#medusa: come eat kids

[moodyseal]

Grover being sort of a third wheel in the confrontation with Medusa is hilarious to me. And I don't mean this in the sense of "Oh he didn't contribute to the fight in any way" I mean that he's the only one Medusa had genuinely no reason to beef with until the very end. Annabeth and Percy basically sided with their parents in her eyes but him? He was just some guy. Eating her food. And her napkins

[bombuni]

hi babi !!! js wna say I love ur user ++ ur writing sm :3 was thinking if maybe u can do anything related to stoner bf San if that's okay?? like maybe him being vv needy while high idk. no rush, xoxo!

contains: sub!san x gn!reader, drug usage obv, bj’s, very soft tbh

minors dni

San’s touchy.

He’s just like that as a person, you’ve come to realize. His hand is always around your shoulders or waist, fingers finding their home in the crook of you neck. You let him, seeing as that’s how he shows his love with everyone. It’s just-sometimes he gets too touchy. Like, he’d breathe for you if he could.

It’s especially bad when he gets high. Once the smoke fills the room, he’s babbling on about the spots on your face and the shape of your cupids bow, waxing poetry about how your touch makes him feel. You’re not complaining at all. It’s only bothersome when he does it during his downtime and you’re busy. Today is not one of those times.

“Baby.”

You hum in acknowledgement, eyes glazed as you mindlessly watch whatever San had decided to put on in the background. You can feel his hot breath fanning onto your neck, the heat of the room and his body filling up your insides.

It’s clear San’s already gone, his low tolerance making him an easy target every time you two smoke together.

“Are you done with work?”

He’s cute when he’s mindless. You turn to look at him with a lovesick smile on your face, “Yes, Sannie. I am.”

San blushes, full-on like a tomato, when you look at him. He giggles like you’ve told the funniest joke, hiding his face in his hands as he scoots away from you like some embarrassed kid out with his first girlfriend.

“You can’t-you can’t just look at me like that,” he still giggles as he speaks, peeking his eyes from behind his hands.

You know San-you know that even though he backs away from you every inch closer you get to him, his itch to touch you only grows. He just gets an extra layer of shyness when he’s high, but it’s easy for you to break through it.

“How am I looking at you?”

He freezes when your hands easily spread his thighs apart, giving you complete freedom to sit between his legs. You’re some sort of Medusa to him, turning him rock hard just with your eyes. He feels his breathing grow heavy when one of your hands traces patterns on his knee; a hot, tingly buzzing sensation following your touch. It makes him fold for you immediately.

He watches you with half lidded eyes, “Like you’re gonna eat me. Are you gonna eat me?”

You chuckle at that, “Wish I could. Then I could keep you forever,”

He takes that tiny comment seriously. Like the mere idea of being apart from you steals the air from his lungs, “I am yours forever.”

Your smile down at him makes his heart grow with love, he feels it every time he’s with you. When he gets like this he truly believes you keep him alive just by looking at him. Your touch is just a nice bonus.

He holds your wrist gently, “Can I show you? That I’m yours forever?”

“No,” you gently take his bigger hand off of you, “I’ll show you.”

San’s not exactly sure what you mean, but he lets you do whatever. He watches as you gently take his sweatpants off, cooing niceties that make a whine build in the back of his throat when he lifts his hips up for you.

You toss his pants to the side, dragging warm fingers up over his thighs tantalizingly slowly until they reach his bulge. He’s hard already, and he’s on the verge of tears at the feeling of you palming him. The way you roll his big cock against the fabric of his underwear makes him slowly go insane, hips bucking every so often when you squeeze his cock. Precum stains his boxers now, but he doesn’t care. No, it just shows how much he belongs to you.

He can’t support the weight of his thoughts anymore. He lets himself tilt back, head banging against the arm of the couch. San lets out a surprised whine when he feels your wet mouth against his neck. He flinches, before succumbing to the ticklish feeling. You’ll leave your mark on him and he’ll be proud to show it off.

San is overly sensitive. The feeling of your sweet lips and loving hand is already too much for him. He’s keening and moaning like a slut, letting himself feel every little detail because he trusts you. Just knowing it’s you makes it all the more hotter.

“My sweet boy-“ a kiss and a moan, “do you want more?”

His head raises so fast you’ll scare it’ll fall off, “Yes, please.”

He sounds like he’s about to cry and, god, does it make you throb. You pull his cock free from his boxers, as it aches and begs for you. It’s so pretty and wet, soaked in precum and San with his panting, flushed face is the perfect picture of desperation.

His hips buck to find friction, “Can I put it in your mouth, please? I’ll be good, just-please, can you touch me?”

You cut off his desperate pleading by stroking him once. Immediately, he’s putty in your hands. His entire body relaxes against the couch, letting you control him and letting you decide what to do about his needs. All he knows is that it’s you who’s touching him, and that’s all he needs.

The lewd sounds coming from his wet cock fill the room, making him even more light-headed. Everything he’s feeling makes him think he’s in a dream, and when your mouth sucks on his tip like a lollipop, it just makes him hit cloud nine.

His hands fly to the back of your head as you take all of him in, every inch that fills your mouth slowly sending him deeper into a frenzy.

He groans, “‘S so good, baby, I love you, thank you for taking my cock-“

You bob up and down, letting San buck his hips while his mouth shoots off whatever his 2 functioning braincells can think of. Most of it is just ‘I love you’s.’

He gasps as you take him to the back of your throat, the feeling of you gagging on him burning his insides with desire. He fucks your mouth-once, twice- before he shoots his cum down your throat.

“Fuck-I fucking love you-“ he says as he holds you still, making you take what you caused. In his mind, it’s his reward, getting to prove to you just how good you make him feel. How you’re the only one for him, and he’s the only for you.

He pants below you, face flushed and sweaty, as you let him go with a pop, “‘M so sleepy. Can you cuddle me?”

You tuck him back into his boxers before letting yourself plop onto him and wrapping your arms around him. Who can say no to San?

bom note: i think his extreme romantic needy side would come out when he’s inebriated at all. like he’s truly a lover boy at heart. also excuse my lack of knowledge on weed or if this feels ‘inaccurate’ as i literally only take edibles once in a blue moon

[mororlesbian]

I think that what the PJO TV series is doing, at least so far, is impressing just how dangerous monsters are to young demigods and how lucky our main trio is in surviving this long. The books did this too, of course, but when comparing them to the TV series and the minor changes made when adapting them and being able to fully realize that yes these are 12 year old kids facing ancient terrors ready and willing to murder them, they accomplish slightly different things. Namely, in TLT, the Disney+ adaptation shows us the dangers of the world demigods live in, while the books communicate, sometimes unintentionally, just how strong Percy is and how much potential he has.

For instance, the Furies. Mrs. Dodds is the first monster Percy faces in both, that stays the same. However, in the books, Alecto takes Percy away to a secluded place, interrogates him, then tries to kill him. In the series, for simplicity's sake, we skip the seclusion and jump straight to the interrogation. Percy, scared and confused out of his mind for good reason, stumbles and falls over, and manages to stab Alecto before she reaches the killing stage, taking her by surprise. IN THE BOOK, Percy immediately starts fighting for his life. He dodges a godsdamn Fury, catches a pen out of the air, and then does 'the only thing that [comes] naturally': SWINGS THE SWORD and KILLS A FURY. A reminder that Furies, in the original myths, were ancient creatures of violence and destruction that Athena herself had to pacify, thus earning them the moniker 'Kindly Ones.' And Percy, a 12 year old child, kills one with no training. Like, yes, she clearly didn't expect him to be armed, but she's older than the Olympians. She and her sisters hunted Thalia down, too, so it isn't like she's out of practice or something. Percy just has killer instincts and intrinsic talent to match. This sets a little bit of a different tone going forward: where in the show, Percy survives purely by catching Alecto off guard, showing the full danger of the world and the monsters and gods within it, in the book, he beats a Fury with just about every disadvantage imaginable. He's still terrified, and it effectively communicates just how much danger a demigod is in at any given moment, but it also shows that Percy is ridiculously dangerous in his own right.

The bus encounter takes this a step further. Whereas the book places Percy, Annabeth, and Grover in imminent danger, the show takes a different approach, instead opting for the Furies' goal to be somewhat clear, to the point of Alecto talking to Annabeth and proposing a deal. Annabeth, with all the skill of 5 years of training, distracts a Fury and lands a knife throw, but even as the trio escapes, Alecto is largely unconcerned. She lets their diversion play out, allows them to run, and confronts them at Medusa's lair knowing full well that she has the upper hand. She's not distracted, she knows every trick each of the questers could pull out. To her knowledge, there is absolutely no way they can win as they are, and the audience recognizes this by the way she acts. The only way they beat her is by, once again, taking her by surprise. Medusa's severed head made invisible is something Alecto never expected, and thus the danger of the world and the luck and genius of our trio is reinforced. The bus scene in the book, though, continues with the trend of making Percy an inexperienced threat to the status quo. Upon revealing himself, the Furies hesitate. Dodds wraps her burning whip around his hand, impeding him and making his hand feel like it was 'wrapped in molten lead', but Percy is still able to fend off both of her sisters at once, knocking one away and killing the other. Again, these monsters are older that the Olympians and wildly dangerous. Annabeth and Grover both take on Alecto, and in the time it takes for them to restrain her, Percy kills the third Fury and has a moment to tell Dodds to eat his pants in Latin. It's a tense encounter, and the risk posed to all three heroes is felt throughout, but once again, Percy is shown to be a force unto himself, taking out two Furies with his sword hand not at full capability.

The books definitely aren't always the most accurate in terms of in-universe power balancing, but I think we can look at The Lightning Thief like this. Book!Percy is an example of why Big Three children were forbidden. With no and minimal training, and very little in the element of surprise, he manages to amass kills on all three Furies. The world is deadly, and the books and his narration definitely get that point across, but it also gives us a glance of what Percy has the potential to be, if he survives long enough to grow into it. The series, with the visual of three literal children on a quest while being hunted by terrors, some older than anybody they know, including Mr. D and Chiron, shows us exactly why Camp Half-Blood's population is so sparse and young, why Thalia never made it to safety, why Luke's quest was the last until now, and why the gods ignoring their children is such an issue, aside from the obvious of making their kids feel unloved and unwanted. Their world is hazardous, and the demigods are in constant danger outside of Camp. The Furies are relentless, only able to be beaten when caught off guard and largely unconcerned by the heroes they face. Monsters are forces of nature, overcome with a combination of luck, surprise, and skill. The danger is pervasive, even in media made suitable for kids, and the alternative perspective this medium is able to take is going to make the progression of the series so satisfying.

[ciderwitch]

So like I was wondering if youde be ok with writing a self insert of Standley Pines bc I am such a simp and am in need of fluff. Please please Id love you forever.

Surprisingly, I've only recently noticed that I apparently have a debilitating attraction to DILFS and GILFs... Love me some Grunkle Stan!

You had just started working at Gravity Falls Town Hall and already it seemed like things in your life were taking a strange turn. I mean, yeah, the realtor had told you that it was a "vibrant and quirky" community, so you figured it would be a little odd. The rent was cheap and the apartment you were living in was better than anything you'd even heard of back in the city, so vibrant and quirky would have to do.

Still, it was the third time this month the Pines kids had been chased by unholy abominations, and the terror of seeing a not-deer get eaten by a werepanther was starting to become a little too familiar for your liking.

You needed to get out more, you decided. Thankfully, some of your coworkers had a monthly get together at one of the local diners to hang out and they were more than happy to invite you along. They told you new folks didn't come here often, but you found the community warm and welcoming all the same. Eldritch horrors aside, it was a great place to live.

Apparently you did not get the memo that it was cancelled tonight, so here you were pouring syrup over your solo lunch of pancakes and sausage when the door chimed.

It was Wendy Corduroy and she had a downright miserable expression on her face. You could see why. Robbie Valentino was hot on her heels, as usual. It didn't take a genius to see that he was head over heels for her — or that she was completely done with him. And, since nobody else seemed particularly interested in helping, you called out to her.

"Ms. Corduroy! Care to join me? I was just going over some paperwork your father submitted and I could use your help."

She gave you a soft smile and quickly slid into the booth across from you while Robbie grumbled to himself, shoved his hands in his pockets, and stormed away.

"He is persistent, isn't he?" You say with a roll of your eyes.

"I know!" She groaned miserably, slapping her face between her hands. "Thanks for the save, by the way. If he actually paid attention to me he'd know my dad doesn't do paperwork."

"Anytime, Wendy. That's what adults are for, you know?" you answered.

"Pfft, no way," she said, "You're the only cool adult in this town, man. I bet if you were mayor it wouldn't suck so bad around bere."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not ready for that kind of responsibility," you laughed. "Besides, Mayor Cutebiker is still plenty popular. I don't think I'd have a chance."

"Whatever you say, Miss Y/N," she said with a shrug, "Mind if I eat with you? My dad and my brothers are meeting here in about 30, but I'm starving."

"Of course not, Wendy. I'd be happy for the company," you answered happily. You ate your pancakes in good company and waved her goodbye when her family arrived. You were polishing off the last of your drink and a slice of pie when the door chimed again and in came the Pines family.

You recognized the twins immediately. Where trouble brewed, the twins were at the source. Despite the threat of danger, you couldn't be angry at them. They were very kind and intelligent kids and had saved you from a gnome kidnapping earlier just this month, so you would say you were on good terms.

Then you looked up and saw the Stan brothers, Ford and Stanley. You hadn't actually met them personally yet, but you could tell by reputation alone who was who.

Ford was walking with his journal in hand, taking notes and examining the Medusa-dog's head mounted on the wall beside him while he mumbled to himself.

Stanley followed right after. Mister Mystery himself, with the usual suit and red fez you'd seem from afar and that half the town had warned you away from.

Both brothers were handsome, you realized, though Stanley was the one that stuck out to you. He had a great dad-bod, but you could tell there was some muscle under the poorly fitted suit jacket he always wore.

You blinked a few times to yourself. Man, you really had been single for too long. Your eyes met, and you offered a polite wave before looking at your mug and taking a sip. Staring probably wouldn't make a great first impression and you secretly hoped he couldn't read your thoughts.

Your reflection was interrupted the moment Mabel saw you, of course. The kid ran right over and dragged her brothers and uncles right along with her. She was sliding into the booth beside you before you even had a chance to scoot in.

"Hi, Ms. Y/n! It's me, Mabel!" she said excitedly. "Have you met my grunkles? This is Grunkle Stan, and this is Grunkle Ford!" she added, pointed to them accordingly.

"Nice to meet you both," you say, nodding at each of them. "My name is Y/n."

"Nice to meet you, Y/n. My name is Stanford Pines, and this is my brother Stanley," he added. "I don't believe I've seen you around before. Did you just move in recently?"

"Yes, a few months ago, but I've been so busy with my new job as Mayor Cutebiker's Chief Administrator that I haven't had much time to get out."

"Well, that's a shame, toots," Stan added with a sly smile and a performative wink. "You'll have to let old Stan-the-man show you the town sometime. I know this place like the back of my hand!"

"Grunkle Stan, you got lost in the mall two days ago and we had to have security come find you." Dipper added exasperatedly.

"Like the back of my hand!" Stan reiterated, using his hand to turn dip 180 degrees by his head.

"Ooh! ooh! We could give you the Pines Family Tour!" Mabel added excitedly. "We know everything, don't we Dipper."

"Well, maybe not everything, but I'm sure we could show her a couple of places," the boy added, running his nose at the praise.

"Children, Stanley, please. Let's give Ms. Y/n some peace. I believe she was finishing up as we came in, weren't you, Miss?"

"Yes, I had just finished the last of my coffee and alas, I have more work to do. But perhaps I will have to take you up on the Pines Family Tour, huh kids? And I'm sure you could show me a thing or two yourself, huh, Stan-the-man?" you laughed.

He laughed with you, but the blush burning up his cheeks as you left let you know he hadn't quite expected you to return his interest.

Man, you'd have to hang out at the diner more often.

[ajbullet]

My thoughts on episode 3 of PJO: (spoilers)

I so enjoyed doing this for the first two episodes and the response was great, so hey, maybe this will be an entire series thing

-The oracle was amazing. It was a perfect mix of creepy yet humorous with Percy’s perfect voice crack and “you’re a Halloween decoration” line. Having just reread the book, I wouldn’t have remembered that the prophecy came from Gabe so that was a really cool, book-accurate detail I enjoyed.

- The WAY PERCY CHOSE ANNABETH! I freaked out. Cause you know in the book Annabeth is just like “I’m coming” and that’s that. To see Percy go out of his way to CHOOSE her for his quest was so special to me and I loved it (even tho it was for a different reason than I originally thought.)

-Annabeth’s reaction to getting picked was perfect. This is a girl who has waited YEARS for a quest and in no way do I think she was expecting to be picked. Hoping, of course. But Leah’s expression of shock then excitement was perfect

- Grover talking to the horses

-Percy picking Grover

-“I’m going to back the best snacks” The snacks in question being tin cans

-Bro give Thalia a break Percy, wth 😭. He came at her so hard for someone he hasn’t even met. Which was hilarious and so Percy-like, but dang. I thought Annabeth was gonna kill him right then and there.

-“She met a Pinecone’s fate” Like this boy…🤭

-I loved watching Leah’s expressions the whole time the three of them were traveling to the bus terminal. I will never get over how subtle she is able to make her thoughts appear on her face. Like you could clearly tell she was taking everything in for the first time in 5 years, while still trying to remain calm and seem in control in front of the other two

-THE BICKERING OMGS. I wasn’t ready for the arguing, but it fits so well. It MADE SENSE. Like none of these kids know just how much they can trust each other and their all scared and they don’t really know what they are doing so of course they are going to fight and argue and take out their emotions on each other.

-Grover’s consensus song was perfect. I had no idea why he was clapping at first and when he started to sing I was scared because it had potential to be really cringy but I honestly think it fit his vibe and was cute.

-ok, so for the scene with Annabeth in the store, I loved of course cause it was my girl and I originally watched it as a kid with a lot of money placed in front of infinite candy and she couldn’t just pick ONE so she got them all and it was adorable. But I’ve also seen posts talking about her trying to read the wrapper and since she’s dyslexic she couldn’t tell what flavor was what so she got all of them, which would also make sense and is a perfect subtle detail. Now I just saw one post that said she was trying to pick the perfect candy to make Grover and Percy LIKE HER and that just about broke my heart. Feel free to comment or reboot with your opinions because I’ve loved seeing all these different takes on that scene. All I know is it was awesome and the contrast between a girl picking candy and immediately sensing something is wrong and putting up her guard was a perfect way of showing how life is for demigods

-The invisibility cap!!!!

-“We’re lost in the woods, somewhere in New Jersey and we’re never gonna make to LA” was all I could think about

- again the BICKERING. Annabeth calling Percy out. Her asking what he’s afraid of. Grover trying so hard to keep the peace. (As a middle sibling, I felt that in my soul). “He was my protector first!” Loved that. Just the whole conversation was so interesting

I’m gonna make a part two because I have so many more thoughts on Medusa and her story and I’m hungry so I’m gonna go eat.

Part two:

[incorrect-riordanverse]

watched ep 3 & 4 of the pjo show. here are random thoughts:

ep 3

ive said before that ive put off watching the pjo show after episode 2 because the pacing seemed like a rush of getting from story checkpoint to story checkpoint and it never sat in one place long enough to actually grip me. episode 3 started off like that too, before the trio went on the quest. i only started to really like it when they were on the bus together and more of their dynamic was shining. theyre so funny bru.

i like all the acting but leah jeffries and aryan simhadri are CARRYING SO HARD. its like they took annabeth exactly how i imagined her out of my head and plopped her on screen and im so shocked at the accuracy??? her attitude and side eyes and sass is perf. and simhadri’s grover is insane because (dont come for me) i actually like the show version of him better than i did in the book 😭 perhaps reading him was rocky and i interpreted him wrong but seeing him on screen makes me SO attached to him. like in the books he always seemed like a sort of third wheel and annabeth and percy were outshining him so much but he’s actually slaying the show. i love him lots.

i like the dichotomy between percy and annabeth. their dynamic is already so juicy, especially with how they view both their godly and mortal parents. you can see some of their fatal flaws already shining through UGH i love them

i like medusa WAY more in the show. she seems so menacing yet classy and much more multifaceted. my only complaint was that she died way too quickly. there was so much build up in tension only for her to get one-tapped and it was honestly disappointing.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA SPOTTED 🫵🫵

dialogue was great in this episode, btw.

ep 4

dream sequence went so hard -> “just breathe mummy ☺️ you’ll always be here 😁” *cuts to percy alone on a desolate plane where she is, in fact, not here*

sighhh sometimes i forget these kids are just twelve and theyre literal BABIES and percy just misses his mum 🙁

annabeth exposition time. a comment on all the exposition— there’s always something each episode but i think the show is doing a well enough job of not dumping everything in a way thats spoon-feedy to audience or in a way that makes viewers feel overwhelmed. theyre breaking information up nicely (imo).

echidna is slaying so hard. sorry but the villains are actually eating the whole dish up. mwah no balls.

its giving “im not a monster, im a mother” 🔥

fight scene annoyed me again but at least the mother of all monsters wasn’t ONE TAPPED. but i was annoyed because the monster was not thrashing him around as much as it had the opportunity to and it was giving plot armour im so sorry. might be cause of budget or target audience/rating though idk. the commentary of the show seems more mature however.

anyways yurr those are my observations. i like these last two eps more than the first two so maybe i should let this series cook.

remember to pirate this show if ur gonna watch it!!

[differentnighttale]

I wonder how it feels to have the whole town turn their backs away from you, To point at you with outstretched hands and call curses upon you from the old gods, Calling you names even a child shouldn't hear "Siren,seducer ,monster " When you're only just a child. A mere child. All because you leaned your head on a young man's shoulder. You gave him the world. Because he treated you as human.

I wonder how it feels when everyone you loves isolates you. All because you were different. Your grandparents insulted you. Your female cousin blamed you. Your family starved you. Your mom went insane. The town called you an abomination. All because of your ability. All because of something you couldn't control. Your father hated you, wished you were dead.

Your mother lost her mind. After bringing you into the world. She ignored all the complications. All because she wanted you. You were her pride and her joy. Her reason to exist.

But to everyone you were a mistake. A fault. Cursed by the gods or so they said. An eleven year old. Death followed you in it's wake. Taking the breathes and the happiness dry from the town. The place you called him. Don't worry is okay. For everyone you loved is dead. Is all your fault. You killed them all. You were bullied by the town kids, The adults sat and watch. To them it was deserved. You weren't allowed in school. They were right. You were a mistake. Your grandparents were hanged. A fire swallowed the house. It killed your dad. The man who straved you,ridiculed you and wished and dreamt that you died. During your mom's birth. You should've have existed.

I wonder how it felt the blamed and the sins and guilt that weighed you down. The vengeful sports wailed in the wake. Punishing you for your crimes. Your trumatic childhood ghost follows you ,laughing icy.

I wonder how it feel to let your heart accept love again Only for a man,your friend to use you,discard you and have his way. He was your friend. He was supposed to be your friend Someone you trusted. But the old gods had their way. Their control. For you were cursed. With the eye of Medusa. A living death omen. You were a child. A mere child. Tainted. Used. Destroyed. He called you names as he had his way,"whore,slut,piece of shit." He dreamt of being king. Lusted over a girl like you.

Now you live a life of hope and luxury of false prowess. You eat too your full, (It comes back out) You dress in beautiful clothes. (You felt undeserving) You slept in grand house (Ghosts of your family loomed around)

You were never going to happy. The Godess had plans. A mistake granted a better life.

No one knew your story. All they know is that you're royalty. You're happy, you're glowing. You're pure,you're beautiful. But. You're.The.Excat.Opposite.

But  when he walked into your life. He was a golden aura. He made you want to love again. No matter how much you wanted to wrap your hands around his neck before. Now you wanted him more than before. He gave you a reason to live,to prowl on.

But the godess had a plan. To rope you both. Don't worry darling. Everything would be okay. If only you don't  fall into the arms of danger. Happiness is fleeting.

You smiled so hard. Even though it was fake. Your laughed so hard. You put on a show. The world was jealous, green with envy. At the graceful  beau. But all you wanted was for Deaths cold,skeletal hands to take you home. To death. You tried to do it yourself. Only to saved by him. Him. He didn't let you squander your life. He'd never understand. The weight of sins of others you've killed. The weight of your curse. To be Bounded to Okiria forever. If you sliced the already dwindling knot. It would all tumble down.

[hamable]

I hate that all my initial reactions to episode seven are gripes, but here we go-

Where is the narrative weight for missing the deadline? In the books it feels like this inconceivable thing that cannot happen at any cost. Missing it means unstoppable war. The end of everything. In the show, there doesn’t seem to be any renewed urgency. As a book fan, hearing they missed it made my stomach drop bc that’s the thing that Can’t Happen.

“Juicy!” I originally thought. It’s playing into the thematic changes made of the kids doing everything right (not falling for Medusa’s tricks, going to the arch to ask for help instead of sight seeing, not eating anything at the lotus casino, etc) and, by the gods’ hands, still failing.

But episode seven feels on par with what would have been happening if they stayed on schedule anyway. Grover even says, after seeing the bolt appear in Percy’s bag, that returning it can wait, they need to save his mother first. Like, I guess since war has already started, might as well do the other thing we came down here for??

And has war started? Ik we spend most of the episode in the underworld, but we start at Crusty’s. It looks like a nice sunny day outside.

Maybe I’ll eat my hat when episode 8 comes out, but idk. That’s where I’m at rn.

[bcbdrums]

Soul Eater NOT - part 9 (MAJOR SPOILERS)

But now we come to the biggest issue of all...

Untrained NOT students (the three main characters) defeat the witch. TWO meisters, using a single weapon, none of which who have any battle training or real practice together, are suddenly incredibly competent and powerful, even more-so than Akane and Clay, and kill the witch.

This undermines the whole of Soul Eater.

In Soul Eater we learn right away... The ultimate goal is to kill a witch and for the weapon to eat her soul. This is the power that transforms the weapon into something greater. It is stated that many meisters and weapons die in battle with witches. The witches are the centuries-old enemies of the DWMA.

So...for these untrained students to suddenly have the ability? And of course--the author has thrown in that the princess was forced to study martial arts, and that our lovable ditz has also studied martial arts... None of that changes that our weapon is in the NOT class. Specifically just how to use her weapon form not to hurt herself or others. Zero combat training. Their defeating the witch makes NO SENSE. It feels like the biggest let-down of the entire story. It horribly demeans Medusa entirely, it makes Maka's defeat of Arachne feel meaningless... If untrained students can suddenly do it, then, why can't everyone? What threat are witches at all?

Now one can make the argument that Shaula was a lousy witch. But! She somehow mass-poisoned and mind controlled all the NOT students and a bunch of citizens! So surely she has a lot of power??

But again...the manga didn't give us anything about her character. She's supposed to ride on Medusa and Arachne's coattails and we're supposed to believe and feel she's threatening by nature of relationship. Unfortunately, it doesn't work at all. It feels insulting (just like Akane being Star Clan).

Now, in one of the very last panels right before the girls defeat Shaula, we get a sudden full-page image of Lord Death telling the witch: "Listen, you... Do you know who you've picked a fight with?" Out of nowhere. And this is the one and only time he appears. Subsequently, Shaula screams his name and then the girls kill her. SO.... One could headcanon that it is in fact Lord Death taking over the three girls and it's he who defeats the witch in the end. This is the only way to make this ending palatable. But even that just doesn't feel right...

Support for this idea is that...very suddenly, when the witch is defeated (at the girl's dormitory) who should suddenly show up next but...! Tezca, Justin, Spirit, and Death the Kid, who take the witch's soul. This last chapter's opening panel shows all eight death scythes with Kid and Lord Death, and they're all perched on that rooftop so it's even implied that all eight may suddenly just...be there. Not only does this make no sense generally, the sudden arrival, but we know from SE canon that the only death scythe in Death City is Spirit! Author forgetting his timeline again. Just...tossing things in last second to be cool I guess? Gotta get all the cameos in before it's over.

But again, the sudden arrival of all these huge players could imply that Lord Death took over the girls and it was truly him that defeated Shaula. But this is some far-reaching and it really only softens her defeat slightly.

So in conclusion, the entire villainous plot and the witch's defeat is a hot mess.

[yonemurishiroku]

thoughts on lukercy

The only ship I choose to believe to be canon. (On Percy’s part akdhakdja you know what I mean)

Okay okay but srsly. This dynamic of Deep connections and Betrayal? I eat that shit up as if it was a 5-star full course. The thrill lies in the flickering flame that was their friendship when Percy first made it to Camp, you know? - the little bit of warmth he found in an understanding Luke. But instead of becoming a hearth, a welcoming fireplace, it burns into hatred. Spite. Vengeance. All of that. Fierce all the same. And I like that. I like the parallel of bringing him up and putting him down after. I like that at the end, they all come back to the same place, and Percy’s feelings for Luke would always burn bright - be it from affections or loathing. Because I don’t need it to be love. I need it to be fierce. To be strong. To burn, to drown. I don’t need it be good, or soft, or healthy. I need it to scar your soul.

I like the thought that Luke earned his trust from Percy and then casted it aside whereas Percy hung onto it because his fatal flaw just happened to be loyalty. Luke hit him where it hurt the most. And the thought that he knew it would hurt the most thrills me.

Luke and Percy are also similar in the sense of their selective cruelty. Luke sicced a scorpion on Percy - a kid - because he was an obstacle to his goal, which is supposed to be for the sake of the kids like them. Percy beheaded Medusa at the age of 12, nearly killed a goddess, probably has anger issues, thought about and actually strangled a kid. Luke is a black sun. Percy is the fickle ocean. Kind and nurturing until they consider you their enemies. Luke is vengeful. So is Percy - ‘[Luke] has to die’. Luke failed to finish Percy off with that scorpion, and in the end, Percy failed to kill Luke, despite all that curses.

They are just two sides of the same coin. They are alike, but would never be able to see through each other.

Isn’t it just fun? 🥰

[vampirealpaca]

My thoughts on the pjo show (now that the season is over) (this is going to run long) Overall Rating: 8/10 :

Ok first of all, I actually LOVED the show and the cast is literally awesome; I do have some thoughts and feelings tho.

The GOOD :D

The visuals were eating ngl

THE CAST!!!! they literally were amazing cannot stress this enough

I think a lot of the changes were handled super well, especially Medusa (although I don't love all of the changes...see below in the next section lol)

I LOVED the set design for pretty much all of the scenes!!! Like the set & costuming was literally so good; sometimes it looked a little Volume-y but I think it's ok since they also clearly did a bunch of on-location stuff

Driving scene was literally so funny like no notes on that + the acting was On Point pretty much All of the Time.

I actually think they slayed with the special effects

Pretty accurate! (overall a waaaaaay better adaptation than the movies)

BLUE FOOD!!!!

More Sally content was awesome!! And I cannot stress this enough the ACTORS WERE SO GOOD in their roles!! Like I think they were the perfect choices ngl and I hope to see more of them in season 2 (if we get one, idk if its greenlit yet)

I also liked how they focused on Grover's character more (lowkey my fav now)

Genuinely had a great time watching the scenes from the books I've loved since Forever come to life onscreen!

The character dynamics were GIVING

Loved getting more info about Percy's backstory

The way they showed the Mist was honestly so cool!! This might be filed under Visuals but still...it was so cool

Fight choreo fluctuated, but I liked the Percy vs Luke fight (altho the scorpion erasure ;-;)

Again the chemistry with the actors like adkjhfdkjdfkjhdfjkhk I think the acting may have been my fav part honestly lol

All of the easter eggs for the fans!!

Rick's subtle rewriting of the story was sometimes very cool! (Like with the water grabbing Percy etc) --- you can definitely tell that he's thinking about how he'd change the story if he were to write it today

...HOWEVER i have gripes :(

THE LIGHTING WAS TOO DARK IN NIGHT SCENES!!!! HATE THAT TROPE WHY CANT I SEEEEEEEE (looking at u medusa scene)

I feel like they should've fallen into like…at least one trap without Knowing Everything about it. Like, I get the Medusa change and am pretty on board with it, but I feel like a few of the other changes weren't really necessary & messed with the stakes. A lot of the time it felt like I was watching them explain "Oh you're THIS person so you will do THIS so I will do THIS" instead of like...showing me.

Not enough blood (this is prob a Disney problem, not the show creators fault but like...cmon Disney...they have swords, let the children get More Injured...they are Fighting for their Lives)

Felt kinda...dryer than the books? idk how to explain it...like it felt like there wasn't the same Vibes in some parts if that makes sense, like they switched out a lot of funny moments (esp with how they changed Charon and the Crusty scenes lowkey im bitter)

the tone was definitely sometimes waaay different from the books (like it was way more serious I think, which is good sometimes and less good other times)

Idk if this is 100% true bc my last reread was a few months ago, but I think they separated the main trio more than in the book (?), it felt like they were duo-ed with diff members for a lot rather than building off of their main dynamic -- they had some trio moments but ig i just wanted more (again, I could be wrong on this one tho)

Lotus Casino not really being as Fun (the pumping lotus flowers in the air was a cool detail tho!)

It generally felt like they took a lot of the funny parts in favor of talking more about how messed up the gods are (which I liked sometimes!! but the kids are 12 let them have more funny moments too yaknow) (Rip the Died in the Bathtub line...gone but not forgotten)

I really didn't love the changes that made the story feel more Cliche and Basic (the ones that annoyed me were changing the entire DOA to just Some Standard Death Eater Looking Fellow & Annabeth's interactions with Cerebus being completely changed)

Mixed feelings on Gabe...I wanted him to be more evil at the beginning but I get why they changed it ig. Plus he was literally so funny when he (spoilers?) got murdered by opening someone else's mail. That's what happens when you commit a federal crime ig.

General Character Thoughts:

PERCY: Walker Scobell was such a good casting call... like you can tell he really cares about the books & getting the character right. Acting was on point, sass was on point (but I do wish he got to be sassy a bit More); Really gives off the energy of Percy Jackson and definitely was AMAZING in this role!

ANNABETH: She was spectacular in this role!! Leah got literally all of Annabeth down to a T --- her kindness, her pride, her wisdom, etc etc without resorting to any kind of "stock smart girl" vibe. She was literally SO GOOD! I loved seeing her talk about her dad, and the detail about her not having seen a movie is such a mood and so in-character lowkey. Leah really nailed Annabeth's dry humor and general vibe like dfajkhfdjhkfdhjk

GROVER: He was my favorite! Like, his acting was AMAZING fr!!! They brought a lot of newer things into his character that I think worked really well & it definitely strengthened his characterization --- he was also really funny & so sincere I just loved his portrayal of Grover!

HOWEVER I think some of the arcs are shakier since the characters didn't struggle as much, since they were figuring out a Lot of things

Overall, I took 2 points from the rating because the Spirit and Humor weren't fully there and I felt some of the changes made it feel less like the OG and more cliche (looking at u Charon). However, the great acting, pretty slay writing (except for the tone stuff), Vibes, and all the other stuff I think they did right pulled through to get it ranked a little higher lol. Plus, I liked it, even if I didn't like all of it.

No hate if u loved the show adaptation tho!! Feel free to disagree, these are just my thoughts lol. I really genuinely hope there's going to be a season 2, although I would like if they fix a few of these problems in that potential season (please...let me see what's happening in the dark scenes...please...)

[soapywankenopy]

I watched PJO ep4 last night

I was too tired to say anything about it but now I can't sleep so

I liked it. They changed some things as per usual. It wasn't as offensive to me as the last episode (even though i really did like the last episode). This episode is interesting because instead of making them take a detour in Saint Louis just for fun, it makes them veer out of necessity (a seemingly common change they seem to keep making in the show) and while not bad, it was a little disappointing. In the book, it gave me more of a sense of Annabeth's character, I liked seeing her really excited about something. It made her seem like an actual kid with interests. And even though in the show, she does have a few "nerdy" things to say about the architecture of the Gateway Arch, you don't get the same sense of a "nerdy" girl leading her bored friends somewhere because she really likes something and she's making them go along with it (a feeling I have known all too well :p). But the change they made was utilitarian (a common thread in this show), and I understand (to some extent) why they made that choice.

Something I didn't like as much was the change to make Echidna a conventionally attractive, slightly older woman. It's been a common thread that this show is allergic to casting people as "ugly" as book Percy decribed them to be. It's not a terrible change, but I am noticing a pattern.

Now on to the stuff I liked:

Grover and Annabeth putting Percy in the fountain is absolutely delightful. I loved that. Grover being grumpy when he gets woken up? Perfect. I loved that. Grover saying 'I need to eat' as what I assume was a reference to all the times when he would just groan and say "fooood" in the book. Really good, I liked it. Percy and Annabeth starting to get along? You love to see it. Annabeth being adamant that the gods love them and want to protect them, and then, being seemingly proven wrong about her mother? Yes. Good. Percy insisting that the guy who has never been there for him and only claimed him when it was convenient maybe doesn't have his best interests at heart probably doesn't deserve praise and will probably not help him, and then being proven wrong? Yes. Great. Do I think it's absolutely ridiculous that Athena was so ashamed of her daughter that she let a monster (that definitely should've killed Annabeth) into her temple? Yes, but it just proves the point. The gods are petty. They are not infallible. And just like with Arachne and Medusa, Athena is trying to prove a point, even if it comes at the cost of her own daughter's life.

All in all, a really good episode. And while not completely faithful to the actual plot, it is faithful to the spirit and themes of the story.

[demigods-posts]

Reasons why Lost The Lightning Theif musical is amazing:

1.) "Hades is sending his monsters after us. We're doing something right." This is such amazing insight from Annabeth, and it goes criminally overlooked. We stan the daughter of Athena.

2.) "What did it say?" "Take that bus to Los Angeles." "We're not on the bus." "I know. (to Los Angeles 🐐)" "We blew up the bus!" "I know!(to Los Angeles 🐐)" I love how this is the way they depict the trio: Percy and Annabeth mid-argument on a dangerous quest while Grover is getting a word in when he can lmao.

3.) "Dude, like, listen, please. Half-bloods, to monsters, smell like Mickey D's.🐐" "We smell?!" "Like tacos, or takeout Vietnamese.🐐" Gover, you are freaking this boy out, and it is the funniest shit. Imagine you're on a quest and the way you find out that the monsters you have to fight want to eat you is by your best friend, who is half-goat, telling you that you, to monsters, smell like a happy meal. I'd give up.

4.) "Dude, are you talking to a squirrel?" "Satyr powers...Maybe he can help us." "Really, 'cause I think that seems kind of nuts." Percy, you little shit. This is why we love you.

5.) "You hurt his feelings. Tell the squirrel you're sorry." "I'm not saying sorry to a squirrel." "He's very sorry. Tell the squirrel you're sorry, Percy." this entire interaction makes me love the musical even more because the writers didn't even need to include this, but they did, and I'm so happy.

6.) "Hungry monsters on the ground." "Angry gods are in the sky." "No safe places to be found." "Wanna run! Wanna cry!" These lyrics are so good. It really shines a light on how unfathomably terrifying quest are.

7.) "Can't go back to any home." "Camp is way too far away." "Can't protect my only friends." And, right here, is what each character longs for: Percy wanting a safe place to stay because he's never had one, Annabeth wanting to be at camp because it's the only home she's ever known, and Grover wanting to keep his friends safe because he can't let another half-blood die. These lines won over my heart.

8.) "We're lost. We're just kids. We're alone." And then you remember that, with the exception of Grover, these are literal children who are expected to return Zeus's lightning bolt and save a mortal soul before the world ends. These are impossible stakes, and these kids are forced to handle them. The gods continue to disappoint me.

9.) "Children, come inside!" And then they have to face Medusa??? Fuck that. I want them safe😤😤

Lost is such an amazing song! It really highlights the trio's dynamic is an interesting way, and I highly recommend a listen to this one as well.

Tags:

[odditycircus-2002]

Shang Tsung and Medusa Reader Hcs Part 1

I felt inspired to make this with the new release of Mortal Kombat 1 teaser. I blame @earthrealmclown and @kronikascrown for making me so fond of this snake-like Sorcerer in the first place. Along with Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa... Enjoy!😁

NEXT

Let's rewind back to eons ago in China. You were born as an Apothecary's daughter, living a comfortable childhood with a loving family. However, there was always something... off about you. Something morbid.

With the passing of your father, you took up the family business, which is when your off nature became more prevalent. When you're not attending to customers or replenishing your apothecary cabinet, you're running your own experiments with a new medicine or new deadly poisons. Products you would use from animals to eventual people who were left unaware they were drugged. You'd observe and take notes on the side effects of your medicine as either helping to alleviate ailments or inducing madness before liquefying the subject's brain. At first, you reasoned to yourself that what you're doing is in the name of science, killing a few subjects to save thousands more people with your discoveries. Yet who were you kidding? It was both invigorating and immensely entertaining, a break in the mundanity of your home.

You met Shang Tsung when he fought for Earthrealm. An Apothecary's protege and daughter that many traveled far and wide to visit for her miraculous medicine. Among her town's residents, though, she was known as their most beautiful benevolent woman with eyes that shine like stars.

You greeted the then-young combatant with a well-practiced smile and soft voice, welcoming him to your quaint town and asking how she could help one of the realm's champions. Shang Tsung has come simply for some basic painkillers and disinfectants for wounds.

You and Shang engaged in some light conversation, such as the latter's thoughts on the upcoming Tournament and his odds, along with some light flirting. Eventually, it did go deeper as you engaged in deep discussion about your work, medicine, morality, and decay. Shang found himself giving a small grin as he observed how your eyes gave off a mad glint when discussing how you would collect venom from snakes by capturing them before cutting off the head to collect the fangs, preserving the rest of the body for further use.

While you tried your best to put on the facade of an unassuming and benevolent medicine woman, Shang Tsung suspected you were anything but. Intrigued by the barest taste he got of your twisted true nature, he decided to stay in town for a while to train, he claimed. Although everyone and their mother knew the true reason, whispering amongst themselves and placing bets on how fast you would turn down this latest suitor.

Of course, it wasn't as simple as they believed, given how both you and Shang Tsung had reasons to use one another under the facade of a courtship. You to test both your new medicines and poisons on an Earthrealm champion out of sheer curiosity; him, so he may take what you know to add to his arsenal for the Tournament. However, Shang Tsung couldn't deny the attraction he felt toward the dichotomy of your true wicked self; and you his charisma and wit.

Eventually, that lie became truth but with an added edge. While your courtship did include deep conversations, some flirting mixed in with subtle innuendos, gifts of flowers and fine jewelry, and long walks through the forest where you'd collect any herbs you need.

It also included Shang Tsung helping you dispose of a body to wild boars when he caught you experimenting with a new medicine on an old man close to death, only for it to induce madness before liquefying the subject's brain. Which you took great note of as the man was screaming about Geuis coming to eat his organs, unbothered by it all.

As well as you trying to poison the other to tie up loose ends, only to smugly show the other how that was a futile attempt. You already have a strong immunity from years of ingesting poison, and Shang Tsung comes prepared with an antidote.

There was also another incident where you tried to kill one another in their sleep, only to catch the other trying to do what you planned. This then involved a brief confrontation that somehow escalated into something... spicer 😏😏😏

Not long after, you married Shang Tsung, his equal in wit and deception. A day that would forever live on in both your memories, one filled with joy and pride to have made the other their own as you both exchanged rings made of jade and nephrite in the shape of two dragons intertwined.

Then, not long after you two married, you and Shang Tsung were cursed by the Elder Gods for cheating during the Tournament. Shang Tsung has used one of your most potent poisons to drug one of Outworld's champions. For that, Shang Tsung was cursed to age and wither at an alarming rate.

And for you being his accomplice, The Elder Gods cursed you to become a more snake-like being, befitting that for someone who allies herself with a snake. Your luscious H/C locks were transformed into writhing F/C snakes; your eyes became snake-like and sickly yellow; boar-like tusk jutted from your upper canines, dripping with venom; your nails became longer and sharper; your skin became rougher and scalier in appearance; finally, a large pair of leathery wings.

As if that wasn't bad enough, you were also cursed to turn any none godly or higher beings into stone if they looked you in the eyes. Still, neither of you would bow before the gods that cursed you so and beg for them to reverse your curses.

Admittedly, both of you were at your lowest at this point and literally unable to look one another in the eye. You were filled with both a crushing amount of insecurity and dread of your husband leaving you for getting caught, leaving you waiting with bated breath for the other shoe to drop. Yet, unbeknownst to you, Shang Tsung had some similar insecurities about you leaving him because you blamed him for your fate and because he was a now weak, frail old man.

Oddly, it was when you both tried to leave the other before the other one could leave first, but stopping to say goodbye, that you learned it wasn't the end of your marriage. Honestly, it came as a bit of a surprise for you that your arrogant Shang Tsung thought you would leave him for his failure and curse and vice versa.

As if you would leave the only man that ever kept your attention so long at the first sign of trouble, which you pretty much told him, which genuinely took him aback. Yet why would he want to be rid of someone like you? After you both cleared the air with one another, something in your marriage shifted with Shang Tsung for the better.

Is it any wonder that both you and Shang Tsung's anger and hatred were so greatly extreme that when Shao Khan reached out to you both, you both jumped at the opportunity? That and mixed in with desperation and spite, you both weren't looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Alongside your husband, you, too, were taught soul magic and sorcery by Shao Khan. However, you didn't rely as heavily on it as Shang Tsung, mostly utilizing it to make soul-binding contracts. Under Khan's teachings, you learned how to use glamour to hide your monstrous visage, use small pocket dimensions to store your drugs and poisons, how use your new form and abilities efficiently, and, eventually, even how to reverse your petrifying gaze.

So the next time Shang Tsung appeared for the Tournament, both of you were aligned with Outworld, much to Raiden's chagrin. You had to wear a Chinese opera mask, which you made in likeness to your original face, in order not to turn the entire Tournament and its champions into statues. That's not to say you didn't make some fine statues on the side, with no one the wiser.

Shang Tsung appreciates the support you gave behind the scenes, such as selling some "enhancing" drugs to the Earthrealm champions before the Tournament actually began in exchange for a variety of payments, including, unknowingly to most, their souls. Oh, how your heart skipped a beat to watch your beloved husband wipe the competition in a bloody brawl. 💕💕💕

Stay Tuned for more! My fellow humans.😉

[happyk44]

You know, I don't think we really talk about how brave Grover is because in canon he's very characterized as nervous and scared most of the time, but. I mean to be a Keeper/Protector in and of itself is a brave concept. You are risking death by monster to go and find demigod children who don't know how to fight or use their potential powers and bring them back to camp all by yourself, sometimes more than one. You have to constantly be in disguise which impacts your capacity to move or fight back. A lot of your kind have likely died protecting these kids. And the godly parents of these kids aren't compensating you or thanking you for bringing their kid back safely, but they likely get peeved if you don't.

And then to be a Searcher. Again you are alone against monsters and gods and other magical entities that might eat you or fight you. Again a lot of you have died trying to find Pan. A lot of them were your family members - your father, brother, uncle, etc. There are many monsters, many creatures out there that deceive you about his presence.

Grover has found all known children of the Big Three. He helped Luke, Annabeth and Thalia make it to camp and dealing with monsters the whole time because Luke kept seeking out fights. Despite this and despite seeing Thalia "die" in front of him, he still went back out! He spent a year in full disguise at a boarding school, went on his first quest, helps in the fight against Medusa, and so on. Even goes inside the Underworld with the other two, even though he hates the underground.

Despite all of that shit, he still goes out to find Pan after he gets his license and manages to bullshit his way into staying alive the whole time and help bring back the Golden Fleece.

Then he goes out again! Like right after he got back because he was at Bianca and Nico's school for a while posing as a student again and TTC happened in December. Goes on the quest to rescue Artemis and Annabeth.

After he goes back on the search for Pan. Six months later he goes into the Labyrinth (which is underground and he hate the underground). He lets Tyson come with him to find Pan, even though he's terrified of a Cyclopes and Tyson has the mentality of a young child.

He fights in the big battle afterwards, and then informs the other satyrs that Pan is gone - a decision that he knew could've had him exiled. Which they tried to do! And still he decides to go out and spread the word, despite the fact that other satyrs would likely be as dismissive of the news as the Council at CHB.

He confronts Morpheus while trying to rally other nature spirits. He helps battle! He's there in the bubble that Kronos makes with Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia, which means he was literally right next to a scary evil Titan that wanted to destroy everything!

He is so so brave!!

And if you correct Rick's math, then you get that he's around 14 (slightly younger, calcs put him at 13.7) at the end of the TLO, so he's the "youngest" on the team directly fighting Kronos, and when he becomes Lord of the Wild. Between TLT and TBoTL he's 12 and 13 by mortal standards. Yes, he's "technically" 16 right now but he was 28 in TLT which was supposed to have him pass as a 12 year old (since Percy was 12, turning 13) and so the math is not exactly half despite Rick saying so.

I guess we could argue that he was 14 in TLT and was just small enough to pass as a middle schooler, esp since Percy says he thinks Grover was held back because of his wispy goatee (which I always took to be a foreshadowing of Grover's goatman status, and not "he's a tiny 14 year old by human standards") and acne (was I the only 12 year old with acne) but I think it would be so funny for Percy, at 16, to a 32 year old bestie and a 13/14 year old bestie at the same time and everytime he says that people give a look and he just giggles to himself about it.

When he's 20 and Grover looks 15 but is actually 36 it's even worse because of how casually touchy he and Grover are and everyone is like "Percy plz stop calling Grover babe in public, you look like a pervert" and he's just offended hand on his chest, how dare you imply his relationship with Grover is inappropriate, they are both adults who love each other, and it's just gritting teeth, we know that Seaweed Brain but other people do not.

But lmao, anyway!! Grover is a brave brave boy! He is Lord of the Wild! He appears to be the head of the Council at camp as well! He takes charge and leads the nature spirits into battle as well. He was part of the planning group with the cabin leaders in HoO.

Despite his fears, he is so so brave! He would jump into front of a bullet for Percy (but Percy would not let him, Percy is so much "I would die for you, but if you even think about getting so much as a papercut to save me, I will be so fucking upset about it). Grover is so wonderful and cool and we need to talk about him more!!

[quietbluejay]

Angel Exterminatus 6

Raven Guard daily affirmations we've gotten back into the silly zone also i can't help but think of "hrrrg i'm trying to sneak through the vents but my body is too dummy thicc and my armour too cumbersome and-"

quietbluejay was then shot by a raven guard sniper

not in this universe they ain't

Nykona: I need enrichment in my enclosure. This is why I am sneaking around on the ceiling

aloooone

incredible sharrowkyn batmanning it up like i am darkness i am the NIGHT tarsa: oh hai there

tarsa realizes that to talk to nykona you need to break everything down to small manageable phrases

welp over to the captive Fists again. Life continues to suck for them.

Back to the Iron Hands

ohhh the Drukhari (proto-Drukhari for the pedants) are playing both sides

love this guy explosions and happiness on planet medusa

Sunk cost fallacy? What's that? Is it something you eat? No, that's sand and rocks

oh we're back to kroeger ❤️

i feel like mcneill is perhaps doing a theme here

i've honestly found this character trait of perturabo to be really interesting compared to how I see people talk about him (again I might be missing stuff) (i know a lot of it is memeing but you can meme on chocolate eclair backbone as well!) and yet it's absolutely a core character trait (at least in this book. who knows how he will be written elsewhere) perturabo lacks initiative he does not move unless moved upon he has pie in the sky dreams, but no real ambitions and concrete goals he is willing and able to work towards, no grand strategy this makes it entirely unsurprising that he was basically chilling in the eye of terror for ten thousand years it also makes it unsurprising that his move when he had enough was to just...pack up and nope out there's stuff he wants, but never enough to make a stand and go for it, or to say no.

i am feeling the teenager vibe in this iron warriors ship tonight

you're part of the team now kroeger you gotta go drinking with them

My goodness they're worse than the Thousand Sons

actually, this is basically Kroeger at all times

I like him already OH ITS THEIR WARGAMING ROOM

Kroeger (local jock) got bullied by the nerds to come down and play 40k yes. this is funny to me.

just watch i bet it was Soulaka who designed it

oh nvm Kroeger: can I get a restraining order Lucius: restraints you say fortunately for Kroeger his sempais are here to back him up

bruh??? since, uh, when, exactly, did imperial forces care about targeting the civilian population i mean in terms of "we shouldn't do it"

man this really is peak wargaming

and somehow perturabo and his combat robots manage to jumpscare them so much for astartes senses so they're trying to figure out how to do the siege of terra and their "vaunted" tactical prowess is…human wave tactics

"it's basically impossible" kroeger: nah, I'd win perturabo, showing up out of nowhere:

Kroeger: yep

owo

there's a lot going on here one, this is the big flaw of a lot of the most well-meaning people in the 30k Imperium (the "oh we'll just fix everything after we're done with all the conquests") this works really well as a metaphor for that

the second is how it ties into Perturabo's attitude about guilt

Perturabo is unable or unwilling to make the leap from "a thing once broken will always be broken" to "a thing once broken will always have been broken, but does not always need to remain a broken thing" ... he doesn't know how to recover from mistakes he's basically got gifted kid syndrome turned up to 11 because he woke up with like an entire library of technical knowledge in his brain but no life skills this is why he has all those designs and never builds them and can never be satisfied with all the little quirks that real life introduces to a design