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genericpuff · 1 year

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Did you hear about the "do not trace or use my work" update RS has on... I think her Twitter? @hestia-is-ace-pass-it-on knows more about this. I'm just wondering if this is going to affect Lore Rekindled at all since your series is an AU thing?? (I hope not cause I really like Lore Rekindled).

lmao yeah I heard about that, frankly I'm not worried, it's not going to affect Rekindled in the slightest as far as I'm concerned because even the panels that are sourced from S1 LO (like the Persephone looking up at Hades one, the Cerberus one, etc.) are still redrawn by my own hand from the bottom up, I don't directly trace them and I'm not copy + pasting them from LO and just calling it a day. Not to mention (and IDK if Rachel realizes this or not) those kinds of "please don't trace/use my art" warnings are more for people who trace/rip art and pass it off as their own, i.e. deliberate theft. Lore Rekindled is advertised as a fanfic/foe fic/AU project with proper credit given to Smythe and disclaimers that Lore Rekindled is not affiliated with Smythe beyond the original idea and art style that it's aiming to mimic - she can't copyright an art style, the Greek myth inspirations, or the brushes that are used, and there's nothing she can do about people making AU comics.

If she theoretically wanted to put her foot down on Rekindled, she'd have to go after the entirety of the fanfic/fanart community 😂 She has next to no ground to go after any derivative or fan projects inspired by her work, not unless they directly try to impersonate her and/or make a profit with the Lore Olympus name/branding/etc. (hence why there isn't a Patreon for Rekindled). Even the direct edit accounts themselves don't try to pass themselves off as LO or Smythe, they always show the original panel and make it clear in their bio descriptions that the accounts themselves are for LO which is easily sourced as not belonging to them.

One could argue that it's generally bad taste on the grounds of it being rude to edit other people's work, and yeah, that's valid. It casts the presumption that there's something "wrong" with how an artist wants to express themselves and that the edit makes it "better". But, for starters, we all know why these edits exist because LO has gone down in quality and people are having their own fun time trying to restore that original vibe in tribute to Rachel's original version of LO; second, it would be a lot more heinous IMO if LO were still some small series being made by a nobody, but ... it isn't, it's a massive commercial product within its industry and fanwork/foework is par for the course with commercial products; and third, there still isn't any sort of legal ground for Rachel to stand on because those accounts still aren't pretending to be her or her work, if anything they may as well be advertising it.

Plus, a lot of those edit accounts are more like redraw accounts, so many of them may as well be DTIYS prompts rather than direct edits (that's not a bad thing, just a statement of fact) save for a few accounts that deliberately try to mimic the old LO style as much as possible when editing new panels. Those kinds of stylized redraws are legit just fanart.

For many of these accounts, a lot of it's still work they're doing themselves and they're not trying to pass off their edits as legitimate LO products. No one's ripping these panels and re-posting them and going "look what I drew today!" (ex. Love's Divinity did this and a lot of people rightfully called the creator out on it, thankfully it seems like they've learned and moved on from copying directly from LO and other webtoons) they're going "hey, so this is what the webcomic looks like now, and here's what it looks like in my style" or "hey, this is what the webcomic looks like now, but here's what it would possibly look like if it still looked like S1 LO". None of it's meant to be maliciously stealing or impersonation, the pettiest it can get is just people saying "Rachel, your art sucks" which may as well be the only reason she edited that into her bio in the first place.

Like, if this IS aimed at the edit and redraw accounts, she's basically only upset about the panel edits that call out her obviously declining art IMO. Especially considering she's retweeted edit stuff before, many of them being from the anti/ULO community which I don't think she ever even realized ? 😂 But regardless, she shares edit panels a lot so it makes that bio notice come across less as "don't trace or use my work" and more as "don't do edits that make me look bad!!" when she's already doing plenty of work on her own end to make herself look bad 😂

In my personal opinion beyond the legalese... yeah, her work really does suck nowadays. I get how awful working for Webtoons is, I get that Rachel might not even be into drawing LO anymore, I can empathize with her maybe not being able to put in the same amount of emotional investment or time that she was able to put into it back in S1, but every single edit account is pretty sincere in doing it simply because they want to express how they wish it could look if it hadn't dropped in quality.

Phew, that was a lot of words for a very simple question, but rest assured, I'm not really worried it's going to affect Rekindled. 90% of the panels are completely original compositions save for the few panels that are referencing older moments in S1 LO that I brought back for Rekindled's plot, and even those panels are still redrawn from the ground up and given different outcomes (ex. Persephone punching Hades in the face lmao). Probably won't be doing much of that from here on out but more so just because the plot's going to be shifting even further from original S1 LO; but it's def better safe than sorry on my part to just make that 90% into a 100%, I suppose.

As a last point, I don't blame the edit accounts who ARE stepping away from editing panels out of respect. While it might not be a technically legal issue, I can still respect those who still want to respect Rachel's requests and do better as creatives and individuals. Just because something isn't against the law doesn't mean it isn't a cruddy thing to do, and I say that fully as someone who cut their teeth on edit content. We have tons of other ways of expressing ourselves creatively in this fandom than directly editing old panels.

The DTIYS stuff though, I don't think that should be off limits. It's fanart and that's completely fair game IMO especially for someone like Rachel who's creating a commercial piece of work. It comes with the territory. Welcome to being a pro.

#lore olympus critical #lo critical #antiloreolympus #anti lore olympus #ama #ask me anything #anon ama #anon ask me anything

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ba-burrito-art · 2 years

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First post for 2022!! I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve and wishing you the best for this year. Starting the new year off with some Lore Olympus fanart. LO is going on hiatus soon and @aprilsketcho (on instagram) made a prompt list for fan artists to follow. This is January 1: Favourite Panel Redraw 1-25. I'll only be doing the panel redraws since I learnt my lesson with Owltober 2020. Original reference belongs to Rachel Smythe (@usedbandaid on instagram)

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kaorimiyazonotl · 3 years

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Spring and Death

I sought to seek the truth about this topic and each piece of evidence given only connects to what’s been proven and what’s obvious. Since this is greek mythology, it is a very twisted story. I picked this love story because it has been told in various ways by many different people. Everyone has heard of the Goddess Persephone(Kore) and Hades. It is beautiful yet very confusing to understand the full 100% of their story. But since I picked theirs I’ve had to take my time and look a little deeper. Persephone or Kore, the daughter of Demeter the goddess of the harvest, grain, and fertility, is the goddess of many things; spring, nature, harvest, and fertility like her mother. Hades, “the Unseen '' god of the Underworld, brother of Zeus, Poseidon, and many other gods and goddesses who are related to him. Key question to ask; What is the truth? I can tell you my version and someone can tell you theirs, but in the end the choice depends on you. In the original context, there are two sides of a story and then there's the third person who knows it all, who can give you all the answers to your questions. But this is my view from beginning to the end the way I see it and what I think of it all.

Persephone or Kore? What’s her real name first of all? In the three articles and one book I skimmed through, Kore was her nickname meaning “maiden” and Persephone was her real name meaning “bringer of destruction” or “chaos bringer” or in webtoon “Bringer of Death''. In another book and a comment from one of the videos I watched it was the opposite, Kore to believe was her real name given at birth and Persephone was the name given in punishment from Zeus. In the article “Persephone, Queen of the Underworld'' by the Greeka website, I read “She was...called Kore…” In another article, Greek Mythology; “Hades and Persephone'' by Greek Myths it said, “They conceived a beautiful goddess named Persephone..” In the last article I read, the “Myth of Hades and Persephone'' by Greek Myths&Greek Mythology they put “...Persephone played..” and in Stephen Fry’s book Mythos, “Demeter had a daughter Persephone..”(page 138). But in a book called The Great Goddesses; Life Lessons from Myths and Monsters by Nikita Gill ``Kore...”(page 161) was her name. Later on “Hestia goes into the Underworld, to reason with Kore who now calls herself Persephone ''(page 163). Then there’s someone who commenced from the Persephone video and said that “...... Kore '' was the birth name. Also if you read webtoon’s comic Lore Olympus, Hades here and there calls her Kore but mostly calls her Persephone. It's confusing enough and there's a 10% chance with the whole name thing to be true or not because each source says otherwise. Kore; a birth or nickname? Persephone; a birth or punishment name? Persephone sounds more like her real name because I believe most people use that name rather than Kore being either her real name or nickname. Again still very confusing and I feel like there’s more missing. After all, this is Greek Mythology and it’s a long process to go over if you want to know the truth, however finding the “truth” will be done my way and how I see this roller coaster. In the next chapter we discover how Persephone ends up in the Underworld.

First things first when Persephone gets kidnapped in six different or connecting versions, Hades either arrives or appears out of the ground in a black chariot with black horses and Demeter was either present or not, all the sources I’ve read/watched say she stopped doing her duties down on earth with the mortals to find her daughter. A little side note from the “Persephone, Queen of the Underworld” article, “Demeter was very protective, keeping her naive to the ways of the world and dressing her like a child, even though she grew into a woman.” Meaning that that explains why Demeter had such rage when her daughter went missing. In the beginning, before the kidnapping happened though Hades asked either Zeus or Demeter for Persephone’s hand in marriage or he didn't ask at all and winged the whole thing. First off from the “Persephone, Queen of the Underworld” article Hades “... asked Demeter to marry her daughter.” Or from two different articles Greek Mythology; "Hades and Persephone" and the “Myth of Hades and Persephone” Hades “..confided his secret in his brother Zeus”(“The Myth of Hades and Persephone”). Zeus then “.. gave his consent to the marriage.”(Greek Mythology; “Hades and Persephone”). Next how the kidnapping began, from the comment section of the Persephone video, they put it as Zeus told Hades to kidnap her and they were going to use the Narcissus flower to do it. However in the book Mythos, “From out of the opening there thundered a great chariot”(pg 138). Speaking while Perspehone was out chasing butterflies in the meadow, it was Hades opportunity to strike. An interesting detail I found out on the Persephone video was Persephone found an entrance to the Underworld and Hades didn’t expect her to show up. Another detail in one article says that she was with the sea nymphs and Cyane was the only one who tried to stop Hades. In Nikita Gill's book The Great Goddesses, Persephone tries to explain to Demeter that the first time she touched a pomegranate shrub “...Instead of it bursting to full red fruit, it wilted and mottled under my fingers..”(page 167). This explains the difference between the Persephone I read about in all the other sources and this kind of Persephone who possesses great powers. The number one thing that made connections to all the sources was Demeter's actions and emotions, she was described as an overprotective, scared, worried mother. But it’s the most common emotion for a mother to have though. Demeter's emotions were for a reason, her daughter was kidnapped, she was very protective of Persephone because Demeter feared that she would suffer the same fate explaining why she was so overprotective and why she wanted her to remain a virgin. But Demeter's emotions are an example of any mother's, it was the fear that caused Demeter to be so emotional and frightened. As for the whole “kidnapping”, I think it was just a misunderstanding, Hades didn’t know what to do or how to talk to her. Like I’ve said and what the articles, books, and videos have mentioned; Hades was very dedicated to the Underworld and was more focused on his realm than screwing around with his brothers. So it makes sense for the articles to write it as a Kidnapping because some of the articles mention how Hades got Persephone without letting Demeter know or anyone. It makes sense too if he did ask Zeus for “advice” since he was an “expert” and it was his only option anyway. But Hades fell in love with Persephone at first sight and loved her dearly too. From what I’ve read, it looks to me that Hades never meant to hurt Persephone; he just didn’t know how to express his feelings and he’s never seen such a goddess-like Persephone. Things could’ve been done differently if Hades didn’t ask Zeus and Hades just had the confidence to tell Persephone his feelings. Then writers wouldn’t have taken it as a “kidnapping” and just a misunderstanding. SO, what we know so far on this journey is much more than what I’ve expected. There’s the marriage, the “kidnapping”, Demeter’s emotions, and Hades' misunderstood feelings, all were an accident and all’s emotions are relatable. However, we've only taken a stroll on Demeter and Hades's roller coasters. There is still much to discover. What exactly was the daughter of fertility and harvest emotions down in the Underworld?

Anyone who’s been kidnapped would’ve done the fight-or-flight situation, scream or freeze, be confused, sad, and scared for their life. Persephone did not scream, I believe she didn’t have time to scream because everything had happened so fast and the world changed from light to dark in a split second. “Down in the Underworld, Persephone was distraught…”(Greek Mythology; “Hades and Persephone) they say and while Demeter was doing earth damage, Zeus had to stop the situation before it escalated. Zeus “...promised Demeter to restore Persephone to her if it can be proven that the maiden stays with Hades against her will”(“Persephone, Queen of the Underworld”). In The Great Goddesses by Nikita Gill, Persephone was herself and she tries to explain to her mother that Hades “fell in love with the part of me that no one else could, promised me a land where I could be queen and not another version of you..”(page 167). This prompts about Persephone’s powers, the kind of love she received while being with Hades, and how she was just a girl trying to fulfill her mother’s wishes by not truly being the person she wants to be. But so, aside from that, Mythos by Stephen Fry, explains the odd feeling towards both God and Goddesses feelings in the Underworld. So by Zeus's order, he sent Hermes down to the Underworld to get Persephone back, Hades refuses and so “The next day Hades knocked on the door of Persephone’s chamber...Hades..loved her with all his heart, and..he was sure that he could not let her go.”(pg 140) Since it would be odd for a “kidnapper” to treat their “prisoner” with such respect and courtesy it seems that Hades was different compared to his brothers so they say. But the book Mythos continues to give out one more piece of information, a sign to show that Persephone cares for Hades, that he could detect “a small flicker of returned love’(page 140). Strange as it seems for Persephone to give returned love to the person that “kidnapped” her I think regardless of what evidence has just said and what’s been spoken Persephone’s time spent in the Underworld were shown differently. However, Hades gave Persephone space, he could understand the fact that she missed her mother and so he was kind enough to be patient with her, he treated her with kindness, compassion, and respect. Hades was the only person who treated her like an actual Goddess, he took his time though went at a steady pace with her, but he did so much for her, built beautiful gardens, gave her gifts, most of all he allowed her to be her true self as Queen of the Underworld, ruling alongside with Hades, having their thrones next to each other to show equal ruling. Throughout a small encounter from one another, the feeling of Persephone to me shows that despite missing her mother she didn’t show any sight of regret or discomfort while being with Hades. Something tells me that at the beginning she was unsure and unaware if this person was bad, but as she saw what Hades had done for her she didn’t take it for granted but deep down I think she loved it, just wasn’t sure until the end, which came to show for her that Hades wasn’t a bad person. In the end, Persephone began to love this new world around her and accept this person’s gratitude for treating her so kindly even though he captured her unexpectedly. Hades though, his thoughts and feelings during that time don’t need an explanation, I think he was hoping that even though he was in the wrong at the beginning, he’d hoped to be forgiven. Also, he wasn’t asking much from Persephone, simply just asking to be called a friend to her.

Thus the Pomegranate comes into play for this twisted love story. First things first, how did Persephone receive the pomegranate? By choice? A Gift? Persuasion? Hunger? Or tricked? It is said that Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds connecting her to the Underworld and because of that it created The Eternal Cycle of Nature’s Rebirth and Death. In the Hades and Persephone video, it says that Hades gave the pomegranate to Persephone as a parting gift because she was leaving the Underworld and he was terrified that she wouldn’t come back. In the articles, Persephone “had been persuaded to eat four seeds of a pomegranate”(“The Myth of Hades and Persephone”) or Hades “tricked his reluctant bride...to eat...a few seeds from the Pomegranate” (“Persephone, Queen of the Underworld ''). In another scenario from the “Hades and Persephone” article, they say “Persephone went into the Underworld’s garden and was offered a pomegranate from the gardener...that morning Persephone was so hungry..and ate six seeds”. From a books point of view, Hades asked Persephone to “share some pomegranate seeds..to show there is no ill-feeling”(Mythos, by Stephen Fry, pg 140). Meaning that there’s no hostility towards Hades if Persephone was comfortable around him. Being persuaded is one thing but being tricked is another. Persuasion works on anyone depending on what you use it for, tricking someone though isn’t the best route either especially when you’re trying to get them to do what you want. But common sense would say that people have their view about what might’ve happened. I just don’t believe that Hades was that cruel to trick Persephone, from what the evidence and notes I’ve pulled I find that hard to believe it’s true. If Persephone knew the risks of eating such food from a realm that was completely the opposite of hers, she wouldn't have taken it, but since she was starving she had no choice but to accept. The possibilities for Hades and Persephone’s actions all have a meaningful reason to do so. Hades actions were mostly done by fear. As for Persephone she only ate the fruit because she hadn’t eaten. In the end no matter how the pomegranate came into play before or after Persephone still ate the fruit connecting her to the Underworld.

Part 1

Before we begin I’d like to say that this will be put into two parts;Part one will be about how the decision was made and who made it. Part two will be explaining what the Eternal Cycle is and how it connects to Persephone. So as we all know the story told has been put onto the table into different puzzle pieces and each piece has either connected or disconnected to finding the truth. Thus giving the impression to many theories and questions about Persephone's feelings in the Underworld, Hades's feelings towards Persephone, and how great of an impact the pomegranate has played into this story. But what I liked to figure out is how this whole stay between Demeter and Hades happened? How long was Persephone allowed to stay in the Underworld and with her mother? And who made the decision? In a gathering, according to the “Persephone, Queen of the Underworld '' article “Persephone was asked where she would like to live, she answered she wanted to live with her husband.” And so “...Zeus decided that Persephone would spend half months with her husband in the Underworld and half months with her mother on Olympus.” In a different type of gathering it says that when Hades showed up in the throne room of Olympus, he held a partially eaten pomegranate that Persephone had eaten, then Zeus ruled “that she will spend six months of each year in the Underworld and six months tending the mortal’s fields with her mother”(“Hades and Persephone'' article). In another article, it is told that Hades and Zeus came up with a plan and that stated Persephone was going to stay with Hades and Demeter for six months of the year. Before leaving though Hades had Persephone eat four pomegranate seeds and “Persephone was to..return to the Underworld for four months of the year...But..allowed to spend the remaining two-thirds of the year with Demeter'' (''The Myth of Hades and Persephone” article). From the Persephone video someone had commented that when Zeus had heard Persephone ate “fruit of the dead, connecting her to the Underworld forever, he “grounded” Persephone by staying with her mother for six months and the rest with her husband”. But in The Great Goddesses by Nikita Gill, she describes Persephone as the decision-maker, stepping in telling Demeter that “... you gave birth to a girl who knows her mind. He didn’t snatch me and take me to hell. I went there because I wanted a queendom destined to be mine”(page 168). Then lastly, when Hermes came back the next day to get Persephone again, Hades told Hermes “she has tasted six pomegranate seeds so she must come back to me for six months of every year”(Mythos by Stephen Fry, page 141). Zeus, Hades, and Persephone. One of them decided how long Persephone was gonna stay in the Underworld and on earth. The majority of the votes said six months each year, but they were said from Zeus and Hades. Persephone, on the other, had stepped in two times calling the shots. Persephone was given a choice which she chose to live in theUnderworld because that happened to give her happiness and what Hades provided her. Everything else though, the two-thirds, four months, and half months don’t make sense at all and I don't think that connects to the big picture. But I’d like to point out Persephone’s decision-making shows strength, maturity, and growth as a Goddess and also that she is capable of making her own decisions and not being treated like a child. Whoever made the decision only comes across to what it represents and how it relapses to the change of the seasons.

Part 2

Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, the four seasons of the twelve months that bring us the change yearly all around. Whoever made the decision left everyone in a disagreement with Zeus or Hades or Persephone’s final word. Even though Demeter wasn’t proud and neither was Hades, it had to be done so things can go back to “normal” for everyone. In previous paragraphs I and many other articles have stated/pointed out that the eaten pomegranate seeds represent The Eternal Cycle of Nature’s Rebirth and Death. Since Demeter was the goddess of producing grain and vegetation she technically controlled the seasons because when Persephone was with her during the spring and summer life was in full bloom meaning rebirth and when Persephone was away Demeter left life to rot and die because she missed her thus meaning death on autumn and winter. Keep in mind Demeter is the one that made this all happen. “According to the ancient Greeks……. this myth was created to explain the change of the seasons”(Article; “Persephone, Queen of the Underworld”). “Each time she left, Demeter mourned and all vegetation died..each time Persephone returned, the earth warmed and became fertile...This is how the Greeks explained the earth's seasons”(“Hades and Persephone” article). In Mythos, Stephen Fry states Demeter’s distress and jubilation for her daughter, it was the way the seasons came about due to Demeter's emotions. She was the one who started the cycle because she always mourned whenever Persephone had to return to the Underworld and always rejoiced whenever Persephone came back to her. The meaning of all this goes back to Demeter. I can’t be upset or disappointed that Demeter was the one who changed the seasons; she had every right to be happy and sad when Persephone was and wasn’t around. Demeter technically didn’t get to have a say during the whole decision making and as things couldn’t get crazier her time with Persephone was cut short. So how does The Eternal Cycle of Nature’s Rebirth and Death relate to the myth? It's because it has something to do with Demeter and her emotions about everything relating to her Daughter.

So much has happened and there’s not much to say other than this is the second to last paragraph. Before I continue though, I’d like to point out that this part would’ve been about Persephone’s feelings, but it didn’t feel right to just write about her feelings, there was so much other detail to put on here that I knew it wouldn’t be enough. In this chapter of the myth, Persephone starts to enjoy her time with Hades and slowly starts to fall in love with him. But it’s not just about Persephone, it’s Hades as well and what every moment they spend together represents and the emotions they feel together. I can’t complain about these pieces of evidence I give, other than if Demeter is mentioned here then that’s something. According to this from Mythos, it seemed that Persephone “....grew to love her time below as much as her time above. For six months she was no prisoner in Hades, but the contented Queen of the Underworld..”(page 142). And from the comment section on the Hades and Persephone video, they pointed out that “she saw sides to Hades that no one else had seen before and she began to fall in love with him.” Then in The Great Goddesses story, it is told what happens in the throne room. “Persephone sits by Hades’s side, on a throne made of skulls intertwined with black roses. He looks over and takes her hand, interlaces it with his and kisses it, his usually cold eyes warm”(page 177). After that, once all the deeds are done “they will go to their island for long walks surrounded by new dogs Hades has rescued while Persephone has been away and he will introduce them all by name to her. She will smile and pet them all..because she understands his love for dogs so well. They are loyal in a way their own Olympian family has never been to them, a way for them to know truly unconditional love widely and well”(pages 177-178). Also, one last piece of evidence to give as “punishment” I guess written in Great Goddesses would be Demeter’s “..uncompromising love is....why Persephone will never have children. She couldn’t bear to love someone like this”(page 176). Behind it all this shows actual love the two gods and goddesses have for each other despite what their Olympian family have to say. I don’t know what love is other than what I see and what people say. But I do think that this is beyond beautiful and touching to see Persephone smiling as Hades introduces the new dogs and beautiful to see that Hades changed as well and that Hades was able to open up to Persephone. It doesn’t matter how you put it, I think this whole thing connects to how Persephone began to fall in love with Hades in the first place. It’s just very upsetting that Demeter took so long to accept her daughter and Husband. Furthermore, I’m disappointed that Demeter was not able to obtain Persephone as she is by not letting her have children because of her reasons. To me that’s cruel, everyone is different, we are born into a world where no one is perfect, yet we all go through the same hell. People, friends, and family have to learn that there are some things that make us who we are and we shouldn’t be judged by that. In conclusion, Persephone was able to find happiness after going through hell.

Finally, we’re down to the last paragraph/my review. First things first, there’s good and bad. Second, there is no “true” answer. And thirdly, this is just my view and what I believe. I’ll be dividing this into sections; Demeter, Zeus, Hades, and Persephone. First is Demeter, the mother who smothered her child and left her in a dark hole surrounded by a mother’s demands and wishes. I’ve said it now at least nine times that Demeter was scared and wanted to protect her child. Well, protection doesn’t last long and you can’t keep a person “locked” away forever. How else was Persephone or any child supposed to grow and experience things if they don’t leave? I know, you know, we know this world is chaotic, dangerous, and full of all kinds of bad things around us. I think Persephone was old enough to know right from wrong. I’m theorizing that Demeter was hoping Persephone could accomplish some of the things that Demeter couldn’t have done when she was her age and if it isn't obvious enough Demeter was the one pushing Persephone farther away. Next, is Zeus, I’m assuming he only wanted Demeter to put an end to her tantrum because it was affecting the mortals, the earth and she would cause all humanity to disappear. So notwithstanding Hades and Demeter's request, Zeus only did what would please himself only to restore the balance of the world. Moving forward the decision had to be made and Zeus was a part of making it, he just left everyone unhappy in the end. Then there’s Hades, I know, and you probably already know too that he’s WAY different compared to his brother and maybe everyone else. There isn’t a whole lot to say other than he cherished Persephone more than what any Gods and Goddesses could imagine. I still think that Hades never meant to ‘kidnap” Persephone, everything was just put into false words and misunderstandings. Hades never kept Persephone hostage or a prisoner, he was patient, kind, gentle, and very respectful towards her. After giving out evidence from all kinds of sources and people, I believe that Hades' part of the story somehow connects to the “truth” about what could or might potentially be the myth. Hades may have rushed things in the beginning but he went at a steady and comfortable pace with Persephone along the way. Lastly, Persephone, a goddess who experienced so much already for a goddess such as her age, her emotions were all over the place but even that remains a mystery. I full-heartedly believe that Persephone did hold some kind of different powers from Nikita Gill’s book. It speaks as though she was different compared to all the original sources. There are two sides to Persephone; her being a strong woman and her being a helpless child. In the beginning, Persephone was confused as hell. In a fight or flight situation, she froze, that's probably why she didn’t scream. But Hades was the only one who saw right through all her pain and misery trying to be “perfect” for her mother. My belief about Persephone is a trapped child wanting to escape for freedom and Hades helped Persephone become the goddess she was meant to be, Queen of the Underworld alongside Hades as King. In the end, Persephone changed greatly, Hades helped and was different just like her, Demeter was controlling but she had her reasons, and Zeus was just being Zeus as always. However, there is still much to this like people thought the pomegranate that Persephone ate made her fall in love with Hades (I disagree strongly) or any other part of the story that I missed. There is still a mystery to this Greek Mythology, we may never find it, people find their own truth, and there is no right or wrong answer. What I believe though is this piece that I created.

#greek mythology #hades and persephone #webtoon #late update #romance #differences #i write too much

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pencilofawesomeness · 3 years

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Author Self-Interview

tagged by: @ljf613

Name: Pencil

Fandoms: *deranged laughter* Too many. I have written (and published) work for Fairy Tail, Genshin Impact, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Voltron: Legendary Defender, the Arrowverse, ~Disney~, RWBY, and Transformers: Prime. I have also written for Seven Deadly Sins, My Hero Academia, DC/Batman, Avengers, Danny Phantom, and soooo many others, but those are all WIPs and such. As for fandoms, well, there’s Miraculous Ladybug, Tales of Arcadia, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Tower of God, and more. I bounce around, and I never really leave anything behind, even if other interests are more at the forefront.

Where do you post: AO3. I used to, waaaaaay back in the dark days, post on ff.net, but not only have I forgotten my password, but I don’t like the interface as much, nor the things I posted when I was a Child, so AO3 it is.

Most popular multi-chapter fic: Of Dragons and Fairies, so says my AO3 statistics.

Most popular oneshot: Sparks in the Night, which I by no means expected, being that it was a fun little thing I wrote pretty much in one night. Technically it’s two chapters, but I originally wasn’t going to post the second part I wrote, but decided to later, so I would’ve made it a one-shot, probably, had I thought things through. Besides, it’s only 3k, so that’s a one-shot in my book.

The “real” most popular one-shot would be Never Forgotten by Pencil-actually-made-it-one-chapter logic.

Favorite story you’ve written so far: F-favorite? Oh. Oh well, um, I have really, really enjoyed the How to Raise Your Dragon Slayer series, far more than I thought I would when I started Of Dragons and Fairies for the kicks and giggles. That said, my favorite installment so far is probably The Eighth Tower, but one of my favorite things I think I have written is a massive one-shot that’s an MHA-style FMA fic, except that I lost it in a harddrive crash and haven’t re-written it. ;-;

Fic you were nervous to post: I don’t know if I’m ever really nervous? I generally post things and accept whatever outcome (even though I always hope it’s well received, because I’m a selfish author who likes validation). That said, it would definitely be United. That story was, and still is, one of my favorite brain-children, but I guessed that it wouldn’t be popular, and I was right. I haven’t written on it in a long time, though I have always wanted to circle back to it eventually; I just figured I had time to follow my current interests, since nobody else was chomping at the bit. One day my child, one day...

How do you choose your titles: Heh. Heheheh. HAHAHAHA. Very carefully, actually, even though sometimes I try to just slap something on a page anyway because it needs one. Most of the time, I try to capture the theme of the story—or at least one of the core ones—and allow it to both serve as a descriptor and as a note that would tie the story together and highlight the theme. Though I do appreciate allusions, and I like to include those as well. (If anyone wants to send me an ask about how I came up with a specific title, I will gladly give my thought process.) Unfortunately, chapter titles—as much as I try—rarely get as much inspiration as the fic title.

Do you outline: Y— Yesssssss.... Sort of. I try. Ironically, my most comprehensive outlines exist as Spotify playlists. That said, HTRYDS probably has the best outline of anything I’ve written, though Tales of Valor had a decent outline as well.

Complete: Mostly just one-shots—I’m actually pretty bad at completing things, heheh—but there’s a few. Outside of an ongoing series, Finding Home is my only completed multi-chapter. Inside of a series, but existing as comprehensive arcs, I have Of Dragon and Fairies and The Eighth Tower.

Edit: Oh! And it’s short, but The Recruitment Spiel is an Art But Destiny Took the Fun Out of It is complete! And multi-chapter. Yeah.

Do you accept prompts: Kinda. I’m accepting prompts and ideas for extra scenes for the HTRYDS series, though I’ll tailor them to fit my canon if necessary. Generally, I have so many things of my own to write, any prompt I got would be placed in the back of the line (unless I got super inspired, which happens) but I do enjoy prompts, provided they’re not super shippy or specific.

Upcoming story you’re most excited to write about: Well, that untitled I-have-to-write-it-again oneshot for FMA that I mentioned is definitely something I want to do and post eventually. As for what I’m actively working on, I am really excited for the next HTRYDS arc (I’ve been trudging through TLS to get to it, ngl) which will be titled Demon Tales. There’s also this Seven Deadly Sins TOG AU I’ve had rolling around, though I may not continue that the way I had planned because 4KOTA gave me more ammo.

Stories you’re most excited to read: Hmmm. I have quite a few things queued in my Marked for Later list, some that I’ve started and some that I wanted to check out, but as to what I have been currently reading/following, the Poisoned Dreams Continuity by StrangeDiamond (AO3), which is currently inbetween fics, and Homuncular Nature by Otaku553 are a couple of things I have been following. I also read a lot of Webtoons, and I have some Tower of God to catch up on, and Room of Swords and Lore Olympus are always welcome updates. I’m currently perusing some of my Marked for Laters, and in regular searches, to see what my next few reads will be. (Feel free to send me recs, but I also got a hefty stack of ATLA fics to check out, I know.)

tagging @therosefrontier @ladylynse and @blueskyscribe (if y’all want to, of course)

#tagging game #writing #shameless self plug #fairy tail #htryds #voltron #genshin #disney #arrowverse #this was fun

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antihero-writings · 4 years

Text

Before It Kills You Too

Fandom: Lore Olympus (Webcomic)

Fic Summary: Anger was a fire, it burned white hot and devastated the world around it. But then it faded...This was more than anger.

Hera goes for a drive after a fight with Zeus, and has some time to think. Her internal monologue and memories, using Blackpink's "Kill This Love" as a prompt.

Character Focus: Hera

Notes: If you haven't listened to, and/or watched the music video for Blackpink's "Kill This Love" (I’ll put a link in the replies!), I highly recommend you do so either before or after reading, as the fic is based on the lines, and a few of the visuals of it!

Also, fyi, I am very new to the world of kpop myself... I deeply apologize if I didn't do the song justice!

I am a big fan of Greek Mythology (though I don't know it super well), and adore retellings of it, (as well as retellings of classic literature in general). But the two characters I've never liked in other retellings + the original myths are Zeus and Hera. But Rachel does such a great job with the characters in LO she managed to create a version of both Zeus and Hera not only do I like, they are in my top favorite characters of the series.

I've wanted to write a fic for Lore Olympus for a while (as well as something using "Kill This Love" as a prompt), and I decided to write one about them, both because I don't think there are as many fics about them, and to honor what a great job she's done with these characters, and how much she made me like them (and because the song fit too well with her!)!

Chapter 1: I Owe It All to You

Hera kept glancing from the road to the speedometer, the dial sneaking steadily upwards: sixty miles an hour to seventy in seconds.

She leaned over and took a cigarette from the pack, putting it between the fingers of the hand on the steering wheel. She took out the lighter and clicked it open, lighting the end, then closed it again and set it back down in the cupholder while she breathed in.

Smoke never tasted so sweet as when she was angry with him.

Eighty, ninety.

“Good to see you again, Bunny!”

“It’s only been a few days!” She laughed, “And who’s Bunny?”

“You are!” Zeus took her hands and gave her eskimo nose kisses. “Who else?”

The golden girl smiled, big and bright—

—the kind of smile one can only give when the world itself is big and bright. When one lives in a realm of hope, where beings keep their secrets, and their promises, and no one lies, or steals, or cheats.

She breathed out, smoke billowing like her mouth was the gates to the Christian’s hell—(they say hell hath no fury right?).

Sometimes she wished she had Zeus’s power; that she could set the world on fire with a glance.

A hundred.

The world was nothing but streaks of light across her vision. Not trees, people, and buildings; not distinguishable as life or meaning, just lines of color as she flew by. Maybe things were better that way. She could dance in the in-between, reach up and grab the ribbons, twirl around with them in beautiful absurdity. Only absurdity was beautiful; truth and sanity were far too ugly.

“Bunny I—”

“Don’t ‘Bunny’ me!”

She took another long draft, letting the smoke’s medicine filling her lungs.

And out.

Breathe out, feel the negative emotions leaving your body, all the meditation gurus say.

What a load of bullshit that was.

For every soothing inhale there was always an exhale that felt like it was clawing its way out of her throat. For every sweet hello there was a bitter goodbye, full of curses at his back, in return. For every incredible high there was a unfathomable price. That was the rule to life; what goes up, must come down.

And she had risen too high, once upon a time.

The test of life had no answer, let alone a right one. Even the gods were slaves to fate, and emotion.

The tires screeched hellishly as she rounded corner.

Hera walked around the corner.

“It just—I feel like the world’s on fire when I’m with him! You know?”

The queen stopped. It was that nymph’s voice. The one who came by earlier.

“Ahh I’m so jealous! Tell me more! Tell me!”

“Well he just…I don’t know! When he kisses me the whole world just kind of…stops. You know? And when he listens…I feel like he’s actually listening.”

“Ugh, too sappy! Tell me the dirty stuff!”

“Oh stop! I’m not gonna tell you about our sex life!”

Hera rolled her eyes, beginning to walk away when—

“Well he is the king of the gods. You’re right; It’s better if I imagine.”

The queen froze.

“Eugh I don’t want you imagining me in bed with him!”

“No, I’m imagining me in bed with him!”

Hera couldn’t hear them anymore. Couldn’t see the world in front of her. She was staring at a space before her eyes only she could see; a space, a memory, where the world was wide and she and Zeus were the only beings in it.

That space was shattering piece by piece.

Her breath was shallow in her chest, her blood pumping her ears.

“Mama?” Ares’ little voice brought her back to the world. “Mama, you’re hurting me.”

She immediately let go of her son’s tiny hand. “I’m so sorry sweetheart!” She crouched down and took his hand in both of hers, this time with the most gentleness she could muster, and kissed his fingers. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah…‘m okay.” He took his hand back and rubbed it.

He looked at her apprehensively.

“…Are you okay, mama? …Are you angry?”

She whizzed passed broken stop sign, catching her reflection in the rear view mirror; her hair in tattered locks like rags about her face, eyebrows permanently furrowed, lip permanently pursued, blue eyes dim and hollow, with nothing of the brightness they once contained; only a few lingering sparks of electricity in an abandoned power plant.

‘Okay’. ‘Angry’.

Such ugly words.

“I just…” the golden girl pushed her hair behind her ear sheepishly, her eyes bright, “I feel like the world’s on fire when I’m with him…you know?”

“Can’t say I do,” Aidoneus muttered softly.

She put her gently hand on his. “Don’t worry, I know you will one day.” She grinned.

And what made it better was that she really meant that.

He tried to smile back.

“So what’s that…like?” he asked softly.

“Well…when he kisses me the world kind of …stops. It feels like there’s nothing and no one in the universe but him and me. We can talk about anything. And when I talk it feels like he actually listens. He always makes me laugh. When I’m with him…it feels like nothing else matters…”

She hated that word: okay. It was too simple, too easy; one could always throw it out as an answer. It didn’t mean, I’m doing very well, or I’m doing poorly—(though it could mean either depending on the context). Okay was just, ‘fine’, ‘alright’. Okay could mean you were doing wonderfully, having a great day, and okay could mean you would rather be dead, and either way people would smile and say good! I’m okay too!. Okay was never truly satisfied, never fully living. Just existing. ‘Okay’ was a word for ghosts; for those who are neither dead nor really alive, neither sinners nor saints. Just floating through the world, caught in between.

She was always okay…and she was never okay.

She rolled down the window, cool air rushing in to the car and scooping up all the smoke, taking it out into the night, giving it to some other lonely Goddess who needed it.

“Ugh, this again? I thought we were done with this…Just leave it for now. You’ll feel better after lunch.”

And, anger, anger was a fire that blossomed like a rose high, and bright, and scorching for a while, eating everything it saw. Then it dwindled. Sometimes it could be lit again by a passing breeze, if the embers were still fresh enough. And sometimes that relight could touch a passerby leaf or bush, and from there desecrate forests and cities. But often, even then, once it had finished blazing it would wither and die. Anger burned white hot and violent at first, but eventually it would fade, and the world would be left to deal with everything it blackened in its wake.

She sometimes had a vague image of smashing Zeus’s head in, of him clutching his big ugly skull, golden trails of blood intermixing with his violet hair, draining down his cheeks. And there she was, holding the stem of glass, half of the vase, in her hand, the rest of it in pieces all over the floor before them. Sometimes. Sometimes it felt good to take out all that anger out on innocent paintings. Sometimes she had to destroy something, before it destroyed her.

“You’re acting crazy.” He had said.

Crazy, was she?

Crazy for believing visions in her head, which were always right in the past? Crazy for being angry? For kicking him out? No.

Crazy for staying with a being like him?

Yes. If she was crazy, that was why.

If I’m crazy, well, then…

She smirked, taking a long draft, and letting it out, grey wisps filling the air around her.

Thanks, baby, I owe it all to you.

She had a faint recollection of being sane once. Before him. He always made her crazy, be it when she was first fell in love with him, or when she rose in hate for him. But there was a time, when, before all this, she was a sweet, naïve little golden girl in the forest, with her sanity in tact, who loved animals, and taking care of broken things, her innocence still put together.

He thought he knew crazy. He hadn’t even scratched the surface.

But then that impulse would fade as quickly as it came, and she was left with guilt for even thinking that way. She’d never do that. She might burn his picture, but she wouldn’t actually hurt him…would she? She hoped it would never get that far.

No. That was anger. The boiling thing rising inside her that made her want to smash, and spit in, his face, and burn paintings, that was anger. Anger rose, vehemently, but in the end it dissolved.

This was more than just anger.

This, this feeling; this dull resounding ache at the back of her consciousness like an unending death knell; this thing that bored a hole in her stomach, making her feel constantly sick; this thing that hung as a weight in her chest; this thing wrapping around her, chaining her wings; this thing that stained her eyes with sleeplessness; this thing that broke into her mind and ransacked her thoughts, tainting all those happy memories, making them seem diluted with lies, and sickening to think of, and never, ever left her house—

This was heartbreak. Eternal, infernal, heartbreak.

She was on a long stretch of road now, out where nature still bloomed and she didn’t have to look at anyone’s faces or talk to anyone. The ribbons of light still outlining the air—(was it two hundred now? She’d lost track.).

Lucky me.

Everyone always told her she was lucky. Not everyone got to be the wife of the king of the gods. Just her. She was lucky she had a husband who was powerful. Who was rich. She was lucky she had a husband who adored her. Who doted on her. Who listened to her. Who she could talk to. Who made her laugh.

Not everyone had that. Some had husbands who were poor. Who were weak. Who didn’t love them, and whom they didn’t love. Husbands who didn’t dote on them, or give them so much as a wanton kiss. Who fixed a permanent scowl on their faces. Who they couldn’t talk to. Husbands who lied to them, and cheated on them.

She was lucky she didn’t have that.

Not everyone got to be queen.

Lucky her. So lucky he chose her. So lucky she got the crown. No one else.

No one but her.

So lucky she had that handsome face to wake up to every day.

(Every damn day)

So lucky could talk to him every day. So lucky could kiss him, and hug him, and make love to him.

(Sometimes she couldn’t even look at him.)

So lucky she had Zeus. That goofy, dumb, brave, arrogant king as her better half. So lucky she had a husband who was so sweet, and kind, and gentle, and funny, and patient, and forgiving. So lucky she didn’t have had a cheating, lying, conniving, backstabbing little weasel for a husband, who put that crown on his head, and walked into his office like he owned the world—!

And he was the one person who could say he did. Including her. Sometimes she couldn’t say a word against him.

He owned the world. Along with every fucking girl in it.

And he did fuck them.

After it all, what would he say?

We all lie, so what? Something like that.

So what.

Him; the illustrious king with his throne, and his lightning. Her; a jealous queen with a stolen crown.

The only one to blame was herself.

“I just feel like everyone’s lying, everyone’s—!” the golden girl cried, her hands over her eyes.

Someone took her arm, someone whose grasp was gentle.

He put his finger on her chin, tipping her gaze up to him.

“I’d never lie to you.” Zeus said, giving a gentle smile.

And what made it better was he meant it.

She returned the smile, placing her hand over his. “Nor I to you.”

That naïve little ray of sunlight darkened by his moon.

We’ve both lied, so what? That would surely be his excuse.

“You know what?! Why don’t we talk about you for a change?”

He’d said he was sorry before. He’d promised to be better.

And she believed him, then.

He’d spent enough time telling the truth that she believed he meant it when he apologized. When he made promises. When he spoke to her, she thought he meant the things he said.

I cheated on you, I’m sorry.

I lied to you, I’m sorry.

Now she questioned everything he had ever said. His apologies, his promises, his compliments, his kisses. Were those words so long ago just another lie? His promise to never lie to her, was that just the first lie of a thousand? As numerous as the hours they spent together. Did he ever intend to keep his words back then?

That was the unfortunate thing about lies; they could reside in even the most sincere of promises.

I’m sorry.

(I’m not sorry.)

Long ago she’d wanted him to apologize. She’d been more than desperate to hear those words falling from his lips.

Now she knew they meant nothing. They could, and usually would, be just another lie. And, even if he meant them, they wouldn’t fix this aching hole he’d left in her chest.

She remembered herself at her wedding; them, the picture of a perfect, royal couple, his violet a compliment to her gold. Both of them practically shimmering, wearing traditional wedding attire—(though impossibly embellished and adorned)—and those goofy, light-filled smiles. The whole pantheon applauding, smiling, wiping away tears at their back.

In other countries, at weddings, they said they’d be together in sickness and health, till death did them part.

Did this count as sickness? As death?

Didn’t he break that promise? Did her promises matter after he broke his? Was her faith and faithfulness worth nothing anymore?

She now imagined herself in a black dress, standing at the back of that ceremony with a bow, and an arrow made of adamant, laced with the venom from a certain many headed monster, its gleam reflected in darkened gaze. She breathed out as they spoke, and loosed that arrow, shooting that girl in the back. Olympus shouted in vain, as she watched all that gold flow out of her past self, those blue eyes fade to a cool grey, keeping her from making the biggest mistake of her life. And she’d look at Zeus’ horrified face and think

I’m sorry.

(I’m not sorry.)

That was surely better than this. Better than dying slowly, the blue in her eyes dimming day by day into lifeless grey still animated somehow, better than that gold leaking out of her with each forsaken sunrise she woke up next to him.

Would he be happy then? Without her? He could fuck around with whoever he wanted.

Would she be happier, dead, without all this?

There was no way she could have known, back then what their lives would become after a few millennia. How that god who held her hands and said he’d never lie to her, who hugged her and kissed her, and seemed so in love, could become dissatisfied. That lust would overtake him; he’d keep wanting more and more, gorging himself on it. She had no way of knowing that she wouldn’t be enough one day.

She was young, and innocent then, and didn’t know better.

She couldn’t forgive herself for that.

Something flashed gold in the headlights before her, and for a second her mind manifested before her; she saw that golden girl still, her own hair draining down the street like liquid, that white wedding attire—old, ragged, covered in burns—her own naïve eyes, still full of light and life, staring up at her, terror overtaking their innocent frames. And her own eyes boiled.

The sound of breaking glass was like a cooling rain upon a fire that had been left raging too long.

*****

Zeus was doing important business work. Focus was imperative.

Someone knocked on the door. “Your majesty.”

He fumbled with the spinner he was playing with, dropping it on the floor, sitting upright. He folded his hands on the desk, clearing his throat, trying to look professional.

“Yes? If it’s Hermes wanting to install racing tracks in the sky again—”

“Uh, n-no,” the messenger poked her head in the door, looking nervous, “It’s… about your wife.”

He blinked, then sighed, leaning back in his chair. “…What’s does she want this time?”

“Um…” she swallowed, avoiding his gaze, “S-She’s been in a car accident.”

*****

Notes cont.: Do you guys have any ideas for what song I could use for Zeus for the next chapter? (I want the next chapter to be framed like this one--based around a song, but for him, and from his perspective.) Let's see...In the simplest terms, I'm looking for a song about someone who knows they've made mistakes and/or hurt someone, and wants to do better. It doesn't have to be kpop, it can be anything XD

I'm not sure if this fic makes it seem like I hate Zeus and think she should ditch him or something...I really really don't. That's kind of the point; I actually like him a lot, and am very excited to write his chapter. Hera is just (understandably, and rightfully so) really angry with him for treating her so poorly. and I was trying to convey that to the best of my abilities...but it does make him seem pretty douchey (and, let's be fair, he definitely can be). Their relationship is broken indeed...but I hope it's not beyond repair. (though...the myths don't give me much hope...).

Speaking of the myths, I know Zeus and Hera might not have been in love in the way I describe in this. I'm not very familiar with their early relationship in the myths, but let's just say I know them getting married certainly wasn't all sunshine and roses. And Rachel's been pretty accurate to the myths in her own way, so it may be true of them in LO too. But when LO Hades was talking about them in the past I kinda got the impression maybe they were at least somewhat in love, so I decided to go that route. Also, I don't know if using Ares' in the memory places things to early, I might change it to Hebe later...I just like the symbolism of using Ares, especially as I have him acting very differently then we know him as. I might decide to alter parts of this fic if and when she reveals more about their early relationship though, especially if this ends up being super inaccurate...

Sorry, I'm rambling now XD

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the fic!! I'd really apprecaite it if you could leave a comment and/or reblog to show your support!!!

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