#cepheus cassi

[theealluringstoryteller]

Agaisnt The World Around Us

Chapter 5: The wedding

Clara snuggled her son relishing in the warmth his body gave as she read the words off the pages of the book she found in their small library in the village. Despite him being 13 she appreciated him still wanting to read to him and cuddle him when he wanted to spend time with her or in need of comfort. Castin silently followed along with his eyes, one almost swollen shut due to the fight he got into with boys much older than him. Clara hated how her sweet boy was treated among people in their village and she tried her best to make up for it by doing everything she could at home. “And then ‘swoosh’ Perseus swooped down on his flying horse towards Andromeda determined to save the chained princess from the sea monster ‘Cetus’ ”

She continued on with the story warmly smiling as Castin cuddled a bit more closer to her, drowned in the story escaping the day that he had.

“After the mighty Demi God slayed the horrid beast he took Princess Andromeda back to her father King Cepheus and asked for her hand in marriage-" “Ughhh!” Castin groaned loudly turning his head up the shift in the story. “Awe come on Cassie! All heroes deserve love-” “But he’s in his prime! He’s gonna throw it all away for some…chick!” Castin huffs crossing his arms over his chest suddenly uninterested in the tale. The young Castin grumbled to himself about how weak Perseus was. “What man would rather settle down instead of living a life full of honor!” Frowning Clara closed the book unhappy with her son’s thought process. “Who said it wasn’t honorable to be in love?” She questioned wanting to get down to the source of his disdain! “Only girls fall in love! It’s stupid and silly!” Castin went on. “It’s not manly at all!”

Appalled Clara scoffed “who told you all of this…horse shit?” She demanded snatching his chin and turning his face towards her. His eyes now softening he shrugs his shoulders feeling bad about getting his mother upset. “They say so! It’s not the Intacian way!”

Clara sighed mentally cursing those who put such an idea into her son’s head. “Cassie,honey, don’t believe to their bullshit! They are nothing but a bunch of miserable pathetic old men who are unhappy with their lives because they couldn’t manage to get a woman even of low standards to fall in love with their miserable asses!” Clara begins motioning Castin into her arms. Scooting back into his mother’s embrace Castin remained silent knowing that now it wasn’t the best time to cut in with his warped opinions. “Let me tell you my little love, you’re going to find a woman when you grow into a man and you’re gonna be so in love with her and her you because you deserve that! You’re by far better than those low life roaches who told you that it wasn’t manly to be in love-your father loved me very much!” She tells him hugging him closely. “And this woman you’re gonna find-she’s gonna be everything you’ve ever dreamed of-”

“Maaa! I don’t dream of girls!” Castin whined at the thought. “Oh please don’t lie to your mother! I wash your clothes!”

“Ma!” Castin groaned again, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

“Oh hush!” Clara chuckled softly pinching Castin’s side.

“My boy! You’re home!” Clara cheered rushing up to her son who now towered over her. A bright smile on his face he embraced her closing his eyes in relief now that he’s home and away from the camp that had too many funky bodies and none of his mother’s delicious cooking.

“I missed ya too, ma!”

“You better! The amount of time I stay up thinking and worrying about you!” She exclaimed letting go so she could do a look over of her son.

She tsked at his lanky figure “Are they not feeding you? What you have to be an official soldier to get a decent meal plan?!” Clara continued to fuss causing Castin to smile and laugh to himself at his mother’s behavior.

“Gisela! Isn’t that the boy you’re brother-”

“Shush!”

Castin developing keen ear picked up not to far from his home. His eyes catching sight of two girls around his age walking by huddled together as they peered over at him while whispering horribly.

“He’s cute! Maybe you should ask him out?”

“What?! What if he says no?”

Smirking Castin lifted a hand “Sup Ladies!” He greeted jerking his chin up in a nod. The two girls gasped then awkwardly laughed stopping their stroll now that there was an air of opportunity.

Frowning Clara glanced between the girls and her son. She studied the two before her eyes went from slits to calm within seconds.

“I’m sorry girls but my son here desperately needs a bath! Camp has lice!” Clara huffs looking at Castin’s hair full of disgust. “Yeah! Unfortunately that’s what happens with some soldiers in training!” She tells them shrugging her shoulders, ignoring the look her son was shooting her way. The woman shooed away the girls who held a displeased look on their faces.

“Maaa!” Castin cried dramatically raising his arms asking ‘why?’

“Trust me Cassie I’ve seen those girls buzzing like a hover fly in other warriors in training faces and I’ll be damned if you came home with something far worse than lice.”

Ushering her son into their house Clara began what Castin would refer to as rambling “I did you a favor! You need a girl who doesn’t get so excited over male attention! Someone who shares something you also love-like reading! Oh and she has to be sweet! You need a nice girl! To keep that heart of yours safe and full of love.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah Ma!” Castin rolls his eyes happy to be home. “I’ll be sure to marry her when I find her”

Castin stood tall at the alter his Commander suit felt like bricks anchoring him in place as his eyes were glued to the approaching figure in all white. He couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked making her way towards him, towards their future together, a one sided love. Ethereal is what came to mind as he saved this memory in his mind. Many years ago his mother told him and now it’s happening! He was in love! Goddess how he loved her. It plagued him! Turned every other woman into faceless humanoid creatures who could no longer sway him with their attention and empty affection.

His eyes only saw her, he only wanted her. Somehow she casted a spell and poof! He was her’s and she had no clue. That was the bittersweet part of this wedding. He was marrying the woman he loved while she was marrying the man she loathed.

Omorose barely spared him a glance as she stood emotionless at the alter beside him. Rhett shook his head throwing Castin a short look of disappointment at failing to win over the Baroness, before be started the ceremony.

“Today is one that will be marked in our new found history. Where two enemy nations set their hatred, division and differences aside to unite and become stronger together as one through the union of Intacian warrior commander Castin Hammer and Imperial Baroness of the coastal Empire Omorose Fentress. Bear witness as they commit themselves to each other and as their commitment serves as a bond between the Coastal empire and Intacia!”

A mixture of low groans and whispers creeped up once King Rhett finished the opening speech of the wedding ceremony.

In the coastal empire Weddings were a show. The richer you were, the higher or title the more elaborate your wedding is expected to be. Ballads were song, Dances were performed and the tales of both families histories were told high lighting where the union was a grand one. It was quite the cultura shock when Rhett went straight into asking

“Baroness, before the Goddess and everyone here do you take Castin to be your husband? Do you accept him as your partner and your equal for the rest of your life?”

“I do.” Her voice voided and empty as she sealed her fate, intertwining her life seconds before he did the same.

“And Castin, before the goddess and everyone here do you take the Baroness to be your wife? Do you accept her as your partner and your equal for the rest of your life?”

“Yeah…I do.” He said softly stealing a glance at her from the corner of his eyes. The empty look in her pretty honey eyes pained him to see. A consequence for him being a total ass.

“Then I king Rhett of Intacia and of the Coastal Empire bind you two together forever. Castin you may kiss your wife.” Rhett announced motioning him to step forward.

“Gladly!” Castin smirked.

Omorose mentally frowned as she was pulled into the kiss. She didn’t bother putting much effort into its Castin lead it.

While it brought Castin butterflies it brought Omorose nothing but disgust especially when he moaned into the kiss. And the sound of cheering and clapping only made her sour more.

Pushing him away she noticed the look of disappointment on her now Husband’s face.

“Hey you know you didn’t have to push me away like that towards the end.”

“You were getting carried away for something that doesn’t mean anything on a personal level.” She snipped maneuvering her dress around prepared to get far away from him as possible.

“Yeah you’re right…my bad. Kinda got carried away there.” Castin admits hoping she would be a little more kinder to him like she was with her close friends and Nina.

Rolling her eyes Omorose searched through the crowd for a familiar face she could socialize with instead of the husband she wanted to avoid.

Moving closer he asked “Look…could we at least dance?”

Throwing him a look Omorose scoffed her heeled feet carrying her and her long gown away as a frustrated Castin followed.

“Hey! Come on…look you’ve been doing this for months. I am your husband! Okay? You just can’t keep avoiding me.” He pleads wishing to reason with her.

Not bothering to entertain the thought Omorose kept walking.

Castin signed in frustration watching her go “Are you serious?!”

With her head held high Omorose was completely unaware of the power she held over Castin who suddenly felt like the rejected boy of his village once again. The feeling causing him to crave alcohol to wash away the ill feeling.

He might as well make the most of his wedding night! Nothing else was going to come if it but partying and drinking himself stupid.

As a heavy weight he took the nearest bottle offered to him and chugged as much as possible desperate for rejected feeling to disappear. Perhaps if he got drunk enough one of the Bar maids would start mirroring Omorose’s looks and his feelings for her even if he no longer thirsted for meaningless conquests.

At the kings table Omorose listened to Rhett go on about giving the scoundrel friend of his another chance. She didn’t see how it would matter now that she tied herself to the hound.

“Dun da da dun da da!” A drunk voice sung loudly as a guitar’s strings were abusely played.

“Of course.” She hissed seeing Castin standing on a

Table top dancing with one of the barmaids that were on the clock. He looked absolutely stupid in her eyes. An embarrassment.

Rhett cursed excusing himself to retrieve his friend before he made a bigger fool of himself.

“No!” Omorose told herself standing from her seat and swiftly leaving the party to her room. She couldn’t allow herself to stay and be humiliated by a man who seemed to lack any control or self respect.

Once in her room she kicked off her heels and made her way to her vanity. Staring at her reflection ‘Stupid! Stupid! stupid girl with a sympathizing heart for her country’s enemy! Look where that weak caring heart got you. Pathetic!’ She thought.

‘Married to a man who is known to fuck anything as long as it has a warm hole! A damn dog! Now you have to lay it a flea covered bed because you want to fix your family’s mistakes like the fool they tried beating out of you!’ Her mind continued to berate her. Her nails sunk into the flesh of her palms as she willed the horrid thoughts away. Tears gathering in her eyes as negative feels swept over her.

“You always knew you were damned to a loveless Marriage don’t act surprised now. It was practically a birthright. But you’re not going to allow that or him to define the woman you are. You’re stronger than that!” She tells herself sinking her nails further into her palms to stop herself from shedding a tear.

A shaky breath forced its way passed her lips as the feeling finally left her. Forcefully she smiled at herself in the mirror before pulling out her journal and pen.

Passing the time writing in it waiting for the party to end up staying dress in case Aurelia or Nina came looking for her.

Nina sighed from afar watching the whole interaction go down. In the pit of her stomach she felt a sense of regret for not pushing hard enough to get Omorose not to go through with the marriage. To her it was clear it was going to end in shambles quickly.

“Let me go see about that child of mine.” She says to a random intacian man that brought her over a drink.

“Yeah! Tell her I said ‘good luck’ cause it is needed.” He laughed taking the cup she handed back

She couldn’t get through the threshold of the banquet hall before she was stopped by the King.

“Nina wait! Let Castin go to her! He needs to.”

“You don’t think he burned that bridge and pissed on its ashes enough!” She questioned raising a brow.

Defeated Rhett knew she was right and couldn’t argue. Bowing his head tiredly he said “Let him try one more time. Maybe now that she’s his wife he would finally pull his head out of his ass.”

“Goddess willing…”

To entranced in her thoughts the sound of her bedroom door opening without her permission startled her. Within seconds her dagger she stashed on the underside of her vanity was in her hands ready for use.

Castin looked at the weapon then at her scoffing a little amused.

“Come on babe really a knife? If you were going to kill me you should’ve done it before our wedding! It’s a little too late now.”

Sneering at the man Omorose sat the weapon on the vanity and picked up her pen.

“Stop with that.”

“What? You’re my wife I can’t call you sweetheart?” He asked. His buzzed mind enjoying the attention.

“It was arranged! It’s nothing on a personal level so there’s no need for pet names.” She spat pressing her pen harder into the paper.

“Who care if it was arranged? You and I walked down the aisle that makes you my…” he trailed seeing her get upset. “Come on say it with me now” he laughs hoping to get more of a reaction out of her.

“We are one flesh serving one Queen sweetheart, get use to it.”

Closing her eyes Omorose lifted her fingers to her temples and proceeded to give herself a message.

“So are you planning on coming back down? I mean come on leaving your own wedding reception kinda early is tacky don’t you think?”

“Tacky?!” She couldn’t help but scoffed. “Yet you were embarrassing me!”

Taken back Castin screwed up his face “what?! How was I embarrassing you?”

“You’re excessive drinking.”

“Ugh it’s a wedding babygirl. People drink. It’s not that weird.”

“Encouraging drunk people to drink!”

“Ok sure people got a little drunk but once again it’s a wedding. When else,”

“And you’re rhythmless ‘dancing’ with the rhythmless Barmaids?”

“Hmm? What about the barmaids?” He asked not sure if he heard her right. She turned giving him the ‘you heard me’ look.

“Uh come on? No! No! You know that’s not what that was.”

“A tasteless rhythmless eyesore everyone was forced to watch! Not even a single drop in that bottle could spare you a half an ounce of grace for such a badly preformed sensual dance.” Omorose went on grimacing at the thought. “Or for the poor girl who tried so hard to catch the beat but couldn’t! Disgraceful!”

‘If you’re going to disrespect me and this marriage so soon you could’ve at least looked decent while doing so.’ She thought.

“Okay! So I’m social! Not everyone is as introverted as you.”

“So go be social!” She waved towards the door.

“Nah I’m staying here with you.”

“Besides the Queen bounced after you left and that was the only thing keeping the party going soo… I think we’re done.” He says loosening his collar.

“The Queen asked about you. Ya know.” He went on helping himself to a bottle of wine gifted to her by an imperial nobleman wishing her luck and voicing his disdain for not being the Groom.

“She did?” Omorose inquired curious as to why.

“Of course! You’re the Bride and you just dipped out of nowhere.”

“So did you tell her why I left?”

“Well I told her you and I decided to call it a night early because you were so eager to have your husband on your wedding night.”

The color in Omorose’s face drained at his words and audacity. Picking up her cup of old wine she chucked it at him with so much hate behind it.

“How dare you!” She hissed.

“Oh I’m sorry? Was that not what you wanted me to tell her?” He asked raving in her anger. It was the first time she spent more than a second on him he was lapping it up.

“Oh dag my bad. I mean if you would’ve just stayed you could’ve told her yourself.”

“Asshole.” Omorose grumbled her eyes like daggers as she glared his way.

She returned to her journal her handwriting turning sloppy as she jotted down what was needed to be recorded in it.

The squeaks of the facet and water running nearly made her blood boil.

“What are you doing?” She demanded not in the mood to continue with his fuckery.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m drawing a bath.” Castin stated obviously now growing tired of his wife’s attitude.

“Why?” She bluntly pressed him.

“Because I’m covered in sweat and wine and general party juices.”

“Not here.” She states wanting him out of her space

“Uh what makes you think I can’t?”

“Because I said so.”

“So you have a messed up attitude…that means I can’t be clean.”

“I don’t give a damn what you do as long as it’s not in my room?” Omorose replied

“Correction this is our room.” He corrected picking up a bottle of Omorose’s expensive oil infused bubble bath “and if I want to take a bath in our room I can do that.”

“Our room?” She asked in disgust. The night just kept getting worse.

“I mean you’re welcome to watch.” He smirks.

“I’d rather choke on the food I didn’t get to eat tonight.”

Annoyed at the whole ordeal Omorose thought of a way to piss him off like he pissed her off even if it was childish.

Shifting her dressed she sat herself more comfortably in her vanity chair picking up the book she was reading the night prior subconsciously scheming.

‘The window’ her subconscious pointed out. Curious if it would work she looked over to not only see through window but Castin.

Despite her feelings towards him she can admit that he was physically flawless when it came to his built and the scars marking up his body only added to his appeal.

Castin felt a boost of confidence seeing her look this way. He teased earning an eye roll. Turning back into her book Omorose pushed down the slightly embarrassment that crept over her.

Relaxed in the water Castin informed his wife of the Queen wanting them to ‘promenade through the garden’ so people could see them in the next upcoming weeks. Boldly he tried to suggest spending time outside of that request but was shot down with a dry “No”

“It doesn’t matter what you were going to say. The answer would’ve still been, no.”

Curious and a little bitter Castin grilled her on why.

“I have far better plans with far better company, that won’t cause me an exhausting headache.”

“Okaaay. The personal attack was kind of unnecessary. Who do you have plans with?”

“Lord Reyes.”

“Lord Reyes? Really? The dude from the Library?” Castin huffs remembering walking in on the two smiling and giggling to each other closely over something he couldn’t understand.

In sudden jealously Castin demanded “W-what do you have to do with him?”

Tiredly Omorose mouth turned smart “And you need to know because?”

“Seriously?” He gave her a pointed look. Shaking his head at her answer he decided to ask another question “oh so what is this Lord Reyes like?”

“What do you mean?” She countered dumbly.

“‘ What do you mean’ what do I mean? What do you think of him? Do you think he’s handsome?”

“As a matter of fact I do! Not that it matters since this is a fake marriage!”

Pissed off by her last sentence Castin corrects her in a low tone “This is not a fake marriage. It’s an arranged marriage.”

Seeing the displeased look and hearing him let out a breath, Omorose believed that their conversation session for the night ended.

Standing she looked over at him with her arms crossed over her chest.

“What?” He asked dejectedly.

“Can you hurry up.” She demands wanting to wash this lack luster day off.

“Relax there’s plenty of hot water. I’ll be out soon. You’ll get your turn.”

“Well make it real soon.”

“How about this the more you tell me to hurry up the longer I stay in here.”

Not happy with that she looked back at the window and made her way over to it. “What are you doing?”

Unlatching the widow she slid it open inviting the cold night air to creep in like fog.

“Are you serious?!” He raised his voice not believing she could be so childish.

“It’s freezing! Can you close that please?”

“No I’m getting a sudden flash of heat! Must be the dress…”

“So petty.” He grumbles “Fine!” Castin stood up from the water without warning.

With a cringe Omorose adverted her eyes hearing the water splash and puddle on the floor.

Sensing she still wasn’t happy Castin once again asked “what? You got what you wanted. I’m out! It’s all yours.” He motioned to the tub.

“Good now leave!”

“No I’m not leaving.” He retorts drying himself off

“You didn’t leave me I got in!” He pointed out.

“It’s different!”

“How’s it different?”

Rolling her eyes annoyed at that fact she couldn’t think of a solid answer.

“Go ahead do your thing.”

“Not around you!”

“Don’t worry sweetheart. I’m going to bed I’m not looking at you.”

Omorose stayed glued to her spot watching as he got into her bed much to her disliking. His face turned away from her and stayed that way. Taking in a gulp of air she unzipped the seamless zipper and allowed her gown to pool around her revealing the white lacey thong she wore underneath.

Worried he would turn to sneak a peak she quickly got in the tub thankful that it was a heated and filtrated model but the cold air still bit at her. Splashing at the water she wordlessly got Castin’s attention who was tired of her and her shit.

“What! What do you want now? What do you want me to bring you?”

Pointing over to her vanity Castin glanced over to see her book lying opened on the page she left off.

“Your book? Naw you shouldn’t have left it there.”

“Why not?” She pouted sinking into the water.

“Because I’m already comfortable. Besides! Didn’t you say you didn’t want me to see you?”

Grimacing at him quoting her she lets out an irritated groan.

“Just bring me the book please?”

Puffing out air Castin got up from bed “Fine. If you say so.” He shrugs crossing the room to get to her vanity. He picks up the book telling himself to not be disrespectful enough to sneak a peak.

“Can you close the window?” She requested since he was up now.

Agreeing since he too was cold Castin made the extra journey to close the window before he noticed that the fire was low in the fireplace.

“Hey that fire is getting kinda low don’t you think?” He pondered out loud. “Where do you keep the wood?”

Raising her arm she pointed towards the corner closest to the fireplace her eyes not leaving her book once it was handed to her.

Castin hurriedly tended to the fire wanting to get back to bed since his alcoholic buzz left his system completely now. He turns but the way that the moon light casted itself over his wife caught his attention and he couldn’t but to see her in all of her glory.

“My Goddess…” he gawked his mind already capturing and saving the image to his memory like a camera. “Now that’s a view worth getting outta bed for.”

Out of anger and loss of dignity Omorose kicked her leg up at a certain angle getting water all over Castin landing her into a predicament that from sour to sweet.

For the past few months, she's been working so hard to keep the wall she built up between her and Castin.

A wall she knowingly built brick by brick after each distasteful encounter she had with the army commander to protect her, her feelings, and her time. A wall that was crumbling slightly as she watched him, her newly married husband, and his hard exterior fall in front of her as he asked her

"Please just tell me why do you hate me?"

Her heart softened just a bit at his cracked exterior but she hid it behind her voice as she spoke "So the embarrassing me with the lingerie gift you gave me the time you ever met me slips your mind-"

Castin opened his mouth to speak but the fierce glare made the words he wanted to say faltered into sounds "I- sorry no! Go on." He apologized

"I've tried to get to know you Castin but each attempt showed me what type of man you are. A dipso, egotistical rake who hangs around degenerates who think and acts the same way! The way you automatically viewed me as an object you could have the pleasure of fucking! Why wouldn't I hate you?" Omorose wailed tearing her watery eyes away from Castin's crestfallen face.

The young wife hid her face back in her book shakily admitting

"Too many people-Men and women view me the same way...it's degrading to know that instead of acknowledging everything I've done, all that I have accomplished they-" Omorose bit her lip, pushing back the sob that almost slipped.

"I'm very well aware of the fact that people want me in their beds. It's hard not to notice Castin! I promised myself at the age of 15 that I would wait and fall in love with someone who wanted me entirely and not just for my body but I failed! I failed myself when I agreed to marry you for the sake of the new kingdom. And now I'm stuck being the trophy wife to a man that saw me as a glorified sex doll the first time he ever saw me! That's why I hate you."

Her words and the sound of her voice cracking broke Castin's heart. The last thing he wanted was to hurt the woman he was in love with and moving forward he would be damned if he knowingly did so.

Castin took a deep breath. Every word his wife whimpered out processing in his mind. "I-I'm really sorry." He apologized the words he wanted to say, the things he wanted to confessed jumbled in him.

"Can I just um... can I ju-just think for a second? Thanks." He asked catching a glimpse of Omorose's pretty honey-colored eyes gloss over with vulnerable tears that gathered at her water line.

He finally got his answer and it left him speechless, seeing her push back her tears over it left him aching.

He was among a group of people that Omorose loathed but had to silently deal with instead of the people she felt at peace with and that tore him apart inside.

"Look. That's not me! Okay. Ev-everything you said…that isn't me." He started

Omorose scoffed pulling her knees closer to her chest "That is not you? The man you've been since I met you isn't you?!" She rolled her eyes causing a single stream to fall down her face.

"No, no I-I know I-I know I have a reputation! Okay?

Th-th-the brawling, the drinking, and just…generally being a rake but, that's not me! Okay?" He stressed hoping she was listening to him and was actually taking his honest confession to heart. "That's not the man I want to be" he paused searching for a reaction but received none. "Look I-I know I may not be explaining this well but," Castin's trailed off staring at the book cover held in Omorose's delicate hands. The ring on her finger shone under the dimmed light, the same one he placed there only a few hours ago catching his eye.

'Rhett is right.seems like he's always right. Castin thought, thinking back to the advice Rhett gave him before ordering him up to his new room in the palace.

"Drop the manly Intacian act. Be yourself Castin!

That is exactly what won me the Queen's heart, and it can be the same for you."

Taking another deep breath Castin prepared to drop the one thing he felt protected behind, the wall that shielded him these past years, all in hopes that Omorose his wife saw him in a different light.

"You know I really did read that book. When I was a kid...I wasn't just-trying to have something to say…okay? I-I really like that stuff." He awkwardly stated.

Omorose peaked over her book after listening to Castin struggle with his words and it made his heart skip a beat.

"Look I don't know how to explain it alright. I just feel like there's me everyone else sees and then there's the me that's really.me and the me that everyone else sees I hate it okay? I'm not that guy!" He admits feeling a wave of mixed emotions wash over him.

"Then why do you act like that? Why pretend to be someone you hate?" Omorose questions putting the book down entirely. Wanting to understand why someone would torture themselves like that.

"Because I-... I-I don't know. I was different when I was I-I was like you and then being a warrior in Intacia i-it's it's just different. You have to be strong and respected. You have to fit in." He explained feeling slightly smaller under her stare.

"Look! It's all really confusing to me... but every time I look at you it's clear. The man that I want to be is the exact type of man you would fall in love with. You remind me of everything I really care about of-of who I was back then- n-no no of the man I know I still am.

I-I just need your help."

Omorose felt her eyes soften at the stuttered admission, the honesty in his voice and the look in his eyes shined a new light over him. She cast her gaze to the ceiling contemplating whether she could forgive him and let go of her grudge she had against or not.

"I-Look, I know I screwed up. I'm used to charming people to get my way and I tried to do it with you with all the gestures and all the flirting and I'm sorry.

That's not who I want to be anymore." Castin said following her gaze

"Hey look at me. I want to change." He says looking into her eyes once she looked back at him.

"For you. I just need you to show me how. Just please give me a chance." Castin begged, moving closer to Omorose who's heart speed up as her husband leaned in to kiss her.

The Baroness has never been in such an intimate moment before, she guarded herself well before getting married and now without any experience or idea of what to do in that moment besides kissing him, she felt even more vulnerable. And when he whispered that he wanted more against her plump lips she felt a flutter in her tummy. A mixture of excitement and anxiety as her smothered voice asked "sex" between kisses.

"No! No! I don't mean like that. I mean-" he broke into a light-felt chuckle " No I do want you like that. I really do but, I-I don't just want to you physically okay? I-I love you an-and before we do anything I need to know that you're really into trying to make Because if you're not and this is just some heat of the moment thing for you then I-I can't cause it's not just that for me and I don't think it ever will be... so please don't go through with this and then hurt my feelings later."

Omorose could feel it in her heart that she forgave him right then and there in his vulnerable state, asking her not to hurt his feelings and string him along. Something she would ask something she would say.

"Are you for real about this? Am I your husband or just some warrior the Queen forced you to marry-"

Omorose stepped out of her character, reaching up to grab Castin's face to kiss him. It surprised him for a second, feeling her soft lips on his. Though a bold action he could still tell that it was a shy gesture.

"You and me," Castin said pulling away and placing a kiss on Omorose's forehead. "Let's just start over?"

He smiled softly going in for a kiss

"Okay." Omorose softly agreed.

[erraticismshq]

( YANDEH SALLAH. TWENTY EIGHT. CIS FEMALE. SHE/HER. ) in texas, CASSIOPEIA JOHNSON is known to most as CASSIE. they have been riding with the reapers for TWO YEARS. they’re originally from SEATTLE and the HANGAROUND is known to be very ERRATIC & CARELESS but the other club members will tell you they are LIVELY & INTELLIGENT. as the years go by, they’ve gained a lot of respect in the club and around town. they’re usually at THE FORGE, working as a BARTENDER/TABLE RUNNER. they rarely ever drive a car but when they do HABITS by TOVE LO is usually heard blasting. ( empty pill bottles scattered across the floor, hazy thoughts and messed up words, shorts and laddered tights paired with worn out vans, paint stained hands, bright computer screens illuminating a room at 2am, puffs of smoke obscuring her face. ) 

tw for mentions death, car crash, domestic abuse and drug use!

backstory !!

✦ cassiopeia johnson was born to lynn and gerald johnson on february 7th three minutes behind her older brother cepheus. they were named after stars (and not the husband and wife duo from mythology) because gerald worked for nasa.

✦ cassie and ceph had an incredibly loving and happy childhood. they wanted for very little and often took trips out hiking and camping in national parks to be under the stars. cassie and ceph were very close. they were best friends.

✦ tragedy struck when the twins were 17 and their parents died in a car crash. cassie always blamed herself as they were on their way to pick her up after an art class. 

✦ this was the beginning point for cassie’s spiral. she met her first boyfriend around about this time, but he was from a bad crowd. cassie was grieving and wanted to not feel. he brought her into a world of drugs to help her forget. 

✦ she was stuck in a cycle and a toxic relationship for about three years. in this time it caused a big rift between her and ceph. he was concerned for her future, mental well being and physical health, as her boyfriend had begun to physically and mentally abuse her.

✦ while cassie finished high school, she flunked her opportunity to go to college. ceph was disappointed in her about this as she was the brains of the family. it took their grandmother left dying for cassie to change her ways and realise how important family was to her, since their was only her and her brother left.

✦ she got cleaned and got rid of her boyfriend. she applied to college again and her and ceph moved there together. they had a decent amount of money to fall back on since ceph wasn’t using his college fund.

✦ cassie was incredibly smart and studied computer science. she had a knack for hacking, but at this point in her life didn’t really use it for any illegal means or gain.

✦ finally when cassie was 24 she graduated with a degree, while ceph had made his way up to a manager of a business. life seemed to be going well for them both. but then cassie fell back into her old ways of recreational drug use.

✦ recreational drug use turned into daily drug use. it was this time she ended up back in contact with her ex. she tried to hide all of this from her brother at first until they were on a trip with their friends and he found her stash. she promised she would change and pretend to throw them away.

✦ but she still had some left. and when it was her time to drive, she did so high. she though she would be okay, the road quiet and it was night. but her reactions weren’t as quick as she though they were.

✦ cassie was the only survivor of the crash. her brother and two friends as well as her current girlfriend all died because of her actions. frightened and stressed, cassie ended up calling her ex to help cover up that she was actually the driver so she wouldn't go to jail. she’s not set foot inside a car again.

✦ ever since that event cassie, she ended up stuck with her ex since he held her 'secret' over her. this lasted a year or two until one day they ended up in stratford.

✦ it was here she met reaper westley thorn. he broke her out of her toxic relationship and she's been hanging around the reapers ever since. the two are currently romantically involved, though both will deny they're actually dating - despite acting like a married couple. it's complicated.

personality !! 

✦ cassie has always been a little on the weird side. head up in the clouds. she’s always lived in her own little fantasy and not wanted to acknowledge reality and the world around her.

✦ this has only been enhanced by her drug use. she’s frankly a little weird. sometimes laughs to herself, constantly doesn’t pay attention to conversations and often ends up saying random things or zoning out.

✦ very adventurous. always up for some stupid shit at 2am and other kinds of fun. she's friendly and talks to anyone, even if they're a diablo (despite having the crossbones tattoo)

✦ but she does have her burn out days. days where she’s not high. they’re awful and she’s incredibly closed off on them. refuses to speak, to come out of her room. sad girl hours

✦ but she's actually incredibly smart. is a talented hacker and can get into most things. hospital records, police files, confidential lawyer documents etc.

✦ she's also quite the talented artist, mostly favouring drawings and paintings. constantly has paint stained clothes and hands. particularly loves designing tattoos despite never getting her own designs.

[miss-andromeda]

What got you into Greek mythology? Were you looking at names based in Greek mythology, when you created Andi, and her egg donor (I ain't callin' her a mother, cos ain't one 😣)

Please, and thank you 😌💜🩷

Of course! 💜🩷

So I'll answer the first question...well, first. I got into Greek mythology when I was around 11, and in 6th grade, we read the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Lightning Thief. I absolutely fell in love with it and begged my parents to let me buy the series (which became a Christmas gift, along with the sequel spin-off series, The Heroes of Olympus.) That same Christmas, I received a book of Greek myths from my grandfather and read it constantly. And then I read the story of Andromeda and thought it was super intriguing - and when I realized it was also a constellation (bleeding into my growing interest in space,) I always wanted it to be used as a name.

And that's where Andi's name came from. I thought it would be interesting to give my latest OC a unique name, and I loved the name Andromeda, so that became her first name. Then I started researching Greek last names - and I found Rhodes, meaning 'clearing' or 'cleared land.' I thought it was super fitting, as Andi's story was about starting over, making peace with her past, and confronting the skeletons in her closet, like her father's passing and...the entirety of her mother, Cassie (I'll get to her in a moment.) Her nickname came from my logic of Andromeda being way too long a name to constantly pronounce, as well as to make her feel more down-to-earth. So her father, Alex, started calling her Andi when she was young - and when she and April became friends, the nickname continued.

Now, onto Cassie. Her full name is Cassiopeia, the mother of Andromeda in the story. After boasting about her beauty and angering the god Poseidon, she and her husband Cepheus choose to sacrifice their daughter to quell the oncoming sea monster Cetus. I chose Cassiopeia for two reasons; the more obvious connection of mother and daughter, and the parallel between the myth Cassiopeia and Cassie Rhodes; both women are arrogant, conceited, and choose their own safety over their Andromedas.

Now, I won't go into much detail about her (mostly because they're spoiler territory,) but you're right in that she shouldn't be considered a mother, because frankly, she is pure evil. She is a narcissist and very distant and emotionally manipulative to Andi - so much so that she serves as a major antagonist in season 2 (and to a lesser extent, 3.) (To an extent,) she doesn't care what she has to do in order to complete a mission - whether that's one assigned to her or the one she gave herself after Andi was born. She will go to any lengths to complete her mission, regardless of what she has to do (again, within limits - she has a bit of a 'holier than thou' attitude at times along with having psychopathy,) or who she has to hurt. And yes, she does commit some pretty horrible acts - including murder.

----------

Well, that was a bit of a rollercoaster 😅 Thank you for the ask, bestie, love you! 💜🩷

@kikithedreamerwriter @android-cap-007 @jasminarts01 @margoteve @m1dnyt3-w0lf @raphsmuneca @thelaundrybitch @happymoonangel

[annieandro]

Okay guys, we gotta rap some Fuzzy Friends You just do the singing, I'll take care of the hard part Let's get it on!

I want to be the best there ever was To beat all the rest, yeah, that's my cause,

Landa, Silkymon, Umberta, Wimble, Little Miss Pheobe, Buckthorn, Pomni, Cabby, Predator, Kayden, Tunya, Lola, Pouncer, Scooty, Urchcai,

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers! I'll search across the land, look far and wide Release from my hand the power that's inside.

Twanger, Knock-Knock, Tyler, Angelina, Hydro, Flaremedic, Sunny, Frosty, Alexander, Magic, Caine, Mac, Zilla, Ulysses, Bootes, Ursa Minor,

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers! Andromeda, Leo Minor, Spirit Blackhole, Tetro, Onyx, Zikratena, Seabreeze, Sunset, Aquila, Speedy, Ursa Major, Sparky, Auriga, Bushfire, Cygnus, Chopekope, Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah) Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah)Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers! (ow)

Blizzard, Cetus, Aquarius, Taurus, Pisces, Coma Borealis, Cane Venatici, Crux, Grave Digger, Capricorn, Libra, Corona Australis, Jumper, Giggle, Crossbone, Annieandro, At least 150 or more to see To be a Fuzzy Friend Ranger is my destiny,

Leo, Gemini, Speckles, Eve, Victara, Lizzy, Prowler, Daffodil, Cepheus, Canis Major, Pandora, Emily La Gatita, Audrey, Centaurus, Cassiopeia,

"Whoo, we're at the halfway point, doing great so far!" "We? What's all this 'we' stuff? I'm doing all the hard work!" "Break time's over, here we go!"

Canis Major, Virgo, Lupus, Cancer, Canis Minor, Coffeebean, Yuki, Raspberry Buckwheat, Scorpio, Delphinus, Eden, Flutterbutter, Alpha, Grum, Nipsynewter, Teegan, Evie,

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah) Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah)

Inker, Katie, Ginny, Marquis, Cozy and Puddles, Bumper-oo, Night, (Fuzzy Friend Tamers)

Crumbs, Monoceros, Ironbert, Lotta, Lepus, Nizzie, Little Miss Cassie, Jelly,

At least 150 or more to see To be a Fuzzy Friend Ranger is my destiny,

Lyra, Ophiuchus, Velpecula, Orion, Pepro, Pegasus, Perseus, Serpens, Stoolie Ann, Rinta, Bumbles, Xylo, Cyan, Guster, Cusco,

"Whoa, catch your breath man, shake out those lips!" "It's downhill from here, just 24 more to go!" "Now it gets tricky, so listen real good!"

Yale, Patches-Tutter, Niko, Jeyello, Maisy, Queenie, Rocky Road, Pancake, Nimble, Hercules, Iceburg, Blue Thunder, Jax, Peaky, Scotty, (we're almost home)

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yow)

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (huh)

Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers! (yeah)

Pine, Hammy, Queen Quarantine, Nectar, Dandelion, Pinkpon, Scutum, Sirius, Mailman Pelswick, that's all, folks!

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta Hunt 'em all, Ooh, gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers, Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Ooh, gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers!

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers!

[jamesdlcrane]

i forgot to post the pride flag color pallet challenge i did for pride month but screw it! pride month 2! just some of my ocs (and my gf’s oc), drawn using colors associated with their identities (from top left to bottom right, trans, nonbinary, trans, lesbian, and demiace)

[impossible-rat-babies]

me making a list of traits to shove onto my next OC like

[defilerwyrm]

Little dreaming void.

A few months ago I realized that at some point I'd fallen into an awful habit. All my cats' lives I've made a point of touching them affectionately every time I walk past them to reinforce our bond...but somewhere along the way, I started petting Jimmy less than the other two. The realization made me feel awful. So, naturally, I started making a conscious effort to pet him more. Just a few extra seconds of scritches, every time.

It wasn't long before I started seeing a difference in his behavior. He doesn't jump up into my arms like Cassie does, or give me a little tap-tap with his paw like Cepheus does, but he started approaching me with a hopeful look, head held up to look at me with his bright, scarred eyes, out of the blue here and there: an even quieter form of request, no less valid.

Then I had surgery, and spent the first three weeks at my friends' house. I came back home to feed the animals and clean the litter every other day, but I can only imagine it was rough for the cats going from having me here almost 24/7 for a year and a half to merely half an hour per two days.

Cassie, of course, was the most effusive when I came home for good, bunting my face all the time and never leaving my side for a couple weeks. But Jimmy made a change, too.

Throughout his life, Jimmy has mostly preferred to sleep alone. He winters under the covers, sure, but most of the time when I bedded down he'd leave the room.

But ever since I've been back, Jimmy has slept on the bed with me every time.

The bonds I share with my cats has been one of the best parts of my life for a decade now. It's amazing what a little extra love can do.

[mortemersgf]

cassiopeia and cepheus

ride or die: mona x f!mc (ellie wheeler)

summary: ellie visits mona in prison to find her girlfriend much softer than she remembered.

warnings: none, just fluff

word count: 1.5k

a/n: happy new year. school has been kicking my ass but i hope you’re all well! this is the first fic i’ve completed since like forever so bear with me 😭😭 enjoy <3

The thrumming beat of her heart doesn’t cease as Ellie collapses into one of the chairs. She releases a long breath, biting back laughter at the absurdity of the whole situation. Toby and I really just forged identities and lied to prison guards so that I can see my incarcerated girlfriend, she thinks.

The security camera in the corner emitting a red glow dims to a dull black. Toby’s work. He wanted to give the two privacy and to ensure their ploy stays undiscovered. He’s a wonderful guy, he really is. The man instantly agreed to Ellie’s scheme, grinning with enthusiasm she’s seen only when he tinkers with sleek vehicles.

She drums her fingers against the metal tabletop as she waits for Mona’s arrival. What do I say? Will she get mad at me for breaking our promise? How’s her wound? Is she planning to break out of prison yet? Did she miss me? Dozens of thoughts course through Ellie’s mind, but she is almost certain words will fail her when she sees Mona.

There’s a jiggle at the door.

Ellie stands and fumbles with her satchel, rooting through the bag for her folder. A guard steps in and scans the room dutifully. He pauses seeing her pull out sheets of interview questions and steps aside. “You get one hour,” he informs curtly, shutting the door behind him with a hollow clang.

Ellie drops the act at once, feeling her heart rate decrease. Too eager, her head snaps up to meet the woman in front of her.

Mona looks, well, like Mona. Her raven hair is as silky as ever and the scowl she has on her face… it’s her. There’s a new tattoo peeking out from the short sleeve of her uniform. Strangely, the baby blue prisoner outfit looks good on her. Screw that—Mona looks good in everything and nothing.

“I never consented to being a part of your documentary, so think twice about getting me to talk,” Mona says, moving to sit in the chair across from Ellie. Her face is of practiced disinterest. Classic Mona.

Ellie breaks out into a smile at her usual snarkiness. She’s missed her fiery Mona. She steadies her slightly shaky hands as she strips herself of her disguise. The cap is tossed aside, the wig is pulled off, and her glasses are settled atop the cool tabletop.

“You sure about that?” she asks.

Mona looks like she’d just seen a ghost. The dirty look on her face transforms into one of incredulity as she scans Ellie up and down, to make sure she is indeed seeing what she is seeing. After confirming that the woman standing before her is truly her Ellie, not some junior reporter aching to unravel Mona’s life story, she shoots to her feet and pulls her grinning girlfriend into a deep kiss. Mona tastes just how Ellie remembered: sweet and intoxicating.

Her grip on the back of Ellie’s head is almost vice-like, but the latter doesn’t mind it at all. Mona’s touch simply reminds her of the validity of the situation. Slowly, her hand trails to Ellie’s wet cheek, caressing it gently.

“God, you’re so stupid,” Mona mumbles after pulling away. A small, amused laugh escapes her as she sees Ellie sniffling. “Stop crying.”

“Don’t laugh! I really missed you.” Ellie says, wiping away her fallen tears with the back of her hand.

“So much that you resorted to committing a crime?” Mona asks, nodding at the wig, “You make a cute reporter, though.”

“You got shot for me, so I think we’re even.”

There’s a moment of silence as Mona makes her way to Ellie’s side, dark eyes searching hers. She tucks a chunk of hair behind Ellie’s ear and smiles wryly, “I told you not to wait for me.”

“You and I both know I was bound to break that promise sooner or later.”

“I know. I’m just that irresistible.”

Ellie’s shoulders shake as she laughs. She folds Mona into a hug, breathing in the subtle smell of her shampoo. A sigh of comfort slips past her mouth as their bodies meld together. It’s impossible to describe the feeling that courses through Ellie’s body in that instant. For too many nights, she has pressed a pillow to her chest, pretending it was Mona that was in her arms. She almost forgot how good her hugs were. They were safe, and they were comforting. As long as Ellie was wrapped in Mona’s arms, no harm could ever come to her.

“Hey, you got a new tattoo,” Ellie says, pulling away.

“Oh. I did.” Mona says, as if she forgot the tattoo was there. She almost looks embarrassed as her fingers brush against the tatted dotted lines.

“It’s a constellation, isn’t it?”

“So people keep telling me.”

“I didn’t know you were into stars.”

“I’m not. I got this for you, dummy.”

“Me?”

“This is Cassiopeia and Cepheus,” Mona says, rolling up her sleeve. Two tattoos, shaped like a house and the letter W, are inked into her pale skin. Ellie brushes her thumb across the art. Beautiful.

Mona continues, “I got this because... I liked their love story. It reminded me of us.”

Ellie’s face splits into a teasing grin. Mona, the same badass who can drive a car like no other, who took a bullet for her, got herself inked because of Ellie. She didn’t think she could love this woman any more, but time and time again, that proves to be false.

“God,” Mona says, scowling at the ground, cheeks warming, “this is more embarrassing than when I got shot. Don’t say anything. I don’t even—”

Ellie stops her embarrassed ramble with a soft kiss. She cups Mona’s pink cheeks and murmurs, “I like it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, you big softie.”

Mona gives Ellie a gentle shove, breathing out a scoff.

For the next half hour, they talk. Prison life, school life, and everything in between. Mona says she’s content. She keeps to herself mostly and stays out of trouble like Ellie had asked. As for the crew, Ellie hasn’t heard from any of them aside from Toby. The two of them ran into each other at a local cafe one day and stayed in touch with much discretion.

Mona hums out a response, absentmindedly running her fingers along Ellie’s forearm in a random pattern as she speaks. “It’s better this way. You should lose contact with him after this.”

“I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“No, but you know better than anyone how grueling this life is, don’t you, babe?”

Ellie responds with a good natured eye-roll.

“Tell me Cassiopeia and Cepheus’ story,” she says, capturing Mona’s hand. Ellie slides her fingers between hers, smiling softly at their joined hands. This is so surreal, she thinks to herself, Her hands are so soft…

“It’s not that exciting,” Mona says. She rests her chin in her palm, avoiding Ellie’s eager eyes.

“It was exciting enough for you to get two tattoos, so spill!”

“Fine. Cassiopeia was someone with a truckload of faults, but her lover, Cepheus, adored her despite it all. One day, she was hurled into the sky for angering Hera. She stayed stuck among the stars, and that idiot Cepheus loved her so damn much he wanted to be thrown into the stars to be with her.”

“I really didn’t peg you to be the type of person to like stuff like this.”

“I thought the story was stupid. It is stupid. But staying confined in a cell for hours gets you thinking.”

“And what have you concluded?”

“That they’re messed up, but they still love each other.”

As much as Ellie was thinking about Mona from her dormitory, Mona was thinking about her just as much from a cell. She loves her. She loves her so much. “I love you, Mona,” Ellie says, untangling their hands just so she can press a chaste kiss to her palm.

Mona, in return, takes the opportunity to pinch Ellie’s cheek, not harshly but hard enough for her to squirm. “Do not use this against me, ever, got it?”

She laughs, batting away Mona’s hand. “Alright, alright!”

The digital watch strapped around Ellie’s wrist sounds a soft beep amidst her struggle. Five minute warning. Her face falls so evidently that Mona can’t resist pinching her cheek again.

“Time to go, I take it?” she asks.

Ellie mumbles a reply, nodding. Reluctantly, she stands and slips on her glasses and wig. She adjusts it accordingly, ensuring all stray strands of her own hair are hidden. After a moment’s worth, Mona moves around the table, snaking her arms around Cassie’s torso as she fixes on her cap.

She rests her chin on her girlfriend’s shoulder, mumbling, “I don’t want you to go.”

A pleasant shiver runs down Ellie’s spine with Mona’s breath fanning over her ear. She curses the absence of a bed in this dingy room in her head, huffing out a quiet sigh at what could've been a proper reunion. Nevertheless the slight regret, she spins around to embrace Mona, pecking her right on the forehead.

“If I’m being honest, I think prison has softened you,” Ellie grins, lowering her voice, “I’ll be back before you know it. The next time we meet, I’m taking you with me.”

“Ambitious,” Mona remarks, chuckling softly, “That’s really sweet, but don’t bother. I have something planned with some of the inmates.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Mona says, her nose grazing against Ellie’s. Just before she closes the distance between them once more, she adds, “You’ll see me soon enough, gorgeous. That’s a promise I’ll fight anything to keep.”

[365days365movies]

March 15, 2021: Clash of the Titans (1981) (Part One)

This one’s personal…sort of.

Other than the fact that this is based on Greek mythology (previously well-established as one of my favorite subjects), this movie is, in a way, responsible for my existence. And that is because, according to legend, this is the film that my parents went to on their first date. And apparently, it went very well, because I came into being 10 years afterwards. So, yeah, this film is personal, like Dirty Dancing.

And also like Dirty Dancing, I HAVEN’T SEEN IT? I don’t know HOW I escaped seeing this movie. And that’s especially considering that I’ve seen the new one. And that movie was...not great.

Maybe not the worst film I’ve ever seen, but it’s definitely not a good movie. But OK, what’s this one about, exactly? Y’all ready for “The 365 Greek Mythology Hour” again? OK, then, here we go. SING IT LADIES

Clash of the Titans concerns the myth of Perseus, one of the greatest Greek heroes ever. Before Heracles, there was Perseus, son of Zeus. Yeah, Zeus, as he is wont to do, came down to Earth and had some good time with the princess of Argos, the beautiful Danaë. He came upon her while she was locked in a box by her dad, Acrisus, king of Argos.

Yeah, the Oracle at Delphi, ever the wisest, was visited by Acrisus one day, who wanted a son instead of a daughter. The Oracle spoke with Apollo (AKA huffed some of that SWEET SWEET ETHYLENE GAS), and told him that his daughter’s son would kill him. And so, he did the most logical thing: he locked her in a box. Yup. Dick. SPEAKING of dick, Zeus appeared to her in the open box as a golden shower. NOT THAT KIND OF GOLDEN SHOWER. I mean a literal shower of gold. Although...I wouldn’t put it past Zeus, of all gods. Dude was kinky.

So, Perseus is conceived, and Acrisus responds to this with his usual tact; he stuffs Danaë into a SMALLER box, and shoves it out to sea. She gives birth to a boy in the box, and the two eventually wash up on the shore of an island, where a fisherman finds them and takes them in. The boy is named Perseus.

Years go by, and Perseus’ mom is sought by his adoptive dad’s brother, and the king of the island, Polydectes. Polydectes is kind of a dick, and Perseus, now an adult man, doesn’t like him. The feeling’s mutual, and Polydectes has a plan. He holds a banquet, and forces all invited to bring a gift of horses. Perseus, being pretty poor, cannot bring this gift, but promises on his honor to bring whatever Polydectes wants of him, no matter what. And Polydectes asks for the head of Medusa.

Fuck.

Medusa’s one of your classic Greek monsters, a Gorgon. She’s one of Athena’s victims, formerly a vain temple priestess who was, well...raped by Poseidon, let’s be honest. However, since Athena’s priestesses were meant to be celibate, she was the one who ended up being punished. Fuckin’ YIKES. But OK, literal ancient gender politics aside, Athena cursed her with snakes for hair, and the ability to turn her victims into stone with a gaze into her eyes. Classic. And sure death for anyone who went after her.

So, Perseus is fucked. He’s gotta kill Medusa, and he doesn’t even have a way to get to her place. And that’s when he gets a favor from none other than Athena, goddess of wisdom and wartime strategy, as well as Perseus’ half-sister. I love Athena (other than the Medusa bullshit, obviously), and this is one of her most prominent roles in mythology. Well, that and the creation of spiders. That was also punishing a woman for her vanity, by the way. She has a type.

First, Perseus was told to find the Hesperides, nymphs of the dusk and dawn who would give him weapons. He got their location from the Greae, more colloquially known as the Gray Sisters. Weirdly enough, you may know them from Hercules, where they were combined with the Fates. They don’t have the future gimmick, but they do have that whole “sharing an eye” thing. Also, they share a tooth. Neat.

Anyway, Perseus takes their eye hostage, which makes them tell him where the Hesperides are. He goes to them, and they give him a bag to hold Meduga’s head. Then, the gods step in. Zeus decides to be a good dad for a change, and gives him an indestructible sword, and Hades’ Helmet of Invisibility. Hermes, another of Perseus’ half-brothers, gives him a pair of winged sandals to fly with. And Athena, technically Perseus’ patron, gives him a mirrored shield.

Perseus heads to the cave of Medusa, uses the shield, then goes up to her and cuts off her head. From her neck, for some goddamn reason, and golden sword pops out, alongside this guy.

Yeah, he’s not made out of clouds. He’s actually the, uh...he’s the result of Poseidon’s crime against Medusa. Fucked up, innit? Pegasus flies up to hang out with Bellerophon to kill the Chimera, and Perseus heads back to...actually, he goes to ANOTHER king who was a dick to him, and turns him into stone with Medusa’s head. Kings hate Perseus, seriously.

Perseus heads home after that, and goes through Ethiopia. There, he meets the King and Queen, Cepheus and Cassiopeia. Cassie’s gorgeous, but she tells Perseus that her daughter Andromeda is, like, WAY hotter, as beautiful as the sea goddesses. Which PISSES OFF POSEIDON (who is basically the villain of Perseus’ story, let’s be honest), and he send a sea monster named Cetus to destroy the kingdom, UNLESS they sacrifice Andromeda to it. And, because kings are assholes in this story, they do, chaining Andromeda to a rock. But, because Perseus believes that all women are queens, he goes to rescue her, and kills Cetus using all of his things. He weds Andromeda, and turns his romantic rival Phineus into stone using Medusa’s head.

Usually, that’s where retellings end, because there’s a recurring trend to Perseus’ story after that. A king is an asshole, Perseus whips out the head, asshole becomes statue of an asshole. However, there is that prophecy to contend with, about Perseus killing his grandfather. See, Acrisus basically retired by this point, and lived in the kingdom of Thessaly. But one day, he went to see some games, in which Perseus was competing in the discus. Well, wouldn’t you know it, Perseus isn’t great at it, and loses control of the discus, which hits Acrisus, killing him instantly.

Utimate frisbee, man. It’s dangerous.

There’s another version where Perseus uses Medusa’s head to turn his dad into stone, surprise surfuckingprise there. But yeah, after that the story varies. Sometimes he becomes a king, sometimes he doesn’t. He basically always marries Andromeda and has kids with her. Sometimes he founds a city of his own, sometime he doesn’t. And in one ending, where he’s lived to be an old king, he fulfills his ultimate destiny and turns Medusa’s head on himself. Geez.

So, yeah, there you go. That’s the story of Perseus. Let’s, uh...let’s see what the movie does, huh? This is another Ray Harryhausen joint, so I’m...tentatively excited for it. We’ll see how badly they mess up the myth, and whether or not it works despite that. So, ENOUGH of me lecturing you guys, huh?

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap (1/2)

We begin approximately where most iterations do: King Acrisius (Donald Houston) has just cast his daughter Danae (Vida Taylor) and grandson Perseus into the ocean, containing them within a wooden chest in order to “forgive his daughter’s crimes”. Yeah, sure, OK, buddy. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

This also pisses off Zeus (Laurence Mother Fucking Olivier), who consorts with the rest of the Olympians on what to do to Acrisus. Said Olympians include Hera (Claire Bloom), goddess of marriage and women; Thetis (Maggie Mother Fucking Smith), goddess of the sea and leader of the Nereids; Athena (Susan Fleetwood), goddess of wisdom and strategic victory; Aphrodite (Ursula Andress), goddess of love; and Poseidon (Jack Gwillim), god of the sea.

Hera tries to defend Acrisus, noting his prior years of devotion to Zeus and the other gods. But Zeus ain’t HAVING that shit, and tells Poseidon to destroy the city of Argos in revenge. This is to be done by...releasing the last of the Titans? Which is apparently the Kraken. I mean...no, a thousand times no, but whatever.

This little tantrum is Zeus’ way of showing his love towards Danae, whose child Perseus is his. This is helpfully pointed out by Thetis, who seems...a little spiteful, as much as Hera is about Perseus. Seems like she’s stoking some fires. Hmm. She is Queen of the Nerieds, so she may play a larger role later on.

Beneath the sea, Poseidon readies himself to set loose the Kraken and destroy Argos, at Zeus’ command. Zeus, meanwhile, kills Acrisus by using a clay voodoo doll of sorts to strike him down. And that’s when Poseidon lets loose the Kraken for the first time. And the Kraken...

Guys, the Kraken looks...actually, I’ll spoil his appearance later on. The Kraken destroys the city, and Zeus kills Acrisius. So much for the goddamn prophecy that explains why Acrisius did what he did, but fuck me, I guess. Danae and Perseus, meanwhile, have safely arrived on the shores of the island of Seriphus, at Zeus’ insistence. There, Perseus grows from child into a fine young man, with Zeus always watching over him...and with Thetis and company always watching over Zeus. Interesting.

The adult Perseus (Harry Hamlin) lives happily on the island, much to Perseus’ delight. Thetis, on the other hand, asks about her mortal son, a young man named Calibos (Neil McCarthy). Apparently, Calibos is a bit of a monster, and while he’d been set to wed the princess Andromeda, he’s also managed to kil all living things on the island that he’s been given, save for a single winged horse named Pegasus. Hence...he is to be punished.

Calibos, by the way? Entirely original creation of the film, and there’s nobody like him in Greek mythology. Anyway, Thetis is crushed by this, and decides to exact revenge of both Perseus and her son’s would-be fiancee, Andromeda. She pledges to open up Perseus’ eyes to grim reality, and does so by placing him in the kingdom of Joppa, where Calibos was originally set to rule alongside Andromeda.

Here, in an amphitheatre, he encounters a mysterious masked and robed figure, who quickly reveals themselves to be Ammon (Burgess Meredith), a poet and playwright. Apparently, Ammon wears his disguise to scare off trespassers. He tells Perseus that all of Joppa is in a tizzy about a curse of some kind, and that the story of the fallen kingdom of Argos is a famous legend.

Ammon tells Perseus to go back home to Seriphus, but Perseus tells Ammon that he’s promised to restore his mother’s old kingdom, and decides that Joppa would be a good start. Despite his drive, though, Zeus is pissed off at Thetis for plopping Perseus down unprepared. He tells the other goddesses to give him gifts to help him claim the kingdom of Joppa as his own. This includes a helmet from Athena, a sword from Aphrodite, and a shield from Hera. I mean...OK, that’s super goddamn weird, but OK.

After Zeus leaves, the goddesses rightfully complain about Zeus’ constant womanizing, but note that he probably doesn’t remember Danae at this point, is is most likely acting out of stubborn pride for his “handsome son”. Their words, not mine.

In Joppa, Perseus finds the gifts by the statues of their grantors. The sword from Aphrodite is adamantine, like the original myth, and slices through marble without a blemish. The shield from Hera...talks. Yeah. The shield bears the visage of Zeus, who tells him that the weapons are gifts from the gods, and that the helmet from Athena turns the wearer invisible. I mean, fuck Hades, I guess, but OK. Technically Athena did give the helmet to Perseus, so OK.

Armed with his new gear, an invisible Perseus immediately takes off to see Joppa, sans his sword. We only see his footsteps in the sand as he leaves, which is legitimately a VERY neat effect, and I’m not sure how they did it, but it’s neat as hell. Off to Joppa, a vaguely Phoenician/Persian kingdom, despite the fact that the original Joppa, or Jaffa, is a port city in Israel.

There, he meets a soldier, Thallo (Tim Pigott-Smith), who tells him of the situation. Since Calibos fell to Zeus’ wrath, Andromeda rejected him, allowing any suitor to try for her hand, whether they be royal or not. To do so, they must answer a riddle. If they fail to answer, the would-be suitor is burned to death. This is lorded over by Queen Cassiopeia (Sian Phillips), while Andromeda (Judi Bowker) lives in the tower of the palace.

Which is why Perseus IMEDIATELY uses the helmet to go into her room that night! CLASSY, PERSEUS. There, he sees...a giant vulture bring a cage to Andromeda’s balcony. No idea where in the fuck this is going, but that’s a damn good looking vulture. God, I love Harryhausen.

Anyway, the vulture is here for Andromeda’s soul, which leaves her body and goes to sit in the cage. The vulture takes off with it, al as the invisible Perseus watches on. He takes this opportunity to touch Andromeda’s face in her sleep (stop, Perseus, for the love of Zeus), then decides that winning Andromeda is his destiny. And so, his simpin’ journey begins.

The next day, Perseus asks Ammon how they can follow the vulture, who has apparently headed to the marshes to the “marsh lord”. To follow the vulture, Ammon suggests that they find and capture the last of the winged horses, known as Pegasus. And we’ve officially lost the track of Greek mythology at this point. Shit.

Well, with Ammon’s help, Perseus captures Pegasus and rides him through the skies. Meanwhile, in Corinth, some dude named Bellerophon is just having a stroke, I guess, because he’s totally fucked now. Whatever. The next day, the vulture comes back to Andromeda’s place and takes her soul to the marsh. But this time, Perseus and Pegasus follow them.

In the marsh, the marsh-lord and riddle-maker is revealed as Calibos, who is still in love with the beautiful Andromeda. As she cannot love him, he provides to her another riddle to give her would-be suitors. In tears, she memorizes the riddle and its answer, Calibos touches her uncomfortably, even as Andromeda asks him to lift his curse and show pity. But he refuses, in pain from his love. Jesus, this movie should be called Clash of the Simps, goddamn.

Perseus was watching the whole thing, though, which Calibos immediately figures out when he sees Perseus’ footsteps in the dirt. As Perseus goes through the swamp looking for Pegasus, he’s found and attacked by Calibos. Calibos, by the way, is a guy in pretty solid makeup in close-up shots, and a Harryhausen model in far-away shots.

The two struggle, the helmet is lost in the swamp, and Perseus draws his sword. But we suddenly cut away to see the daily ritual of the presentation for Andromeda’s would-be suitors. Perseus steps in, having survived the attack from last night, and offers his hand to Andromeda, who recognizes Perseus from a dream. She gives the riddle, which is ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT. Here, I’ll prove it.

In my mind’s eye, I see three circles joined in priceless harmony. Two, full as the moon; one, hollow as a crown. Two from the sea, five fathoms down. One from the Earth, deep under the ground. What is it?

Any guesses? Anybody?

NO MATTER WHAT YOU FAIL. Because the answer is Calibos’ ring! HOW IN THE SHIT WOULD ANYBODY HAVE GUESSED THAT? It’s a golden ring with two pearls on it! WHO KNOWS THAT SHIT? I call complete bullshit, and the only reason that Perseus knows it is because he spied on this last night! Also, because he cut off Calibos’ hand, and made him renounce his curse, which is...never really specified, now that I think about it.

With that, Perseus has both Andromeda’s and Calibos’ hands! HA! Calibos is not as amused, as he preys to his other Thetis, at a temple of hers. He demands that Thetis take revenge on those whom Perseus loves, specifically Andromeda and the city of Joppa itself. He demands justice, but Thetis identifies this correctly as revenge. All the while, Perseus declares his love for Andromeda, and they seal their union with a kiss and ritual.

During this ritual, in which Andromeda and Perseus are essentially married, Queen Cassiopeia, LIKE A DUMBASS, says that Andromeda is more beautiful than the goddess Thetis herself. Yeah. BAD FUCKING MOVE, especially because she said that IN FRONT OF THETIS’ FUCKING SANCTUARY. At least that dumbass move was kept from the original story.

Well, Thetis tells Cassie that she can only atone for her stupidity in one way: sacrifice your daughter to the Kraken in 30 days. Later on, Perseus speaks with Ammon to figure out how they can defeat the Kraken. Ammon suggests speaking with the “Stygian Witches”, who I’m assuming are our Grey Sisters for the night. However, according to Thallo, they have a taste for human flesh. Still, Perseus is going, as are Ammon, Thallo, and Andromeda. But not Pegasus.

Well...shit, man. That changes a few things, huh? But that’ll be addressed...IN PART TWO! See you there!

[captcas]

Life is Short

LIFE IS SHORT by capthamm

Emma Swan and Killian Jones make the most of how short life truly is. **Inspired by the song Cecily Smith (Acoustic) by Will Connelly**

**WARNING: MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH**

read on ao3 / 2378 words

”I’m just headed for a walk and probably a slushie.”

As she got herself ready, Emma decided that she’d rather get a disapproving look for buying another slushie than have to explain to Mary Margaret that she’s going on a date. She turns her head, avoiding said look, as she walks out the door.

Emma doesn’t go on dates but a drunken download of tinder and 3 right swipes later (Storybrooke’s bachelor scene leaving much to be desired), she finds herself walking towards the harbor. The closer she gets the more she realizes maybe telling MM that she was meeting up with a stranger wouldn't have been the worst idea.

Storybrooke is small and she reasons to herself that, if something nefarious did happen, they’d find her eventually.

Killian doesn’t seem to have a nefarious bone in his body… at least through tinder messaging. What the fuck have you gotten yourself into, Emma?

She walks up to the water’s edge, finding peace in the solid ground beneath her feet. While she’ll admit the view is nothing to scoff at, Emma doesn’t particularly see the draw to spending an entire day aboard a rickety boat or getting soaking wet at the beach. If it’s someone’s thing, more power to them, but she prefers solid, dry land.

She’s lost in her thoughts when she hears someone walk up behind. She turns to meet him and is pleasantly surprised at how accurate his profile picture is— let's just say Leroy wasn't 6’2” and blonde. Emma’s about to comment on his honesty when he puts out his hand expectantly, “Killian Jones and I hope you like sailing because I may or may not have bribed my brother to allow the use of our co-owned vessel for tonight’s date.”

He smiles so brightly and confidently that she can't help but get wrapped up in his warmth, and he’s so perfectly British that even Emma can’t resist swooning a bit. All of these things would’ve been great to comment on, but before she can form a coherent thought she hears herself say, “I hate sailing.”

Somehow his smile gets wider. “Well lucky for you you’re with Killian Jones. I’ve never met a lass I couldn’t win over with a taste of the sea.” He must sense Emma’s hesitation and continue, “Life is not the things that we do, but who we’re doing them with.”

The quote catches Emma off guard— poetic and eloquent in an overall casual conversation. Although, she’s pretty sure he could make the phonebook sound poetic with his accent. She nods slightly and gives him a soft smile before he leads her towards the ship with a wave of his hand.

It turns out sailing takes a lot more effort than Emma thought. She’s currently just enjoying a glass of wine on the faux leather bench behind the captain’s wheel, but Killian has been running rampant as he steers them out of the comfort of the harbor. She tried to tell him they could just stay docked, but he insisted on the view from the horizon line. While Emma is amused by his childlike wonder, she figures nothing will come of the night if he has to be this attentive to the ship the entire time. It’s that mindset which has her sink down in her seat and close her eyes. The steady rhythm of his breath and the slight rock of the waves could lull her to sleep in no time.

She wakes up to his fingers threading between hers and has to stifle the gasp which fills her throat. Her gut instinct is to clock him for being so forward, but when she turns to face him, his face is radiating joy and she can’t find it within herself. They spend the rest of the night like that, chastely intertwined while he details countless stories told by the constellations. “Upon seeing Andromeda bound to the rock, Perseus falls in love with her. Perseus kills the monster and they are married for many years. It is said that Perseus is Hercules’ grandfather. Now they are up there side-by-side with Cepheus and Cassiopeia as a reward from Athena for Perseus’ bravery.”

Emma hums contently and without thought before realizing her head has found a resting spot on Killian’s shoulder. Besides the odd question here and there, Emma has been more than happy just listening to him talk, but at the sound of her hum she feels him tense beneath her. “Am I boring you, love?”

She can’t help but chuckle to herself before somehow finding it in herself to be blatantly honest, “This is the best time that I’ve ever had.”

Even in the dark she can see the slight blush on his ears and the smile that forms. He gazed at her intently for a moment before standing up.

The sudden lack of his touch is startling.

“I suppose I should get us home, Swan.” She wants to argue that they aren’t children but when she checks her watch she realizes it’s almost midnight. It’s not like she’s going to turn into a pumpkin, but MM thought she was just going for a slushie and is probably pacing a hole into the floor.

Emma nods reluctantly and Killian smiles at her, softer this time, but the sparkle still present in his eyes. “Lucky for you, I own this beautiful vessel and we can take her out whenever you’d like.”

She wishes she could say she was shocked at her answer, “I'd like that.”

At the beginning of the night had you told Emma Swan that she’d be willingly agreeing to a second date on the water, she would’ve assumed you were from some alternate universe. As they say goodnight and he kisses her softly on the cheek, Emma is all too aware of the magnitude of the evening.

Her world has been changed forever by one Killian Jones.

. . .

The rest of their 57 years together are split almost evenly between time on land and time aboard that ship.

When Emma asked the kids for help with their dad’s final voyage, she expected a crowd— grandkids and spouses alike— so when they showed up alone with a picnic blanket and a star map, just like “old times”, she couldn’t help but let out another round of tears.

Now as she walks the rusting ramp, Percy helping her and Cassie jogging ahead to get started undocking, she swears she can still hear him laughing. It’s as though the fibers of the sails kept each moment spent beneath them tucked safely away and she can’t imagine a better place for him to rest.

Cassie expertly navigates to the exact spot Killian anchored them in that first night so long ago. They’ve sailed here many times, so it’s no wonder it’s second nature for her. After making sure the ship was sturdy, Percy and Cassie head below deck leaving Emma alone with her memories.

That first date was on a night not unlike the one she’s wrapped in now, but everything else has changed monumentally— very little of the lost girl who boarded that ship remains. She found herself in Killian Jones. His cheery disposition and outlook on the “adventure” that is life pushed Emma out of comfort zones she didn’t even realize she was living in.

The sound of her tear hitting the ceramic vase is what brings her back to the reality of the moment. She’s unsurprised to find her tear a bittersweet one, Killian always assuring her there was no use in spending what little time we have on this planet in despair.

“Oh, how much I miss you, Killian Jones.” She whispers softly to herself as she finds her footing and heads to the railing of the boat. She slowly uncaps the urn and carefully empties the contents into the sea her husband loved so deeply. She clutches the necklace he directed Percy to have made, telling their son that his love of the sea was only matched by his love of their mother. It’s a long chain, and etched into the pendent somehow made of his ashes is a quote from the night they met: Life is not the things that we do, but who we’re doing them with.

She kisses the necklace softly before looking to the stars, Perseus and Cassiopeia shining bright as ever, “Killian Jones, how fortunate am I to have done life with you.”

. . .

“It doesn’t matter why I need her, I just do.” He levels with Liam, slightly rolling onto his toes to meet his brother’s height.

“Not good enough. You never insist on taking the ship so there has to be a reason.” Liam steps back a tad before crossing his arms.

Killian is not getting away with this one.

“I have a date.” Liam’s eyebrows skyrocket into the curls covering his forehead. Killian practically winces waiting for the slew of questions which will no doubt follow, but finds his fear unfounded.

Liam simply nods before turning away, “Fair enough. She’s all yours.” Killian is left alone in their living room completely dumbfounded but also entirely grateful. Liam is fully aware that he hasn’t taken anyone out on the ship since Milah’s passing and his brother’s lack of probing tells Killian the gravity of the action is not lost on Liam.

He never doubted his brother would let him take their ship, but it would be like Liam to rent it out or take Belle out for a last minute excursion without so much as a second thought at Killian prior request.

Any other night, he wouldn’t have minded, but tonight feels important.

He’s only chatted with Emma for a week or two through Tinder— Ruby assuring him he needed to get laid before setting up his entire account for him. The pair hit it off almost immediately, but he could tell she was skittish so Killian let her lead despite his immediate fascination with the woman beyond her good looks.

His outlook on life shifted dramatically after losing his Milah. Many men would have spiraled into a deep depression and the bottom of several liquor bottles— Killian would be lying if he said he didn’t try that route at first— but one day it hit him that he’d been given (albeit in the worst way possible) a brilliant life lesson. Life is short. And that’s the first time everything changed for Killian Jones.

As he walks up to the dock and spots her long blonde hair, his feelings are startlingly similar to that night— the one where his life changed for the better. He takes a deep breath, shaking out any final nerves, and repeats his mantra to himself: life is short.

Typically his date falling asleep before they’ve even reached their anchor point would be discouraging, but to Killian he can’t help but find pride in the comfort Emma feels in his presence. He reasons with himself that surely she would’ve been consistently on high alert had he flown any red flags.

It’s that self talk that gives him the courage to sit beside her.

Bloody hell, is he glad he did.

They spend the night detailing myths of the cosmos and time scurries away from them. He feels every minuscule movement she makes as they lean against one another and Killian is a goner by the time they get to the Big Dipper. Not only is Emma Swan the most stunning woman he’s ever seen— thank god her profile was of the honest sort— but she’s also bloody brilliant. He revels in every syllable she says, each moment tattooing a little more of her into his heart.

He’s worried he’s fallen too deep too fast, when she agrees to a second date— on the water no less— and all nerves dissipate immediately.

Before he knows it, Perseus comes along and makes him a father— Cassie following closely behind. Of course there were more dates, a wedding, two houses, and some fights in between, but when he thinks of the compression of time between their first date and the birth of their son, he can’t help but be flabbergasted. Time slowed eventually, retirement and being a grandparent bringing a new sense of purpose to their shared life.

But life is short.

The cancer comes a lot like his love for her did— at full speed and in full force— and it’s course seemed to speed up time once more. Killian knew his time was nearing the end, but couldn’t find it in himself to be sad.

Why waste what little time we have in life in despair? (Emma swears he said that to her one day, but he’s pretty sure she taught him that.)

It’s a chilly May afternoon when he asks Percy to join him for lunch. His son has grown into a fine young man, a father himself three times over, and he couldn’t be more proud. While he’s also proud of Cassie, Killian knows Percy will do what needs to be done with little rebuttal of “don’t talk like that” and “you’re going to make it”. Cassie feels with her heart and soul, but Percy has always been rational and dutiful. He knows Percy will have the necklace made and he’s positive it will be more beautiful than even Killian could dream up.

Killian is slightly surprised when Percy goes to protest Killian’s reference to his own impending doom, but one tweak of his eyebrow and his son clamps his mouth shut. Percy listens carefully for the rest of the meal, taking notes and assuring Killian he’ll do what needs to be done.

Killian has no doubt.

When the day comes, Emma doesn’t leave his side— he never doubted that she would. She hadn’t for 57 years so why start now? He gets to say goodbyes, which is more than most and he goes out looking into his wife’s eyes— strong, ready, and full of love.

Killian couldn’t have pictured a life half as wonderful as the one he got to lead, and he attributes every ounce of that fate to the woman who he got to do it with.

Life is not the things that we do, it’s who we’re doing them with. - Michael Mitnick “Cecily Smith”

[erraticisms]

( VICTORIA PEDRETTI. TWENTY SEVEN. CISFEMALE. SHE/HER. ) in texas, CASSIOPEIA JOHNSON is known to most as CASSIE. they have been riding with the reapers for TWO YEARS. they originally from SEATTLE and the GROUPIE is known to be very ERRATIC & CARELESS but the other club members will tell you they are INTELLIGENT & LIVELY. as the years go by, they’ve gained a lot of respect in the club and around town. they rarely ever drive a car but when they do HABITS by TOVE LO is usually heard blasting. ( empty pill bottles scattered everywhere, hazy thoughts and messed up words, laddered tights paired with worn out vans, the hum of a tattoo gun, bright computer screens illuminating a dark room at 2am. ) [ beth. 24. gmt. she/her. ]

tw for death, domestic abuse and drug use!

backstory !!

✦ cassiopeia johnson was born to lynn and gerald johnson on february 7th 1993 three minutes behind her older brother cepheus. they were named after stars (and not the husband and wife duo from mythology) because gerald worked for nasa and lynn just loved them

✦ cassie and ceph had an incredibly loving and happy childhood. they wanted for very little and often took trips out hiking and camping in national parks to be under the stars. cassie and ceph were very close. they were best friends.

✦ tragedy struck when the twins were 17 and their parents died in a car crash. cassie always blamed herself as they were on their way to pick her up after an art class. 

✦ this was the beginning point for cassie’s spiral. she met her first boyfriend around about this time, but he was from a bad crowd. cassie was grieving and wanted to not feel. he brought her into a world of drugs to help her forget. 

✦ she was stuck in a cycle and a toxic relationship for about two years. in this time it caused a big rift between her and ceph. he was concerned for her future, mental well being and physical health, as her boyfriend had began to hit her.

✦ while cassie finished high school, she flunked her opportunity to go to college. ceph was disappointed in her about this as she was the brains of the family. it took their grandmother dying for cassie to change her ways and realise how important family was to her, since their was only her and her brother yet.

✦ she got cleaned and got rid of her boyfriend. she applied to college again and her and ceph moved there together. they had a decent amount of money to fall back on since ceph wasn’t using his college fund.

✦ cassie was incredibly smart and studied computer science. she had a knack for hacking, but at this point in her life didn’t really use it for any illegal means or gain.

✦ finally when cassie was 23 she graduated with a degree, while ceph had made his way up to a manager of a business. life seemed to be going well for them both. but then cassie fell back into her old ways of recreational drug use.

✦ recreational drug use turned into daily drug use. she tried to hide it from her brother at first until they were on a trip with their friends and he found her stash. she promised she would change and pretend to throw them away.

✦ but she still had some left. and when it was her time to drive, she did so high. she though she would be okay, the road quiet and it was night. but her reactions weren’t as quick as she though they were.

✦ cassie was the only survivor of the crash. her brother and two friends as well as her current girlfriend all died because of her actions. she’s not set foot inside a car again.

✦ ever since that event (about three years ago) cassie has just been moving around from town to town. mostly making money from hacking or tattooing. constantly high about 95% of the time.

✦ she joined the reapers when she met west and he helped her out of a bad spot. she’s been loyal to him and them ever since. though, you can still catch her partying with a diablo every now and again

personality !! 

✦ cassie has always been a little on the weird side. head has always been up in the clouds. she’s always lived in her own little fantasy and not wanted to knowledge reality and the world around her

✦ this has only been enhanced by her drug use. she’s frankly weird af. sometimes laughs to herself, constantly doesn’t pay attention to conversations and often ends up saying random things

✦ very adventurous. always up for some stupid shit at 2am

✦ but she does have her burn out days. days where she’s not high. they’re awful and she’s incredibly closed off on them. refuses to speak, will refuse to come out of her room

✦ she’s so smart tho??? like loves learning about random shit and will sprout unwanted facts out of nowhere 

✦ hire her to hack for u. she can p much get into anything. police records, bank accounts, medical history. u name it. she mostly does her hacking in the middle of the night

✦ also hire her to tattoo you!!!!!! she’s v good and talented and honestly could make a good living on it if she got her act together. 

that’s all i have for now pls love me 

[cassienypan]

°•   ❝  A witch ought never to be frightened in the darkest forest... because she should be sure in her soul that the most terrifying thing in the forest was her. ❞                ― Terry Pratchett, Wintersmith L o a d i n g….. ❚Password Required❚ « ∘∘∘∘∘∘∘∘∘ » L o a d i n g….. ██░░░░░░░░ 20% ████░░░░░░ 40% ███████░░░ 70% ██████████ 100% → Aᴄᴄᴇss Gʀᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ Fɪʟᴇ: The Last Völva ❚Do you wish to continue?❚ ✔ Yes No Ｆｉｌｅ  ｌｏａｄｅｄ   ｓｕｃｃｅｓｓｆｕｌｌｙ． ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ » Qᴜᴏᴛᴇs « ❝ They burned my mother on the pyre and baed me watch, the told me this was the punishment that waited me should I dance with the devil as she had. Little did they know the devils blood runs through me stronger then it did through her. ❞ ❝ Thou shall not suffer a witch to live. ❞ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ » Gᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ Iɴғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ « ✥ Ɲαмє ✥         ۵ Cassiopeia Nypan ✥ Ɲαмє Mєαηιηg ✥          ۵ Cassiopeia: 〘 Pronounced ka-see-ə-PEE-ə 〙The Queen Cassiopeia, wife of King Cepheus of the mythological Phoenician realm of Ethiopia, was beautiful but also arrogant and vain; these latter two characteristics led to her downfall. Other iterations have the definition mean “The Seated Queen” or “She Whose Words Excel”          ۵ Nypan: 〘 Pronounced: N-ah-ee-puh-æ-N 〙Meaning unknown however Lisbet Nypan was an alleged Norwegian witch. As one of the most famous victims of the witch-hunts in her country, she was also the penultimate defendant to be executed for witchcraft in Norway. ✥ Ɲιcкηαмє/Aℓιαѕ ✥             ۵ Cassie             ۵ Cassia             ۵ Hex 〘 An alias occasionally assumed  〙             ۵ Völva 〘 A formal name due to her status and abilities  〙             ✥ Agє  ✥           ۵ Born 1806           ۵ 200+ 〘 She looks to be in her early 20s  〙   ✥ Ɠєη∂єя ✥           ۵ Female   ✥ Sєχυαℓ σяιєηтαтιση ✥           ۵ Bisexual ✥ Sρєcιєѕ ✥            ۵ Half human Völva/ half Jötunn ✥ Occυραтιση ✥            ۵ Witch            ۵ Fortune teller            ۵ Con-artist ✥ Aƒƒιℓιαtισηѕ : ✥              ۵ Herself.              ۵ Her father 〘Occasionally 〙              ۵ SHIELD  〘When under duress 〙 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ » Pᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ Iɴғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ « ✥ ƤєяѕσηαƖιту ✥             ۵ Cassiopeia is a dark and twisted girl, after watching her mothers public execution at a young age she learned to hate the world. She worked for her own benefit for decades, believing she was alone in this world. She is cold and not compassionate to those she knows, due to the fact she has no true ties to the mortal world she cares little for those around her. There is a darkness inside of her that she masks with callous remarks and a cold demeanor but it has revealed itself and when it does people suffer.             ۵ When she learned of her fathers identity she became obsessed with gaining the attention of her only blood relative. She reached out in every manner she could think of until eventually her work was acknowledge, however due to the trickster nature of her father she has often times found herself committing horrendous acts to please him.             ✥  ƑαмιƖу ✥ ┃ Ƥαяєηтѕ: • Father:  Loki Laufeyson >Status:  Alive • Mother:  Isobel Nypan >Status: Dead. • Half-Sister: Hel >Status: Alive (well technically undead) • Half-Brother:  Fenrir >Status: Alive • Half-Brother:  Jörmungandr >Status: Alive • Half-Brother:  Sleiphir >Status: Alive • Half-Brother:  Narfi/ Nari >Status: dead • Half-Brother:  Váli (He is only mentioned as the Son of Loki once) >Status: alive ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ » Pʜʏsɪᴄᴀʟ Aᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇ «         【 Natural 】 ✥ Ɛує ƇσƖσя ✥            ۵ Green ✥ Hαιя ✥           ۵ Dark brown almost black           ۵ It is usually kept long and falls to her mid back.             ✥  Sкιη Ƭσηє ✥                ۵ Pale ✥ Ɓσɗу ƁυιƖɗ ✥         ۵ Tall and slender, she is not athletic but has a well toned body. ✥ Hєιgнт ✥          ۵ 5'7 ✥  Ɯєιgнт ✥           ۵ 130lbs ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ » Wᴇᴀᴘᴏɴs ﹠ Aʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇs « ✥ Ɯєαρσηѕ ✥            ۵ Her wit            ۵ Her magic            ۵ Daggers            ۵ Her looks ✥ AвιƖιтιєѕ ✥         ۵ Ƭєℓєкιηєѕιѕ: Nypan is capable of moving objects with just her mind alone, this is usually physicalized through hand movements and other gestures which seem to just be an extension of practice and not necessary. We have yet to find a limit to these capabilities whether it be distance or weight of the object, it seems that once she puts her mind to something it is within her power. ۵ Sєι∂/ѕιgнт: One of the abilities which we know for use comes from this “Völva” Abilities is something the Sagas call Seid. In the stories the witches use a combination of song and a ‘magic stick’ to enable her soul to travel. She seems to be in a trance during this, and can see and hear things others can’t. the Saga’s claim that she can communicate with spirits during this trances as well predict the future.  In this state she can predict the future, answering the questions about the future and fate that the participants in the circle ask her. This is one of the Völvas most historically feared and coveted abilities, predicting the future. ۵ Iммσятαℓιту: Nypan is over 200 years old in the 21st century but appears to be in her mid to early twenties, photos from the early 20th century show she has not aged since then and has lead us to believe much like the Asguardian’s we have discovered she posses a form of immortality or extended life. ۵ Ɛχρяєѕѕιση: This last known ability of Nypans is best described as Expresion. It is by far her strongest and most untapped power. She herself as referred to it as Expresion as in her words “it mimics how I feel and what I want to do.” We have seen her level houses with it, corrupt bodies, grow plants and heal the injured. It seems to be the most basic and yet harmful force of witchcraft we have found. It is unclear if this is something she gained from her father or a combination of her parents as no power like this has been recorded. ۵ Ƥѕισηιc’ѕ: Cassie can manipulate many psionic powers, she can create a variety of shapes, and manipulate energy to create constructs. She usually uses this to create, shields, weapons, but can also use it to help heal others. It is a rather versatile ability. And due to her young age (for her race) she has yet to realy push the boundaries and discover what she can do. ۵ Ɓℓσσ∂ Mαgιc: Due to Cassies powerful blood she is able to use it in many different kinds of spells and rituals. Some examples can be, using her blood to melt metal, open locks, lock spells and much more. it is an old and very misunderstood magic that few witches feel comfortable using. ۵ Ƒσяcє ƒιєℓ∂: While this is an extension of her psionic abilities, Cassie can create force fields to protect those within a fight foot radius of her. however the limitation to this is that her shields must be connected to her body and she can not extend them beyond a small area. It is the weaker of her abilities since she is not used to having to protect others, or find the need to. Like her expression abilities, It is completely dependent on her will and her desire to protect those around her. ✥ Ɯєαкηєѕѕєѕ ✥             ۵ Iron:  A metallic element that possesses strong supernatural properties, although Iron doesn't hurt witches, it blocks their powers. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ » Bɪᴏ « ✥ Hσмє-Ƭσωη ✥             ۵ Mobile             ✥  Ƈυяяєηт яєѕι∂єηcє: ✥            ۵ Mobile           ✥  Ɓισgяαρну ✥ 《  Oяιgιηѕ 》 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Cassiopeia is the daughter of Isobel Nypan and the Norse god Loki. Her mother Isobel was a famed völva one of the last of the practice, who traveled Northern Europe and the british Isles telling fortunes, reading cards and making potions for any who could pay. Due to the dangerous nature of her work in the eyes of stronger growing Christians, she was forced to continue moving throughout Europe to keep from being punished for her crimes. While on one of her many trips in Sweden Isobel encountered the God of Mischief, intriguing him during one of her more grandiose performances. Their relations lasted no more then a night however as both parties parted the next morning with little care for what had happened, it wasn't until a month later that Isobel discovered the consequences of the night. Nine months later, in the dead of winter, while Isobel was taking shelter from a winter storm in a Swedish inn Cassiopeia was born. Her mother could tell almost immediately the girl had inherited her magic, as well as abilities from her father she could not yet discern.  After a few months spent in the Inn Isobel returned to the road taking Cassiopeia with her. 《 ƐαяƖу Ɩιfє 》 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ It soon became obvious that Cassiopeia was far from human as the years went on, her aging was considerably slower than any normal child. Something that was quite hard for her mother to deal with but which pointed to her more then human ancestry, despite her aging slowing her mind grew rapidly. She often gained the reputation as strange in towns they visited as she spoke and acted with a manner befitting someone much older then her apparent physical age. Isobel continued her shows of magic, staying no longer than a week in each town they visited and all the while instructing her daughter on the basics of witch craft. Cassiopeia was a natural, gifted with hands which spun the natural magics with an ease she became her mothers helper, impressing many who saw her with her natural born ability. Her gifts were not all good however, a fact that became quite apparent as she aged and her temper grew, she could manipulate the world around her with a though. Throwing objects, opening doors, and commanding much darker forces to her side when she was angry enough. Her mother sought to teach her how to control her powers and while she was not entirely successful she managed to keep much destruction at bay. For a long time they traveled like this, however it did not last as long as either of the women might have liked, on Isobel’s tenth birthday her mother was caught by the local christian zealots and tried for witch craft. While it was no secret that Isobel was a practicer of mystic arts, something she used to help the women of the communities she arrived in, she was prosecuted all the same. The dark truth of the matter was however that the act of witchcraft that got her arrested was not her won doing but Cassiopeia’s. Having disliked the name a man called her mother and her as they past she had struck out, injuring the man severally with only her mind. For this crime her mother was found guilty and sentenced to burn. Isobel Nypan was the last woman to be convicted and killed for witchcraft in Sweden. 《 Oη нєя σωη 》 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

After the death of her mother Cassie managed to escape from those who had caught them and lost herself in the forest. She spent months inside of the dark woods mourning the loss of her mother and of life as she knew it. In the woods she learned to depend upon her magic, using the forces inside of herself to hunt and overcome the harsh elements. No one is quite sure of how long passed between her escape into the woods and when she finally left but what is known is that her first act was to take revenge on those that had taken her mother from her. It was a group of christian missionaries who were ultimately responsible for her mothers demise and so she hunted them down tracking them across the whole of Sweden. That act itself took over a decade, however each man she found met a grizzly end. Torn apart by the darkness inside of her, each death was a savage act that the human world attributed to animal attacks. However anyone with any magical sense could easily see the truth, however as power like Cassie’s had yet to be in her world- many were left stupefied. There was one force however who was not as mystified by the girls powers as the mortals were, the all seeing Heimdallr. He recognized a force which was not human and his gift of foresight lead him to the inevitable conclusion of her truth. Another child of Loki was raising hell on the world below. Time moved faster for Cassie than the events which unfolded above her however and after the murder of those responsible for her mothers death she continued her mothers work. For well over 100 years she worked as a medicinal woman, selling spells, potions, fortunes and much more to those who asked for them. Of course as she had learned in her early childhood, many of the ‘services’ were nothing more then cons, and with enough trickery people bought whatever she sold them. 

 《 Hєя Ƒαтнєяѕ Ɗαυgнтєя 》 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Her father was told of her existence years before she was aware of his identity, his disinterest in the half mortal was the start of a toxic relation between the two. However as the years progressed into the late 1800’s the young Völva who now appeared to be in her late teens despite nearing her hundredth birthday was living up to her fathers name as a trickster and con-artist on earth. She had been run out of many of the villages in the north of the Neatherlands and seeking to make a knew and better life for herself she bordered a ship and sailed for America. In america she found promise in the Spiritualist movement which had started in 1848 and by the time she reached Americas shores in 1855 was in full swing, she used her abilities to stage seances and ‘communicate’ to the deceased. She made quite a stir with her moving performances that she soon grew to a kind of stardom, one that few people could combat. Even the firmest of believers fell victim to our magics, she truly had a knack for convincing the public she was communicating with those they had lost. She gained a reputation much like the famed Fox sisters, only she never fell from grace. Instead after almost ten years of making a living conning the innocents she had created enough of a mess with the natural order of things that many of the Gods were angry enough. Another of Loki’s children causing chaos, much to the distaste of all involved. At the same time the gods were puzzling over what to do Cassie was causing problems for herself on earth, the media was beginning to catch some more troubling sides of the famed Miss Nypan. Namely the broken lives she left behind and the lack of change they’d seen in her over the ten years. She still looked to be nearing her twentieth year and it was beginning to sour the mouths of many. Cassie however was not quite ready to give up the life of spiritualism and so she continued with her shows, charging more and more as she went along. By now people had begun to find themselves anger with her and it brought the attention of local Witches to her door. The Witches were part of a coven, one of the oldest covens in America who had had enough of her flaunting her powers to the public. However almost the second they met face to face the witches realized she was not like them. This revelation came as a shock to Cassie, as her mother had never openly told her she was different than any witch or Völva and she had never met another magic user before, she had thought herself normal for her situation. Now intrigued by the seemingly young woman the witches began attempting to discover her heritage and what other creature had spurred her creation. What they found shocked them all, a spell which used her blood to track others who shared it found her father to not be on earth, instead when the mist of the bowl cleared she was looking at the rather angered face  of the God of Mischief, his identity only revealed through the conversation they over heard. The coven now utterly shaken by the revelation of the apparent half god in their presence left her with no further help for fear of brining the wrath of the trickster down upon them and their coven. Cassie however did not feel the same way, and instead of trying to keep her head down and out of the way of his potential wrath she decided to attempt to get his attention. 《 Oвєѕѕιση 》 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ With the realization that she was not alone in the world anymore Cassie became all but obsessed with finding her father, hoping that he might hold some answers to the mystery of her unnatural powers. It was not to be however as her father was no more interested in her than he was in any other mortals, so her acts grew more and more out of hand until he finally relented and the two met face to face. The trickster lived up to his name and over the course of the next century Cassie found herself caught in his webs multiple times, committing horrendous acts in hopes of winning his favor. However each time she completes his task she has won no more of his favor then she had before, while a part of her knows this she is to driven by the desire to belong to not fall for his games. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

» Aᴅᴍɪɴ «

This account is mostly going to be Norse Mythology however due to lack of content I will be posting Marvel related things, and in some posts tying Cassie into the Marvel universe simply so I have a diversity of content. If you want to rp please just comment below or on any of my posts and I will be happy to. → Ƭнιѕ ρяσƒιℓє ƒσямαт ωαѕ cяєαтє∂ ву м��, ρℓєαѕє αѕк вєƒσяє υѕιηg ιт

[vakna-vera-hugsa]

then they ran out of food, so cassiopeia went to the azizi’s shop, since it’s the nearest. for some reason her brother cepheus was there, and they had a good long chat by the magazine rack before they went their seperate ways again.

[bravevulnerability]

Imagine your OTP looking up at the stars. Person A is really enthusiastic, pointing out the constellations and person B just falls asleep to their voice (taken from the prompts blog I hope you don't mind 🙈)

“And that’s Cassiopeia,” he listens to her murmur, her voice low, so soft in the darkness of the car that he has to blink a few times to stop the drugging sensation of sleep from lapping at his consciousness.

“I still only know the Big Dipper,” he states, smirking at Beckett’s huff of exasperation from his side. They’ve been at this for nearly half an hour now, camped out in her dead cruiser in the middle of a New Jersey highway after being abducted by proverbial aliens, staring into the sky full of stars while they await Ryan and Esposito to come pick them up.

He never would have guessed Beckett to be such an astronomy nerd, to know the constellations like the back of her hand, to want to share them with him.

“Look,” she says, scooting in closer to him, her shoulder bumping his as she points her finger to the glass of the windshield, and he holds his breath to avoid inhaling the sweet scent of cherries. “See that ‘M’ shape?”

Castle sits forward, genuinely tries to follow the direction of her index finger towards the sky, to locate the constellation she speaks of, and - oh, oh he sees it.

“There?” He traces the ‘M’ with his finger along the glass and Kate nods, actual excitement radiating from her body, transferring like waves of pleasant energy into his.

“Yeah, and to the left is Cepheus,” she continues, curling her knees up onto the seat, just a breath away from folding atop his thigh. “You know the Greek mythology behind stars, don’t you, Castle?”

“Mm, no, actually,” he replies, sitting back, narrowly avoiding the spring beneath the leather that always pokes him in the ass, settled comfortably in the middle instead. Sharing space with Kate Beckett. “I always wanted to know more, but I just never got around to it.”

“You’re missing out,” Kate quips, her gaze still roaming the sky, the stars alight in her eyes, brighter there than they are up above in the blanket of inky darkness.

Mythology, tales of gods and monsters and unfathomable heroic feats, doesn’t seem like something she would be interested in, not when he knows her stance on magic and fate, but he doesn’t want to question her intrigue in the subject, doesn’t want to dissect and overanalyze it.

Doesn’t ever want that spark in her eyes, the rare look of celestial wonder, to disappear.

“Fill me in,” he suggests, casting his gaze to the sky once more, attempting to find the stories she speaks of in the slew of constellations they can hardly catch a glimpse of in the city without a telescope.

Beckett is silent for a long moment, but he waits, releases a shallow breath of surprise when she relaxes beside him, the caps of her knees brushing his outer thigh, their arms flirting as she gets comfortable. Prepared to tell him a story.

“Cassiopeia used to be a queen,” she begins and Rick rests his head back against the top of the seat, tries to stare at the sky instead of her. Despite how severely she rivals their heavenly view. “But her vanity had her exiled to the sky in punishment.”

-

Rick drifts in and out of sleep beside her, dozing through her soft spoken lecture in Greek mythology, but he blinks and straightens every so often, tries his best to stay awake. She doesn’t mind, though, caught up in the stories her dad used to tell her when they’d sit in front of her telescope throughout the nights when she was ten years old on her bedroom floor, sometimes in the city, usually at the cabin.

The myths never fazed her, but the older she grew, the more fascinating she found them. The idea of being turned into a star, sentenced to illuminating the night sky for centuries to come, trapped but burning so bright.

“Don’t stop talking,” Castle mumbles, his head a mere inch away from falling to her shoulder, and part of her craves the warmth of it, the way she had felt waking up with her head on his chest only an hour ago, that split second of fleeting but blissful unawareness before memories of a dark room and bright lights and bruised necks had rushed back in.

“Hmm?” she replies, realizing she has in fact gone quiet, lost to the train of her thoughts, her eyes drifting from the constellations overhead to skate along his face.

She still wonders what it would have been like in the summer, in the Hamptons, with him, if they could have been on the beach, under a sky glittering with stars like they are now. Wonders if she could have curled into his side, pointed out constellations to him until his fascination was fed and the trace of his fingers up and down her arm became too much, until she shifted to find the dark blues of his eyes gazing at her instead of the stars, claimed the crescent moon of his upturned mouth. Two stars colliding, exploding-

“Like listening to you talk, Beckett. Great storytelling voice,” he continues, snapping her out of the silly - and totally inappropriate, jeez, Kate - fantasy.

“Great for putting you to sleep,” she retorts, watching his eyes slit open, ascending to locate her angled above him.

“Getting kidnapped by the men in black took a lot out of me, not my fault your voice can soothe me to sleep,” he quips, the corner of his mouth curling with a grin. “But I can promise you, I caught almost the entirety of the story about Cassie up there.”

“Cassie?” she chuckles, following the nod of his head towards his recently learned constellation.

“I want to learn more. We should have weekly stargazing sessions,” he muses and she hates herself, her utterly stupid heart, for internally jumping at the idea. “I actually have access to the roof on my building, and Alexis’s telescope… it’d be fun.”

Kate chews on her bottom lip, glances to Castle’s and lifts her gaze to his eyes when she notices the subtle breath he sucks in, the ripple of his throat as he catches the slide of her gaze to his mouth.

“Unless, of course - I mean, I know Josh is-”

“Not in the picture,” she fills in quietly, watching the constellations in his eyes come together, forming galaxies that illuminate the shades of blue as he shifts beside her, straightens in his seat and angles his body towards her.

“Kate-”

“Kinda sounds like the setup for date,” she hums, bearing witness to the explosion of those stars in his widened eyes, the supernova of colors shining bright and sprinkling stardust throughout his features, and she’s tempted to taste it on his parted lips.

‘It - yeah, it could be,” he murmurs, echoing the rise and fall of his gaze to her mouth and back again. “After this case? If the aliens don’t take us?”

Kate rolls her eyes. “Chances of the date are starting to dwindle.”

“Oh, I am so not getting abducted if it means missing a date with you,” he states, startling when a flash of light beams through the car, but it’s coming from their side. Headlights from Ryan and Espo’s cruiser.

“We’re going to find a completely logical, earthbound solution to this case, Castle.”

“And then we’re going to have a date under the stars,” he sighs, ridiculously wistful, but he grins at her, bright and true and making her heart leap, and she shakes her head, but… it sounded nice, kind of perfect, and she can’t wait.

The boys are emerging from their vehicle and Kate moves to join them on the road, but Castle catches her hand before they can exit the car, his thumb landing on the inside of her wrist, caressing the line of her pulse and momentarily stealing her oxygen, causing her lungs to stutter and seize.

“Thanks for showing me the stars, Beckett.”

[annieandro]

Okay guys, we gotta rap some Fuzzy Friends You just do the singing, I'll take care of the hard part Let's get it on!

I want to be the best there ever was To beat all the rest, yeah, that's my cause,

Landa, Silkymon, Umberta, Wimble, Little Miss Pheobe, Buckthorn, Pomni, Cabby, Predator, Kayden, Tunya, Lola, Pouncer, Scooty, Urchcai,

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers!

I'll search across the land, look far and wide Release from my hand the power that's inside.

Twanger, Knock-Knock, Tyler, Angelina, Hydro, Flaremedic, Sunny, Frosty, Alexander, Magic, Caine, Mac, Zilla, Ulysses, Bootes, Ursa Minor,

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers! Andromeda, Leo Minor, Spirit Blackhole, Tetro, Onyx, Zikratena, Seabreeze, Sunset, Aquila, Speedy, Ursa Major, Sparky, Auriga, Bushfire, Cygnus, Chopekope,

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah)

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah)

Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers! (ow)

Blizzard, Cetus, Aquarius, Taurus, Pisces, Coma Borealis, Cane Venatici, Crux, Grave Digger, Capricorn, Libra, Corona Australis, Jumper, Giggle, Crossbone, Annieandro,

At least 150 or more to see To be a Fuzzy Friend Ranger is my destiny,

Leo, Gemini, Speckles, Eve, Victara, Lizzy, Prowler, Daffodil, Cepheus, Canis Major, Pandora, Emily La Gatita, Audrey, Centaurus, Cassiopeia,

"Whoo, we're at the halfway point, doing great so far!"

"We? What's all this 'we' stuff? I'm doing all the hard work!"

"Break time's over, here we go!"

Canis Major, Virgo, Lupus, Cancer, Canis Minor, Coffeebean, Yuki, Raspberry Buckwheat, Scorpio, Delphinus, Eden, Flutterbutter, Alpha, Grum, Nipsynewter, Teegan, Evie,

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah)

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yeah)

Inker, Katie, Ginny, Marquis, Cozy and Puddles, Bumper-oo, Night,

(Fuzzy Friend Tamers)

Crumbs, Monoceros, Ironbert, Lotta,Lepus, Nizzie, Little Miss Cassie, Jelly,

At least 150 or more to see To be a Fuzzy Friend Ranger is my destiny,

Lyra, Ophiuchus, Velpecula, Orion,Pepro, Pegasus, Perseus, Serpens,Stoolie Ann, Rinta, Bumbles, Xylo, Cyan, Guster, Cusco,

"Whoa, catch your breath man, shake out those lips!"

"It's downhill from here, just 24 more to go!"

"Now it gets tricky, so listen real good!"

Yale, Patches-Tutter, Niko, Jeyello, Maisy, Queenie, Rocky Road, Pancake, Nimble, Hercules, Iceburg, Blue Thunder, Jax, Peaky, Scotty, (we're almost home)

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (yow)

Gotta hunt 'em all, gotta hunt 'em all, (huh)

Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers! (yeah)

Pine, Hammy, Queen Quarantine, Nectar, Dandelion,Pinkpon, Scutum, Sirius, Mailman Pelswick, that's all, folks!

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta catch 'em all, Ooh, gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers,

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Ooh, gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers!

Hunt 'em, hunt 'em, gotta hunt 'em all, Gotta hunt 'em all, Fuzzy Friend Tamers!

[jamesdlcrane]

assorted PCs and NPCs