#a goddess among us mere mortals

[lydiaas]

sometimes love comes back around

[azul-marie]

flirtatious character intros. (various/goddess reader.) (3)

note: fem. reader. suggestive. 3rd person pov. feat. raiden (+ dark) fujin, nightwolf, scorpion

i’m so happy to finally share the newest installment of this series! all the exciting news about mk1 definitely gave me some much needed motivation to finish these. once mk1 drops later this month, i’m considering adding its brand new roster to this series as well — let’s hope future me does so. thank you all for the love and patience you’ve shown; please enjoy your reading.

part 1 ; part 2.

raiden

raiden: i am glad to see you look so well, name.

name: you act as if we haven’t seen each other in years, old friend.

raiden: no matter our time apart, i will always be glad to see you. 

raiden: do you still accept my friendship, twisted as i am?

name: so long as we serve the realms together,  never will i stray from you.

raiden: your kindness is undeserving, name.

name: raiden, there are rumors whispering about us. 

raiden: do they speak falsehoods, name?

name: for my heart’s sake, i hope them true.

name: raiden, there are rumors whispering about us.

raiden: are they a nuisance to you, name?

name: i’d merely like to know how to make them fact, is all.

raiden: you never fail to surprise me, name.

name: how so, my lord?

raiden: despite our years together, my affection for you grows ever stronger each time we meet.

name: i visited the sky temple some time ago, but you weren’t there.

raiden: is that so? what were you in need of, name?

name: what else? you, of course.

dark raiden

name: my lord, i beg of you — do not test my resolve this way.

dark!raiden: haven’t i proved myself worthy of your devotion?

name: how could i, knowing what you’ll become?

dark!raiden: devote yourself unto me, goddess.

name: my lord would have me succumb to darkness?

dark!raiden: he would have you as his rightful bride.

name: what is happening to you, my lord?

dark!raiden: do you fear me, name?

name: i fear i am losing my dearest friend.

name: what is happening to you, friend?

dark!raiden: i’ve sought this power to protect us, name.

name: in doing so, you would sacrifice the raiden i cherish?

dark!raiden: tell me whose presence offends you most, name, and i will bring you their head.

name: my lord, surely you jest?

dark!raiden: i’ve told you, haven’t i? anything for your sake is worth doing.

dark!raiden: i will allow no harm to befall you again, goddess.

name: what have you done, raiden?

dark!raiden: whatever necessary to have you remain by my side.

fujin

fujin: the winds have blown the most loveliest of breezes my way.

name: (laughing) i am sure i’ve heard those words countless times before.

fujin: yet still they flatter, should your smile show for it.

name: fujin, there are rumors up in the air about us.

fujin: no need to mind them. let the others speak all they want.

name: are they correct, is all i wonder . . .

name: my lord, there are rumors up in the air about us.

fujin: you need only ask, and i shall speak my heart, name. 

name: fujin . . . will you accept mine in return?

fujin: my lady, would there ever come a day you’d reconsider my offer?

name: earthrealm has its brothers thunder for protection. is it necessary for me to join you?

fujin: it would certainly put my mind at ease, gazing upon your beauty each day.

name: dearest fujin? you’re still alive?

fujin: of course. i couldn’t bear another moment without your company.

name: i am glad your spirit remains ever breezy.

name: dearest fujin! everyone told me you’d been lost to time.

fujin: time itself could never keep me from you, lady name.

name: thank the four winds that guided you back to me.

fujin: tell me, has bi-han troubled you in any way?

name: the dark one has no hold over me, my lord.

fujin: should that ever change, allow me to be the first you turn to.

fujin: you’re quite popular among our mortal friends, name.

name: (laughs) worry not, he of wind. my eyes are still set on you alone.

fujin: i . . . ahem. it’s not like you to tease, my lady.

nightwolf

name: your wisdom surpasses that of many mortals.

nightwolf: it is by the great spirit’s guidance, not my own. 

name: humble and handsome . . . she’s chosen her champion well. 

nightwolf: the great spirit wasn’t lying about you.

name: pray tell, were they kind words?

nightwolf: kind as you are lovely.

name: i admire your resilience, nightwolf.

nightwolf: all i am, all i have become, is for the matoka’s sake.

name: blest be the matoka to have you, dear one.

nightwolf: haokah is especially fond of you, name. he a close friend?

name: indeed. we’ve known one another for eons now.

nightwolf: (scoffs) if i were him, i would’ve asked for your hand the moment i laid eyes on you.

name: i’ve never met a nightwolf in person before.

nightwolf: thoughts on your first, name?

name: if you’re willing, allow me the pleasure of knowing you further.

nightwolf: the great spirit’s keen on our meeting together, name.

name: she wishes to boast the power of her latest champion?

nightwolf: she wishes for us to be . . . compatible. take that as you will.

name: have you any sage words for me, nightwolf?

nightwolf: none whatsoever.

name: the way your eyes wander tell me otherwise, young pup.

nightwolf: i have heard that countless suitors vie for your hand, name.

name: such is the life of a goddess, i’m afraid.

nightwolf: allow me to put a stop to them for you, here and now.

scorpion

name: the thralls of hellfire no longer consume your heart?

scorpion: my suffering can only be quelled for so long.

name: if i may, allow me to ease it for as long as i can. 

scorpion: shinnok was infatuated with you.

name: he, like many others. does it trouble you, hanzo?

scorpion: so long as i am the only one in your company, no. 

scorpion: for all we’ve suffered, will you bless the shirai ryu?

name: grace me with honorable kombat, and blessings you shall receive.

scorpion: your kindness will not be forsaken, name.

scorpion: should you ever desire it, the fire gardens are welcome for you to visit.

name: a kind invitation, grandmaster. i’d hope it would come with a tour.

scorpion: it would be an honor, name.

scorpion: sub-zero has mentioned you time and time again, goddess.

name: is that envy i hear, hanzo?

scorpion: there will be no need for envy once i’ve proven my superiority for your hand.

name: i admire such ardent loyalty for your comrades, grandmaster.

scorpion: the ones i cherish fan the flames of my devotion.

name: i hope that i, too, am among such ones.

[mingiswow]

Boyfriend | Ahn Hyejin

Pairing: Hwasa x fem!reader

Words: ~ 4.1k

Genre: smut, mutual pinning, friends to strangers to lovers, a little angst

Content Warning: smut, mentions of alcohol and food consumption, hwasa and reader are both stupid, ridiculous amount of pet names

Smut warning: unprotected sex (stds exist kiddos), oral, fingering, finger sucking, scissoring, multiple orgasms, Hwasa first time with another woman

⚠ MINORS DNI

⚠ English is not my native language, so pardon me if there are any mistakes. And you can always tell me what’s wrong.

a/n: thx so much anon for the request and sorry it took me forever to write. I was inspired by one of my favorite songs from last year so I hope you enjoy it <3

It was painful. It truly was. Everytime you were around each other and you could do nothing but look at her. Admire her. To feel that painful sting of jealousy that you were so used to by now. Every Time her velvety and soothing voice spoke the words that you didn’t want to hear.

Pathetic. That was the word that could better describe you and Hwasa's relationship with each other. Not because the relationship itself was pathetic but because you were clearly head over heels for each other. Everyone knew that. Everyone saw. But you. You had your questions once in a while but soon were put in the back of the last drawer of your brain and forgotten. Because how could she like you back? How would a woman like Hyejin like someone like you? She was truly a Greek goddess walking among the mere fool mortals.

Not only that, she never gave any reason for you to think she liked you. Or women to be honest. She always told you and her other friends the difficulties of finding herself a decent boyfriend, a decent man. She always complained about the dates she’d go with these insufferable men in hopes to find something. “Not love, because that’s too deep for some of them” is what she would say.

And that was exactly what she was talking about. Her last date with this apparently nice looking guy who was a vet doctor and seemed to treat her nicely. Just the thought of Hyejin enjoying a date that was not with you made you anxious. Made you bite the inside of your cheek so much that you could feel the metallic taste in the tip of your tongue.

While she gushed about how he was such a gentleman, her eyes twinkling with a new found crush, you left the room to go to the kitchen to grab more alcohol. You needed to intoxicate your brain and forget about those stupid one sided feelings. Even more so now that she seemed to be interested in this guy.

A deep breath left your mouth, a stupid trial to exhale all the pent up frustration and jealousy.

“How long will you be holding a grudge against your feelings?” The voice scared you but you knew it was Yongsun, the only one you thought it knew about your silly crush.

You had no answer. As always. She was always right when it came to yours and Hwasa’s feelings but you’d never admit that to her. So you just shrugged.

“Yn… you’ll lose her if you keep hiding behind this facade of a good friend”

“First of all, it’s not a facade, I am a good friend that just happens to have feelings for her. And second, I can’t lose something I never had” your voice lowered towards the end of the sentence. You never had her. And never will. It was chosen already. “I have to forget her, Sun, I do. Before it’s too late” the can in your hand was finally opened and you took a big gulp of the bitter drink.

“And how do you plan to do that?” Your friend asked, taking the beer from your hand and drinking it too.

“I think…” you sighed, the weight of the decision, heavy on your shoulders, “I’ll take some time apart from her. It’ll be better for me if I don’t see her, especially now that she’s going out with this Seongyong dude”

“Yn…”

“I know it’s not the best and mature idea, I am aware. It’s just… it’s the best for me. If I don’t see her then I won’t feel things” the older one sighed, she knew she had no true power over your decision, you’ve made up your mind.

“Ok, I don’t agree but I respect your decision” she took a few steps to leave the kitchen but turned around “just don’t after me when this didn’t work because I’ll be the bitch to say I’ve told you” and with that she left the kitchen.

After the party you started avoiding Hyejin and the rest of your friends, finding excuses to never go to the parties and gatherings. You even missed Hyejin’s birthday party, something that hasn't happened for the past at least 5 years. But it was for the best. You saw the pictures of the party and your heart shrunk and broke into tiny pieces when you saw her having fun with her now boyfriend.

Did staying away from her helped? Not at all. You kept stalking her social media. Entering her account everyday to see what she had posted. Watching her stories on Instagram. You were just torturing yourself at that point. But that was another thing you’d never admit to yourself.

It was a warm summer night, the city seemed even more alive than ever. And you could hear the movement from your apartment. It made you feel sad that you were alone at your apartment again.

You were about to prepare to go to bed and watch some movie before sleeping when the doorbell rang.

She was the last person you expected to see behind that door when you opened.

“H-Hyejin? What… Are you okay?” You asked when you saw how drunk she looked. Her cheeks red, eyes semi closed, mouth slightly opened and her heels on her hands.

“No, I’m not” she answered, words wobbly with alcohol as she entered your house without even asking. Not that she needed to anyways.

You could smell the alcohol starting to evaporate from her sweat, the scent being borderline nauseating.

“How much have you drunk?” You asked, going after her. She threw herself on your couch.

“Why do you care?” The words were thrown at you like knives. And you deserved it.

“I always care”

“If you really cared you wouldn’t disappear from my life” she lifted her body, trembling a bit but managing to stand on her feet. “If you really cared you’d go to my birthday party, you’d cherish me and our friends, you wouldn’t just lie to us” she kept hitting your chest with the point of her index finger. She only did that when she was drunk and wanted to make a point.

You sighed and closed your eyes. You couldn’t deny any of those words. She was right. Absolutely right.

“I do care and that’s exactly why I stopped seeing you. Because I care too much” she crossed her arms like she was a mad little kid. “I cared too much to see you all being happy while I was in misery watching you”

“That’s bullshit! Since when are you in misery?” Her voice started to get louder. The alcohol getting the best of her usually controlled demeanor. “Your life is great, you have you dream job, you have your own apartment, you have friends, since when t-“

“I don’t have you”

“If course you have me, I’m your friend”

“I hate that word! I don’t want to be your friend, Hyejin, I want more!” You screamed, tears pricking your eyes. That’s not how you wanted to say these things. God! You didn’t even want to say these things. “Fuck! I… did you know how fucking painful was to hear you gush about your boyfriend with the girls when I was there? Listening and just wishing to be him. To be the one you gushed about? Did you know how painful it was to me to be in love with one of my best friends for years and have to see you suffer from all the jerks and I couldn’t do anything because I was just your friend? How mind and soul eating was the thought that I could be the predatory queer friend if I ever approached you because you don’t like girls and I never wanted to step over your boundaries?” Hyejin was in shock. That was the best word to describe the way she was.

Her arms were limp beside her body, eyes watching you with no expression besides surprise, no words leaving her mouth. You would be surprised if she wasn’t breathing as well.

You waited for an answer but she just closed her eyes and fell on the couch again, sleeping. You sighed. She was too drunk to even keep herself awake. She wasn’t even going to remember this conversation by the next day. Which you assumed was the best for the both of you.

You grabbed her bridal style and took her to your bed, putting her to sleep there while you slept on the couch. If it happened from her to remember anything you said, you didn’t want her to be uncomfortable by your side on the bed.

Laying on the couch, you closed your eyes and took a deep breath while trying to soothe your aching heart and racing mind.

You didn’t even know how or when you fell asleep. But you woke up with Hyejin’s velvety voice calling you. At the beginning you thought it was a dream but when you opened your eyes you saw her squatting by your side, hand on your shoulder and a shy smile on her face. She managed to look the prettiest she ever looked to you.

“Sorry to wake you up”

“It’s everything okay?” You asked while sitting on the couch to talk to her.

“We need to talk” you nodded and she sat by your side. You waited for her to say something. Hyejin took a deep breath in and turned to look at you. “I’m sorry” it took you a while to respond, not really knowing what to say.

“It’s alright, it’s not like I haven’t dealt with you drunk before” you gave a little chuckle but she shook her head.

“It’s… it’s not about that. I’m sorry that I made you suffer” she looked at the ground, picking the little loose skins on the fingers.

“It’s not your fault, Jinnie, I didn’t say anything either. It’s not like you should know” you grabbed her chin to make her look at you. “Besides, I never wanted to ruin our friendship, you are too important for me”

“What if I want you to ruin it?” You watched her, a little bit shocked by her statement.

“What?”

“What what?”

“What do you mean? I’m… I am a little lost here” Hyejin gave her little giggle that you loved so much and moved a few centimeters closer to you.

To say your heart became a thousand marching bands in your chest was being very nice because your heart was about to come out of your throat and jump into her own.

Her hands grabbed yours and brought them to her chest, right in the middle, feeling her thumping heart.

“I never told you anything either because it took me a while to realize that what I felt for you was more than friendship. Sorry I had to make you feel like that to make me pay attention to my own feelings” you nodded. “I thought that was because I enjoyed your friendship, your attention on me. I guess I always knew you liked me… I just… never accepted myself”

“I know how it feels” you said and smiled. You took your hand out of her chest and held her face, feeling her give in to the touch and slightly lean her face into your hands. “Please tell me this is not a dream” you whispered, more to yourself than anything else but she heard.

Hwasa smiled and closed the distance between your faces and kissed your lips. It was simple, just a longer peck but it was enough to make the sleeping butterflies in your stomach wake up.

“Does that answer your question?” The woman smirked, almost as she was playing with you. Which wasn’t a lie.

“Not yet, I think I need more evidence” you entered her little game and this time was your turn to kiss her.

Opposite of her, you didn’t go for the peck. No. You went for the kiss. The real one. Both of your hands held her face in place as you leaned forward to touch her lips with yours, your body slightly towering her, making her feel the warmth coming from you. She felt safe, welcomed, and, more than anything, she felt… excited.

You’ve been dreaming about this kiss for the past years of your life, you had to take your chance if she ever felt like giving up. But Hyejin was far too gone to give up, your lips felt like heaven to her. The way you knew exactly how to kiss her, how she liked, how she deserved. She could feel all your love and feelings boiling in that little touch of lips.

It didn’t take long for you to feel confident enough to open your mouth more and invade her mouth with your tongue. Which she gladly welcomed, a sigh mixed with a low moan leaving her mouth as you did. One of your hands went to her waist, grabbing the skin between your fingers, making sure she was not going to run away, while the other held the back of her neck, pulling her head closer towards your own. Her hands, that were holding your arms, put themselves on top of your thighs, caressing them on top of your sweatpants.

Everything was getting more intense, getting more heated. Both of you could feel it. And all you hoped was that she wasn’t going to stop you because the heat in between your legs was getting annoying.

Your body started to move on top of her, leaning down and taking hers to lay down on the sofa with you. The kiss never breaking, only intensifying from the pent up need from both of you.

“Yn…” Hyejin moaned your name in the middle of the kiss and you could die happily right then and there. The way your name sounded painful coming from her mouth as if the air she needed to say was being pulled from her lungs. “Please” her voice, usually strong, velvety and deep, was whiny, above a whisper. You lowered your kisses from her mouth to her neck, kissing, sucking and biting the soft skin there. “More, please… I… more” you smiled on her skin, enjoying the effect you had on her. The wait was worth it.

“What is it, Princess? I need you to be more specific to me” you kept your assault on her neck and you could see by your rear view that her legs rubbed together.

“I need more, yn… I… I don’t know… I-I just need something. Touch me please” in a blow of confidence she grabbed one of your hands and put it between her legs and you feel the fabric of her panties under her skirt already starting to get damp.

“Fuck” you whispered feeling the wetness as you slid your fingers up and she left a low moan. “You’re going to be the death of me”

“Just please fuck me before you die” she said without thinking much of her words, making you chuckle and her to blush.

You left your position on top of her, earning a whine, before grabbing her bridal style to take her back to your bed.

“Honey, if I’m going to fuck I’m fucking you right” you said before laying her back on the bed.

You pulled her skirt and underwear down, lower half naked. Hyejin, the woman of your dreams was half naked on your bed, pussy dripping wet waiting for you to fuck her like she deserved. Without losing any more time, you snaked in between her legs, putting them on top of your shoulders as you got face to face with her glistening pussy.

You looked at her face one more time to ask for her consent but you didn’t even have to do it because she was nodding eagerly before grabbing you by your hair and pulling you to shove your head on her pussy.

Her smell was divine, her wetness welcoming your mouth like her own welcomed before during the kiss. Your tongue licked a long fat stripe from her hole to her clit, earning the most obscene moan you’ve even imagined coming from her, which made you even more eager. She tasted as sweet as you imagined in your most perverted dreams. She tasted, smelled perfection. She was perfection.

Your licks and sucks were being distributed equally on her clit to her hole. You used the tip of your tongue to write your and her name on her clit, her legs trying to close on your head as she kept rubbing her pussy on your face, not being able to keep quiet. It was too much. She never felt anything like that. Was it because it was you? Was it because you were good? Or was it because nobody ever ate her like she deserved? Maybe all the answers were right. All she knew was that you were devouring her like you were starving and she was enjoying every single second of it.

You were slowly edging her, playing with her clit until the knot in her stomach started to tighten until you left the nub to go tongue-fuck her hole, your skilled muscle entering her as deep as it could, the sour taste of her wetness being welcomed on your tongue as you felt like tou were using drugs. You were completely high by her, by her taste, her smell, her body. Everything. You were becoming addicted to the vice grip she held your hair, burning your scalp, but you couldn’t care less.

You kept going with your mouth from clit to vagina until she was coming on your tongue, a trembling mess on your shoulders, sweet moans of your name leaving her lips as you kept licking and sucking her clit until she rode her orgasm. When she was getting back to her senses and thinking it was over, you pushed your middle finger inside her. Her tight warm wall welcoming your digit.

“Yn… fuck… please… I’m so sensitive” she whined, trying to close her legs again but stopped her.

“Oh, baby, I know. But we just started” she widened her eyes looking at you. “I know these men never fucked you right, but I’m here to make up for you, ok? Just don’t think too much. Relax and let me take care of you” she nodded, biting her lower lip in anticipation.

You left your position in between her legs and took your finger from inside of her just to take the rest of her clothes off so she was fully naked. Beads of sweat adorning her soft and tan skin, eyes dark with pleasure, chest rising up and down with the action. She never looked so pretty. You wished you could take a picture of this moment to keep forever.

You kissed her lips again, making her taste herself in your tongue, which she gladly did. If it was anyone else she’d think it was gross, but it was you. And she learned rather quickly that you could do anything with and to her that she’d thank you.

While you were kissing she entered two fingers inside of her cunt, a moan getting trapped inside of your mouth as you swallowed it. Your hand started to move, slowly at first, making her feel used to the intrusion but soon she was asking for more. Begging. You went faster, wrist snapping fast and hard, fingers curling and opening inside of her hole, finding the soft spongy spot inside, making her eyes roll back and back arch up. She was getting closer again and you could tell. Walls hugging your digits.

Your other hand went to her mouth, prodding the tip of the index and middle fingers on her lips. Hyejin understood the movement and opened her mouth, taking both fingers in her mouth and sucking them, hands holding your forearm as she sucked your fingers like her life depended on it.

“Such a good girl, you like having something on your mouth, don’t you?” She nodded, moaning around your fingers and her walls squeezed your other ones. You smirked at that but decided that you probably would have other opportunities to mess with her. “Can you cum for me again, baby?” She nodded eagerly. “Then come again. Wet my fingers like you did with my face” she moaned against your fingers again and you increased the speed of your fingers on her pussy.

It didn’t take much for her to come undone again on your fingers, juices leaving her pussy as she almost screamed around the fingers on her mouth. Her legs trembled even more this time and you could see she was getting too sensitive. But you needed to release as well. You knew this was her first experience with another woman so you decided not to overwhelm her and make her go down on you. Besides, you hoped you’d have chances to teach her how to do it.

You help her ride her orgasm before leaving the bed to stand up and take your own clothes off. Something inside of you suddenly got shy to be naked in front of her but as soon as you saw the way she drank your naked form, you left all the shyness behind and got on top of her again.

You kissed her lips again, her hands going to squeeze the soft skin of your ass as she kissed you more eagerly than before. It was wet and messy, all tongue and teeth. You noticed how she started to rub her core on the thigh it was inside her legs, searching for friction.

“Two orgasms and you’re still rutting against my thigh?” She got shy and blushed, eyes looking at you like a puppy. “Tell me, baby. What do you need? You want to cum again?” She nodded and squeezed your ass again, making you giggle at her attitude. “It’s your lucky day because I can make you cum as many times as you want” you lowered yourself to whisper on her ear “that’s the perks of dating women, we can last longer than any men could ever imagine and make you cum until you ask for me to stop” Hyejin left a little moan leave her lips as she imagined fucking you until she couldn’t walk.

You grabbed her body, laying her even more on the bed and opened her legs. You put yourself in between her legs, making your pussies touch each other. She moaned with just the feeling of your hot wet pussy in contact with hers, head thrown back. You chuckled and started to move, genitals rubbing together. The friction making you moan as well. You were not such a big fan of scissoring but somehow it felt so good with her. The way your juices were mixing with each other made the movements comfortable and enjoyable. Once in a while your clits would touch each other, earning loud moans from both of you.

Hyejin started to move herself, making your pussies touch even more and rub each other like a vice. Her long nails squeezing the skin of your thighs making you moan in a delicious pain mixed with pleasure. And it didn’t took long for her to cum again, clit rubbing against you even faster to ride the high. You came soon after her, your juices mixed dripping down your skin.

You left your place on the bed to grab a wet cloth so you could clean her sweaty and sticky body, taking special care with her sensitive area. After cleaning her you went to clean yourself and grab a cup of water for her.

Hwasa drank the water in a swig making you chuckle at her thirstiness.

“What are you laughing at? That’s all your fault?” She sassed at you. You feigned offense, putting your hand on your chest and opening your mouth

theatrically.

“My fault? You were the one who asked for it, remember?” She blushed and turned her back to you. You giggled at her. “But today was just a taste of what you can get”

“A taste? Can you go beyond?” She glared at you, eyes widened with the thought of you being able to go for even longer.

“Oh honey, you have no idea what I can do” you smirked at her, grabbing her chin between your fingers and softly kissing her lips. “But I can go slow with you, there are a lot of things for me to show and teach you” she smiled and nodded, giving you another kiss.

“And I can’t wait for you to teach me” she cuddled your waist and you couldn’t take the stupid smile out of your face.

She was going to be yours from then on.

Masterlist | Requests and feedback

[peanut-butter-parkerxx]

Brushstrokes of New Orleans: 002

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⋆♱✮☽🦇☽✮♰⋆

The garden of the Mikaelson mansion was a symphony of colors and textures, a lush tapestry woven from the finest threads of nature. Vibrant blooms cascaded from trellises and arbors, their petals kissed by the golden rays of the setting sun.

The air was alive with the heady scent of jasmine and honeysuckle, mingling with the earthy fragrance of damp soil. As Elijah and I wandered through the garden, I couldn't help but be struck by the beauty that surrounded us. Tall hedges of boxwood formed intricate mazes, their dark green foliage a stark contrast against the blooms that flourished at their feet. 

The path beneath our feet was paved with smooth cobblestones, their surface worn by the passage of time. Elijah cut a striking figure against the backdrop of the garden, his tall frame clad in a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, his hazel eyes sparkled in the fading light. His movements were graceful and measured, each step a testament to his poise and refinement. 

Beside him, I felt small and insignificant, a mere mortal in the presence of a god. My own appearance felt inadequate in comparison, my simple dress and worn sneakers a far cry from the elegance of Elijah's attire.

As we walked, Elijah pointed out various artifacts hidden among the foliage, his gestures graceful and fluid. He moved with a quiet confidence, his every movement imbued with a sense of purpose and grace. His voice was smooth and melodic, a soothing balm to my restless soul.

I, on the other hand, felt awkward and clumsy by comparison, my movements hesitant and uncertain. I stumbled over roots and rocks, my eyes darting nervously from one artifact to the next. And yet, despite my ineptitude, Elijah never once made me feel inadequate. Instead, he guided me with patience and kindness, his presence a steady anchor in a sea of uncertainty.

There were statues of ancient gods and goddesses, their faces weathered by centuries of exposure to the elements. There were vases and urns adorned with intricate designs, their origins shrouded in mystery. But it was one particular piece that caught my eye, a small figurine nestled in the crook of a tree. It was made of delicate porcelain, its features exquisitely crafted with painstaking detail. I felt a flicker of recognition stir within me as I gazed upon it, a memory hovering just out of reach.

"Do you recognize this piece, Penny?" Elijah asked, his voice gentle as he studied my expression.I nodded slowly, a furrow forming on my brow. 

"Yes, I believe so," I replied tentatively. "It's the figurine of Demeter, the ancient Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility." Elijah's eyebrows lifted in surprise, a hint of admiration shining in his eyes. 

"Impressive," he remarked, his voice tinged with approval. "Not many people know the name, let alone the story behind it." I smiled modestly, a warm glow of satisfaction blooming in my chest at his praise. 

"I've always had a fascination with Greek mythology," I admitted, my voice tinged with excitement. "There's something so captivating about the tales of gods and goddesses, of heroes and villains." Elijah nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. 

"Indeed," he agreed, his gaze drifting back to the figurine. "The story behind this piece is quite fascinating. It is said to have been crafted by a master artisan during the height of the Athenian Empire, a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the era."

I listened intently as Elijah recounted the tale of the figurine, his words painting a vivid picture of a time long past. It was as if he had unlocked a door to another world, allowing me to step back in time and experience history in all its glory. 

"How do you know all of this?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "I mean, this piece isn't exactly well-known, and yet you seem to know everything about it." Elijah smiled modestly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. 

"I have a bit of a penchant for history," he admitted, his voice tinged with self-deprecation. "I find comfort in the stories of the past, in the forgotten artifacts that tell tales of bygone eras."

I couldn't help but smile at his confession, a warmth blooming in my chest at the thought of sharing this passion with him. It was a side of Elijah that I hadn't seen before.

As Elijah and I continued our leisurely stroll through the garden, we came across a small alcove tucked away beneath the shade of a sprawling oak tree. Nestled within the alcove was a pedestal upon which rested a singular artifact, its presence commanding our attention.

We both stopped in our tracks simultaneously, our eyes widening in recognition as we beheld the artifact before us. Without a word spoken between us, we both uttered the name of the piece at the exact same moment, a synchronicity that sent a shiver down my spine.

"The Forgotten Symphony," we said in unison. A soft smile graced Elijah's lips as he turned to me, a twinkle of curiosity shining in his eyes. 

"It seems we share a fondness for this particular piece," he remarked, his voice tinged with intrigue. I nodded eagerly, a warmth spreading through my chest at the realization that we had a shared appreciation for the same piece of art. 

"Yes, it's always been one of my favorites," I replied, my voice filled with excitement. "There's something so hauntingly beautiful about it, don't you think?" Elijah's gaze softened as he looked at me, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his expression. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, as if lost in the depths of my eyes. And then, with a slight stutter, he began to explain the story behind the artifact. 

"The Forgotten Symphony," he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words. "It's... it's a piece that holds a special place in my heart." I watched him intently, my curiosity piqued by his sudden hesitation. 

But before he could continue, I felt a surge of confidence wash over me, a desire to help him in any way that I could. And so, without missing a beat, I picked up where he had left off, recounting the tale of the Forgotten Symphony with passion and fervor.

"It's a piece that tells the story of lost love and longing," I explained, my voice steady and sure. "A symphony left unfinished, a melody that echoes through the ages, reminding us of the power of love and the pain of loss." As I spoke, I could feel Elijah's eyes on me, his gaze softening with each word that fell from my lips. And when I finally finished, there was a moment of silence between us. 

And then, with a slight blush staining his cheeks, Elijah turned away, his mysterious demeanor returning in full force. But I could see the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had formed between us in that fleeting moment. 

"Now I understand why, your professor was so eager for us to meet."

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

[whippersnappersbookworm]

Inaidhal[Chapter-5]

Bhognohridoy (broken hearted)

Collab with @harinishivaa

Poonkuzhali was exhausted, she was tired of waiting and peeping around to get a glimpse of her Ponniyin Selvan. Since the day the Kodambalur illavarasi had arrived, Poonkuzhali hasn't dared to go near him. She was afraid of witnessing something that could break her heart into a million pieces. Although she had seen the aforementioned women roaming around the Vihara, taking care of Arulmozhi ,tending to his wounds.She was curious about this woman who apparently is going to marry her, Ponniyin Selvan.

Vanathi was exactly like she imagined, beautiful, graceful and petite. Just like a so- called perfect princess should be. Jealousy filled Poonkuzhali's heart even with the very mention of her name. What was so special about her? Why does everyone think that she is his perfect match? Will she ever be able to understand him or protect him from the dangers of the world like she did? Does she even care?

No, she does. As much as Poonkuzhali wants to ignore it, she knows in her subconscious mind that Vanathi cares about Arulmolzhi. She had seen her sitting beside his side looking at him like he was the only thing in this universe. Vanathi's love for him was pure and beautiful, maybe much stronger than hers?

"No!" Poonkuzhali stabbed her knife into the wooden pillar as the very thought entered her mind.

" No no it can't be , her love can never be stronger than mine!"

Since Poonkuzhali was a young child she has been known for her beauty. Everyone who sees her compares her to the divine goddess of heaven. Men fall at her feet yearning for her love , but Poonkuzhali never spared them a glance. In her heart she always believed that she was destined for greatness. Only the greatest of all men is worthy of her beauty and her love. She was meant for a divine entity, not some mere human being. So she guarded her heart with care and saved herself for her god , until she met him: Her Ponniyin Selvare.

Poonkuzhali still remembers the first time she saw him. He emerged like a divine being, a golden light surrounding him like a halo. He was the sun among mortals , his presence had the power to turn hell into heaven. He won her heart with a few words , he gave her a new identity, a new birth: Samudra Kumari , The queen of the seas. From that day onwards, Poonkuzhali decided that Arulmolzhi is the one meant for her, he is the king to her queen. She nurtured that dream in her heart for those painful months of separation , her dream transformed into a reality when she met him again in Eezham. He nurtured that small dream , and gave her hope . But all of those dreams disappeared as soon as that princess arrived! She came out of nowhere and took away Ponniyin Selvan, her Ponniyin Selvan. The one who talked about his dreams with her. Arulmozhi didn't even care to inquire about her once? He didn't even search for her? How can he do this?

" Of Course he can,” Poonkuzhali muttered as she used her knife to destroy the wooden pillar of the vihara.

"He is too busy with his princess to care about this boat girl!"

"Ayoo!" Poonkuzhali turned around to find Vandiyathevan standing behind her with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Is the Samudra Kumari planning to destroy the vihara or what?"

" Go away!" Poonkuzhali answered.

" I don't need you!"

" Of course you don't, but I do. The crown prince has called you.”

" What? Why?" Poonkuzhali turned around to face him.

" How can I know?" Vandiyathevan shrugged his shoulders

" Why don't you come and find out?"

Vanathi didn't want to be in this family meeting, she didn't want to be near Ponniyin Selvan when he is reunited with Poonkuzhali. Because she knew she couldn't bear to see him glancing at another woman with love in his eyes. It was Kundavai who forced her to come here.

" Why are you hiding from her, Vanathi? There's nothing to be afraid of! Be a brave girl and face your fear. Be the Vanathi I know, calm and quiet but an enigma in her heart,” she said.

Right now, Vanathi didn't feel so brave , she felt like the walls of the room were closing , choking her and making her breathless.She had an urge to disappear inside the Earth like Sita , as she sat there half-listening to the banter between the three siblings.

"Illavarasi, Poonkuzhali is here."

Vanathi's head jerked up to finally face the woman she had heard so much about. The woman who was able to win the heart of the unattainable Ponniyin Selvan, the heart of the man whom she loved.

Poonkuzhali was the very epitome of beauty. She reminded Vanathi of the stories of the divine Apsaras she heard from her grandmother when she was young. Vanathi was not a man, but she could understand why any man would fall in love with her. Poonkuzhali was ethereal, she was like a burning flame , her beautiful eyes reminded Vanathi of the sea : the sea during the storm . She stands tall among all the royals , as if daring them to challenge her. Her haughty gait and proud posture reminded Vanathi so much of Illayi Piratti. No wonder Arulmolzhi fell in love with her .

Kundavai on the other hand was taken aback by Poonkuzhali. She expected a timid and shy girl, who would crumble under her glare, but this girl was something else. She didn't care about what the people in the room thought about her , she didn't care that they were royal, she only had eyes for one person, her brother. Maybe Vandiyathevan was right, Poonkuzhali was special. Her presence reminded Kundavai of a certain friend from her past…

‘No!’

The very thought made her shiver,

She was right. Poonkuzhali is unsuitable for her brother. Not because she is a boat woman, but because she is a fire that can burn him.

"So you are the one who saved my brother?" Aditha enquired

" Yes , Ilavarase," Poonkuzhali bowed down as Aditha addressed her.

" I couldn't have done that without my aunt's help."

" Your aunt?"

" I will tell you about her later, Anna," Arulmolzhi whispered to his brother.

" Thank you, kanna,” Aditha turned around to the girl standing in front of him.

" You don't know what favor you did to our family. We will always be grateful to you."

" It was nothing Ilavarase, I have to do this for myself,” Poonkuzhali replied, making Kundavai scorn, in anger.

Aditha simply smiled at her reply.

" Ah, you are a smart girl, I see. So tell me, Samudra Kumari , what do you want as a reward for saving my brother?"

" Re…reward?" Poonkuzhali mumbled

" Yes reward , Penne, you saved my brother's life. I have to reward you for your brave deed."

Poonkuzhali looked towards Vandiyathevan in confusion.

" Go on. Tell,” Vandiyathevan encouraged her

" I don't need anything, Ilavarase."

" You must need something. Go on, tell us."

"I really don't…"

Aditha smiled seeing her hesitate.

"Tell me Kanna , I promise you I will try my best to give you what you want."

"Ayoo Ilavarase, don't promise me anything too rashly, you will regret it later,” Poonkuzhali laughed bitterly.

Aditha scorned at her , this girl was now getting on his nerves . What is the deal with her?

"Why don't you just tell him?” Kundavai interrupted , wanting to end this conversation.

Poonkuzhali stood up, fixing her gaze at the princess. She had heard about her, she knew how much influence she had on her brother's life. Poonkuzhali also knew that Kundavai was the one arranging the marriage between Vanathi and Arulmolzhi. She was the one taking him away from her.

" You can't give me what I want, Illavarasi , rather you don't want to!" Poonkuzhali replied, rendering everyone in the room speechless. Anger rose in Kundavai's face as she realized what she meant.

" I think I should leave. I am sorry if I have upset you with my words. Please forgive me if you can,” Poonkuzhali replied as she ran out of the room and clashed with Sendhan

"Kuzhali wait!"-

He called out her name but Poonkuzhali didn't stop to listen, tears threatened to come out of her eyes not because she regretted her words but because she remembered how Arulmolzhi hadn't bothered to glance at her once while she was there, rather he was busy staring at the beautiful face of a certain princess .

"Oh, you are not wrong Arul , that girl is a Spitfire,” Aditha tried to joke to lighten the intense atmosphere Poonkuzhali has caused with her unexpected declaration.

" Hmm " Arulmozhi replied as he glanced towards Vanathi, who refused to even look at him. Why? Was she okay? What was Akka thinking about bringing her here in front of Samudrakumari? Didn't she know it could affect her heart? What if she once again faints? Who is going to take care of her then?

" Arul, are you even listening?" Kundavai snapped at her daydreaming brother, though she had noticed his looks, and had to control her smile.

" Anna is saying something!"

" I am, I am!"- Arulmolzhi replied as he tried his best to compose himself

What am I doing? Why am I worrying so much about Kodambalur Ilavarasi? When akka is there to take care of her.

" Vallavaryan, why don't you come and sit down? We need to discuss our plan of action,” Aditha gestured to his friend.

“Of course, llavarase,” smiled Vanthiyathevan, taking a seat next to Aditha, who noticed the tense yet easy air between his brother and the Kodumbalur Princess.

He sighed. Looked like his brother needed to hear about love from him.

Kuzhali is here!! Let us know your opinions on this chapter! please!!!

@vijayasena @vibishalakshman @thelekhikawrites @ambidextrousarcher @celestesinsight @jukti-torko-golpo @kovaipaavai @rang-lo @dr-scribbler @ragkee @ @ @arachneofthoughts @sakhiiii @harinishivaa @freeunknownwasteland @nspwriteups @willkatfanfromasia @gemsmusings @celestesinsight

[aldrawsstuf]

Zodiac Signs as Deities (Part 1)

Aries the Flamebringer is the first Lord of the Zodiac, is the goddess of Courage, Fire and Warfare. She is a god with a fiery temper, unafraid to stand up for what she believes in and champion her causes.

It is said she granted the first mortals with the gift of fire, a tool that would shape their destiny and allow them to overcome the harshest of obstacles. Aries believed that courage was not merely the absence of fear, but the ability to face adversity head-on and emerge victorious. Her followers are taught to embrace their inner fire, to use it to forge their own paths in life and to stand up against injustice. Her domain encompasses not only the element of fire, but also the battlefield, where her champions prove their mettle in the crucible of combat.

Aries blesses those who stand up for what is right, who fight against tyranny and oppression, and who have the courage to forge their own destinies. She does not condone senseless bloodshed or the destruction of innocent life, but rather champions those who use their strength and skill to protect the peace that has been fought so hard for.

Taurus the Opulent is the second lord of the Zodiac and the goddess of Metals, Wealth and Prosperity. A goddess who loves luxury and comfort but believes that wealth is to be earned.

She taught her followers the value of hard work and perseverance, that true wealth comes not from taking what belongs to others, but from creating value through one's own efforts. Her domain was filled with precious metals, gems, and other treasures, which were used not only for personal adornment and display, but also for crafting tools and works of art.

She blesses those who have earned their wealth through honest and hard work, as well as those who share their fortune with others in need. However, she does not tolerate greed and avarice, and those who attempt to hoard wealth at the expense of others will find her wrath swift and unforgiving.

Gemini the Craftsman is the third Lord of the Zodiac, is the god of Duality, Reflections, Music, and the Arts. He is an inventor of great skill and ingenuity. His inventions have changed the course of history.

Gemini teaches his followers to embrace both their light and dark sides, as it is through the union of opposites that true greatness is achieved. He encourages them to explore the endless possibilities of existence, to question everything and to never accept anything at face value. His domain spans across the vast realms of imagination and creativity, where his most devoted worshippers find solace and inspiration. It is here that they channel their inner Gemini, crafting works of art and music that resonate with the deepest parts of their souls.

He blesses pursuers and patrons of the arts, music, and crafts, as well as those who strive for knowledge and understanding. However, he does not tolerate those who use their creativity for ill intent or to spread lies and misinformation.

Cancer the Riptide is the fourth Lord of the Zodiac and the god of Filiality, the Seas and the Moon. A strong-willed and compassionate god. He holds the sea's power in high regard and treasures its beauty.

His teachings emphasize that the family is the cornerstone of society and that the ties that bind loved ones ought to be treasured and guarded. He is also the protector of those who find themselves alone or abandoned, offering them comfort and solace in times of need. He and Pisces both rule the oceans, but he rules over the waters that are connected to the land, where the tides play a vital role in sustaining life. His domain also encompasses the moon, whose phases govern the tides and evoke a sense of mystique and wonder among his followers.

He blesses the people who honor and protect their family, as well as those who find solace in their bonds. However, he is not one to tolerate those who seek to harm or exploit their loved ones. His wrath is swift and merciless against such individuals.

Leo the Resplendent is the fifth Lord of the Zodiac and the god of Valor, Passions and the Sun. A god who values pride and courage more than anything else and anyone who dares to disrespect him will not find forgiveness.

His teachings is that of raising oneself above the mundane, to achieve greatness through one's own efforts. Leo exhorts his disciples to follow their interests with all of their might since it is only through the crucible of hardship that they may genuinely blossom into greatness. His dominion spans huge deserts and boundless plains where the sun's heat may inspire as well as burn. His most committed followers congregate here in search of his direction and favor.

While Leo honors those who take pride in who they are and aim high, he does not support conceit. People who take the risk of flying too near to the sun or publicly bragging about their achievements run the danger of earning his wrath. Leo is a deity who cherishes humility and respect just as much as he does vigor and pride. He acknowledges that real greatness comes from motivating people to aim for the stars rather than from stepping on them.

Virgo the Sustainer is the sixth Lord of the Zodiac and the goddess of Nature, Care, and Agriculture. Virgo is a god of balance and moderation.

She imparts to those who follow her principles the knowledge that nature may be both an ally and an enemy. Life requires constant attention and vigilance, as well as a constant effort to preserve equilibrium. Her realm encompasses not just beautiful forests and fruitful farmland, but also dangerous slopes and terrible deserts. Wherever there is life, there is Virgo, guiding and protecting.

Seeking her favor requires those who seek to understand how to balance their personal demands with those of the world. Virgo is not one for token gestures or hollow words; she expects real results and actionable steps. She punishes not just those who would take advantage of nature for their own benefit but also those who would do nothing but watch while pain continued.

[ritsu-hime]

Voices

I hear voices when she speaks.

When people speak of ancient gods and goddesses of old, the true horrors of the world that are made of some primordial essence beyond the comprehension of man, they describe the madness that comes with their perception. Something so vast and so powerful clearly must be beyond mortal understanding if as little as the mere sight of them might sunder the mind so thoroughly. And yet, how could tale spread and image render of such a being if their visage was truly so devastating?

Some say they walk among us. Don mortal form and enshroud their true natures from lowly eyes. Speak in muted hushed voices so as to not break the fragile things they wish to grace with their presence. Imagine the sadness you would feel if every creation burnt to ash in your hand just from your desire to hold it. Wouldn't you give anything so they could feel even a portion of your love for them?

So they shatter themselves, sprinkling grains of sand into forms that can scarcely hold back the light that shines through the cracks in paper thin shells, trying to spread their joy with us. And usually we notice. We see the alien nature, the abnormalities that flavor every word or action. We dismiss it as something flawed, broken, still so far beyond recognition that people refuse to see its beauty. And perhaps they're right, fragments of infinity can never convey a perfect whole to so small a mind.

Still, small few see more, bask in the starlight that shines through and threatens to consume every other sight. Hear the echoed voices layered over one another, each clamoring to share the love and kindness and compassion that their minute pieces were made to give. They fall into the embrace of that incomprehension and give themselves over to it in ways man can't fathom words for. Are the old gods real? Who can truly say, when the only evidence of such a thing is a madness that can't be spoken? And yet…

I hear voices when she speaks.

[littlesparklight]

A not fully exhaustive list of rewards offered to Paris in various sources, partially from my own checking and partially taken from Cristian Mancilla's thesis Artistic and literary representations of the Judgement of Paris in antiquity. They're roughly ordered from earliest to latest!

The Iliad ; -- / -- / "the lust women feels"/furnished him with most griveous lust/"maschlosyne" [no mention of other potential gifts, not even Helen, but she might be implied as in some other cases, two gifts were included; or, like in Dionysalexandros, the gift was used to seduce Helen into leaving with him]

Cypria ; -- / -- / Helen [we don't know what, if anything, the other two goddesses offered, as Proclus' summary doesn't mention this and there are no surviving fragments otherwise]

Cratinus, Dionysalexandros ; unshaken sovereignty / courage in war / becoming the most beautiful and beloved by all [+Helen? or does Dionysos simply use his gift to seduce Helen into leaving with him?]

Euripides, Trojan Women ; king of Europe and Asia / command of all Phrygians and destruction of Hellas / Helen (as told by Helen)

Isokrates, Encomium of Helen ; rule of all Asia / victory in battle / Helen

Ovid, Heroides ; "thrones" / might in war / love + Helen

Hyginus, Fabulae ; rule all lands and dominate the rest in wealth / strongest among mortals and know all skills / marriage with Helen

(Pseudo-)Apollodorus, Bibliotheke ; king over all men / victory in war / Helen in marriage

Apuleius, the Golden Ass/Metamorphoses ; kingship of all Asia / prowess in war / "a bride unmatched in beauty, one like [Aphrodite]" = Helen

Lucian, Judgement of the Goddesses ; lord of all Asia / great conqueror, always given victory / Helen

Dares Phrygius ; -- / -- / "the woman deemed most loveliest in Greece" = Helen [only, no other gifts offered, the Judgement is also a dream]

Dictys Cretensis ; -- / -- / -- [no judgement at all?]

Colluthus, Abduction of Helen ; king of all Asia / prowess in war/victory / Helen

Excidium Troiae ; multiplication of his flocks with each birth (twin calves each time) / victory in battle / Helen

After this comes the more allegorical takes, usually omitting gifts and merely talking about what the goddesses "represents". A small number of these come from before 0 CE, but most of them are post 0, and the further we get into Christian cultural domination, the more... forced and out there the allegorical interpretations become.

As you see, most of the gifts have "practical" application and effect on both Paris' life and the lives of everyone around him. And since the gifts are given to Paris, you can't judge the quality of them without the context of who he is (a prince of Troy) and what that means in effects on Troy.

Hera's gift(s) 99% of the time means a majority of the part of his family that would be eligible to take the throne after Priam (as well as Priam himself) would have to be done out of the way with for Paris to get what she's promising him. -In a way, choosing Hera might leave Troy itself standing, but the royal family (the source of Hera's ire) would mostly not be. This leaves out accounting for the losing goddesses' feeling of offense and their potential retaliation.

Athena, basically every time we're not talking in an allegorical application (Hyginus stands out), does not offer "wisdom" or "skill in crafts" or similar; she is a war goddess and offers him a gift commensurate with that. -A gift, I'd like to point out, that while it would undoubtedly look the best initially, means there needs to be war. And if you're conducting war on your neighbours, they might get... cranky... and come to make you unable to continue to wage war on you. Whether this would be a deadlier version of a Trojan war than the one where Helen is taken we can leave open. This again doesn't account for inclusion of retaliation from Hera and Aphrodite.

[lachimolala-is-love-and-life]

The Love I Always Desired

Genre: Greek Mythology!Au, Greek God!Au, Fluff, Smut, Angst

Pairing: Eros!Jimin x Psiche!Reader

Words: 3347

Summery: Y/n, a beautiful girl who cannot find a husband, becomes the attraction of all the neighboring peoples who offer sacrifices and call her Venus (or Aphrodite). The deity, knowing the existence of Y/n, jealous of the usurped name, sends her son Jimin to make her fall in love with the ugliest and miserly man on Earth and be covered by the shame of this relationship, But the god makes a mistake, and the arrow of love strikes his own foot, and he falls madly in love with the girl.

Note:  Part Two!

In an ancient Greek kingdom, at a time when the gods roamed among mortals, three beautiful young princesses lived protected within the walls of their palace. All three,  in full mature age and envied for their breathtaking beauty. They were eager for a life partner and dreamed of what their husbands would look like.

"My husband will be a famous general and will court his strength through his conquests," boasted her older sister, fantasizing about a man in armor and mighty.

"My future husband will be a rich man and will give me precious silk clothes and the most beautiful jewels," said the second daughter, imagining herself among the riches given by a future lover.

Y/n smiled as she heard the words of the two older sisters. What they desired in a man were only characteristics of pure pride. She certainly was not against it, but she was looking for something else in a lover.

"and you Y/n? What will your husband be like?" asked the older sister with a certain superiority in her voice.

"Me? All I want is pure and true love. A love that makes me happy..."

"What a honeyed" laughed the two sisters, mocking her.

Y/n at her words felt a feeling of desire. She burned with the desire to find a person who loved her with all of herself and not forwhat was said around. She, as the youngest of the three sisters, was considered the most beautiful girl ever seen. So beautiful she attracted everyone's eyes, making her sisters especially jealous. Many people came from distant kingdoms, walking along long roads, only to admire the young princess.

"Here is to you the most beautiful creature that has ever set foot on earth" her father had introduced her to the population when she had reached the age of majority.

She was worshipped as a deity, so much so that the tributes that were once offered to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, were now for the princess.

Offended and enraged, the goddess watched from Olympus the court that followed the princess, while her temple was completely empty. Aphrodite could not stand that a mere mortal could usurp her throne, so she decided to take revenge on the girl.

"Jimin, come here" the young son of the goddess, embodiment of passion and love, hearing the enraged voice of his mother, immediately ran to her, abandoning every activity he was doing.

"Mother, were you looking for me?" asked the young god, a little intimidated by maternal anger.

"My son. This woman believes that she is on the same level as the deities and superior to your mother. I need you to punish her using the power of your arrows. Make her fall in love with the worst man on earth. Miserly, ugly and evil. I will destine her to a life of sadness and her beauty will be spoiled."

"Mother... aren't you exaggerating? It is not her fault that she was destined and honored to possess your beauty. Maybe we can do something else..."

Aphrodite's gaze turned black and struck her young son. Jimin was slumped on his skin in front of his anger and in a stuttering voice said, "Okay, Mother. As you wish."

And so, at nightfall, Jimin took flight and with inhuman speed and headed for the royal palace. The young god was amazed to admire the wonderful architecture and the preciousness of the materials with which it was built. He flew around him for quite a while and as soon as he spotted the young woman's room, he sneaked in stealthily.

It was deep night and Y/n was sleeping. Her body was covered with a light black silk suit that highlighted all her curves. Jimin approached the girl and was stunned by what was in front of her. It was just as the mother said. She really possessed an indescribable beauty and if his mother could read the thought to him, she would make him flog for thinking that he could surpass that of the goddess of beauty. Jimin was enchanted by how moonlight gently kissed her skin. It seemed soft and he resisted so as not to stretch out his hand and also feel the warmth. He let slip a faint sigh.

He could not be enchanted by a simple dead woman. He took the bow and arrows and prepared them to shoot the weapon, but as he was about to make the gesture, the young woman turned over in bed, slightly uncovering her breasts and causing Jimin to lose concentration for a few moments. A few moments that turned out to be fatal because he absent-mindedly let go of the arrow, accidentally hitting his foot.

Stung by the arrow, Jimi fell in love with Y/n as soon as he set his eyes on her. The mission had failed. The young cupid was now lost in his own spell. His heartbeat fast in his chest, but he fought against that feeling so as not to be abandoned to eros; therefore, before the power was brought to completion, he escaped from the window, but not before turning a last look at his beloved.

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The next day, Y/n woke up with a strange sensation enveloping his room, but everything seemed normal. Except for the window. Had he left it open the night before? She was sure she had closed it before Morpheus wrapped her in a deep sleep.

But something strange from that day was perceived by the princess. Time passed and although she was the most beautiful and the most beloved of her sisters, Y/n was still unmarried while her sisters had several suitors.

"Ah Y/n. You have always been adored by everyone and, despite this, you are not yet married. While we are happily married to the noblest of men." He kept reminding her of the sisters.

"Don't worry my daughter. Your beauty may be overwhelming to some men, but soon you will find a man worthy of your heart," her father told her a day after calling her to court, but in reality the king was seriously concerned about his daughter's situation. But no one knew that the lack of suitors was due to a single person. Jimin.

He was completely lost to the young princess and refused to awaken any kind of love for every man towards Y/n. After the blow of his arrow, he was now completely in love with her.

Then the king decided to go and pray to the oracle of Apollo, also known as Hoseok, in Delphi and inside he pronounced himself to the desperate king.

"Your daughter will marry a perverse winged being who delights in causing pain to mortals and gods. The princess will be left on the edge of a horrible precipice in a wedding dress and she will be handed over to this terrible creature that will cause her death. "

The king came out of the temple in tears and desperate for the fate of his daughter foretold by the sun god and to lose her forever. But Y/n's envious sisters convinced him to obey the god's words with phrases of the genre.

"You must obey the will of the gods or your choice to spare it, it will bring misfortune to our whole kingdom"

That night the king revealed the terrible fate to Y/n and she let herself be abandoned by pain and despair. "My beloved daughter, at the behest of the gods we will condemn you to a terrible end. Your beauty has now become a curse for our family." And that's how the next day Y/n was on the precipice from a wedding court, but the atmosphere felt more like a funeral.

Hearing her parents and close people crying for her, Y/n didn't hold back and turned to them.

"It is useless for you to weep for me at this time. Until yesterday you acclaimed me only for my appearance and to compare me to a goddess. Now let me face my fate" said this she approached the edge of the precipice, waiting for her future and horrible husband.

Then suddenly a strong breeze began to blow, lifting Y/n to the sky- This wind was Jungkook, also known as the god of the west wind and the god made her ascend to heaven and faced her fate.

The young woman was surrounded by a huge bufare of wind, preventing her from keeping her eyes open. But after a few minutes, everything became quieter, and Y/n opened her eyes again and what appeared in front of her seemed ethereal.

She was in an idyllic place. There were flowers everywhere and their scent enveloped the landscape. She sharpened her gaze and saw a wonderful white marble palace that stood out against the landscape. Y/n climbed the stairs to reach the entrance and was baffled by all the wealth that was inside.

Once inside the palace, Y/n heard a small voice but could not understand where it came from.

"My lady. Now everything she sees belongs to you and we will serve her for whatever her heart desires" Many voices surrounded her, but no one showed up.

"Oh, ma'am. We are invisible servants, but, despite this, she will be served and revered. We will keep her company until the arrival of the master. Now follow us please. We will accompany her to her rooms, after taking care of her."

"Thank you, you are very kind," replied Y/n and was pampered by his new servants. They helped her during the bath, during meals and sang harmonious melodies to her.

The sun went down, and Y/n was escorted to her bedroom. A four-poster double bed mastered the luxurious room. Y/n's heart was beating fast. She still did not know the face and name of the creature that would be her husband. Just thinking about it, a shiver ran through her body.

Before the servant left the room, he asked him a question.

"Before you go. I wanted to ask you something... How is your master? They say it's a monster..."

Although he did not see him, a small chuckle escaped the servant "Many talk about it like this, but in reality, he is not evil. How can you judge a monster a person you've never seen?" and having said that, the door opened wide and then closed soon after.

Y/n looked out onto the balcony and looked forward to her future partner. Night had fallen and the room had become dark. Sighing, Y/n walked away from the sight of that enchanted night and decided to sit on the bed, turning his back to the windows. Why all this waiting? Anxiety pervaded her.

After a few minutes, Y/n heard someone entering the room through the window. She felt the presence of her new husband and that he was slowly approaching her, until she heard him sitting on the bed behind her.

Y/n could feel his warm breath on his neck. He had his face right next to her, but she couldn't see it out of the corner of her eye. Y/n was tense and didn't know what was going to happen that night. Suddenly a pair of strong arms enveloped her from behind and her heart seemed to explode. Probably the young man felt her agitation and tenderly kissed her temple. His lips were soft against her skin and in something in her, she made her calm down and lean against the touch of her mysterious lover.

"Don't worry, my love. I will Never hurt your" his voice was warm, but sweet at the same time. It was quite different from what Y/n expected. She thought that from what her father had told him, her husband must have been horrible and cowardly, but from how he held her, he caressed her tenderly and with a candid voice... well... it had been a nice surprise.

Y/n turned to admire the face of her beloved but was disappointed to see that the darkness covered him completely. She put her hands on his face trying to study his features. Through his touch, he felt a soft skin and equally delicate features. Fleshy lips and a small nose.

"You... you are..."

" I'm Jimin and I'm your new husband. My love, I had been watching you for a long time and every day I fell in love more and more. I want you so much and I can't believe I have you in my arms right now. Y/n... you are beautiful..." Jimin said, gently stroking her face.

Y/n could not see the man in front of her well, but then why her heartbeat so hard after those words. Like a spell, she gently rested her lips on him, creating an indescribable passion. Jimin slowly stripped her, savoring the softness of her skin, and stroking every inch.

His hands could not move away from her breasts, kneading them slowly, putting a little strength, making her moan.

"These are the sounds I want to hear from you. They are mine and no one else will have to listen to them. Is that okay?" but Y/n was too lost in the young man's treatment not to give him an answer. He squeezed her breasts harder, making her moan again.

"Got it?" he asked again.

"Yes, Jimin. Only you" and he began to kiss her even more passionately. While Jimin was exploring the body of his beloved, Y/n untied the toga he was wearing and explored her body as well.  Jimin was certainly not a tall man, but he could understand that he was mighty, and, despite this, he was treating her as if she were a delicate flower.

Suddenly he grabbed her and made her lie gently on the bed, and then put himself on top of her, inserting himself between her open legs. Y/n could feel Jimin's powerful length touching her private part and a desire for lust pervades her body, wanting to unite with the man above her.

Jimi lowered himself slightly to touch her lips once again," "Now I'm going to get inside you, my love. Have you ever been with a man... in intimacy?"

"No..." she whispered weakly. At the news Jimin smiled and kissed her lips again. He was completely dependent on them.

"Then it will be an honor to be your first and only, my love" and having said this Jimin penetrated her, and a faint moan of pain came out of the girl's lips, while her young lover slammed his hips against her. After a few minutes, the pain became pleasure and Y/n was guided by Jimin's movement and he began to increase the pace, not detaching his lips from the girl and his hands from her velvet skin.

Both were enjoying each other's arms, yielding to eros, to real lust. Passion enveloped their bodies. Y/n could feel that Jimin wanted their bodies to be as close as possible, especially when she could feel his member count inside her and his breathing become heavy. She didn't know him, she didn't know his face, but she could feel that love that she herself was looking for.

"My love, you're holding me too tight. I will come within you soon. will you let me do it?" but instead of words, she wrapped her legs, crossing them behind him and making him approach his body.

And immediately their groans melted, letting themselves be abandoned by the passion just reached. Jimin kissed her for the last time, and then made her alreadyrare and put himself to the side, wrapping in his arms and bringing her body closer to his, her back resting on his chest. And both fell asleep in the heat of one and the other.

The next morning, Y/n woke up and noticed that her husband had disappeared, leaving no trace. She had been a little disappointed because he had shown her extreme affection, but she had not been able to see his face because of the darkness of the past night.

Furious the day, Y/n spends to familiarize herself with the servants and luxuries of her new home, but she kept thinking about the young lover. He was not as he was described by people. He was not  a monster. It was almost... divine.

The night came quickly, and Y/n was already waiting for the arrival of her husband and even that night passed with a sublime passion between the two lovers. And so it happened for many more nights, but still Y/n had not been able to glimpse the face of her husband. It seemed that he wanted to keep his appearance hidden. She had learned to love him deeply over time and didn't care if he was ugly or beautiful. She had fallen in love with everything he was...

Even that night, after another night of passion, Y/n couldn't resist and asked him," Jimin. My love. Why do you always hide in the shadows? My heart dies from the desire to see the face of my beloved"

The two were embraced and at her words, Jimin tightened his grip "But isn't the love we share enough?"

Y/n could feel the discomfort in Jimin's voice and apologized for offending him. She loved him and certainly didn't want to bother him.

"I ask you only one thing, my love. Don't try to look at me. In the darkness we are like equals and we will have to appreciate the feeling that is between us."

Y/n decided to consent to her husband's request. But time passed and curiosity was burning her. "Why was Jimin so afraid  to be seen? If he believes in our love then he must not be afraid that I will leave him. Now I am his and I have given myself to him..." Y/n thought and so he decided to act that night.

Y/n waited for her husband to fall asleep. She got up, coming out of the embrace of her lover and decided to take a lamp and turn it on, grabbing a knife in the meantime. He slowly approached the bed and once she lit up his face, she was speechless.

Jimin was not a monster, he did not have a grotesque appearance, but rather of a wonderful and straight boy. He had a few pink tufts gently sliding down his face. Fleshy lips and perfect features. He was magnificent.

She slowly approached to contemplate her husband's face, but unfortunately, a drop of lamp oil fell and fell directly on Jimin's chest, causing him to wake up suddenly.

Jimi looked up and found himself in front of  Y/n. His surprised look turned into pure anger.

"You're silly. A stupid one. What did I tell you? You probably thought I was a monster eh? And that dagger? You thought I was a monster and so you were ready to cut my throat? My love wasn't enough for you and that's how you reciprocate it?"

Jimin stood up and his anger was immense. Y/N fell to his knees in front of him, her face wet with tears.

"Please, my love. Forgive me. I was wrong but I can't lose you. I love you so much. Give me a chance to fix it..." But Jimin dressed in a hurry and came out of the balcony, opening his huge wings, ready to take flight.

"I asked you to make me a promise and you didn't keep it. Now you will never see me again. Goodbye"

And Jimin took flight. Y/n tried to stop him, jumping on him, but failed. She fell to the floor with a broken heart. Suddenly a wind enveloped her. It was again Jungkook, who had been asked by Jimin to bring Y/n back to his home. Among mortals.

Y/n woke up again on the precipice on which she had been abandoned, but did not decide to return home, but every day she went to pray at the temple of the goddess Aphrodite, asking to give her an opportunity to reunite with her beloved. But the goddess was silent, leaving the girl alone to crave her lost love.

Taglist: @gabriella-aesthetic

[cosmica-galaxy]

Goyall,jebus, crackpot and phobos react to a player that is a harpey? I don't mean the animal I mean the folklore that is a person that fell in love with a god/goddess/deity but the feelings weren't reciprocated turning them into a mostly bird person only thing human is the head.

Goyle: Goyle was used to many ragtag contestants coming onto his gameshow for an attempt at fame and glory in his cylinder of sin...but he had never seen this type of contestant before. They came in with a group of tagalongs, apparently leading the pack like a leader as they take charge over their entourage. Their kills were both graceful and magnificent. Their wings lifting them into the air and their claws snatching up prey like a hawk and dropping them into the blender apparatus on the arena. The crowd would even scream in awe as they fly past, their feathers bright and colorfully vibrate. Covered with blood and standing with their men proudly, the crowd goes wild with hoots and applause, and Goyle finds himself smiling underneath his mask. What an interesting contestant... Jebus: Jeb was a man of science and logic...but the Player was always far above his expectations in their means of what is logical. For instance, he has no idea what these 'mods' that the Player keeps talking about even are, but less to say he's surprised by their added "abilities". They were once 'human', but they now wear the identity of something called a 'harpy mod'. Their feathers made them look godlike, their voice like a songbird, and their talons as long and as sharp as any well-kept blade. The 'mod' merely added to their elegance and power and Jeb couldn't help but let the tempting thought of petting their feathers in his mind once or twice. He always shakes the ideas off, however. Still...he would love to learn more about these 'mods' if you would allow him to do so. Crackpot:

Crackpot was more than just a self-indicted messiah, he was the leader of the cult that he cultivated deep underneath nexus city. He was confident in his 'rights of passage' and 'those who would float' as Nevada sinks. But one day his lucrative view was challenged when the Player graced his presence in a form that never walked nor floated...but flew. It was the highest form of elevation among mortals that needed machines to take to the skies. But the Player's form shirked the need of grunt-made vehicles and the bright and colorful feathers that covered their body, defying the dull colors and tints that surrounded them. They stood with the two intruders, eyes tight and fierce and talons prepped to rip and tear into those lesser than them... And Crackpot became enthralled. Phobos: Phobos has always revered the Player as a being above all else in Nevada. They were above such needs that mere mortals had. They had no need for money, fame, or materials. They simple hailed as they were, pure and uncorrupted by the filth that ravaged Nevada's landscape. Seeing them in person, however, spurred another emotion that wasn't merely envy and awe from within Phobos. Seeing such a regal being standing next to the Auditor as the Nexus meeting begins to unfold, the director was speechless. The feathers that covered their body and the long threatening claws that extended from their feet radiated the power that he knew they were capable of wielding. But the form didn't take the face of his god...and Phobos could only stare at them as the meeting continued. His single eye scanning them in interest as his mind struggled to process the possibility of his god wielding multiple forms.

[hellcheer-heaven]

Dorks in Love: Lazy Saturday Mornings

1993, 8:49 am, Hawkins, Indiana. Chrissy comes out of the bedroom exhausted after another long week of work. It’s finally Saturday and the two of them can spend the weekend however they wish. Their plans are to just run a few errands and then do nothing for the remainder of the day. She steps out wearing Eddie’s old baggie robe, her hair is a mess, and her face is bare. The bags beneath her eyes have become a bit more visible and the hair on her legs continues to grow.

She rubs the sleep dust from her eyes, pouring herself a glass of orange juice, “Morning Eddie.”

Eddie was already up before her, his body was used to waking up before the sun rose. His brown eyes followed her from the moment she stepped out. He slowly placed his favorite Garfield mug down on the table. His facial hair was growing in fairly well, licking off the last drops of coffee that were hanging on. He can’t help but take in such a glorious sight. Still just as lovely as ever, Chrissy Cunningham, a goddess among mere mortals in his eyes. After she placed the gallon back into the fridge, Chrissy felt herself getting swept away by the strong, tattooed arms of Eddie.

She was certainly awake now, laughing loudly as he spun her, “Eddie!”

He placed her on the counter, giving her a long, loving kiss; his beard lightly tickling her. Eddie smiled against her lips and whispered, “Good morning Chrissy.”

[thenameswinter99]

(Late) WIP WEDNESDAY

Another week, another tag game! Please share your last sentence; or, if you don't have one, share a plot bunny or idea!

Thank you @lord-aldhelm and @thelettersfromnoone for the tag and sorry for being late for one day lol! 💜

The upcoming lines come from the fic from the previous WIP Wednesday, a SihtricxReader fic that has survived the initial period of doubt and uncertainty and has not been officially abandoned! Yay!

Unfortunately I haven't written that much as I have an exam on Monday and I'm spending the whole week by studying with my group. However, I managed to find an hour or so of free time and wrote few lines before going to bed.

I'm posting now a little passage from that fic now:

Three years had passed since you had joined them on their journey, and much as you had grown fond of their noisy but vibrant presence, and accustomed to hearing of their stories and battles, their long absence had never left an unbridgeable void in your heart.  All but one.  Every time you closed your eyes, you could feel the spirit of Sihtric at your side, sitting beside you by the lake, as you used to do when his duties to Uhtred didn't take up his time. You could feel his large, rough hands clasping your delicate ones, while in his innocent eyes you could read all the love and devotion he felt for you, looking at you like a goddess descended among mere mortals.

English is not my first language, forgive my grammar errors!

No pressure tag (if you want to, especially since Wednesday has passed lol): @whitedarkmoonflower @sihtricfedaraaahvicius @sylasthegrim @synintheraven @foxyanon @alexagirlie and whoever wants to do it! (And whoever need to recuperate lol)

[bellcza]

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/bellcza/745860739621847040 no because she’s so beautiful and talented and hsgsbsb…some people really do win in life

(Also 3-0 for us 😍 ijk r*a fans aren’t sleeping well today)

alexia is the most perfect woman out here goddess among us mere mortals.

[coffeeandjoon]

Let The Gods Bleed – A Mito Tale | DPR Ian/Mito fanfic 🌓

Summary:

In a world where angels and gods collide, Mito, a fallen angel, is adrift in the human realm, haunted by a forgotten past and plagued by depression.

Struggling to piece together his shattered identity, he stumbles upon love in the form of Mrs. Insanity, a woman scarred by loving the enigmatic Mr. Insanity. As Mito, now known as Ian, finds solace and happiness in their connection, he unknowingly becomes a threat to Mr. Insanity, a vengeful Greek god.

Driven by manic rage and a deep-seated hatred, Mr. Insanity descends upon Earth to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his. In a battle that tests the limits of their strength and love, Ian must confront his own demons and protect the woman who has shown him a path to redemption.

This story is a tale of love, turmoil, and the struggle for identity in a world where gods bleed and angels yearn for salvation.

Warnings:

violence, mention of blood & death, injustice 

1 – The Skies Begin to Bleach Red 

POV: Mito

Crimson red. The heavenly realm, otherwise so perfect and peaceful, was bathed in the color of blood. Humans called it a spectacular sunrise, if only they knew that this was the beginning of the downfall of the gods.

I could still feel the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. I had to do something.

I had tried to warn them. To point out to them the devious schemes of Ares, but what is the word of an angel against that of the god of war?

How could I have been so naive as to believe that they would listen to me. And above all, that they would believe me. And yet here I was, still trying.

The celestial realm quivered with tension as I, my wings ablaze with righteous fury, confronted the assembly of the divine. With eyes blazing like fiery stars, I stood before the gods, my voice ringing with conviction as I sought to expose the true nature of Ares.

They tried to dismiss my claims as the ramblings of a misguided angel, blinded by their unwavering trust in Ares’ façade of charisma. How could they be so blind? We were in the midst of a bloodbath, Artemis and Hephaestus had both fallen at the hands of Ares, and yet they looked at me with disbelief. Who else would have the power to kill a god if not another god?

"I implore you, Zeus," my voice thundered through the hallowed halls now turned red, "to heed my words and see the darkness that lurks within Ares. His deceit knows no bounds, his actions causing chaos and pain."

Zeus, the mighty ruler of the gods, regarded me with a mix of skepticism and disappointment. "Mito, your words carry a weight of accusation, but where is your proof? We cannot condemn a fellow god based on mere claims."

“Where’s my proof? Look at your feet, Zeus! That! This is my proof! He––"

"How can you be so sure that Ares killed them? These are serious accusations," Poseidon now interfered.

Anger boiled deep inside me. My wings trembled with frustration, but I stood tall, my resolve unyielding. "I have witnessed his malicious deeds firsthand. He revels in chaos, sowing discord and pain among mortals and divine alike. He is a danger to us all!"

Athena, the goddess of wisdom, raised an eyebrow. "Mito, you are a respected angel, but this is going too far! One more word and––"

Ares had a smug grin on his face as he took the floor. "My dearest, dearest gods. It relieves me greatly to hear you all defending my name and finding the true murderer of our beloved Artemis and Hephaestus." He nodded his thanks to all the gods before turning back to me and pointing his finger accusingly. "But you, Mito. You're pushing it too far. I know you've always had a hard time with me but accusing me of murder is an act that shall not go unpunished."

Loud murmurs rippled through the ranks of the gods but were drowned out by Ares' slow steps across the blood-soaked marble floor.

He circled me, eyeing me from top to bottom and glaring at me wickedly. "Look at you." He tugged at my once white feathers, now soaked with blood, and I pulled my wing away from his clutches. "Your wings are soaked with the lifeblood of my brothers and sisters." Another tug on the other wing, another dangerous glint in his dark eyes. "Why would an angel in the halls of Olympus be the first to be here after the massacre, unless he himself did the deed?"

"You know exactly why I was here first!", I shouted back, but my voice drowned under the loud commotion between the gods.

"Because you killed them," Ares mused in a melodic voice, glaring challengingly at me. He wouldn't get away with that. Not after what he had done before.

I ignored his provocations and turned back to Zeus.

"Zeus, you know as well as I and any other god that angels cannot kill gods. Please, listen to me," I pleaded.

At that moment, however, Ares fished something out of the pool of blood beneath my wings that shouldn't even exist. The God Slayer. A dagger that empowered any owner to kill any god.

I struggled with my words, nervously glancing back and forth between the dagger and the gods, but the look in their eyes told me everything. Their verdict had already been made.

"Zeus, I––"

"Your words mean nothing, Mito. You've been trying to badmouth Ares for centuries, but trying to pin your committed murder of MY children on him is going too far." He sighed before pronouncing my sentence and I knew I was going to die, "Cut off his wings."

I felt sick. This was not supposed to happen. I had done no wrong! "Zeus, please, let reason prevail, I did not do anything!" I screamed, but my words fell on deaf ears.

Two seraphim grabbed me by the arms and held me tight, I looked at them in panic and pleading, but they ignored me.

Suddenly I felt the hot breath of Ares direct on my right ear as he leaned in to me and whispered, "Have fun in Tartarus, Little Mito." Then I felt the cold steel cut through my wings and the world went black.

[deathlessathanasia]

"In the Theogony, Hekate is the second-last Titan born, and the passage praising her comes directly before Zeus’s birth. Hesiod tells us that Zeus allowed her to keep the prominent position she held among the gods,despite her Titanic origin. So, both in terms of her position in the text and her position in the cosmogony, Hekate acts as an intermediary between the old Titanic gods and the new Olympic gods. This is the first hint at her role as an intermediary, an attribute that is found in other literary and cultic situations as well.

The Theogony shows Hekate working closely with othergods – Olympic gods! – in order to bring about success for human worshippers, pointing once again to her role as an intermediary. The scenarios Hesiod provides are her ‘collaborations’ with Poseidon and Hermes: καὶ τοῖς, οἳ γλαυκὴν δυσπέμφελον ἐργάζονται, εὔχονται δ’ Ἑκάτῃ καὶ ἐρικτύπῳ ἐννοσιγαίῳ, ῥηϊδίως ἄγρην κυδρὴ θεὸς ὤπασε πολλήν, ῥεῖα δ’ ἀφείλετο φαινομένην, ἐθέλουσά γε θυμῷ. ἐσθλὴ δ’ ἐν σταθμοῖσι σὺν Ἑρμῇ ληΐδ’ ἀέξειν: βουκολίας δὲ βοῶν τε καὶ αἰπόλια πλατέ’ αἰγῶν ποίμνας τ’ εἰροπόκων ὀΐων, θυμῷ γ’ ἐθέλουσα, ἐξ ὀλίγων βριάει κἀκ πολλῶν μείονα θῆκεν. And upon those who work the bright, storm-tossed sea and pray to Hekate and the loud-sounding Earth-shaker, the illustrious goddess easily bestows a big haul of fish, and easily she takes it away once it has been seen, if she so wishes in her spirit. And she is good in the stables at increasing the livestock together with Hermes; and the herds and droves of cattle, and the broad flocks of goats and the flocks of woolly sheep, if in her spirit she so wishes, from a few she strengthens them and from many she makes them fewer.

This shows how and why Hekate has been given a share of the earth, sky, and sea, the three realms of the world that are visible to mankind. She cannot personally ensure that fishermen will receive a ‘great haul’, she can only assist in ensuring success if she is called upon. And success can only happen if Poseidon is also predisposed to providing it, and this predisposition can be enhanced if Hekate is willing to assist the individual in question. She may just as easily take away the fisherman’s success, or Poseidon might reject her solicitation if he is not predisposed to offer assistance. This is repeated in her aptitude for ensuring success or failure for cattle herders, in conjunction with Hermes. She alone cannot make fishermen’s hauls plentiful, nor a farmer’s flock swell in size; she is merely able to favourably influence the god who directly presides over that aspect of the world – here, Poseidon for the sea and Hermes for flocks – if she sees fit to do so. Her ability to influence outcomes, but only in partnership withanother god, is mirrored in her capacity to work within the realms of earth, sky, and sea without exercising direct control over any single area. Through these partnerships, Hekate acts as an intermediary between the gods and people, to ensure the success of their ventures, but only if she is correctly invoked and is amenable. D. West describes this process as Poseidon and Hermes ‘aid[ing] the goddess when she answers men’s prayers concerning fishing and farming respectively’,25 but Hesiod’s text shows that Hekate aids the worshipper, by putting their case to the specialist god. It is not the other god who helps Hekate, and neither is she helping the other god fulfil their function. She is assisting the person in correctly soliciting the most appropriate divinity for their task, and effectively providing a reference for their cause. Similarly, when Hekate gives men in battle νίκη (‘victory’) and κῦδος (‘glory’), she is mediating a function of Zeus, namely the glorification of soldiers.

Hesiod’s exposition of Hekate also includes the first extant reference to the kourotrophos (‘nursemaid’). Hesiod says that Hekate was nursemaid to all mortal children: θῆκε δέ μιν Κρονίδης κουροτρόφον, οἳ μετ’ ἐκείνην ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδοντο φάος πολυδερκέος Ἠοῦς. οὕτως ἐξ ἀρχῆς κουροτρόφος, αἳ δέ τε τιμαί. And the son of Kronos made her the nanny of all mortal children Who with their own eyes thereafter behold the light of the sunrise. So she was born from the start the nurse of these children and these are her honours. This is a function that Hekate carries with her into the classical period. Sacrifices are made to the goddess as kourotrophos at her sanctuary in Erchia, in Attica, where there is also a sacrifice to ‘Artemis-Hekate’, giving a strange situation in which the owner of a sanctuary is made the epithet of another divinity. There might be a sacrifice to Hekate as kourotrophos in Samos, although this equally could be a dedication to Ge. Hekate appears as kourotrophos in the ‘Orphic’ hymns, which shows that this cultic attribute continues from Hesiod throughout the classical period."

- Underworld Gods in Ancient Greek Religion. Death and Reciprocity by Ellie Mackin Roberts

[iphigeniainaulis]

Nothing gold can stay

Thank you so much for hosting this event, @aquagirl1978 and @violettduchess 🍂

Character: Leonardo da Vinci

Promt: Changing seasons

Tags: angst

Warnings: minor spoilers, turns a little bit suggestive (nothing explicit)

"...You know, in the 15th century lots of people were thinking the same way you were. Some tales claim that humans were originally created with four arms, four legs, two faces. They were complete, nothing missing, never lonely. Zeus split them in two, forever separating. But even though the god split them, they kept on seeking what they once were. Used alchemy to try and get it back. Immortality. They tried to recreate it. But these experiments failed. So, tell me…how beautiful do you think immortals are now?..." (Leonardo's route, chapter 23)

“Titan! to whose immortal eyes

The sufferings of mortality,

Seen in their sad reality,

Were not as things that gods despise;

What was thy pity's recompense?”

Lord Byron

They say when humans rebel against gods, nature is on the latter side. Prometheus granted people with fire, and the earth reopened the sores buried deep in its soils, spreading plague and diseases all over the world. Ancient Egyptians, once ready to disobey Ra, choked with their own blood as the Sun god sent the lion goddess Sekhmet to punish them. 

Yes, Leonardo always imagined that on the day like that he would face the force of nature like Moses did, gazing at the sight of the Red Sea parted in front of him, dark as despair, deep as an unfathomable abyss. The rumble of thunder would resemble the drums calling for every alive or dead creature to witness the justice of Heaven. The rain would silver in the air, covering houses, statues, faces with its snake’s scale, and thick darkness would make those with sharp vision become blind. 

But the spring night that wrapped the city of Florence in its warm embrace was soft and calm. Lily-white cypresses were rustling quitely, a thin layer of dust was settled on the ground and the roofs of tiny dandelion villas. Somewhere on the other side of the central square there was a gypsy woman sitting in front of a fire, surrounded by three children. Her deep sad voice echoed with hope through the painted walls of the Basilica di Santo Spirito, the most obscure one among all the basilicas in Italy.  

Meanwhile, here, in the cold and damp basement settled right under the benches where people prayed to the sacred void, Leonardo spent sleepless nights, researching and perfecting the art of hic et nunc, here and now, the one he would be praised for by his predecessors as the Master of Life. Because if you want to study life, you should firstly experience death. And so the great polymath was there to turn his plan into a reality.

He was in a morgue. 

There was a disgusting scent — a mix of ammonia, smoke and mould — coming from the bottles on the table. Old yellow sheets of paper were dropped on the floor, each and every one written with chaotical symbols and even holed in some places the brilliant Renaissance man felt mostly excited about. Alchemical signs on those sheets were looking at him with anger and animosity, as if they were a curse screamed in the holy place. They were indeed, though.     

Leonardo looked up from the pile of schemes and formulas, walked up towards a low stone pedestal with a fur tipped on top — a present, or more specifically, a mere pittance offered by his patron, King of France.

The pureblood kneeled in front of a woman lying over there. The moonlight made her face features soften, and she looked almost like a child watching her innocent dreams. Her curly hair didn't hide — on the contrary, it pointed at — her sharp ears and a gossamer of sunspots flowing from her neck to chest. The woman was radiating with peace, and despite the seriousness of the situation,  Leonardo couldn't stop thinking about how he wanted to paint that strange face, how he should blend hyacinth with aquamarine to underline the shadows under her eyes or find the most beautiful shade of ocher to colour her dress, the one he would give her after the awakening. Her or his, he couldn't decide yet. 

Leonardo didn't recall the young woman’s name. He didn't know whether she had a lover, a favourite dessert or a strange human habit of counting sheep before going to sleep. According to Giovanni, local baker who had wrinkles sparkling with laugher in the corners of his half-blind eyes, the girl used to sell smeraldo flowers on the central square every Friday but had never earned a single soldo, she was an orphan and hit by a carriage of one of those pseudo-Medici bastards. 

Life full of loneliness, destroyed so early. Da Vinci knew quite well what it was like to live on loan. To look for the lights in the windows that were never meant to greet you. To forever part your ways with people while wishing them good night. To make friends accepting that every promise would be untrue. Time. Cruel, insidious, merciless, miraculous time was like a chariot of fire, dragging him along the road where the only direction was forward.   

He had to restore justice. He had to save the girl, use all his knowledge, experience, innate perceptiveness, extraordinary intuition. And he was about to do so. Ignoring a tiny voice in his head whispering that it was him Leonardo wanted to save most. 

Taking a pot off of the heat, the pureblood poured the boiling liquid into a bottle and pressed it gently to the woman’s lips. After years of experiments, secret meetings, private talks, one of which resulted into him being charged with sodomy, Leonardo knew exactly how to make the elixir of life. The reason why so many bright minds had failed before him was that immortality, the main ingredient, couldn’t be invented. It was only possible to grant it. And the only one capable of it was someone who carried immortality within himself. A pureblood vampire.

He had to bite her. 

Her body was still warm. Skin was scented with olives and salty sweat just like the skin of any other commoner. Honest, true, strong and alive. After a minute or so everything would be the way it should be but never the same.  

Blood. It tasted like a promise. Of a story ended up too early. Of  hopes stolen by a cruel coincidence. Of love that was about to bloom. Of happiness they both deserved. 

A second lasted forever. Drops of water were monotonously tapping the ragged rhythm of his heart. Only once had he ever experienced something like this. When the young and wild artist from the town of Vinci was standing in front of his master, the famous Verrocchio, and waiting for his verdict.     

A second lasted a moment. Verocchio took Leonardo’s painting in his hands. The girl’s chest fluttered like a bird’s wings. The teacher dropped his brush in defeat. The eyes still capturing the reflection of death stared at the pureblood wide and curious.   

He did it. Prometheus won over the Olympians. 

Rough gloved fingers caressed her cheeks, tucked dark curls behind sharp ears, tenderly brushed the right temple where the scar from touching the ground could still be seen.   

“I should have apologised, piccolina, but then it would be a lie. Cause I’m glad to have you in this damn world.”

Now he can’t sketch her face. His mind refuses to play the loquacious soprano of her laugh, it hides the dim remembrance of twenty five shades of red that touched her cheeks when she was angry, thrilled or surprised. Treacherous time has been slowly but gradually gnawing Leonardo’s memories, leaving nothing more than the shadows of them. 

Yet, they once were real. 

There were walks under the searing heat of the white Italian sun. There were talks about everything and nothing in particular. She used to wear a shamrock green skirt and buckle a red ribbon around her waist, rushing in the honey scented meadows like a sea breeze while Leo was trying to catch the red silk with both his large hands.   

‘Gotcha. Heh, can’t say it was easy, mia gioia. You’re pretty fast.’

‘Hmph. I just didn't want to listen to your nugging, grumpy old man.’

‘Hm? Did you say anything? I think I’ve heard kitty's meowing.’

‘Put me down, you—’

The great Italian taught her to draw and told about distant planets, and the girl mumbled that he’d better learn how to get rid of the mess in his room instead of counting stars. Little signorina, that's how he called her, baked apple pies, spicy and stale, but she looked so proud of herself, so happy to have something she could treat him with that Leonardo swallowed the dish without hesitation.    

Summer reached its zenith. In the mornings Florentines stifled in the heat, and in the evenings — from the lack of air after siesta as crowds spilled into the streets, dancing, singing, arguing. Oranges were burning in tangerine fires, gardens were soaked with green and roses were filling lungs with the sweetness of velvet. Never ever did life seem so full of meaning to the pureblood. 

One night, when the Moon was high in the sky, Leonardo was rowing a boat, a seal of frozen puzzlement was put on his handsome face.

“Hey…” 

She lowered her gaze from the stars, curious eyes immediately catching the shift in the man’s expressions as well as a small wrinkle of doubt at the corner of his lips.  

“Still don’t know your name. And you’ve never asked mine.”

“What’s the point?” She brushed his question so casually as if it was a mere trifle.

“How am I gonna find my tesoro, if yall get lost?” 

“You don't need my name for that. Listen… ”

Little signorina leant closer so their eyes could meet.

“...names only make it more difficult. It's like putting a label on goods. Before they represented something unique. After that they turn into one of many others.”

Then came a pause interrupted only by the sounds of silk dark waves beating against the boat. Leonardo grew silent, observing the girl’s face and, as if having reached some kind of conclusion, grinned broadly.  

“You’re a curious one.” 

Silent tenderness of his features was replaced by something new, something hidden deep inside those warm hazel eyes — devotion and poorly restrained passion.  

“So, how should we call each other, bella?”

She already prepared the answer. 

“You’ll continue to call me Gioia, because I’m the only one capable of bringing you happiness. As for me—”  

His Gioia pretended to act indecisive, though it certainly looked like she was enjoying herself. 

“You’ll be anima gemella. My other half. Reminds me of that funny story about Ze..Zeus splitting people with two faces, four arms and four legs in two parts. I‘ve heard it from foreign traders. Do you mind listening?”

Surely, she couldn't see through the night shades. Otherwise, she might have caught a glimpse of pure pink blush pinching Leonardo’s ears. All the guides lost their meaning. All lighthouses were destroyed. There were only a river and a man following blindly the scent of olivas and the ghost of the Moon on shining curls. 

Prometheus was able to screw gods. But he had no idea how revengeful they might be. 

Autumn gradually claimed its rights to Italy. Every day laughing workers gathered together to  go to vineyards bathed in dazzling yellow, forest green and umber colours. Every afternoon Italian women, proud, with high-bosomed figures and thick long braids that were about to burst under their own weight, went down the hill with baskets full of chestnuts and olives. Their skin, wet from sweat, was sparkling, reflecting the red glow of the sunset. Wherever one looked, all he could see was an endless sea of pear and bronze. Summer went unnoticed, making way for the fall melancholy. 

By the beginning of November, pouring rains washed away the golden Renaissance of the Florentine autumn, and the city’s streets looked like a bright piece of canvas with sapphirine inks accidentally spilled all over it.  

This was also the time when certain rumours began to spread across Florence. Allegedly, there was a monster scouring the night streets, hunting people and drinking their blood. For Leonardo those talks could mean only one thing — another pureblood vampire came to his city.  

He was standing in front of a large window in his workshop located in the western wing of Florence where wine and oil fragrances blended, where artists walked arm-in-arm with rich nobles, where Italy gave birth in agony to its geniuses. Heavy rain drops were drumming outside, grey smoke was wriggling like Hydra with its tentacles spread to get inside and choke the fire his lovely Gioia was trying to keep burning. Leo watched her hands nervously sorting out the brushes, honey gaze never leaving the sight of dark curls waving in the air from quick rushes across the room. Recently, she began to eat more, and her body became even more curvy and beautiful. How scared the man was of his signorina’s deep clear eyes losing their humanity and, instead, filling up with the evil desires. But it seemed that he feared for nothing as she never showed interest in blood. Probably, Leo thought, it was a side effect of the elixir mixed with the vampire’s poison. Or, maybe, Heavens finally had heard his prayers, granting the poor creature another chance to live life free from pain and sorrow.     

The young woman put brushes into a jar with water and turned to face him. And again Leo was ready to swear that her eyes could look through him, reaching the very soul. 

“Anything happened? You’ve been acting like this the whole day.” She pressed hot cheeks against gloved hands, lips kissing long fingers. 

“People say there’re murders occuring in the streets. You’d better stay here, Gioia, where I can watch you.” Not so many knew the flower girl, and even those who did paid no attention to her sudden return together with the well-known engineer and artist. Da Vinci feigned a story that the girl’s injury after the incident wasn’t fatal, and those who preached the opposite were just the Medici’s enemies. People tend to believe in nonsense that sounds logical, and even the girl herself at some point believed in his lie. Leonardo didn’t mind. After all, he had to be the one bearing responsibility for those actions. He was guilty of dragging her out the Styx without permission, so why bother her with his pitiful doubts on what was right and wrong? 

“Everything will be alright. I have you by my side.”

Tiny hands flew up Leo’s shoulder, caressed broad hairy chest. Somewhere far away the thunder spoke, but Leonardo couldn't care less. The artist’s hearing, nerves and whole body were devoted to that gentle ray of light, the scent of olive soap, hoarse breaths and fingers drawing magical formulas on his back. Most certainly, to tie him completely and entirely to his little signorina who was whispering his name in the dark workshop in one dark night city.   

They were lying on a leather coach under Leda's thoughtful gaze. Fire flames sharpened the mythical queen’s features, making her look pale and pathetic, if not grieving. Carefully, not to bother her dreams. Leonardo wrapped his arms around the woman, no, the real goddess, sleeping beside him. The end to his inner demons finally came. No more nightmares, tears of pain and fears of the future. For the first time in his long eternal life he knew something for sure. 

He was no longer alone in the world. 

The next morning chill welcomed him with sticky fog and the sound of the window slammed shut. Damn drafts. The pureblood stretched his hand, wishing nothing more than to warm up in his lover’s sweet embrace. But the only thing he could touch was emptiness. 

Scraps of clothes were lying on her pillow, and it didn't take the ultimate Renaissance man long enough to realise what big red spots covering them were made of.    

     

Gloomy landscapes, boring buildings, narrow streets. Dirty puddles near apple carts. Rose petals left crushed on the paving stone. Loud screams, green faces, sikly mixtures of smells, loneliness was the top note. Leonardo ran about the streets like a wild animal locked in a cage, hating the city that managed to turn from the Garden of Eden to Hephaestus’ blacksmith within one night. Florence, the mother of his youth, remained silent to his pleas, refusing to give him a single clue about where his Gioia could be hidding.    

The pureblood visited every shop and tavern, talked to street vendors, postmen and watchmakers. Nobody had ever seen her. Despair was fretting his stomach, crushing chest bones into pieces, chaining his once again beating heart with grave coldness. No thoughts except one. Her saying, 

“Everything will be alright. I have you by my side.”

Gosh, she didn’t. He failed her. Betrayed. Wasn't smart enough to predict it. 

When the sun dipped below the horizon, Leonardo, wet, dirty and desperate, reached the Santo Spirito square. A strange feeling of nostalgia coupled with the presentiment of an inevitable disaster suddenly came upon him and became unbearable the moment Leo crossed the backyard of Santo Spirito, the only witness to his heretical sins.  

Jaw-stiffening scent of blood reached the vampire’s nostrils, and he let himself succumb to ancient predatory instincts. Pale blue spilled on the grass, lighting the backyard statues of Cupids, an empty draw well and a body lying near it. Another figure, much smaller, hunched over the body, leaning with greed towards already lifeless hands. Crunchy and chewing sounds urged Leo to vomit, but he resisted the need and stepped forward, picking up a thrown dugger from the ground — a weapon probably lost by the victim. 

The Moon emerged from behind the smoke clouds, and Leonardo got it all. 

Poor Giovanni was looking at the sky with his strange half-blind eyes, wrinkles of laughter already dropped across his cheeks like tears. Little signorina raised her curly head and stared at Leo emotionlessly.  

Autumn wind touched her curls, and she started speaking with the husky colourless voice of an old woman. 

“I wanted to eat…so much. But that wasn't enough…I needed…I needed more—”

The baker’s hand was brushed away with disgust. Another look — now hot from tears of pleas and rebellion — pierced Da Vinci’s soul. 

“What have you done to me? Turned into a monster…And now all those lives…I am guilty…I…”

Shaking hands squeezed head tightly, hair turned crimson red with blood. Leonardo stared at the person who had given him nothing but joy and made no effort to approach her, to say that everything would be okay. He couldn't do that. 

“Please, put an end to this. I’ve never asked you to do anything for me. Now I do. Stop it, Leo. Stop me.”

He flinched as if from a hit. Turned away, knowing it was cowardly of him. But yes, he feared. Oh, how he feared to meet her eyes and not be able to read blame in them. No anger, no disappointment. Just love, just a few drops of humanity. The humanity he deprived her of, striving for his own selfish ambitions. 

Spasm convulsed her muscles, yet she slowly walked towards Leonardo like a cobra ready for the last jump.    

“We’ll figure it out, bella. I will. You don't have to suffer on your own—”

Distant voices interrupted him. A gypsy’s figure could hardly be seen in the black blue void. Her daughter was following her when suddenly she stumbled over a stone and fell to the ground, crying from pain. 

In a matter of seconds the creature behind him jumped over the backyard, driven by the scent of innocence and blood. Leonardo didn't have time to think about what to do. He saw the shadow of his lover moving gracefully and fast, fangs ready to soak the red liquid. The next moment a loud sound of flash piercing resounded right at the sacred walls of Santo Spirito. 

But the holy spirit was about to leave that place. Gioia, his dear innocent  Gioia, was crying with relief. Leonardo catched her weakened body, searching for the familiar human warmth, but it was almost gone. 

Gioia touched the tip of the dagger in her chest, allowing her fingers to get soaked with blood. Then pressed those cold, lovely fingers to his cheek.    

“Do you think immortals are beautiful?”she whispered softly. 

Florence got silent, watching the agony of defeated Prometheus who once dared to laugh at gods.   

“If I had an extended life, could you let yourself love me?”

You see his face losing any colour. Tick, tick, tick, goes watch on your arm. Counting down the seconds of your life. 

“You can turn me into a vampire with a bite. I’d agree to it, if it allowed us to be together.”

Leo’s smile captured the sorrow of a thousand years. Memories of hundreds of countries. Fragrances of a dozen types of roses. Loneliness of a single universe. You know the answer and still have to clench fists so tight that nails leave crescent marks on delicate skin.     

“What I think, cara mia, is that it’s not your destiny to love someone who will only make you cry.”

Your dreams made of glass are cracking right behind you. His dreams. There are always shadows that cannot be replaced with the brightest sunlight. There are memories you think you’ve already escaped from, but they still bring you pain like the scar that remembers the wound. And this pain is the worst possible. Chill emptiness. You can’t get rid of it. You should only learn how to live with it.  

But how can you convince him?