conveyed also through him sacrificing the Amity Project:

Ironwood: We are going to take our plan for Amity Tower and apply it to the city of Atlas.

Penny chooses not to give up on faith. She decides to launch Amity, despite Pietro’s protest:

Pietro: You’re in no condition to do something like this. Even just the temperature out there could-- Penny: It is our only option.

This moment marks who they are going to become. Ironwood freaks out and turns into the antithesis of who he is. Penny is steady and stays loyal to herself. That is because Ironwood and Penny’s value is not measured in them winning a fight, but rather in what they do when they discover their victory solves nothing. Are they ready to push forward with no guarantee they are going to succeed? Ironwood isn’t, while Penny is.

As a result, Ironwood fails to learn the main theme:

Ironwood: You can label me whatever you'd like, but the fact of the matter is I was right! The minute I softened, let my guard down, that's when Salem had her opening.

While Penny comes to embody it:

But our greatest fear will be realized If we fall and lose ourselves to fear We've become what we feared all our lives

The point is not that trusting and following your heart will always lead to victory. In many cases it won’t. Still, if you resign yourself to be cynical, you’ll lose who you are and may end up failing anyway.

This is why from here on out Ironwood and Penny switch when it comes to activity and passivity. Ironwood still has freedom and power, but he ends up tricked and manipulated over and over. Penny isn’t given many options and all of them are bad. Still, she keeps on making her own choices. After his Amity fight Ironwood is left (passive) by Penny. After her Amity fight Penny leaves (active) Pietro.

At the same time, here Ironwood chooses to sacrifice everything, but Atlas:

Ironwood: I will sacrifice... whatever it takes... to stop her. Watts: Oh, I hope you do, James. I hope you do.

Blake: But we're nowhere near finished evacuating everyone! You'd be leaving Mantle to die. Ironwood: Yes… I would.

Differently, Penny chooses to sacrifice herself for everyone and comes to embody what Atlas should be:

Cinder: I don’t serve anyone. And you wouldn’t either, if you weren't built that way. Penny: That is not… I choose to fight for people who care about me.

This is ironic because deep down Ironwood wants to be a hero:

Take my hand I’m here to protect you Nothing will stop me Understand There’s no sacrifice That I won’t make I’ll risk it all To keep you safe Trust me to be strong I’ll be your hero Just hold on

While Penny just really wants to be a girl:

An answered prayer A chance to Share the world To be a girl Who fin'lly felt alive

And yet, Ironwood becomes a villain, while Penny grows into a hero. Why is that so?

ROBOT VS HUMAN

Penny: One day, it will be my job to save the world, but I still have a lot left to learn.

Ironwood’s plan for Penny is to become the first of a new generation of Huntresses and Huntsmen. A new type of heroes that can be fabricated and controlled. Fighters who are smarter and stronger than humans and that can be accessorized with laser beams and other weapons.

Well, Ironwood is right on Penny being one of the best Huntresses, but he is wrong as to why:

Winter: No, Penny. You were always the real Maiden at heart.

What makes Penny a Huntress is not that she has a cannon or can fly. Rather it is that she has a human conscience, which leads her to make the right choice. Even if it is painful and difficult:

Penny becoming the Winter Maiden is what cuts her life short. At the same time, it is also what saves the people of Mantle. She becomes the real Protector of the City not when she takes down the Goliath, but when she chooses not to leave her people behind. It is this simple decision that makes her a hero. Penny doesn’t need a robotic body for this choice. Nor flying jets. Nor a laser beam. She only needs her human heart. That is the reason why she is a Maiden, a Huntress and a Savior. It is not because she is the special Creation of a genius. It is because she is a simple soul:

A story will be told, and victory is in a simple soul.

This is Ironwood’s mistake. He believes that to defeat Salem and save the world there is a need for special people. The truth is that it is sufficient for many people to make the right choice. Even if it hurts. Even if it is scary. Anybody could have made Penny’s choice not to give up on Mantle. The Ace Ops could have. Winter could have. Ironwood himself could have. And yet, they don’t. Penny instead does. This is why she is a hero, while they aren’t.

In short, Ironwood believes heroism is born by leaving humanity behind. Still, Penny shows that a true hero needs her humanity to succeed. This idea is commented also through Ironwood and Penny’s metallic motif. Both characters are in fact linked to specific metals of alchemy.

Ironwood is associated with iron through his name and to tin through his allusion (the tin man). In alchemy iron is linked to war and is more refined than tin. So, Ironwood’s growth lies in him letting go of his General persona (war) to fully embrace who he is and become gold/silver. And yet, he fails and as a result he regresses into tin. Symbolically, he loses his heart and becomes the Tin Man. A toy soldier for others to move around as they please:

By the end, all Watts has to do for Ironwood to come in the way of the protagonists is to simply open a door. Ironwood acts like a robot, completely under Watts and Cinder’s control.

Penny is associated with copper through both her name and color. On the one hand pennies are made of copper. On the other hand copper is usually green, just like Penny herself. Copper is more refined than both iron and tin, but it still needs to reach the perfection of gold. This happens when Penny grows up and symbolically becomes a “real girl” (a full self-actualized person):

In Pinocchio, the protagonist becomes a “real boy” and he discovers that his 30 copper coins are now 30 golden coins. In RWBY, Penny affirms she is a “real girl” through her final choice (giving Winter the Maiden powers) and becomes gold herself (she literally turns into a golden cloud while she disappears).

So, Ironwood gives up his humanity and loses both himself and his heroic ambitions. Penny instead holds on to her humanity and is celebrated as a hero and a wonderful person. This is why symbolically Ironwood transitions to a robot in the same episode Penny receives a human body:

This progression is shown also through their opposite relationship with Watts and Cinder. On the one hand Ironwood works with Watts, only to be tricked and eventually controlled by him. On the other hand Penny fights Cinder off until the very end and even negates her the Maiden Powers (what Cinder truly wants).

However, even if Ironwood is framed negatively and Penny positively, they both die tragically. Why is that so? What do Ironwood and Penny’s falls have to teach?

THE FALL OF ATLAS

I may fall But not like this – it won't be by your hand

Both Ironwood and Penny fall together with Atlas, and yet their final moments are complete opposite:

Ironwood is alone and makes no decisive choice. He is given one final chance to die heroically by fighting Cinder and Salem, but gives it up. Is that because he realizes all his efforts are useless? Is it because he accepts he is no hero? Or is it because Winter is right and he can only sacrifice others, but not himself? In the end, there is no definitive answer and that is the point. Who is James Ironwood? Nobody. He doesn’t leave back anything and there is no-one with him. Not even the viewers, who are negated his final moments. There is really nothing left to see.

Penny is with 2 friends, who witness her final choice. Jaune accepts her heroic sacrifice and Winter accepts her legacy. They both trust her and she manages to make one final choice which defines who she is. A friend. A real girl. A fully self-actualized person. She is a Creation who becomes a Creator. She is Pinocchio who gives life to the Blue Fairy:

Penny’s final moments are so meaningful and rich that the viewers are given the chance to follow her shortly after death. They see Penny’s goodbye to Winter and the affirmation of love for her friend.

Penny’s choice is an expression of her destiny:

Pyrrha: When I think of destiny, I don't think of a predetermined fate you can't escape. But rather... some sort of final goal, something you work towards your entire life.

After all, what is Penny’s final goal if not this?

My wish came true The day that you appeared And called me a friend

The thing Penny works towards her entire life is to be a friend. It is to affirm her personhood through her bonds with others and this is exactly what she does in the end. Right or wrong she chooses to be a friend. She goes back to protect RWBY and leaves the Maiden Powers to Winter. Her final decision is tragic, but it is still an affirmation of who Penny is, as a person. This is also why it is the only thing Cinder fails to anticipate:

Cinder: Where did it go?!

Cinder manages to manipulate everyone almost perfectly. She knows how the heroes and villains alike will act and makes use of their wishes and emotions. Penny is no exception and actually the love for her friends is what leads her back into the fight. Still, no matter how skilled Cinder is at manipulation, she can’t take away who Penny is. So, in the end Penny does something unforeseen, which gets in the way of Cinder’s objective. The Winter Maiden powers are kept safe from her and given to Winter.

Winter herself becomes symbolic of Penny’s moral victory over Ironwood. Our Winter Maiden chooses the future of Atlas.

Robyn: What do you think a Kingdom is? The people, or just the chunk of land they live on?

The General embodies an Atlas, who is isolated, cold and controlling. He is obsessed by the land and the resources. This is why he dies with his city. The Protector of Mantle represents an Atlas, who is friendly, warm and trusting. She sees the citizens are what matters. This is why she dies with her people. Eventually Winter chooses Penny and opens up a new path for the Atlesians:

In synthesis, both Ironwood and Penny die, but the way they fall marks them as different. Ironwood dies passive, isolated and pathetic. Penny dies active, surrounded by love and a hero.

In other words, Ironwood falls like Atlas:

An empty shell of his former self. A kingdom with no people. A man with no heart.

Penny instead falls like Amity:

She falls after having brought people together. She falls, but has trust in others and faith in the future. A real Maiden at Heart.

When the protagonists arrive in Atlas, they find a Kingdom which is scared to open up. It is scared of trusting:

Now that Kingdom is gone and not just physically, but also from the hearts of people:

Atlas welcomes the protagonists with an army ready to stop any intruder from other Kingdoms. Vacuo welcomes the protagonists with an army made of all the ships from every Kingdom.

Atlas (Ironwood’s mentality) is gone, but Amity (Penny’s mentality) is floating again in the sky.