#My God I'm so sad for Ara

[uroborosymphony]

   Love of my Life,

   2024, February 14th. Unsent letter to Taiyang Tseng.

Obsession. I'm obsessed with you. With the sound of your voice in my ear, my name rolling on your tongue, your touch down my back and loins, I feel you, deep, carved under my skin. You are my sun. Through years of a past of misery, of struggle and pain, you are my light. And I remember these hopeless nights begging for Gods to see me and they did, they made us find each other.

But now, she wants you, too. She is the eye watching me from the inside, the voice that gets louder than yours in the night. The things she says to me are so unbearable to the human soul, I cannot allow myself to share them with you. I'm haunted, Taiyang. By this monster of another Me that has been birthed from the deaths of my pasts and untold secrets. She makes me lie to you, every time I lay down by your side, everytime I look at you in the eye, you, the man who I promised my life, my core, my thoughts and my hearts to, she tells me Not to say anything about what we did, she tells me you wouldn't understand, she tells me you will leave us.

I don't remember exactly what she did. What I did - what we did. I simply know we're responsible of it. My nightmares and many realities are blending, hallucinations of scenes and demonic theaters I cannot write myself out of anymore. I stand on this stage, alone and she, becomes my shadow at first, my puppeteer at last. We watched the building burst into flames as we were laughing Oh we were laughing in ways we never laughed before, her and I, in ways I could feel my inside shaping, morphing, turning into something I couldn't recognize anymore . And then I cried, I cried for not knowing where I was, how I ended up here, not knowing why my hands were covering in all this blood and gasoline. It used to be games, with you by my side, my hair in the wind as the car was running, setting us free in the heart of the city. I am a prisoner now, a prisoner of these voices inside my head who tells me it's my Duty to kill.

I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you. I adore you.

Sun to my Moon. Joker to my Quinn. Clyde to my Bonnie.

I would kill for you. I would let the blood pour and pour until there is nothing left but you and I. Will she take you away from me? Will she burn everything around me for me to end up as alone as we have always been?

My mother once told me, You are a malediction, Ara. Jung women do not deserve happiness, Jung women are toxic, Jung women are poison. I see it now, us, Jung women are meant to this suffering she saw her own mother perish of. The white of the walls is hard for me to stand whenever I go to see her. I cannot bear the eyes she lays on me : I am her, her from a past - she wishes she could beat me up until she breaks skin for not fixing her the way she wished I could, when she gave birth to me. I cannot bear the eyes I lay on her either, she is me, a future I cannot escape : damned, locked.

I am losing my mind. I know I am. And I will spiral and spiral indefinitely, I will let it happen, I will let it take me whole. I used not to be scared, with your arms around me, your soul within mine, I used to be fearless. Am I still? Knowing the clock is ticking, knowing the end is coming.

She must kill them all, my Love, else I will never be free.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Unsent letter to @velvetineblue. From Ara.

[ssa-atlas-alvez]

cowboy!reader likes pop music I've decided. he also drives a truck that looks like it's a fossil yet runs perfectly fine. he knows about horses and will try to talk about old wild west movies whenever. definitely loved woody from toy story as a kid. 1000% baby talks dogs. goes to pride parades in full colorful cowboy outfit. can do bird calls back. stress eats sunflower seeds instead of smoking. the list of ideas goes on really

- 🦦

More (Not) Allergies

Okay, so I've only focused on the pop music for this one. Also it directly follows from 'Alergies (Not Really)' (which wasn't titled earlier but it was the one with Mia in). But I do have them all noted down (I'm working on the sunflower seeds on at the moment).

EDIT: Sunflower seeds one is now done and available here

Warnings: minor sad reader

Word count: 621

PART ONE

Taglist: @xweirdo101x @xdark-acadamiax @ara-a-bird @heidss @chubbyboyinflannel @pendragon-writes @migwayne @bigolgay @technikerin23

"Hey, where's your cattleman?" Spencer asked as you sat down in your usual seat. 

"I er, I need to find a new one."

"Did you lose it? We've probably got time to find it before we take off-" Spencer said, already starting to stand up.

"Nah, I didn't lose it. I gave it to Mia," You said. "I'll go lookin' for a new one tomorrow,"

"Isn't that your favourite one?" JJ asked, turning to you.

"Yes ma'am," You answered, 

“Wait, is this the one you wouldn’t let any of us try on?” Derek asked, looking up from his ipod.

“That would be the one,” You said with a small nod.

“Oh man, you must be getting withdrawal,”

“A little,” You joked. "She's a special kid. Plus, I think she might’ve tried to steal it off me anyway. Y’know she called me old? Three times? Imma spring chicken,"

"I don't know about that," Emily teased, "You're nearly thirty,"

"'Scuse me ma'am, Imma spring chicken."

When the conversation dialled down, you sighed slightly, sliding your hands into your pocket out of boredom. You furrowed your eyebrows when your fingers brushed against a small chain. You gently removed it from your pocket.

"Where'd you get that chain?" You asked, seeing Mia fiddle with it, running her fingers along the links. 

She shrugged, "I found it on the floor a few years ago," 

"'s pretty," You commented, she looked at you in disbelief. "What?"

"I wore it once, it turned my skin green," 

"Maybe you're just a zombie." You said with a shrug

"Rich coming from you old man."

"Hey, you okay?" You look up at JJ in confusion and she motioned to your eyes, red and brimmed with tears.

"Oh, yeah," You clear your throat wiping your eyes slightly, "Allergies."

She has a knowing look on her face, but goes along with it. "Allergies are the worst,"

"Tell me about it." You muttered. 

"But," She whispered, despite the team chatting amongst themselves, "If you are… upset or concerned about anything, I'm always here if you want to talk about it." 

You pause for a moment, brushing your thumb against the chain as you frowned. "I-" You paused, "I dunno," You stuff the chain into your pocket as you looked at JJ, giving her a small smile. "'M fine," You gave her a nod, "Just missing ma cattleman, is all," 

"Uh-huh," JJ said with a raised eyebrow before she gave you a small smile, dropping the subject (not wanting to push you). "Alright, well, I believe we are all going for drinks, you should join us."

You look unsure for a moment before nodding, "A'right," You said, "Just don't tell my Mama I'm getting drunk,"

“Ooo cowboy’s finally gonna get drunk?” Derek asked with a grin, “How about you sing some good ol’ country music for us?”

“It’s gonna take a lotta shots to get to that point,” 

“Well, we have tomorrow off,” Rossi smirked. 

God damnit. 

“Y’all do know I don’t just listen to country, right?”

“Yeah, okay,” Emily grinned, “What else do you listen to?”

“I started listenin’ to er, what’s her name?... Arianna Grande, she’s a’right,” You said with a nod, furrowing your eyebrows as the team all let out a laugh (minus Spencer, who was just a bit confused). “What?”

“You listen to Arianna Grande?”

“She’s good!” You argue, “N’ she hits the whistle tones well. I listen to Dua Lipa ‘n’ Selena Gomez sometimes too,”

“Oh my god…”

“What?”

“You have the music taste of a teenage girl!” Derek snorted loudly.

“JJ, defend me here,” You said, turning to JJ.

“Sorry cowboy,” She teased, “They’re right…” You groaned, letting your head fall to the back of your seat. 

“God damnit.”

[reitheist]

bucchigiri ep 8 thoughts (a.k.a. the drama-loving bitch inside me finally gets fed):

marito <- mahoro (can't take a hint) <- arajin (even worse at taking a hint) <- matakara (the worst at taking a hint)

ope well ara is back to being a dick to matakara

okay he's being a liiiiiiittle nice

matakara asking all the people in his life to attend is very sweet

i wonder if he asked ara to host because that's the only way he'd get ara to attend? hmm

kenichiro's little smile 😭

not senya proposing lmao

eh shindo seems a little too sincere. trying to trick matakara? is ichiya making him get close so he can merge with matakara?

oh yeah definitely lol

i need this show to give me more than a static shot of ichiya cause his outfit slays

the animation on the gyoza-making is beautiful

also really nice to see something that arajin is good at that isn't given to him by magic. also nice to see him in a moment where he isn't the butt of the joke about how sad and horny he is

the colors got all desaturated... i'm a bit scared for what is going to go wrong with this party

does kenichiro own any other coat

did he die??? get jumped????

zabu and komao are real ones

hell yeah zabu go off

eat your goddamn guilt gyoza arajin

is ichiya gonna get him when he's weak hearted, like as implied in the first scene?

matakara even during a crisis you are still so gay. arajin is literally just a guy you need to prioritize yourself sweetie

i want matakara to go absolutely apeshit he deserves it

matakara your childhood friend who weighs 100 lbs soaking wet showed up one day with the power of a god and you never considered maybe he might be getting a little outside help

so is a big theme of this show about the dangers of idolization maybe? matakara believes in arajin to an unhealthy extent which only hurts him when he finds out he's nothing like how he imagines. ara is constantly hurt by mahoro failing to be the moe-blob gf of his dreams. mahoro is hurt when her brother doesn't return her affection. we're dealing with a lot of one-sided relationships here

i'm glad ara is finally being genuine and telling the truth

also maybe dealing with how idolization hurts the ones we idolize?

matakara :(

damn matakara is getting possessed by senya's evil gay ex. brainwashed by the homosexual agenda.

ICHIYA IS STUNNING oml

that was a really great episode! i wish we had gotten to this point earlier in the season though. i hope we keep up this more serious tone until the end. it's nice to finally get some real emotional catharsis. probably my fav episode of the season so far. i'm very excited to learn about senya and ichiya's falling out.

[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: The girls are (kinda not) fighting!! -Danny Words: 2,174 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Nothing/Sad N Stuff' -by Lizzie McAlpine

LXII: I'm Being So Normal About This

Ara's so used to not being noticed unless she wants to, that it catches her off guard when people move out of her way mumbling apologies without her having to utter a word. 

"This is my boy, Chuck!" Hedge's voice catches her attention and Ara makes her way to look at the tiny newborn the satyr is holding. 

Clarisse notices Ara the moment she's close enough and lets out a chortle, pulling her into a rough hug. "Everyone, look how tall Birdy has gotten!"

Ara blushes like crazy. Hedge places his son in her arms, she's never held anything this fragile. "He's... cute," Ara chokes, giving him a fleeting but genuine smile.

"Strategus, glad to see you're awake," Chiron appears, handing her a goblet. "Just in time for our toast." Ara stands in front of the crowd, Nico comes out of nowhere and places her gold laurel wreath on her head with a mocking smile. "Out of every tragedy," Chiron begins, "comes new strength. Today, we thank the gods for this victory. To the gods!" 

The crowd echoes that with little feeling. 

"And to new friends!"

"TO NEW FRIENDS!"

Her mentor gestures at Ara and she moves onward, carrying the confidence she gained while proving her worth in all the ways imaginable. Everyone cheers and hollers her name like viewers in a coliseum, and she would know, she fought in the best one. 

It doesn't do anything to fill the void in her chest.

Ara smiles at the demigods before her. "Thank you for fighting for what you love. Without you, I wouldn't've been able to protect this place," she raises her goblet. "What I told you last year, I repeat to our Roman family: I will be here for you, always. The future's brighter than it's ever been."

Everyone drinks to that, and Ara gulps down the content in her goblet hoping it'll take away the bittersweet taste on her tongue.

"Tomorrow, we Romans must return home. We appreciate your hospitality, especially since we almost killed you—"

"You almost got killed," Annabeth corrects playfully.

"Whatever, Chase."

The campers nudge each other and joke around. Ara is standing next to Nico, watching the scene unfold with a vague grin.

"Anyway," Frank adds. "Reyna and I agree this marks a new era of friendship between the camps."

"That's right. For hundreds of years, the gods tried to separate us to keep us from fighting. But there's a better kind of peace—cooperation."

"Are you sure your mom is a war goddess?" Piper calls from the audience.

"Yes, McLean. I still intend to fight a lot of battles. But from now on we fight together!"

Everyone cheers so loud Frank has to shut them up. "You'll all be welcome at Camp Jupiter. We've come to an agreement with Chiron and Ara: a free exchange between the camps—weekend visits, training programmes and, of course, emergency aid in times of need—"

"And parties?"

"Hear, hear!" Connor says happily. Ara notices he's got an arm around Lily's shoulders and Lily is terribly stiff but blushing and smiling. Both of them are glowing silver.

"That goes without saying. We Romans invented parties." Reyna jokes.

"Oh my gods." Ara grasps Nico's arm and whispers excitedly. "Oh my gods! Lily and Connor—"

Nico smirks. "Happened right after the battle. Lily pushed her way through looking like she was about to stab Connor, and before he even knew what was happening, Lily kissed him. It still kind of looked like she was hoping to kill him that way."

"Please, tell me I didn't—"

"The lake still awaits," Nico replies with dark joy. "I wanted to wait until you were conscious."

"Leo's right," Ara looks at him with gratitude. "You are one of my best friends."

Before Nico can react to that, Reyna pulls him forward, taking Ara and the boy by surprise. 

"We had one home," she smiles. "Now we have two."

Reyna hugs him so tightly that Ara covers her mouth waiting for an explosion... but nothing happens. 

She celebrates with the rest, then pouts. "Man, when do I get a hug?" 

Everyone gets up to leave but she whistles again, catching their attention. The girl grins wickedly. "I'd like you to take part in a tradition we Greeks love..." she stands before Lily and Connor. "And it only happens when two campers get together after years of driving their General nuts."

Lily's face gets redder and Connor's matches it with little effort. "I'm gonna kill you," the black-haired girl whispers lividly.

"I know." Ara looks at Annabeth with a huge smile on her face. "Let's take these lovebirds for a swim!"

Half of the crowd knows what's happening and the other is there to have fun. They follow Ara and her friends to the lake and watch Lily and Connor get tossed into the water unceremoniously. Ara claps loudly and then ushers the onlookers away. 

"Good job, everyone! Now go to bed! Malcolm—! Oh, thanks man," she grabs the towels he's brought for the couple.

Lily, Nico, and Connor are the only ones left. The short girl snatches her towel angrily and Connor quietly dries himself, but he's doing a terrible job of hiding how pleased he feels about all this.

"Boys, can you give us a minute?" Ara asks politely.

They hesitate. Nico frowns. "Are you gonna fight?"

"No," Ara rolls her eyes. "I just need to have a talk with my best friend... if that's okay with her?"

Lily nods curtly. Connor hangs his towel over one shoulder and takes Lily's, then pauses, unsure of how to make his exit. Ara smirks, ready to tease him endlessly.

"Oh, you want to kiss her goodnight? Just pretend like we're not here," she covers her eyes and sings loudly, turning her back on them for good measure and pulling Nico in the same direction. 

Ten seconds later, someone punches her really hard and Ara hisses, clutching her arm. "Dude! I got taller but your punches didn't stop being deadly..."

"You were so vain already, but now you've got longer legs and toned muscles? Ugh, you need to be sedated," Lily complains, crossing her arms grumpily.

Ara chuckles and stands upright, placing her hands on her hips and taking a good look at Lily—making a show of how she has to look down to see her properly. "You know, it feels like I haven't seen you in ages."

"I feel the same way."

Ara nods, a knowing smile on her face. "You have my figurine."

Lily's hand jumps to her right pocket. "How did you..."

"I saw it. You were talking to Connor on the hill," Ara points over her shoulder. "We should talk."

"Ara—"

She lifts a hand to silence her. "I'll explain. Come on."

The girls walk back to the Big House, then Ara goes to her room and searches through her closet, carefully pulling out something from the back and holding it with so much reverence it makes it seem like it will fall apart if handled otherwise.

"You recognize this?"

Lily glances between the hoodie and Ara's face speechless. "That's... how?"

"I've had it since my fourteenth birthday," Ara smiles wistfully. "Mike lent it to me and then I never gave it back..." she sighs shortly, shaking her head. "I kissed him that night."

"You what?" Lily squeaks.

"I'll explain on the way."

Most campers are calling it a day by now, but it's still not curfew, so Lily and Ara walk around without being threatened to get eaten by the harpies. Pollo approaches, strolling behind them lazily while Ara tells Lily the whole story.

"But... that means he didn't turn you down?"

"That's beside the point." They reach the campfire, always burning. "I ran away from him. It was never the same."

Ara looks at the hoodie and then passes it to Lily. Her friend stares at it and connects the dots. "It wasn't you trying to move on, it was the opposite... you couldn't deal with your unfinished business."

Ara nods in a composed manner. "When love is ignored, it rots. My feelings for Mike put me off balance for an entire year—he haunted me, and I stomped on every milestone Leo and I had because I couldn't let myself be happy knowing I'd robbed Michael of it."

"And now Leo is gone," Lily mumbles deep in thought, caressing the hoodie. "And we're back to square one."

"No, it's different." Ara presses her palm on the fabric. "I've made my peace."

"And what are we doing now?" Lily asks, knowing her friend isn't done.

"Mike's funeral rites." Pollo bumps into her and she reaches up to scratch him. "We burned a shroud for his cabin... but this is for us." Lily squeezes her hand, shaking a bit while she waits. "Michael did so much for me, and when I say a part of my heart belongs to him, I don't even say it romantically—He gave away his life for us willingly, and I didn't know how to handle it..."

Lily hugs Michael's hoodie and nods, hastily drying a tear. "He was my brother when I had no one. He never asked me to be who I wasn't and only pressured me when he knew I could be a thousand times better. People like him come... just twice in a lifetime." Lily looks at her with an intent gaze. 

The girls hold up the hoodie, lock eyes, and prepare. "What now?" Ara asks hoarsely. "Goodbye is too final and also too late, sorry is inadequate, and thank you is overdone..."

Lily tries to find the words. "My nonna used to say life lasted enough for each human to understand its value, that's why no one lives the same. I think he learned everything he had to and there was nothing left for him once that was done... Michael, I'll never forget our time together, your spirit will always tie our family."

"Mike," Ara speaks tearily, a mixture of longing and bitter peace stirring in her heart. "I'll always wonder... maybe one day I'll get to ask questions."

The girls move slowly, risking getting burned, and they place the hoodie in the fire. Ara hugs Lily sideways, leaning her head on top of the girl's. Pollo leans closer too, and the girls stroke his mane.

"Things are about to change again," Ara warns quietly.

"Nothing ever happens the same way twice," Lily responds wisely. "That's how we know we're growing."

Ara hums, leaning into her friend's hair. "You don't have to move on and leave Michael behind if you don't want to. The whole trip I yapped about him to everyone, even Leo... it is easier said than done."

Lily lets out a short teary chuckle. "Perhaps I should try to move on, Queen B... It's been a year. But I can't promise anything."

"It has been a year," Ara nods emphatically, rubbing the back of her neck. "Too many things happened. I'm not the Ara that lost her Michael... But I am the one that lost Leo," she takes a shaky breath. "My soulmate."

Lily wraps her arms around her waist loosely. "I gave him such a hard time... I knew he was harmless, I just didn't like him because he was making you laugh more than Mike and I ever did."

"Don't feel bad," Ara dries her tears. "He hated you just as much."

"Why are we involving Nico in this?"

"Because—!" The door opens abruptly and Nico faces them, looking sleep-deprived and grumpy. 

"Do you two ever stop being annoying?"

"You okay?" Jason eyes him with concern. "You look—"

"Fine," Nico snaps at him. Then he speaks in a controlled tone. "If you're looking for Hazel, she's still asleep."

Jason shakes his head. "We're looking for you. Ara called for a meeting, she has something important to share with us..."

Ara nods, looking over her shoulder. "And I need the Romans to hear it, so if we could just hurry..."

"It was strange to see them here, Camp Jupiter," Jason says with a little smile, his mind somewhere else. "Now it'll be strange not seeing them."

"Do you regret not going with them?" Nico asks.

"A little," he pushes his glasses up, Ara still doesn't get used to how he looks. "But I'll be going back and forth between the camps a lot. I have some shrines to build."

Nico frowns. "I heard the Senate plans to elect you Pontifex Maximus—that's what this is about?"

"I don't care about the title so much," Jason replies humbly. "I do care about making sure the gods are remembered. I don't want them fighting out of jealousy any more, or taking out their frustrations on demigods."

"They're gods," Nico raises a brow. "That's their nature."

"That's what I told him," Ara mumbles.

"I can try to make it better," Jason gives them a look. "I guess Leo would say I'm acting like a mechanic, doing preventative maintenance."

The mention triggers Ara into rambling. "So you'll definitely agree with what I have to say at today's meeting! I'm telling you—"

"Ara!" Will calls over. 

Nico's soul light flashes so fast, that she doesn't get to see its color, but the girl is certain that's what she saw. 

"The group leaves in thirty minutes!"

"Going!" Ara turns to the boys. "Please be on my side?"

Jason and Nico share a look. "Why us?"

Ara turns around pouting, making her way to the Big House with both boys following her tail. "Everyone else will claim I'm biased."

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled @thepixiechicksh @ebony-reine-vibes

[ssreeder]

I will admit... Seeing your stark defense of Jet has mellowed me out. I still want him to be knocked down his high horse, and i saw the spoilers that the fuck may or may notndie and the arm thing, but... Fair enough, the shit head does have a conscience. Miniscule and close to non existent, but it is there

Honestly i wouldn't mind the asshole to stay if he has a breakdown or two about being the salt of the earth or whatever the saying goes. Like i want to see him like ara yknow? Borderline driven crazy from guilt, and then pulled back from the abyss. I'm fine with that as revenge for snitching and being the sooe responsible for announcing zuko is alive to like half the earth kingdom officials

Anyways guess who is about to SCREAM bc my boy Zuko does not deserve all of this. I'm at the part Ho Lon cleaned zuko up and yknow what? That's another one i want thrown off his high horse. "Ooh the earth kingdom aren't evil, ooh we wouldn't do that" bitch you're in a war and ppl are shit, shut up, quon is fucking evil. And How? I'm terrified about what that one might do

Chang. Lyn. My amazing people that better survive or I'm hunting authors for sport (with all my love of course bc i do adore your writing), and TALKING ABOUT HUNTING. AZULA. AZULA IS HERE. I SWEAR TO ALL THAT'S SACRED. Of all the things to stick to canon with, if zuko goes to the fire nation with azula and all that shit I'm burning something. Like a building. You'll be responsible for that (again, just for clarity's sake, I'm joking). I can not. I repeat. Can NOT deal with something like that. I refuse to. I think my heart would refuse to. I'd go into cardiac arrest if that happened. Can you oive with that? No you can't, so you won't be evil and cruel. Right?

Iroh... Oh, when he sees zuko. Like i know, i just KNOW at some point iroh will see zuko's scars and Know and god that will be amazing. Will jet see zuko's scars? Bc i think that's the thing that would push him over the edge, to see the pain, maybe learn that sokka himself added to the collection... Ok i don't think that's even a conversation sokka would have with jet i can admit i just want to see the pain and shock of ppl if they knew this boy that's so fiercely loyal to zuko is one of the people that scarred him, and then see sokka's reaction to that reminded bc that's GOOD right there. Prime hurt material without breaking zuko again

-Fragile heart anon, lmao

I'm sorry this got so long, I'm just trying to gather most of my thoughts so i don't keep spamming you with asks, i know it can get overwhelming. I hope you're having a great time and once again thank you so so much for writing this amazing (painful) story

yeahhhh…. Jet eaten alive by guilt is very unlikely. Jet slowly having a shift in the way he sees the world and learning about the gray of war and how it affects both sides…. Perhaps? Idk he’s a tough nut to crack. (& trust me I CRACKED him)

Omg I’m so excited you’re scared about General How because LET ME TELL YOU - He is fucking splendid. Damn good man, 10/10 would recommend:) haha.

Dudeeeeee if Zuko goes with azula to the FN THAT WOULD BE SO FUCKING FUNNY HAHAHAHA… that is some shit right there haha… that wouldn’t happen…. Right? No…. Right?…

(I think you’re giving Jet too much credit because idk if he would care about zukos scars unfortunately my baby hates the fire nation and it’s not the same effect as seeing the ones on Sokka…. Damn it Jet be nicer or don’t I just enjoy his problematic personality so much)

I love your asks FHA & im sad your caught up because that means I won’t get anymore unless…. UNLESS???? jk idk where I’m going with that I’m tired.

[feeblescholarmyass]

WHAT IS THE MOST KNOWN MYTH

I'm gonna kiss you hard on the mouth thank you for the ask

OKAY most known myth in Felidæ (country that the first two books focuses on) would probably be the story of the first Enchantress- at least the watered down version taught to children to encourage them to worship the Enchantress and monarchy as one. In Araness (location of the 3rd book and country where Alex's mother is from and where their sister lived prior to the events of book 1) it would be the story of Melusine, the water goddess they worship with the highest divinity besides the Creator.

The myth of the Enchantress (watered down version) goes as such: when the wasteland of eastern Felidæ first began to deteriorate into what it was, small villages that used to farm the land were the first to succumb to famine and disease. As the Disease spread across the land, the people of Felidæ began to panic. They searched for any way to cut themselves off from the "infected" land, but nothing could stop it from spreading. After a couple years of this, a young girl of the age of 13 came to visit. She was a scholar from Araness, who had spent her childhood learning to harness magic. Her magic was wild and unruly, much like the power of the goddess Melusine. She had come to Felidæ in hopes to find something to help her harness it. While she was traveling by caravan to the furthest surviving eastern city, Tabithia, she was thrown into the wilderness by a storm caused by the ever-expanding disease, along with the other cargo it had been pulling. Hidden in that cargo had been a kitten, shivering and crying for help. She felt sympathy for the kitten and carried it with her as she followed the road to Tabithia on foot. Just as she reached the outskirts of the city, the storm started to get worse. Sand and flames and pathogens swirled in the air, raging towards the helpless city. The kitten was torn from the girl into the storm and she ran after it. She instinctively used her magic to protect the cat, and the sheer force of the spell she used seeped into the very spirit of the land, quieting the anger of the spirits who had caused the Disease and all that came with it. The citizens of Tabithia had seen what happened and brought the girl and her kitten to the King, saying she needed to be recognized for her heroic deeds. The King agreed and offered her a position as his advisor, thus creating the position of Enchantress. Ever since the Enchantress has been the main advisor to the crown in honor of the girl who saved Felidæ from destruction.

The story of Melusine is my favorite. When the world was first created, the Creator had meant for it to be a haven of her own, away from the chaos of her family of Gods. She'd made it the perfect paradise for herself, with huge open space and no one she had to share it with. However, she soon find herself becoming lonely. She had trapped herself in a prison without the ones she loved, somewhere nothing could ever reach her. She shed a tear, and when that tear hit the earth of the planet, the first ocean was created. Water rushed around the earth, and infused with the essence of the Creator, life sprang in its wake. Beautiful, luscious plants grew where water touched the earth, and animals formed of the salt in the water. The final thing water created as it rushed around the rocky planet was a waterfall. The water rushed into a pool, crystal clear and reflective. In that reflection a Goddess was born. The first Goddess and daughter of the Creator, the water spirit, Melusine. Melusine, being born of sadness, was a lonesome and depressed spirit. Even though all creatures were made of her waters, they all returned to such when they died. This saddened the Goddess. So she roams the earth, sobbing at the thought that even though she was the harbinger of the beginning of all life, she was doomed to be their end as well.

[butchdykekondraki]

I can't be too sad because of two reasons:

1. I love you so, so much. Just wanna bite you. I'm at least looking forward to just getting presents.

2. Scott is in co with me and prin keeps shouting about Christmas. Prin had a similar holiday in prins timeline called Aras Dú or "Deer Night"? Instead of Santa, it was the deer/stag god from that source.

– Quackity 🎲

I LOVE YOU TOO MY DARLING <33333 im glad ur at least happy about presents!!!! i hope prin will have a nice aras dú!! :)

[gezelligheiid2]

@descendantsoffinwe​​ asked: “ i heard you crying through the door. everything okay ? ” //Ara to his precious nephew ; u ;

     Memories came in flashes, in pieces that never fit together, though felt too real to be imagination. It was fires, blood, and pain: something that crawled under the skin that was too vivid to be false but too dark to belong. What would a child know of that kind of pain?       Soft whimpers and hiccups, muffled slightly by the blankets, were the only sound in the room. Even as the door opened, squeaking slightly, the elfling didn’t peer out from under his shelter until he heard the man’s voice. The covers seemed to shiver before Nelya fumbled to find a way out and quickly found himself dropped to the floor, though he was confused by it far more than hurt. It was only a moment for him to gather himself enough to stumble to his feet and run to his uncle, the snuffling cries beginning anew as he hugged Ara’s legs and nestled against him.      Little quivers and shakes, the elfling rubbing his eyes to try and hide his tears as if Ara hadn’t already seen them. Something inside said to hide it; but he didn’t know how. 

     ❝ N-n-nightmare- ❞

     He let out a soft whimper, reaching up slightly with his left hand to grab at his uncle,

     ❝ Hand h-hurts... ❞

[i-growl-growl-growl]

what are the admin's favourite kpop (or non-kpop) songs atm :-)

It may not seem like I limited myself but I REALLY DID!

There are MANY more songs that I enjoy listening to at the moment. I'm THAT MUCH of a music fan.

~Savie

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regular/Foreign (not kpop)

Salam, Let Go, Lamaallem- Saad Lamjarred

Animal, Hysteria, Let's get rocketed, you're so beautiful- Def Leppard

Don't know what you got till it's gone, Shake me, Night Songs, Nobodies Fool- CInderella

Infinity- jaymes Young

Bed are burning- Midnight Oil

Left hand free- Alt-J

Women, Boss bitch- Doja Cat

New divide, Faint, Burn it down, In the end, Crawling, - linkin park

Dancing with a stranger- Sam smith

Uprising, Supermassive blackhole, madness- Muse

South texas deathride- The union underground

Killer- Eminem

heat waves- Glass Animals

Miss you, Hot demon bitches near you, E-girls are ruining my life- Corpse

Dragula- Rob zombie

WAP- Cardi B

Body- megan the stallion

That's what I want, Montero, Sun goes down, Industry baby- Lil nas X

Burn- 2wei

automatic- Brothers conti

Demeanor- Pop smoke

headbang gang- Trampa

Lady marmalade- Christina aguilera

Family Affair- Mary J. blige

Earth song, Thriller, Will you be there- Michael jackson

My type, Tap in- Saweetie

Blackout- Breathe carolina

One of the living- TIna Turner

Drops of jupiter- Train

Applause, Judas, Born this way- Lady gaga

Fast- Sueco

Fed up- Ghostmane

Radioactive- Imagine Dragons

Him & I, Say less, Forbes, I mean it, No limit- G-Eazy

Rebellious, Rainy day- Ling Chao

On call, Excited, Skin to Skin, Catch me when I fall- Luhan

Again, Fly Away- Lenny Kravitz

Sadness, Gravity of Love, Seven lives, Return to innocence- Enigma

Original me- Yungblud

Hold me now- THompson twins

paradise City, November rain, Welcome to the jungle- GUns N Roses

Blue- The birthday massacre

Incubus- Munro

Prayer- Disturbed

Stick to your guns- Sick puppies

man I feel like a woman- Shania Twain

Cowboy casanova- carrie Underwood

Little Lies- Fleetwood Mac

Blinding lights, Starboy- The weeknd

better- Khalid

Cave me in- Gallant

Everything to me- great good fime ok

Up&up, clocks, Paradise- Coldplay

feel invincible- Skillet

Arbor, Chroma- Zmolian

bailamos, Tonight, I like it, Hero- Enrique Iglesias

KPOP/Korean

Teasure, Hala Hala, Pirate King, Say my name, Wonderland, Aurora, Twilight, etc. etc etc etc--- ATEEZ

Victory song, Side Effects, Gods menu, Double knot, Miroh- Stray Kids

Highway to heaven, kick it, Turn back time, Take off, Cherry Bomb, The 7th sense, Whiplash, boos, Go, We young, Paradise, Touch, my page, We go up, etc etc etc--- NCT/Dream/Wayv

Dream in a dream, New heroes- Ten

Look at me now, What U, Don't tease me- Speed

HookGA- High 420

OMGT, Yolo- Madtown

Cider, Sse sse sse, Anck su namum- Yezi

Eoeo- Uniq

Take a shot, Hotshot- Hotshot

Bounce, Witch- Boyfriend

Superfly- 24K

Good luck- Beast

Black or white- Cross Gene

Minimanimo, miss you- Tiny-G

Good bye bye, Face, Action- Nu-est

Love me love me, Really really- Winner

Breathe- ZE:A

Wake me up, Hands up, Warrior, Power, badman, 1004- B.a.p

pretty pretty, Galaxy- ladies' code

Red light, Dracula, Electric shock, milk, butterfly, paper heart- F(x)

Can't help myself- Eric Nam

Catallena- Orange caramel

Very good, Nalina- Block B

Zero for conduct- Bastarz

Noir-Sunmi

Gotta gp- Chungha

I am the best- 2ne1

Voodoo doll, On and on- Vixx

A, Aorund the world, Girls girls girls- Got7

number nine- T-ara

Trouble maker- Trouble Maker

Maria- Hwasa

Goblin, Savage,

Criminal, Want, Move, Danger- Taemin

Replay- Shinee

Don't recall- kard

Sleep, Color blind- Maddox

OK, A lie- B1a4

Rocking, Supa Luv- Teen top

Now or never, fanfare, Roar, K.O- SF9

OMG_ Double K

More- K/da

Me like yuh, All I wanna do, Mommae- J park

Cold blooded, Gucci- Jessi

Libido- Onlyoneof

Run devil run, Mr mr, Gee- Girl's generation

Hello bitches- CL

Different- Woodz

Evanesce- Super Junior

Rewind- Zhoumi

Up&down- Exid

The chaser, Bad- Infinite

crazy- 4minute

Roll deep- Hyuna

I- Taeyeon

Tresspass, hero, Who do you love- Monsta X

Doom dada- TOP

Holup!- Bobby

Cure- Taeyong

Swagger time- Map6

This and that- 5dolls

Chewy- D.Holic

She's mine- VAV

Hello- B.I.G

Starry night- mamamoo

Crown, Eternally- txt

palace- D-crunch

Electricity- 2pm

Eat you up- Boa

Stress come on!- Big Byung

[purposelynana]

What Did I Watch: #9

For celebration because I reach another milestone today, episode 9 wuhuuuuu, I present all of you, my loyal readers, the perfect song suits for this occasion...

I think we all have the same hope that maybe one day, our queens could get back on the bigger stage and performing their hit singles.

Back to business.

There's just so many stuff that I actually finished or dropped. The dropped ones are quite plenty. I dropped Falling Into Your Smile just because so many discourse happening around me regarding the plagiarism and so-called not paying respectfully towards the whole profession of e-sports. Well the only game that I played religiously is Candy Crush so I can't speak about it. But yeah the whole conversation about the drama could be make into a new freaking drama. So in that sense, I don't think I can't watch this with the least objectivity. I mean reviewing itself could not guarantee my objectivity. I have my biases and well, romance is not one of them. I prefer a drama when romance isn't the main vocal point. I wish this drama is more about the journey of Tong Yao becoming the first female professional player rather than her romantic relationship.

This felt like all the story involving women has got to be about her romantic endeavours. Come on, it's 2021. Women have so many potential other than finding love per se. I'm still waiting for the day when women finally be able shine through its story when love is not the only thing they fit in.

Second stuff that I dropped is a little drama called Mysterious Love. It was mediocre at its best. Many of its clips spread around my Explore Instagram page, so out of curiosity I checked it. Turns out yah curiosity kills a cat. I mean it wasn't that bad but again it's 2021 and I'm just so sick when people kept telling story which probably makes sense in the year of 2010. There's a reason why a drama should stay in dungeon, by the way.

The acting is rather stiff. The story is like I said earlier, maybe it was good when I watched it 10 years ago, when the only purpose of my life just to get back on my ex. It was so cringey to the point I skipped the whole thing. It could be better if the male lead just straight up grey. But then it's China, you just can't make your main character a bad guy. It's frustrating. Truly.

Then the stuff that I actually finished and it's none other than Cherry Maho aka Cherry Magic aka 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii. Such a long ass title. Oh my god. I don't know what to say other than oh my god. Probably the best drama that I watched of all time. Like legit. Can't get any better. I don't want to fix anything. It was already perfect. It was funny, romantic, and very very wholesome. It just like drinking hot chocolate in the middle of winter with your favorite person. It gave you a new perspective about love. It gave a new understanding about yourself. It's okay to live for the sake of living, take your time, and perhaps you find your goal along the road. In the end there will be someone who treasures you, even though you belittle yourself.

So, where's my Kurosawa hah?

Kurosawa wouldn't be happening in real life. That's the sad reality.

I'm currently watching Be Loved in House: I Do and it's painful. Because it only has 25 minutes per episode and aired on Thursday. That's it. Kind of reminds me when I struggle to be patient during the airing of WandaVision. Gah.

And The Day of Becoming You. It was your average romcom. I do watch it for the sake of Zhang Xincheng. He's our Fei Du. That fact itself kinda makes me looked at him in endearment. Give me Modu now dumbass.

yang dipake tetep fei du versi kartun, jadi kapan bos moduzhe sama the abyss?

[itspeachxx]

My fault

Genre: Angst + fluff

Pairings: Doyoung x Reader

Word count: 951

Summary: After a heavy argument you two find each other under the raining night sky.

Recently you haven't seen your boyfriend Doyoung that much, despite you two living under the same roof you just haven't seen him these days. He comes home when you sleep and leave before you wake up. In the beginning, you shrugged it off thinking he was just busy with promotions with the 127 unit. But after dating rumours of Doyoung and a SMent trainee surfaced on various websites you only grew more anxious.

You have always been a bit insecure about parts of yourself. You did date an idol after all and sometimes you felt like Doyoung was too good to date a nobody like yourself. You couldn't blame yourself either. You were just a college student and your boyfriend was Mr worldwide, going on tour with his groupmates and have millions of fans all around the world, of course, you would be insecure.

The rumours grew day by day. You tried your hardest to ignore the articles going as far as turning off your phone. But everything broke down when your close friend Ara showed you a recent article about Doyoung and the trainee being on a date. You didn't believe her until you scrolled down the article to find pictures as proof.

After multiple days of ignoring everything, you decided to talk about this whole problem.

It was a Friday night and you sat alone in the living room, wrapped around a blanket staring out of the window. It was raining heavily and Doyoung still hasn't returned home. You glanced at the clock, 23.30.

20 minutes pass and you hear the front door open. There comes Doyoung looking tired and worn out. He hangs his jacket on the coathanger before he spots you sitting on the sofa.

"Hi, love" he mumbles tiredly.

"Doyoung, we need to talk"

You stand up and walk towards him. He's still standing in the doorway, looking at you.

"Who's the girl you keep hanging out with" he scoffed in disbelief, looking away.

"Not you too. Can't I even be with the opposite gender without anyone attacking me?" he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I want you to answer me, Doyoung" you mirrored his actions.

He didn't say anything, but instead just looked at you. His face held all kinds of emotions. Angry, sad and hurt?

"Can't you see this from my perspective? Imagine me telling- no texting you that I'm at work, but when you turn on your phone all you see is me being in a dating scandal. You tell yourself that I won't ever do that because imagining being cheated on is the most horrible feeling. But when your friend shows you pictures of me and someone else on a date? That's when it all comes crashing down" you tried to stay strong, you did. But how could you not cry? It has been almost a month of these rumours. A month of you convincing yourself everything was fine. You did that, not your boyfriend and when he stands in front of you not reassuring you that nothing is going on, how could you be fine?

"You know what? I'm tired. I'm tired of not getting an explanation, I'm tired of you not reassuring me that everything is fine and I'm tired of you not understanding me. Did you really think a relationship was a one-way thing? That I had to trust you with everything while you go out doing God knows what" you scoffed, feeling pathetic.

Not wanting to be in the same room as him anymore, you wore your shoes walking past Doyoung who stood like a statue in the doorway.

It was still pouring down and it was only when you stood outside unprotected from the rain you understood what you just have done. You had nowhere to go and deep inside you had hoped that Doyoung would have walked after you.

"Wait!" you turned back facing Doyoung.

You did feel happy inside. He did come after all, but you still didn't want to pretend nothing happened.

"I am sorry and I'm not just saying it, I genuinely am. It was my fault for not telling you that nothing was going on, it was my fault for not spending more hours- no days with you to make you believe that I still love you because I do. I still do love you, I love you so much and I'm sorry for making you think otherwise. Please don't leave me, I can't imagine my world without you" Doyoung was on his knees, crying his eyes out. He was shaking uncontrollably and he was breathing heavily, not letting his words come out properly.

"Nothing is going on between me and that trainee. I swear on everything, that it's nothing more than a junior-senior relationship. We are work colleagues nothing more. That date wasn't a date. Yes, I did take her out to eat, but there isn't any double meaning under it. I swear"

You knew you were stupid and you might regret it. But you also knew that you sincerely loved Doyoung. It may be a mistake or the best decision you may have ever made. Only the future would tell you that, but as if for now you decided to listen to your heart.

"Doyoung I-"

"Please give me another chance. I promise on my life I will make this relationship work- I will make sure it isn't a one-way thing. Just please don't leave me"

You walked towards him, crouching in front of him. His face was cold against your hand and it was only now you realised how much he was shivering.

"Doyoung, I forgive you. But please, don't make me regret my decision"

"I won't. I promise"

[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: I feel much better now! Women prevail -Danny Words: 1,905 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'House Song' -by Searows

LIV: Wasting Away to Be Useful All the Time Ain't Paying Off, Methinks

The dream changes, now Nico and Ara are on the fire escape of her parent's apartment.

"I'll go back to a witch trial," the girl leans her head on both arms and groans. "Iris messages aren't working! How am I supposed to tell them to hold on until August first?!"

"I already told Clovis I'm on my way."

"Like that's gonna fix it..." Ara stands upright, staring at the urban scenery with a troubled expression. "I never noticed how pretty this place was at sunrise..."

Nico doesn't seem as enchanted. "How is your crew holding up?"

"Jason got hurt but he's coming around," Ara lies, not wanting to worry Nico. "We caught Nike and she's helping us figure out a way to, you know, safely euthanize Leo. How's yours?"

"Steady and in great condition," Nico replies, and he's probably lying too, for the exact same reason. "How are you?"

The girl stares at her fingers, squeezing the railing and drinking in these seconds at home. "I'm trying not to think much, obviously, because... how do I even process all of it?"

"That you're soulmate's fated to die?" Nico snorts with a tone of sarcasm. "But it's so easy..."

"Not a soulmate," she mutters grumpily.

"I think it's sort of impossible," Nico pauses and glares at her. "Don't take that as a challenge."

She smiles a bit. "I don't know what to do. Do I hype myself up to get over Leo, or tell him we'll be together forever? What did Helen do that I shouldn't?" Ara squints and rubs her brow. "It's so unclear if she loved Paris or not..."

Nico shrugs, fidgeting with his ring. "Even if you figure it out, it won't make things easier. The two armies under your command are about to kill each other and you have a bunch of mentally ill gods giving out crazy orders, then there's the curse. How do you choose which one to tackle first? You just deal with them as they come."

"It's not working," Ara scowls. "Had it coming, though. All of this feels right."

Nico raises a brow. "What do you mean?"

Ara thinks of her next words carefully. "I just accepted that this is the weight I'll carry forever. At least I've gotten stronger."

Nico frowns. "You've also aged, though."

"I was going to, anyway. The only thing that I've been unable to outgrow is feelings. Leo chose his path and I must be okay with it... I love him, so I either go along or get in his way and make it worse—and since I can't offer a better alternative..." Ara sighs heavily, giving in. "I suppose I'll follow Eros's advice."

Nico's expression sombers. "So Leo will die?"

"The difference is that maybe this time it might not be permanent, and he might save another soul if he succeeds," Ara faces her friend. "Nike told us about the Physician's Cure—"

"Oh, my dad hates that," Nico pipes in.

"You know what that is?"

"The cure for death? Yeah," the boy scratches his nose casually. "One of Apollo's sons created it, but my dad forbade him from doing it again... so good luck getting it."

"Thanks," Ara says sarcastically. "You always make me feel so much better about the bad stuff in my life."

"We're talking about the last resource of last resources," he raises a brow. "You might as well go to my father and ask for Leo back."

"If I only wanted him to come back, I would drag him out of the Underworld Orpheus-style minus the looking," she rolls her eyes. "But big dumb-dumb made an oath to go back to Ogygia and get Calypso—so not only does he need to die, he has to be blasted out so he can go back to her island or he'll die regardless of the antidote he gets from the gods."

Nico frowns. "Your boyfriend is the stupidest man alive."

"He's a genius that likes to overcomplicate things, but yeah, love made him stupid," Ara mumbles, looking more sad than angry. "And I'm just like him."

"Minus the genius part."

"Whatever, man."

Nico gives her a look when she doesn't react to his teasing, and he makes an attempt to cheer her up. "Listen, sometimes the fates do things that feel unjust, but in the long run, they're for the better. Leo's choice was hard to make no doubt, he would rather cut his leg than leave you, and still, he's willing to risk his life not just for you but also for Calypso and the rest of the world... that's brave."

"I don't want him to come back to me if it means it's always going to hurt him," Ara confesses worryingly. "I'd be happier looking at him from afar."

"No, you wouldn't," Nico replies in a strange voice. "You really wouldn't."

"I mean it." Her voice trembles. "I haven't been the best version of myself since I decided to become a child of Olympus... Leo is good in a way I can no longer be, and that's why he's dying. Because he's kind and selfless, and I won't give him up because I'm stubborn and selfish, so they're taking him away by force."

She looks away for a moment. Nico squeezes her shoulder tighter than he's ever touched her in the last three years. "Ara, listen... all the bad stuff I've said to you, they aren't true. You can't be perfect, that's it."

"Exactly. I should've stayed away," she presses. "Life kept telling me that romance was off-limits, that I wouldn't be able to handle it, and yet I took Leo as soon as I had the chance, and he says he doesn't mind dying but—"

"You've experienced this too many times, just in this lifetime," Nico finishes knowingly. "His reassurance feels empty, I get it."

"He could've been loved and cared for on Calypso's island, and he didn't stay because of me," she says bitterly. "I should've been the one to jump into Tartarus. But now I've got people under my care, so I can't let myself die now..."

"I don't think this is about wrong choices or bad timing," her friend retorts. "I doubt you were more deserving of the curse in your past lives than you are now—hell, I even doubt Helen was deserving of the shit show everyone made around her."

Ara rubs her forehead and groans. "I know, I know... maybe this isn't my mess to clean... but I'm right in the middle of it, so not doing anything stresses me out all the same."

"Yeah well, you've never been good at staying out of things, we know that."

"None of us is."

"That's why we get curses all the time," he shrugs. "See? Things tend to happen when it comes to demigods."

Ara shakes her head. "Sometimes I think my stupid father should've suffocated me with a pillow when he had the chance."

Nico laughs. "Same."

"I feel like I should've gone with them."

"It's FOMO," Annabeth replies, lying on Ara's bed with a cherry facemask on.

"They're searching for that poison to help Leo—"

Nike's hollering cuts through her speech. "AN A- IS A FAILING GRADE—"

"These are literally Frank's relatives," Percy reasons, his back against the wall and a peel-off mask covering his face. "You would've made them nervous. Most people think that children of Olympus attract bad luck."

"And they're right," Ara's hanging upside down with her legs propped up next to Percy, a green tea facemask on her face.

It's spa day. Once Ara realized she could buy all kinds of beauty products in New York—as long as she had the budget—she became obsessed. The first time Percy agreed to join her many years ago, he claimed to be humoring his little sister, but he loves to lie around and eat snacks while Ara puts fresh-scented stuff on his face.

Ara agreed to have a spa day today solely because her brother and Annabeth had recently come out of Tartarus, so if there was someone who deserved to use her stash of fancy facemasks, it was them. She also knows they're doing this to help her clear her mind after her dream last night, and she'd missed being pampered by her older siblings anyway.

"There is a sea serpent watching us," Percy says out of nowhere, vaguely pointing ahead. "Been there for the past ten minutes."

Ara lifts herself on her elbows. "And why aren't we doing anything about it?"

Percy shrugs. "It's trying to figure out if we're food, Festus confuses it."

"Nice," Ara lies back down. "Good headmast."

"So Leo is trying to rebuild your dragon inside the ship? How does that even work?" Annabeth asks, rummaging in a bag of chips.

A flash goes out and then Leo's voice responds. "It doesn't—yet. You guys having a fun time?"

The three teenagers look back at the door completely unbothered. "Did you get my good side?" Percy asks.

"You know, water boy, blackfacing isn't cool anymore—it never was."

"Call me water boy again and I'm freeing Nike inside your cabin," the older boy threatens. "And this is a peel-off mask, it saves me so much money on acne products I don't even care if it looks stupid."

"You want one?" Ara lifts a thin package.

"No, I came to tell y'all Piper and Frank are back," Leo's too amused by the sight that he can't move past it. "I'm sorry, what exactly is happening in here?"

"Spa day," Annabeth explains. "Never had one of those?"

Leo snorts. "Hephaestus isn't the cleanest guy around..."

"She means with Ara," Percy shows him a shit-eating grin, though it looks creepy with the peel-off still on his face. "Haven't been invited to one yet?"

Leo's smile disappears. "I didn't know it was a thing."

"I didn't think it'd be up your alley," Ara pulls her legs down and sits upright. "The only Cabin Nine campers that ever humored me were Beckendorf and Nyssa, but I had to bribe them first."

"I wanna have a spa day," Leo pouts, looking at the Polaroid he just took. "I feel discriminated."

Ara gets up and moves to her vanity, pulling off her mask. "You're invited to the next one."

"Piper and Frank are back then—that means they got the poison?" Annabeth fans her face while Percy takes off his mask.

"Yup, so we should hold a meeting," Leo approaches Ara and kisses her hair, leaving the Polaroid on her nightstand. "You don't need skincare, there's a reason why I call you Doll."

Ara chuckles. "My skincare is the reason you think I don't need it."

"Holy 'Dite, I can't do this!" Percy moans, falling back on the bed with the mask still on. "Birdy, help me..."

The girl laughs and glances at Leo before going to her brother. "We'll meet you on deck in five, alright?"

Leo looks at the trio with an uncomfortable feeling in his chest, but he manages to show a smile when he nods, although he stays consciously away from Ara so she can't feel his emotions. "Good luck putting your face back on, Nemo!"

"You're not allowed to call me that!"

Leo exits the cabin grinning, but as he walks out, his expression turns into a frown. He can't put a finger on what is bothering him, but it feels as if he were watching Ara's life slowly slip back into its old place, erasing him from the plot.

He has this dark thought that maybe those six months with him at camp were only an intermission, and now Leo is waiting for the fates to pluck him out and toss him away as they did with Michael Yew. "Well, that was a fun season! Send the next cute boy in!" 

Each day he inches closer to his certain death, and Ara's future does nothing but shine brighter.

Next Chapter –>

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[fandomshatepeopleofcolor]

SJM is an example of "writers need to search before put it in their book". Several characters of her books has PTSD but she clearly has no idea how to do it without be offensive (like when one of the women in ACOTAR has trauma and the other said "let's talk to her "mate" like wtf). And her books talk about slavery and injustices but later her protagonists are like "wow it's fantastic to be rich and manipulate people! I'm a kickass white woman!"

something that really struck me is how nonchalant Rhysand was about his father owning human slaves (and it’s still not clear to me whether Rhysand freed them himself after the war, or if his father did it before). It’s just like “oh, yeah, we freed the slaves and then we had lunch” and Feyre’s just… “oh, nice” binch you were human till not more than a year ago, and this guy just talks about owning your kind like cattle and you’re gonna brush it off like that???? 

Apparently this ^ is caring, but Tarquin (the lord of the mostly-black summer court), who was already stablished as being pro-equality for the lesser fairies, apparently leaves them to die despite being the only one that’s been doing shit to help them! WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK. 

As for her characters’ ptsd it’s like the only sympton maas knows is “vomiting” all of the characters spend like 2/3 of their time vomiting over one thing or another, not just ptsd. Nightmares? puke. Seeing gore? puke. Stressed? puke. Flying fast? puke. Shocked? puke. Severe injury in like, your arms? puke. LiTeRaLlY that’s not how your body works!!!! and don’t come @ me like “they are fae! not human!” because it was the same for feyre when she was human. 

The manipulation thing is so disgusting, too! I mean, once Feyre already knew that Lucien had “““fullfilled the ritual””” with Ianthe, she starts to seek him out physically (touching him, leaning into him, seeking him out when she know he’s going to be half-naked, hugging him, etc), to make both Ianthe and Tamlin jealous. Like… you have Feyre being like “i wish i could skin amarantha alive for raping Rhys” but then when Tamlin forces Lucien to have sex with Ianthe (let me rephrase this to make it clear: when Lucien is raped by Ianthe) Feyre’s like,,, “that’s so sad Rhysand play despacito.” Rape is only bad if it happens to the people you care abo-no, nevermind. I forgot that Fairy has an epic friendship with Lucien! /sarcasm. Rape is only bad if it happens to the characters SJM cares about. There it is.

And later, knowing the kind of thing Tamlin was capable of doing to Lucien in the name of an alliance with the priestesses, Feyre was still willing to leave him to deal with them alone! When she finds Ianthe about to force herself on him AGAIN in the woods, bound and powerless by the same shackles that affected Rhysand (who’s supposed to be all-powerful) so badly, she tries to convince herself to walk away! She only stays because like,,,her concience, and because she remembered that Ianthe would’ve done the same thing to Rhys if she had had the power! Lucien, about to be raped AGAIN…. whomst in the fuck cares? let’s obssess over my own sexual abuser first! AND THIS IS THE OTHER CHARACTER THAT SHE DECIDED TO MAKE BLACK! WHY IS HER ANTIBLACKNESS SO HORRID LIKE WHAT THE FUCK IS HER PROBLEM?

AGH GOD talking about this now got me so mad @ previous anon nvm let’s fling her into the sun. who in their right mind can stan this god-awful writer. this god-awful HUMAN BEING. typing this out made me realise the full horridness of it @ sjm you’re plain evil. EVIL. ~ mod ara.

[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Something something they're all sad -Danny Words: 2,081 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'In My Place' -by Coldplay

LII: I Might Lay down and See if This Fixes Itself

"You know what pisses me off?"

"Many things nowadays," Leo replies from the crawlspace where he works.

"This project," Ara continues grumpily. "What the hell, dude? We're supposed to be honest with each other!"

"We're supposed to be boyfriend and girlfriend and you still call me dude," the boy responds, crawling out covered in grime and scowling. "What's your point?"

"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to rebuild Festus?"

Leo seizes the cloth hanging from his toolbelt and cleans his hands. "Festus was your baby first, I couldn't tell you and then fail—Didn't want to look stupid if it didn't work."

"Then why are you telling me now?"

"Because you think I don't know what I'm doing but I have a good plan here!"

"I don't like this thing you're doing to us."

"Ain't doing nothing, doll..." he walks past her. "It was done to me too, remember?"

Ara follows him downstairs to the cabins. "I don't think this is the best idea you can come up with, that's all. I think you're going easy on purpose."

He steps into his cabin and leaves the door open for Ara. "I thought Ithaca would help, and it didn't. We think wrong sometimes. You should bribe Janus so he tells us what to pick."

"Oh, don't get me started on that guy! He would make things more difficult for us on purpose, he thrives on indecision—all shades of gray and stuff." Ara looks around the room and gets distracted. "Gods, Leo, how do you sleep with all this mess?"

He snorts. "I don't. I just work here."

The girl gets confused. "You've only slept two nights in my cabin this week—where do you spend the night when I say no?"

Leo changes the subject. "I work better around clutter. If I don't figure out a way to make sure Festus won't crush me to death—"

"Have you been sleeping in the engine room?"

The boy raises his voice in frustration. "Listen to what I'm saying!"

Ara looks at the bulletin board: Leo's drawing of the Argo II is accompanied by a picture of the crew who built it and another of Ara hugging Festus's head. She doesn't want to listen, Ara wants to hide under the blankets with him until the war is over and wants to go back to New York, hand in hand with Leo. 

Ara longs for the little things, and at the same time, she hates them because they make the things she aims for look frivolous and selfish. When Leo met her, she was obsessed with being useful and giving meaning to her death since she'd already concluded her life would be short and dramatic, yet uneventful when it came to being normal. 

Who is she to tell Leo not to aim for the big flashy sacrifice? In short, she's going insane. "I can't listen to this. I'm sorry."

Leo doesn't look surprised, this conversation has happened twice since he returned from Ogygia. Ara isn't ready to face what's coming, and Leo doesn't know what to do to help. The boy sighs, then pinches the bridge of his nose, he looks ten years older. Ara's ashamed of her cowardice, she could talk if they had a clear path ahead, but there is only a pitch-black void.

"I need to know," Leo is extra careful with his words because Ara won't like what he's about to ask her. "If I die for good, are you going to erase me from your stories like you did with Mike?"

Ara's gaze fires up like gasoline, but she says nothing at first. Her feet backtrack, like they always do when an argument hits too close, and then she freezes. Ara counts to five, if she doesn't take a second to think, she'll say bad things like she always does. 

Once her heartbeat is regulated she forces out a response. "I can't escape you like I escaped Michael. Helen left Troy but the guilt never left her. My soul has never known peace when it comes to you."

She thinks of her innocent memories with Leo, holding each other close until they couldn't keep their eyes open. She can't stand how much it hurts even while he's still with her, and it scares her to think it'll only get worse once he goes away.

"I've always been on the run, you know that," Leo sounds so serious it makes her skin crawl. "You're also the only person on this ship with whom I can act how I feel, and I need you to let us be ugly for once, or what we have is gonna rot no matter what we choose."

Ara runs her hands over her face. "I don't want this curse to be the thing that gives our relationship meaning—It will ruin it."

"We were never a perfect couple," he walks past her to exit the cabin. "But only you see that as a bad thing."

Ara gets to the Mess Hall and opens her mouth to speak, but a voice screams before she can even utter one word. "PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!"

"Jesus fuck!" The General jumps out of her skin.

"I thought you were getting rid of that stupid hologram." Piper glares at Leo.

"Hey, Buford's just saying good morning," he grins, stuffing his mouth with a brownie. "He loves his hologram! Besides, we all miss the coach. And Frank makes a cute bulldog."

Their friend turns back into a human and scowls. "Just sit down, Leo. We've got stuff to talk about. Ara, ready when you are..."

The girl sits at the head of the table, placing both hands on its surface to gather her thoughts. Leo sits between Jason and Hazel and grabs a bag of fonzies, a healthy breakfast to begin the day.

"How are you feeling, Jason?" Ara asks, trying to ignore how Leo didn't switch seats with Frank to be closer to her.

"I'm still breathing," Jason answers shortly. "So... we're going to stay airborne and drop anchor as close as we can to Olympia. It's further inland than I'd like—about five miles—but we don't have much choice. According to Juno, we have to find the goddess of victory and, um... subdue her."

"Defeat Victory," Ara already hates the idea. "And subdue her?"

"I'm cool with fighting the occasional goddess," Percy shrugs casually, "but isn't Nike one of the good ones? I mean, personally, I like victory. I can't get enough of it."

"It does seem strange," Annabeth agrees, anxiously tapping the table. "I understand why Nike would be in Olympia—home of the Olympics and all that. The contestants sacrificed to her. Greeks and Romans worshipped her there for, like, twelve hundred years, right?"

"Almost to the end of the Roman Empire," Frank nods. "Romans called her Victoria, but same difference. Everybody loved her. Who doesn't like to win? Not sure why we would have to subdue her."

"She's probably going insane over which side should be winning," Ara reasons. "The children of Nike are all competitive and they don't stop at nothing. I'm sure she's ten times worse."

"How do we defeat victory?" Piper asks worryingly. "Sounds like one of those impossible riddles."

"Like making stones fly," Leo retorts, "or eating only one Fonzie."

Ara and Hazel look at him with vastly different expressions. Hazel scoots away. "That stuff is going to kill you."

"You kidding? So many preservatives in these things, I'll live forever."

"That'd be convenient," Ara mumbles, stabbing an apple with Lily's dagger.

No one knows how to reply to that, except Leo. "You think Nike can give us pointers on how to defeat death? 'Cause that'd be promising."

Ara wants to dismiss his comment knowing he's just taunting her, but it makes sense. "That's... not a crazy idea. Desperate times..."

Frank raises a brow. "You think Nike would be willing to fight death?"

Annabeth makes a face. "Her kids never turn down a challenge. They have to be number one at everything—I wouldn't be surprised if she agreed."

"She sounds like Birdy," Percy smirks. "Are we sure you're an Aphrodite?"

Ara cuts a slice of apple with the knife and sends an unamused glance at her brother. Hazel continues. "But we've got to get the Greeks and Romans on the same team, right?"

"Maybe she's the problem," Jason suggests. "If the goddess of victory is running rampant, torn between Greek and Roman, she might make it impossible to bring the two camps together."

"How?" Leo asks. "Start a flame war on Twitter?"

"Maybe she's like Ares," Percy explains. "That guy can spark a fight just by walking into a crowded room. If Nike radiates competitive vibes or something, she could aggravate the whole Greek–Roman rivalry big-time."

Frank points at Ara and Percy with his spoon. "You remember that old sea god in Atlanta—Phorcys? He said that Gaia's plans always have lots of layers. This could be part of the giants' strategy—keep the two camps divided; keep the gods divided. If that's the case, we can't let Nike play us against each other. We should send a landing party of four—two Greeks, two Romans—"

"Ara shouldn't go," Jason says promptly.

The girl cuts another slice of the apple and frowns. "Elaborate?"

"I think—and I say this respectfully—that your fatal flaw would get everyone killed if you were to face Nike."

"Ambition and victory don't mix," Percy nods in agreement. "You should sit this one out."

Ara leans back, popping the slice into her mouth. "First of all, I never said I should go. Second, I never said I wanted to go. We should be careful to send a group that doesn't clash, so if I were you, I wouldn't send those two either," she points at Annabeth and Percy.

"Hey!"

"No, she's right," Annabeth sighs. "Athena and Poseidon have a rivalry, we don't know if Nike can use that on us, Percy. We don't want to do anything that might make the goddess, um, more unstable."

"I'll go," Piper offers. "I can try charmspeaking."

"Not this time, Piper," Annabeth shakes her head gravely. "Nike is all about competition. Aphrodite... well, she is too, in her own way. That's why Ara is so alike."

"I love being present for these conversations," Ara says sarcastically, driving another slice into her mouth.

"Who should go, then?" Piper insists.

"Jason and Percy shouldn't go together," Annabeth continues. "Jupiter and Poseidon—bad combination. Nike could start you two fighting easily."

Percy gave her a sideways smile. "Yeah, we can't have another incident like in Kansas. I might kill my bro Jason."

"Or I might kill my bro Percy," Jason replies.

"Which proves my point," Annabeth sends an annoyed glance their way. "We also shouldn't send Frank and me together. Mars and Athena—that would be just as bad."

"Okay," Leo sighs. "So Percy and me for the Greeks. Frank and Hazel for the Romans. Is that the ultimate non-competitive dream team or what?"

"It could work," Frank looks at Ara for approval. "I mean, no combination is going to be perfect, but Poseidon, Hephaestus, Pluto, Mars... I don't see any huge antagonism there."

Annabeth is waiting for her response too. Ara shrugs. "Well, if it were Hephaestus and Ares maybe there'd be a problem, but let's hope Roman and Greek don't click like that."

"I still wish we could've gone through the Gulf of Corinth," Hazel sighs. "I was hoping we could visit Delphi, maybe get some advice. Plus it's such a long way around the Peloponnese."

"Yeah." Leo's shoulders fall. "It's July twenty-second already. Counting today, only ten days until—"

"I know," Jason says defensively. "But Juno was clear. The shorter way would have been suicide."

Leo opens his mouth probably to joke about how he's doing that either way but his eyes find Ara's and his statement dies before it can even reach his vocal cords.

"No one is blaming you, Jason," Ara stares at her partially eaten apple. "Delphi wouldn't've been of any help. Something's going on, I think Apollo messed up one too many times."

"Juno said the twins might be willing to help us," Jason reminds her. "Perhaps that's what she meant. We help Apollo and he'll help us in return."

"A lot of unanswered questions," Frank mumbles. "A lot of miles to cover before we get to Athens."

"First things first," Annabeth's posture changes to one more energetic. "You guys have to find Nike and figure out how to subdue her... whatever Juno meant by that. I still don't understand how you defeat a goddess who controls victory. Seems impossible."

Ara and Leo lock eyes immediately. The masters of unlikely smile at each other, and Ara's expression is enough to lift Leo's spirits in a way no amount of good fortune could.

"We'll see about that." The boy winks at her before leaving the Mess Hall. "Let me get my collection of grenades and I'll meet you guys on deck!"

Next Chapter –>

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[twoidiotwriters1]

Daughter of Olympus (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: I'll see y'all in a few weeks! -Danny Words: 1,944 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter /Book II Listen to: 'The Exit' -by Conan Gray

XLIII: It Got Too Fluffy, I Had to Do Something About That

Monsters are vanishing left and right. After Typhon vanishes away, Lady Artemis and Apollo help us strike down a couple more creatures, not to mention Tyson and his buddies are also stomping enemies like they're made of clay.

A blast of golden light comes from the sky, and we all stop to stare. The gods around us, all except Hades, go up to Olympus at once.

"Did we win?" Jake Mason asks behind me.

I realize we've run out of monsters, and everything is deadly quiet except for a few mortals' panicky screams in the distance.

"It's done," Hades announces. "Olympus stands."

I drop Almighty out of pure shock. "My brother..." 

The top of the Empire State turns blue all of a sudden, there is only one kid insane enough to ask Zeus to do that.

"She said what?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters 'cause she's supposed to be your second in command and she's disrespecting you!" Leo insists heatedly.

"It doesn't matter," Ara repeats calmly. "This was just an argument, we'll make peace once I'm back."

"But..." he almost asks 'What if we don't come back?', but asking that is never an option, so he changes the subject. "I don't want you to leave this place sad, this is your home."

"My home is with my parents and Percy," Ara corrects him stubbornly, then pokes his cheek. "And you. As long as I'm with you, I'll be okay."

Leo softens at her words. "Alright. Let's go rescue your brother from Camp Stuck-up."

"I heard that!" Jason steps onto the deck with his backpack over one shoulder. "Don't go saying that once we get there, Leo. Be nice."

"I'm nice!" Leo puts his arm around Ara's shoulders. "But my girl needs me on her side right now."

Ara looks over the ship's rail, they're on top of the cliff where Bunker Nine is hidden, and she's meditating on whether it's a good idea to look for Lily or not. Their arguments wash away as soon as something bigger happens, so she's not too worried. 

The next hour is a blur, while Hades helps us rebuild the city, Mrs O'Leary walks past us with Chiron on her back.

"Ara Jackson," he says my name as if he were talking to a badly behaved pet. "In the future, review your plans with me before you risk your life in such a reckless manner."

Mrs O'Leary shakes off a bit of dirt, making him wince.

"We can talk later, go to camp," I say gently.

Hades walks up to us after Chiron leaves. 

"Well, Jackson," he eyes my appearance. "Now is your time to come through with your part of our agreement."

I stare at him, not sure of what to say. He glances at Nico and the boy steps forward, looking anxious. "We should check on the others," he suggests.

"You're a good warrior, Ghost King," I nudge his arm as we walk together. "If I hadn't promised Lily the position, you'd be a good second in command." 

He makes a face as if he can't think of anything more horrid than following my orders forever. 

When we enter Olympus, people cheer for us. Percy goes out of his way to find me and holds me, after getting my mom's blessing, my forehead can reach his shoulder perfectly. 

"Pretending to be Achilles? Are you kidding me?! That was insane!"

"And I haven't pulled my craziest stunt yet," I mumble against his shoulder.

Percy moves away and frowns. "What do you mean?"

"Ready to go?" Piper and Coach Hedge arrive with all of their stuff. 

Ara holds tightly onto the railing. Lily didn't come to say goodbye, she left Ara's cloak inside Ara's cabin in the ship, along with her tattered T-Rex. That's how she operates, Ara knows that. 

She pulls out the dagger her friend forgot in her room that same afternoon, Ara brought it as a good luck charm. 

"Annabeth's ready?" The girl eyes the blade, deep in thought.

"Yes," Leo hums, moving to the control board.

"Let's go, then," Ara sighs, trying not to sound worried.

Lily gets called by Hades right after Annabeth becomes the architect of Olympus, he tells her there are too many corners that he doesn't want to leave unattended in the Underworld, and many souls to recover after this war, so Lily must work with Daedalus to make the Underworld safer and Tartarus harder to reach.

Percy could've become a god if he wanted to, but he turned it down. In exchange, he asks for the Gods to care for their children, to treat every camper with respect, no matter who their parents are. I think that's sweet.

"Arae Jackson."

It isn't Hades the one who calls me forward, it's Ares. I can't help the way I glance back at my friends in confusion. The god snorts. "Why are you surprised? You've been calling to me for a whole year."

I frown. "Lord?"

"We've all been listening, like you asked," Mr D says. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

What surprises me the most is that instead of passing out, I feel braver. Blame it on the Aphrodite in me, but I thrive on the spotlight. 

"Yes," I look at Zeus. "With your permission, then... I'd like to plead my case." The god's face is impossible to read, but I carry on anyway. "I offer myself as your next child of Olympus."

Demeter scoffs. "Why would we choose you?"

"Cause I want it," I reply cynically.

"Young lady," Poseidon speaks. "We haven't seen that kind of hero in centuries. What makes you think you're up to the task?"

"Well, what makes you think I'm not?"

"You're an Aphrodite!" Ares laughs. When my mother glares at him, he clears his throat. "I mean, it doesn't seem like it would be the calling for someone of your kind."

"I've fought plenty," I continue. "I've learned a lot and I want to keep our world safe. I also have this..."

I show them Almighty. Hephaestus shifts on his chair uncomfortably and looks away; Zeus frowns, but next to him, Hera gets excited with the revelation.

"Pantodynamos!" She beams.

"How do we know she didn't steal it?"

"I saw her in action," Hades says. "This half-blood tricked a whole army into believing she was Achilles, our last son of Olympus, and they believed it because she did a good job."

"A child of Olympus must be familiar with their armies," Athena nods in agreement. "And she's spent years learning all the crafts, has she not? She can fight, build, and knows how to lead."

"I say we give her a try," Mr D shrugs. "We can strike her out of existence if she's lousy."

"She has my full support," Hades announces. "And my vote."

Zeus glares at his brother, but then Hera speaks. "Mine too."

"Me three," Mr. D hums, he's already lost interest and seems eager to leave the throne room.

"I gave her my blessing," my mother smiles. "She has my vote and my trust."

"Mine too," Hephaestus grumbles. "That was a neat trick you pulled with my son's creations, I'd like to see more of that."

"I vote in favor," Artemis eyes me with interest. "Would've made a fine hunter, but if this is her choice..."

"I never forget a fan," Apollo winks at me. "She's got my approval."

"Well, I helped her kill a Hyperborean..." Ares ponders. "So I guess I vote in favor too."

"She has my vote," says Hermes.

"Fine," Poseidon gives in, briefly glancing at Percy. "She shall have her chance."

Percy steps forward but Annabeth stops him. It catches my eye and I look back at them, my brother doesn't understand what being a child of Olympus ensues, but he's visibly worried. Annabeth's staring at me like she can't believe this is happening, and Thalia's shaking her head, knowing the deed is done. 

Lily keeps her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes fixed on the floor, Nico's the only one who doesn't look anxious or angry, perhaps he wants me to succeed, cause that would mean he also can.

"Arae Jackson, kneel before the council," Zeus says at last. 

I do what he asks me right away, holding tightly to the hilt of my sword.

"The gods are granting you the greatest honor," he says. "Do not waste it."

"You'll be the General of our armies," Athena continues. "You're allowed to deny or authorize quests as you deem it proper, and you shall join them if you think it's necessary." 

"If we call, you must answer. We will grant blessings only when you truly need them," Zeus continues. "Choose wisely, we cannot grant you all twelve."

"Lastly," Hades smiles coldly. "You cannot favor your former godly parent over the rest of us. From now on, you are the daughter of Olympus."

"Do you conform to these rules?" Zeus asks.

"I do."

Every god in the room lowers their weapons and scepters to the ground, golden lines travel through the marble surface and climb up my body healing my bruises, cuts, and scars.

"Stand."

I hold onto Almighty as I get up and notice the purple cape around my shoulders, a gold pin shaped in the form of an omega keeping it in place. I also feel something on my head, and when I reach up, I discover it's a crown of gold laurels.

Zeus looks far from happy. "You may go."

I put my sword on the sheath that's hanging over my hips, and I keep my head up as I walk away without turning my back on them. 

I think of the friends I lost, of how lonely they must've felt in their last moments. I think of all the lives it could save to have someone who shows up when we need them. A hero who doesn't think we're inconsequential and who by magical binding, can't turn their back on us.

 I remember when the monsters thought I was Achilles. 

I'm just like him now.

"You should take a nap," Annabeth suggests. "You have to look your best once we arrive."

Ara raises a brow. "I didn't come here to look pretty."

Annabeth shakes her head. "A child of Olympus is above everyone else, Ara. The Romans won't like that."

Ara feels her stomach twisting in knots, but she smiles despite it. "Won't be nice to discover a Greek is their commander, huh?"

"You'll have to assert your position, and for that, you need to look strong," Annabeth squeezes her shoulder. "Sleep, I'll call if we need you."

The girl makes her way to the cabins. As she goes she spots Leo moving from one side to the other on the control board, but she leaves him alone, they all need to focus on themselves.

Jason helped her practice the wolf glare all Romans have, and he's taught her the way the legions work, but just like Annabeth, he's warned her they'll show resistance to admitting she's their superior.

Ara has faced worse crowds, so she thinks it'll be fine. Becoming a daughter of Olympus didn't keep her loved ones out of danger, but at least no one can keep her out of the fight now, and she's going to become whatever she must to secure their victory over Gaea.

The girl falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow, but she doesn't get a demigod dream this time. When she opens her eyes, she's no longer on the ship.

"Ara," Aphrodite looms over her, eyes just as serious as the rest of her expression. "We need to talk about your curse."

I don't understand why my friends are acting this way, but they aren't upset because I wasted their time, they're angry because I've given mine up. Ambition blinds me from the one thing the others can see.

I didn't care at first, I was fifteen years old yet my name would be written in our history books. No one was going to be able to put out my fire for a very long time.

I wish they had.

Book II ->

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[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: It's sad bitch hours -Danny Words: 1,784 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Hey Girl' -by Stephen Sanchez

XXV: You Can't Spell Drama Without A-R-A

"It's my fault," Leo sentences.

"No. No, this is Gaea's fault. It had nothing to do with you." The boy only sinks further on his chair, so Hazel insists. "Leo, listen to me. I won't allow you to take the blame. I couldn't bear that after—after Sammy..."

Nico is shaking from both, anger and sickness. "This is Ara's fault."

In different circumstances, Ara would've jumped at his throat, but this one time, he's absolutely correct. 

"I told them to leave," she says hoarsely after all the screaming.

"Like Percy would ever do that," Nico's voice is weak but charged with resentment. "He has to carry you through every quest—"

Ara glares at him. "We came to save your miserable corpse and you almost died right after!"

"Because I had to run after you, you stupid—"

"Ara," Leo's voice sounds so different from his usual upbeat tone that it gets everyone's attention. "What were you thinking?"

Nico continues heatedly. "She tried to jump into Tartarus."

"What?" Piper asks with shock. "No, Ara wouldn't do that, that's insane and she's always telling us—"

Nico laughs dryly. "None of you know her. Annabeth and Percy tried to stop her but those who help Ara always meet tragic endings. Have you told them about Michael?"

Ara stares at him, refusing to react to what he's saying. Nico steps closer to her, his eyes darkening. He speaks in ancient Greek. "Revolting arae."

The girl grasps the neck of his jacket in a fit of rage. "You—!"

"That's enough!" Jason pulls them apart, thunder booming above them threateningly. "Ara, what is he talking about?"

She pushes Jason away. "I have a prophecy. I can tell you about it, but I don't need you to help me with it."

"Ara, that's a serious deal, what if it has to do with ours?" Hazel asks anxiously. "What if it has to do with Percy and Annabeth?"

Her voice quivers. "Please, focus on your quest."

"And how do you expect us to do that?" Leo asks angrily. "There is no way to contact your brother and Annabeth in Tartarus, without them this quest might go stale—and you were going to jump in like it's nothing?"

"Leo, they're not dead," Nico intervenes. "If they were, I could feel it."

"How can you be sure?" Leo demands. "If that pit really led to that place, how could you sense them so far away?"

He's agitated, and Ara knows it's not only because of Percy and Annabeth. He's freaking out thinking that it could've been her if Annabeth hadn't jumped in to save her at the last minute.

"We can't be one hundred percent sure," Hazel says. "But I think Nico is right. Percy and Annabeth are still alive... at least, so far."

"I packed well for the journey, and Annabeth took my bag," Ara looks down at her feet. "They can survive a whole week if we push their luck."

"Gods, Ara," Jason stares at her not believing what he's hearing. "You were going to jump in for real? What were you thinking? I thought we were past hiding things..."

Disappointing Jason almost feels like making her mother cry, which is weird and unexpected, she didn't know she cared this much about his opinion. Her throat tightens and Ara struggles to get the words out. 

"Janus and Nemesis are talking to me all the time... Leo told me he'd used the fortune cookie, everything had fallen into place for me to act accordingly."

"Wait, you hear voices?" Frank asks in a curious voice.

"You're delusional," Nico states harshly. "I'm the only one who has been in Tartarus, and that place would've destroyed someone like you the moment you'd stepped into it. You would've had no chance of survival."

"Someone like me," Ara glares at him. "You mean weak?"

Nico's face twists with irritation. "I mean someone like you, Ara." He doesn't elaborate, but she doesn't want him to.

Frank dries his tears and speaks up. "Percy and Annabeth... what are their chances?"

Nico fidgets with the ring on his finger. "Percy is the most powerful demigod I've ever met. No offense to you guys, but it's true. If anybody can survive, he will, especially if he's got Annabeth at his side. They're going to find a way through Tartarus."

"To the Doors of Death, you mean," Jason says. "But you told us it's guarded by Gaea's most powerful forces. How could two demigods possibly—?"

"I don't know. But Percy told me to lead you guys to Epirus, to the mortal side of the doorway. He's planning on meeting us there. If we can survive the House of Hades, fight our way through Gaea's forces, then maybe we can work together with Percy and Annabeth and seal the Doors of Death from both sides."

"And get Percy and Annabeth back safely?" Leo inquires.

"Maybe."

"We can work with maybe," Ara assures them. "We'll get through."

"I don't like it when I have to agree with you," Nico makes a face, "and I don't know how they'll manage it, but Percy and Annabeth will find a way. They'll journey through Tartarus and find the Doors of Death. When they do, we have to be ready."

"Someone has to stay," Janus reminds her. "To close the doors, someone has to stay behind."

"It won't be easy," Hazel points out. "Gaea will throw everything she's got at us to keep us from reaching Epirus."

"What else is new?" Jason mutters.

"We've got no choice," Piper replies. "We have to seal the Doors of Death before we can stop the giants from raising Gaea. Otherwise her armies will never die. And we've got to hurry. The Romans are in New York. Soon, they'll be marching on Camp Half-Blood."

"We've got one month at best," Jason shifts his weight from one foot to the other. "Ephialtes said Gaea would awaken in exactly one month."

Determination ignites Leo's gaze. "We can do it. The Archimedes sphere can upgrade the ship, I'm going to study those ancient scrolls we got. There's got to be all kinds of new weapons I can make. We're going to hit Gaea's armies with a whole new arsenal of hurt. Ara, you can help with that, can't you?"

The way he asks it's like he's saying 'It's the least you can do.' Ara's ashamed of herself for doing everything wrong, so she just nods in a silent reply.

Jason pats Leo's shoulder. "Sounds like a plan, Admiral. You want to set the course?"

"Yeah." The boy turns to the control board. "Festus, raise the sails. We've got some friends to save."

Ara approaches Nico when everyone scatters and lowers her voice. "This isn't over, you pale snitch."

Nico's eyes sparkle like he's almost pleased to be threatened. "Can't wait."

Everyone leaves her and Leo alone. They're all upset, but they know Leo should be the first to show it. Ara walks up to the control board and helps Leo in silence, they've done this so many times both teens know which task is theirs and which one belongs to the other. 

Leo speaks, but he doesn't look at her. "I'm going to inspect the statue, maybe there's a weapon hidden in it or something—Athena must've known, but now that Annabeth's missing... we'll have to do this the hard way."

It's not meant to be a complaint, and it doesn't even sound like one, but she can feel the walls she'd crashed through six months ago slowly building themselves back up. Ara leans both palms on the board to stop them from shaking. 

"I've been trying to gather up the courage..." she mutters, eyes fixed on the monitors, "every day since we left New Rome, to tell you about my prophecy. It's gotten worse."

Both teens are staring at their hands, but they can read each other just by the sound of their voices and the fluidity of their movements.

"Aphrodite came to me in a dream before we landed on New Rome, and so many things happened since then... I never found a good moment to tell you."

"You think I'm angry about that?" He frowns. "What's hurting it's that you're not sorry for almost throwing yourself into Tartarus."

Ara's hands feel unbearably cold. "I can't be sorry when the alternative scares me more."

Leo tilts her face, forcing her to look at him. "Nemesis said you need more than a fortune cookie to fix your problem—what does she know that I don't?"

Ara stares at him. "She knows about my prophecy."

"What does all of that mean?" He asks after hearing the lines.

Ara makes a face. "Percy's sword belonged to Hercules before it belonged to him. I prayed every night to get one as cool as his..." She pulls the compass out of her pocket and stares at it. "It feels so obvious now, how they made me believe it was my idea..."

"But that means you were fated to be a daughter of Olympus!" Leo submits kindly. "You worried it was above your skills, but it was always meant to be you."

"But the last lines," Ara shivers when she thinks about it. "By tearing earth into pieces..."

He tries to sound cheerful. "Maybe you'll blow Gaea up!"

"Or I could end the world," Ara squeezes the compass in her hand. "The truth is I no longer know what my prophecy is trying to tell me."

Leo sighs heavily. "When I opened that cookie..."

"You had no choice," Ara replies. "Nemesis told me Percy and Annabeth were the real sacrifices, I value them more than I value myself. When Janus came, I chose duty and sacrificed my family."

Leo's hand holds hers as if trying to will her empath touch to spit her anguish out to him. "You will have cause to reconsider your choices soon," he quotes, "that was the paper Nemesis gave you, right? This is the cause."

She nods. "And I'm reconsidering many things."

"But my sacrifice would've been you," Leo insists, almost pouting. "Why isn't the way I love you enough?"

Ara thinks about their curse. "We have unfinished business. Nemesis can't mess with us if the fates don't want her to."

His eyes soften. "I don't hate that thought."

Ara sighs. "You should know... something Hercules told me." Leo's fingers intertwine with hers. "He said I'd lose near the end. But he also said that I have room to become better in the meantime, even without the cape and Almighty, and that's what I'm aiming for."

Ara doesn't realize she's praying, but almost instantly, her body glows white as snow. Her eyes, for only a split second, are just like Annabeth and Lily's. This goddess is not fond of Ara, but she wants her to set things right. If she doesn't save her friends, there will be no mercy.

Leo scans her appearance curiously. "Who is that?"

"Hercules also said..." she continues, staring at her skin in surprise. "That the gods think I won't live long. Maybe I won't, but I'll go big under my terms... I think Athena likes that idea."

Next Chapter –>

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