#calypso is annoying :)

[matchboxcat]

@irunaki so I made this thing, im way too pleased with myself in all honesty

[funki-shark]

One thing I hate about a small portion of the pjo/toa fandom is HOW HARD IT IS TO FINISH A BOOK WHEN ONE SMALL THING MAKES THEM UPSET

i know caleo SUCKS. But it's not the focus point of THE WHOLE ASS BOOK. IT ALSO NEVER COMES BACK AFTER BOOK TWO YOU FUCKING IDIOT. GET PAST IT AND READ THE ACTUAL STORY

[modawg]

i don’t like calypso but her ignoring the fact that she literally told percy not to come back to get her and putting a curse on him that someone he loves who can physically be with him no longer can all bc she can’t physically be with him is actually so real of her

girl said “i didn’t think he’d actually do it🙄🙄wtf😒”

percy like sees her again and goes to apologize to her just for calypso to stomp her feet like “FUCK the only reason i left with this lame ass kid was to come find you and you already have a whole ass girlfriend what the hell!!” *puts another curse on him* “how dare you move on from our 2 week imprisonment together after several years!!!”

calypso: it was all a test and you failed😡😡annabeths just me in a mask to see if you’d ever come back to me and you didn’t!!!

*annabeth yanks her hair off and it reveals just calypsos weird invisible hand servants stacked in a trenchcoat*

calypso: i pulled your ass into tartarus and put a curse on myself just to see how you’d react and you still chose fake me !!! i’ll never love you again!!

percy: GIRL WHATTT ???? you’ve been pretending to be my best friend and girlfriend for the past 3 years ???? what the fuck ?? where’s the real annabeth ????

real annabeth who’s been waiting for someone to come get her after she accidentally stranded herself on calypso island since going to find percy post volcano:

it probably took at least 2 months for calypso to realise he might not actually be coming back

like every morning she woke up excited thinking todays the day he pulls up in that raft again but he never does and she stands on the beach every morning wondering where tf he’s at

calypso was another victim of ricks “hates percy for no reason other then having a crush on him while there was some kind of terrible thing happening in their life that vaguely connects to him” characterizations

why does rick continuously make other ppl hate on percy bro is percy’s biggest opp

pretty on brand of percy for his biggest hater to be his literal creator

[purpleshadow-star]

If two single characters start arguing in a "they're so annoying" way and not an "I hate them" way in a Rick Riordan book, you know those two characters are going to get together eventually.

[dance-in-the-morning-glow]

Sniffing the Caribbean: Elle’s Pirates Perfume List (2025)

Some of you might remember my post from last year. Since then, I’ve sampled more, obsessed further, and come to the conclusion that this list needed an update. Because this is what I do for fun, apparently.

This is all vibes-based and deeply unserious (except when it’s not), but it’s also the hill I will die on.

Elizabeth Swann: Okay, so the scents I've picked for her back then still fit well imo. Just switching them up into chronological order. She evolves so much over the trilogy, she deserves a scent arc.

For CotBP-Elizabeth, I’d suggest Cloon Keen’s Lá Bealtaine (Bergamot, Mandarin, Neroli, Pink Pepper, Angelica Seed, Angelica Root, Jasmine, Rose, Tuberose, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Amber, Musk, Cashmeran). Has the energy of someone dreaming about freedom but also knowing how to curtsy perfectly.

Then there's Juliette Has A Gun - Vanilla Vibes (Sea salt, natural vanilla absolute, orchid absolute, absolute brown musk, bezoin absolute, sandalwood, tonka bean). It's is a radiant, salty vanilla that smells like sun on your skin and a breeze in your hair. It's the girl on the brink of transformation.

If you want a more indie-leaning take: Death & Floral’s I could never stay long enough on the shore (sand, salty air, smoke, cold coastline). This one’s not as polished, and that’s kind of the point. It smells like she’s already got one foot in another world. (I think they're on hiatus rn, but you could always check r/IMAM's sunday swaps or r/IndieExchange on Reddit or something. Same goes for basically any other indie scent.)

DMC/AWE/Pirate King Elizabeth, however? She’d absolutely slay in something sharp, resinous, and dramatic. Enter: Beaufort’s Terror & Magnificence (birch tar, black pepper, saffron, incense, tobacco, papyrus, haitian vetiver, myrrh, labdanum, benzoin and pebbles). She’s weathered and commanding. Elizabeth in full Pirate King regalia would devour this.

Will Turner: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Asleep in the Deep (black plum, sea salt, opium tar accord, labdanum, and indigo benzoin)

Dense and dreamlike, pairs perfectly with Elizabeth’s Vanilla Vibes like shadow to her light. Feels almost like a premonition. The Dutchman waits.

Jack Sparrow: Give him anything rum-drenched and slightly unhinged. But if I had to name a signature scent, I’d pick Stranger Perfumery’s Cigar Rum (raisin, dried fruits (prune and cherry), rum absolute, mandarin, amber, tobacco, oakwood, vetiver, resins, labdanum absolute, seaweed absolute).

You could absolutely layer that with a dirt single note or Fantôme - Bune (damp subterranean air, nagarmotha, smooth cave walls, davana, a cold marble altar, & glittering green dragon scales) for authenticity lol.

Hector Barbossa: Still convinced the core vibe here is woody.

Solstice Scents - Headmaster (Apple, bourbon, oak, cedar, pipe tobacco, applewood, amber, spices) goes hard . That apple note layered over wood and spice? Perfect. Can't get more Barbossa than that.

But if you want something a bit uncanny: Whispered Myths (natural cambodian oud, cantaloupe, cedarwood, musk, honey, salvaged shipwreck) by Imaginary Authors. Yes, it has cantaloupe. No, I can’t explain why that works. This perfume smells like a half-forgotten treasure ship rotting sweetly in the sun, and Barbossa would 100% bottle that.

James Norrington: James, especially in his earlier form and later in AWE, is all restraint and clean lines. Thus, any light aquatic or clean scents work, so I’d choose something like Solstice Scent’s Gulf Breeze (Saltwater, sand, seashells, sea oats, rain, ambergris (vegan accord). A light marine scent with a wistful edge. This is a man who looks at the horizon (very sadly) and thinks of everything he can't say.

Maison Margiela's Sailing Day (aquatic, aldehydes, juniper, coriander, iris absolute, rose, red seaweed, ambergris, ambery wood) fits the bill too. A bit more straightforward than some of the others, but it's got that fresh-sea-air vibe.

If we���re talking clean scents, my personal fave is Ghost in the Shell (Yuzu, clean aldehydes, jasmine, musk, vinyl, ambergris) by Etat Libre d'Orange, so I'm just throwing that in here for good measure. Because this smells like sterile beauty and cool detachment. You get it.

For his Scruffington era, you could just let yourself inspire by the scents I've listed for Jack. (Make of that statement what you will.)

Cutler Beckett: *rubs hands together* Oh yes. My favorite little tyrant. Let’s talk.

So 1740 (bergamot, mugwort, patchouli, coriander, cardamom, cedar, birch, labdanum, leather, vanilla, elemi, helichrysum) by Histoires de Parfums is still my absolute holy grail of a Beckett scent. This smells like calculated charm, and a man who will smile while ruining you.

But wait - there's more.

I recently discovered Arquiste – Venice Rococo (black violet, blush rose, chamomile, dusty iris, subtle animalic amber) and that’s what a powdered wig should smell like. I'd say, layer it with anything I've listed here and you've got the perfect Beckett combo, but to me, that shit's so overpowering, so layering isn't really an option.

There's also Powdered Peruke (vintage powder, white rose, iris petals, musk (vegan), creamy vanilla, ambrette, hay, light woods, cashmere) by Dark Tales (and I honestly don't know what to think about the fact that I own not one. but TWO samples that make you smell like a fuckass wig. Call me crazy, idc). Anyway, this is the softer option, less “aggressive puff in the face,” more low-key elegance. And I guess the woody notes make it creamier which is nice.

Also, adding Commodity's Velvet (coconut water, roasted almonds, rose petals, vanilla, amber, and smoky musk) because it feels right. Imagine sipping brandy in your study while planning how to take over the seas. You get the vibe.

In my old post, I mentioned Gris Charnel for the tea angle, but honestly, after trying Indigo Smoke (lapsang souchong tea, mandarin orange, apricot, guaiac wood, incense and pine tar) by Arquiste I'm thinking this fits better. Not super deep into tea scents, but this one has the right smoky bitterness.

(Sorry, I'm making rocket science out of this for my blorbo from hell™️ - I'll stop here. Most of y’all probably don’t want to hear me go full scent autopsy on that cringefail man. Which I get. He's terrible.)

Davy Jones: Yeah, you still can't tell me this man - cursed squid creature - doesn't smell like Squid by Zoologist (Pink Pepper, Solar Salicylate, Incense, Black Ink Accord, Salty Accord, Opoponax, Ambergris, Benzoin, Musk). It's too on the nose.

BUT if you want something more tame (or like, a little less Zoologist), I gotchu. With the fishes and the dead by Death & Floral (Black squid ink and mile long oceans. Black ambergris, black labdanum absolute, salty ocean water, and black pits of stretched out emptiness) smells a bit similar imo, but it's less musky and I love the labdanum note in there. Plus, it's saltier. It's giving Davy Jones dramatically playing his organ in the best way.

Tia Dalma/Calypso: Still hunting for the perfect scent for her, especially in goddess form. But for human-form Tia Snake Oil (deep, rich, earthy notes swirled with vegetal musks, sugared vanilla bean, and dark spices) by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab fits?? Mysterious and dangerous without trying. She is the secret everyone pretends not to believe in.

Ian Mercer: Beaufort - Tonnerre (smoke, gunpowder, blood, brandy, sea spray and citrus)

Still don't think I need to elaborate. This is a violent scent. It opens with an explosion and never settles down.

Bonus Round: Fragrances That Just Fit the Vibe

Two cups of tea, a summer monsoon, me and you (Rain on cracked soil, wet creosote, a swelling monsoon, desert cedar, black tea) by Death + Floral. I weirdly associate this with the beginning of DMC. It smells like heartbreak in a storm, waiting at the altar while the sky falls.

Triton (Murky sea water, ambergris, ancient forest mosses, crushed ivy leaves, frankincense, resins, ozone, with a hint of citrus) by Fantôme for the maelstrom vibes.

Sydney Rock Pool (Australian sandalwood, coconut skin accord, driftwood note, frangipani, seaweed, ambermax and sea salt) by Arquiste has me thinking of Will and Elizabeth's little beach moment at the end of AWE.

Black Pearl by Dark Tales (milky coconut, sea air, sweet rum, tropical dried fruits, worn leather, sandalwood, black woods, cedarwood). I mean. It’s called Black Pearl. What more could you want.

Solstice Scents' Sea of Gray (Vanilla rain, saltwater, seaweed, ambergris (vegan), white amber, roasted seashells, white sandalwood, frangipani) is my all-time fave salty vanilla. Basically evokes the smell of a stormy sea.

Also, BPAL has a whole ass pirate themed collection called Fire Down Below. You might want to check that out.

That’s all (for now). Lmk if you’ve got additions or would like to hear my thoughts on characters that aren’t mentioned here!!

[captainwinterrsoldierr]

Y’all Trials of Apollo is such a good series like please read it I loved it so much. Just get past dark prophecy and I swear you won’t regret it

[daturarants]

I feel like Epic has some weird favoritism

Like.

Here's a list of all the (mainish) female characters and how many songs they're in

Athena: 6

Circe: 3

Calypso: 2

Penelope: 2 (if we're counting when she's actually there, if not then 4)

Just.

So many male characters seem to get the spotlight more (not counting Odysseus because. He's the main character)

Athena and Penelope could have gotten more songs. Give the women a chance to shine. Don't just introduce them then throw them away immediately after.

[kingkai4ever]

Anyway Calypso has the mentality and maturity of a teenage girl because that's how the books framed her. By definition, she did not "mentally and emotionally grow up" as you say. Sorry, but that's how the books are written.

Funny how you say that “it’s how the books are written” but I bet you don’t like Apollo confessing to Reyna, right? But I could say Apollo isn’t a creep for that bc the books don’t depict him as a weirdo. So “that’s how the books are written”.

I could say that ares is an asshole who hates and abuses his daughters because “that’s how the books are written”.

I could say that Apollo is a sex-addict whore who neglects his children and allows them to suffer and die bc “that’s how the books are written.”

Don’t you know how stupid you sound? We’re talking about a literal predator that preys on young boys and vulnerable men. It’s clear that you have no idea what you are talking about because I had a seizure reading this.

So give me an example of how she is a victim in any way shape or form EXCEPT FOR THE FACT that calypso didn’t deserve being put on the island or being cursed. But it is SO clear that you don’t know how her fucking island works it hurts. I swear I got taken back to kindergarten by reading this. So since you can’t comprehend what a mythical island works, let me tell you!

Calypsos island is NOTHING LIKE the lotus casino. NOWHERE does it say that she is permanently a child. Nowhere does it say she is brainwashed into not knowing how much time has passed. And don’t tell me “Google told me!” And an AI comes up first or a CHB Reddit page comes up as well bc that doesn’t count because the AI probably took it from the Reddit post. It’s said that it COULD be possible. Not IS not CERTAINLY, COULD. MEANING THAT IT COULD NOT BE TRUE. If you’re reading through that Reddit and AI post.

So if your argument is “calypso didn’t age because she’s immortal!” Then Apollo hasn’t aged, Zeus hadn’t aged, Athena hasn’t aged and are all mentally INFANTS. So what about that? Since you say that calypso didn’t mentally age how would the olympians and other gods work bc they were born immortal. My argument is that she didn’t mentally or emotionally age because there was nothing to say that it didn’t let her, while in the lotus casino it literally TELLS YOU why nico didn’t emotionally or mentally grow.

This argument is so idiotic it hurts. Just because a book said so doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Did the books say that she doesn’t mentally age? Bc all the books I’ve read so far it doesn’t! It only says that she only eternally looks like a 15 year old! Just bc she looks like it doesn’t mean she thinks that way!

But also that makes me wonder, if she doesn’t mentally age in the books, why does she act like the way she does? Why is she obsessive? You could say “it’s her curse!” But an innocent teenager wouldn’t try to use an underaged boy as a green card then abuse him! And yes, she abused him, no teenage girl in love would constantly degrade her boyfriend. Realistically by your argument should be she should be head over heels.

But also, didn’t she HATE Leo when he came onto her island? She didn’t want him? So your argument if it was written in the books; calypsos’s curse is only that she can’t leave the island and is immortal! Meaning that the books say (at least the ones I’ve read) say that she says or implies she doesn’t fall in love with them when they wash up on shore!

Doesn’t say that she didn’t mentally age, didn’t imply it, didn’t do anything. At least with Nico you could CLEARLY TELL Nico did NOT mentally age! So tell me this, if calypso didn’t age, she was under a curse in the books, she didn’t know what was happening, then why did she try to guilt trip Percy into staying? Why did she hurt and abuse (I’m using abuse because a lot of other ppl agree, but you could say mistreatment.) Leo? Why did she manipulate and use Leo as a green card?

And then my final question, if she truly was mentally a teenager, then she should learn from her actions. Not mentally or emotionally aging doesn’t mean she’s permanently like that. What I mean is that they don’t learn from their actions or mistakes or they aren’t given the items to learn and grow mentally. Where does it say she permanently doesnt mentally or emotionally age?

Because it seems PRETTY WELL she learned from what has happened! That she didn’t love Leo when he washed up and tried to gaslight Percy and explained to him her curse!

Your argument is basically “my eyes were closed while typing this”. Because if you’re talking about what’s written in the books, SO MANY THINGS SHOULDNT APPLY. ares is a daughter abuser, Athena is a selfish person who doesn’t care about Annabeth or any other of her kids and more!

Yall are pissing me off atp bc you come in here anonymously spouting things out your booty hole that you clearly don’t know what is written. So please, if you’re going to argue that calypso shouldn’t be hated on for these things, look at what the books say. And please think before you type and try to annoy me.

If I seem pissed off I am bc you’re typing none-sense, and I’m gonna tell you all the sense. You can think calypso is an UwU little innocent girl; but you cannot say Apollo is a weirdo, Zeus is a weirdo and etc. and you can tell by the lack of emojis im typing I’m so serious .

If you’re going to try to defend calypso, at least have a good argument.

[everythingannoyingpjo]

Caleo actually drives me crazy bc Calypso was so mean to Leo all the time for no reason and it drives me crazyyyyy

This isn’t even MENTIONING the age gap

Thank you for the ask anon. I hope it won't bother you, but I'm going to break up your complaint a bit in order to talk about the intent of this blog.

Caleo actually drives me crazy...

Your ask starts with an opinion. The opinion is about a canon ship. This is good because we are here to complain about canon.

bc Calypso was so mean to Leo all the time for no reason.

You then explain what about the canon ship bugs you. Also good! But it would have been better if you included examples from the text.

What did Calypso do that was mean?

Pulling from the text to support your statement will lead to a more meaningful discussion.

This isn't even MENTIONING the age gap.

You provide a secondary reason for your dislike, which is great. Furthermore this one requires no explanation. The reasons for a prominent age gap making you uncomfortable are obvious and don't need to be stated.

HOWEVER, you could have also used this as an opportunity to complain about how Rick wrote Calypso.

(I'm not suggesting you complain about something that doesn't bother you, rather giving an example of other things it would have been reasonable to include so people can see the types of complaints this blog is most looking for.)

Why did Rick feel the age gap was unimportant to address? Why is Calypso written as a teenager despite her age and experience?

Rick picks and chooses what he uses from greater Greek mythology, but here he doesn't even explain WHAT he is choosing to include about Calypso's past. We don't know anything about her, we practically have to rely on the mythology to get a sense of her character and yet the way she is written by Rick and by ancient sources doesn't line up.

She is most definitely written as an adult in the Odyssey. That's not the case here, so you could argue that Rick intends her to be functionally the same as a teenager, but why is that? Has she been trapped in her adolescence just as she was trapped on Ogygia? We don't know!

It's actually reasonable none of the other teenagers question her relationship with Leo as it's written, because they have no reason to assume she is any more mature than they are. She looks and acts their age and as far as we know she cannot transform or alter her appearance as the gods can. But it's weird and unrealistic that it's never addressed.

Furthermore in ToA she is excited to go to highschool and be a "normal teenager," but why? Is she really nothing more than a teenager frozen in time yearning for a typical adolescent experience? Or is she an old lady wanting to pretend at being a child? We're never really given an explanation and that's just dumb.

So yeah, I agree with you on their relationship being complaint worthy. It really doesn't make sense, but ideally you want to focus more on the reason the complaint exists and not just on the source of the complaint.

[cinderellaenjoyer]

Fellas is it emotionally manipulative to *checks notes* try and talk a guy out of killing himself

[anotherbummer]

I loved “Im not sorry for loving you” because guess what bitch I’ve been there too and I’m not a bad person for relating to this song

Please stop hating on a character/song that people worked hard to create just because it doesn’t match your perspective of the character

[6vaguebook]

A summary of my journey reading Heroes of Olympus:

Before reading: I've just speed red five books in a row and I'm kinda tired, I don't care about this second great prophecy that much, and I have a long tbr list I wanna get to, but also THE PERCABETH IS FINALLY PERCABETHING I NEED MORE

The lost hero: I don't think I've ever theorised this hard reading Pjo before, but also we're head hoping now??? That's new. More importantly, I love Leo he's my son now.

Son of Neptune: I am very biased in saying that I despise everything about Camp Jupiter without exception for one reason and one reason only: it's not Camp Half-blood. Also Frank and Hazel's romance is very, very boring. On a more positive note, Yay Percy's back!! He called his mom!! That's my boy!!

The mark of Athena: I LOVE LEO. But also is that a love triangle I see? How dare you! I guess the Romans can stay... Annabeth's POV was boring at first but it got fun later :) The final fight scene was fun. Leo saving Hazel and Frank was also fun.

House of Hades: OH MY GOSH I HAVE NEVER SHIPPED ANYTHING IN PJO AS HARD AS I AM SHIPPING LEO AND CALYPSO THEY ARE SOULMATES. I'm starting to warm up to camp Jupiter I guess, but dang I feel bad for Reyna. Also Cupid saying Jason has found true love kinda put me off, like yeah he and Piper have a solid relationship but I wouldn't call it true love, unless they're gonna twist that around and they're actually talking about some other relationship. Also SMALL BOB.

The blood of Olympus: YOU CAN'T END IT ON A CLIFF HANGER LIKE THAT WHAT THE HELL UNCLE RICK

Final thoughts: I have no desire to read trials of Apollo. I have Pjo burn out. It would have been nice to have been given a choice in the matter. Unfortunately, I was not. I guarantee I won't burn through it as fast as Hoo, tho. Cause, y'know. I actually wanted to read those.

[dootznbootz]

Epic Fandom, I love y'all but if you haven't read the Odyssey/Iliad, PLEASE be fucking careful about what you say happens "in the actual myth/book".

[lazerswordweilder]

Modern au Odyssey/EPIC depending on how you want to take it but basically it’s a plane and instead of fighting Odysseus is warm blooded and therefore Zeus’ type and pretends to make out with Zeus before stealing his lightning bolt and bluffing that he has a way to destroy it. Calypso is the person sitting next to him who’s way to lax with boundaries and is cursed to never get off first class, god games but Athena is trying to convince everyone to not let Zeus smite Odysseus.

[koruga]

My thoughts are still scattered, but like...Six Hundred Strike felt more like an Achilles sort of vibe, if Achilles were in that situation. That sort of wrath that only someone with so much divinity in them can follow through on, that's like Achilles Fights A River energy. Epic is good as a musical, and I do enjoy it, but as someone who also really loves the Odyssey, I can't help but be disappointed by the way it fails in direct adaptation.

Odysseus's strength is in his cleverness, and while he did show some of that with his way of calling off the storm, the sheer rage in his brutality isn't what I normally associate with him -- his brutality is generally more calculated, and when he can help it, he often pawns off the ugly work to someone else or gives himself plausible deniability.

Also, it skipped over the Phaeacians entirely, which like, I get it, their purpose is in part to give us a framing device for Odysseus's Wacky Adventures, but it does wonky me a bit, and I don't love that.

Bleh, it's just a constant battle for me listening to Epic between loving the songs and biting chewing angry at the deviations from the source material. Why he do the thing.

[r0semultiverse]

I hope Jorge keeps the streams up until the next live stream like he did with the last Saga.

I had trouble getting into Epic: The Musical without the visual aid of the animatics as visuals help me absorb the material. I kinda wish he would upload each song with the lyrics and animatics in them instead of just the animatics by themselves without the full song, but maybe that’s just me. I’m an audio and visual gal otherwise I have trouble absorbing information. Besides the streams there’s no current way to watch the musical seamlessly with actual visuals and yet it is called a musical. A medium I’ve kinda expected to have visuals by this point, that was my one big criticism going into this series was “so it’s just songs? And I have to watch the script as I listen to know what’s happening? That’s hard to keep up with.”

Though if this is a consistent change going forward of having the full musical with visuals until the next iteration premiers, then great & honestly my only criticisms are a lack of trans voice actors (seemingly but I could be wrong) and a lack of fat characters in the animatics because Aphrodite was fat in her depictions throughout history in the very least. Which I’m not even sure if this counts as a criticism so much as an observation and something that gives me a bit of pause? Again, not series ruining, but just more an observation I guess?

That being said, I’m super excited for the Vengeance Saga tonight! Probably gonna stay up just to watch it! Sleep be damned I wanna see it as it comes out! 💜

Edit: Okay actually not risking tummy issues by napping and can’t stay awake any longer. If I have tummy issues I couldn’t even watch it as it premieres anyway because I’d be fighting for my life in the bathroom. ANYWAY DON’T GO ATTACKING ANYONE INVOLVED WITH THE PROJECT, I WAS JUST MAKING AN OBSERVATION.