Tumgik
#he calls her a goddess among women
kittykyryi · 3 months
Text
I was explaining this to someone earlier and I don't think I've seen enough people talk about it, but the kids getting four pearls instead of three was actually a really great writing choice. Did anything change? No. Did we all know one of them was gonna break/get lost? Yes absolutely. However, the fourth pearl wasn't about the story. It was about Poseidon. It was about him also being desperate to save the woman he loves. Watch him and Sally in ep 7 and tell me he wouldn't try his hardest to save her too?? It's such a significant insight into him that paired with the scenes we've gotten this episode, tell us so much about him and his relationship with Sally that we don't get to figure out until later in the books.
2K notes · View notes
Text
Heart Sutra ~ Buddha x Goddess! Reader
Tumblr media
Gate gate para gate para sam gate bodhi swaha...
"Your pronunciation is getting better, Y/N." King Jataka laid on the grass, underneath a tree, watching the beautiful woman besides him create various models of flower crowns with her magic. "Really? You truly think so?" her charming smile seemed to radiate as bright and warm as the Sun itself. "Yes, I think so. A little more, and you can sing the Heart Sutra perfectly." Jataka found himself smiling also. "Ahh, you are being far too nice, 'Taka." she waved her hand dismissively, returning to her idle work. "Y/N, do you mind if I ask you something?" she hummed, encouraging him to continue. "You are a Goddess. Why have you been staying at my court, disguised as a Bodhisattva?" he asked, deep in thought. Y/N turned her head to look at him properly. "Why, you ask?" Y/N didn't have an immediate answer. "I suppose because it makes me happy." "Does it, really?" he murmured, intrigued. "I think so, yes." she smiled kindly. "Every time I see the smiles of people that I healed, my heart bursts with happiness, and I feel lighter. In this prospect, I suppose that yes, being here, among humans, and aiding them does make me happy." "You are always smiling." Jataka nodded his head, pensive. "You have the most beautiful smile I've ever seen." "Jataka." she called out his name, placing the flower down and leaning back on the tree. "What is bothering you?" "Ahaha... Saw right through me, didn't you? No wonder you're a Goddess governing the nature, peace and serenity. Only someone pure and benevolent like yourself could understand my troubled heart." the King spoke softly. "I am nearing the end of my life, and through this, I have come to realise that although I have done my duty well, made my people happy and that my kingdom is flourishing... You see... I feel... Unfulfilled. I feel... Empty. Like there is something missing. I feel... Deep unrest and... Sadness. As though I am nostalgic over something that I have never had... And never will."
"Your reason for sadness is the very reason over which I took a leave of absence from home, up there." Y/N gently wrapped her arms around the King, placing his head on her lap. "There is no creature alive that can feel happiness over being controlled by a higher being. We blame destiny and duty, or even Gods for out sadness... But the truth is, Jataka... We are the masters of our own destiny, and only we have power over our own lives." Y/N looked away with a sarcastic smile. "If only that were entirely true, huh?" "Lavishing in all these material luxuries, being hidden away from any misfortune, I have been ignorant over what it meant to live." the man sighed deeply. "As I watched the starry skies one night, from the balcony, I realised how vast the skies are - And if the skies are endless, then so must the Earth be. I watched birds fly, unhindered by any restraint, and I realised that I was nothing more than a caged falcon, bound by a rope, never allowed to venture too far. Since my birth, I have been told that I must uphold my duties as a prince - As the future King - And I did everything as best as I could, out of filial love and duty for the people I am responsible for." Jataka felt a sense of relief, feeling the Goddess' hand gently caressing his silvery locks. "Do you think I am selfish, Y/N? For wishing for my own happiness, for once?" "No, Jataka. I do not think you are selfish. Truth is..." though Y/N smiled, it was bitter, and a tear escaped down her cheek. "I am just a little upset that you did not realise it until it was too late." a few more tears followed close behind, surprising the young King. "You are such a good man, Jataka. It always pains me, seeing young men and women like you, who have done only good in their life, and are repaid with only misfortune. I hate how unfair life can be, and I hate that I am unable of meddling with diseases that humans cannot conquer yet. If I were to keep every living being alive, forever, than it would only bring calamity and a disbalance of life." Jataka felt a pang of pain in his heart, realising the emotional woman before him cared so much for him and all the people she governed over - Despite all the births, deaths and rebirths that she's witnessed over the course of aeons, for as long as she has been alive - She still couldn't get over the suffering of loss. "But if I make an exception with you, then I would have to make an exception with everyone, as my heart wouldn't allow me to spare one over the other. A cruel fate, out of which I cannot escape. And you, Jataka, are correct, you are no different - A beautiful song bird, trapped in a golden cage, embellished with the most precious jewels, forced to sing the songs of the nobles, yet unable to break free and witness and experience the world in front of your eyes; Unable to spread your wings and feel the air brushing through your feathers."
Y/N felt two gentle hands cradling her face, wiping away her diamond beads of tears which created blooming flowers where they fell on the ground. Jataka smiled, and kissed her forehead. "Having your love means more to me than anything else in the world." he spoke in a soft voice which mellowed the Goddess' heart further into trembling with emotion. "Though I cannot live the life that I wished, nor live eternal in this mortal husk that my body is - I have a single wish, that only you may fulfill. It is the only thing that can bring me a little comfort. Can you promise me something, please?" "Of course. I will do anything." she placed her hands over his own, intertwining their fingers together. "Please, take care of Siddhartha for me. He is still young and naive, still fooled by the luxuries of the palace. He needs you, the same as I do. He is a good man. Please, care for him the same as you did for me." the two locked eyes, and their hearts came to a deep understanding. A vow was formed, for millennia to come. "I will."
Weeks passed by, and though Siddhartha had no clue that Y/N was actually a Goddess, he enjoyed his time spent with her and Jataka. Ever since she appeared at his Kingdom, quite a while ago, he felt that those two were kindred spirits, in ways that few could accomplish, as though they could understand each other simply through looks and smiles. Or maybe that's how mature adults think. One of the two, he wasn't quite sure. Either way, he often teased Jataka about taking her as one of his wives. He always got scolded when he did.
Y/N wasn't the most talkative, but he always appreciated her care for everyone, including him. All her kind words and sweet actions towards people made the young man want to spend more and more time with her.
At some point, he even came over to her, offering flowers - He had the most innocent, boyish grin - He was so adorable, really. Still, for some reason, Y/N only smiled sweetly at him, kissing his cheek and went away. Though he was flustered, he also felt... Rejected? Maybe his intentions weren't obvious enough? He wasn't quite sure - Not to mention, Jataka just laughed, but gave him no answer. Was he teasing him? Ha!
Jataka's time was nearing its end, and for the first time since they've known each other, Siddhartha was met with a confusing confession for his elder brother figure - The validity of his happiness. Was he happy, truly? Was the material world was the soul's fulfillment was? Or perhaps he was too shallow to realise... Or too inexperienced? Jataka said he realised how much he wanted to see the world and... Live. Alas, he couldn't, not only because of his illness, but because of his duties as a King, trapped in the comforting gold of his kingdom.
He panicked, seeing his older brother's bitter smile, looking into the horizon at the setting Sun, and he felt dread, watching the blood dripping down his hand as he continued to cough.
When the country went into deep mourning, he was shocked not to see Y/N anywhere. She must be glued to the coffin, no doubt. Everyone knew she was the closest person Jataka ever had. As Siddhartha rode towards the kingdom, he saw the people sobbing and weeping for their deceased King.
"The life I lived, who did it belong to, in the end?"
"Do you truly think I am a happy person?"
These questions rung through Siddhartha's mind, as soon as he heard that one assumption - "The king must have been truly happy."
But was he, really? Who's to say he was actually happy? The kingdom's prosperity? The people's well-being? No war, nor famine or plague in the lands he was governing?
At once, Siddhartha came to a revelation. He jumped off his horse, and weeping, he started cackling loudly, making people believe his grief drove him to madness.
As expected, as soon as he entered in the temple, he was met with sobbing people, lots of flowers, and a single woman glued to the King's coffin. Yes, Y/N loved flowers, and consequently, so did Jataka - Hence why Siddhartha gathered a whole basket of field flowers and strutted all the way to the coffin, throwing flowers around.
"Siddhartha...?" Y/N's sweet voice called out to him softly as she rose her crying face to look up at him. "You were right. I understand now, and I admit, you were right." he smiled at her. "I won't say it a second time though." "What are you talking about?" Siddhartha moved his gaze to Jataka, and offered a melancholic smile. "Hey, bro. You 'bout ready to go out of here?" with extraordinary strength, Siddhartha picked Y/N and placed her gingerly on his shoulder, as his other hand held Jataka's coffin. He was completely deaf to all the others yelling at him to stop his mad actions. "Piss off. Whatever Gods you're praying at today - My bro Jataka doesn't need their blessings. Because happiness... Comes from within."
Y/N gasped hearing his bold words - And she started crying. She was proud of him. Afternoon came, and the two knelt on the ground, gazing at the beautiful King amongst the flowers, having his coffin lowered onto the river sheen. "You are free, my friend. Now go and find your happiness yourself." they watched him disappear into the horizon, engulfed into the red rays of the beautiful Sun.
For the first time in the many years since they've known each other, Siddhartha witnessed Y/N offering him her undivided attention. As soon as the silhouette of the coffin was visible no more, she threw her arms around his torso and sobbed like a child. Siddharta smiled, moved that someone cared so much for his bro, and he held her smaller form into his embrace. "Why are you crying so much, you little crybaby? Don't you know - Suffering is only a concept bound to the material world. One day, when we enter Samsara, our souls will reunite with Bro's, and we will be friends again, in our next life - Again, and again, until we reach awakening and attain Nirvana." his words sounded so wise, unlike the childish beliefs of yester-year. "It is alright to upset, the wound is still fresh and ablaze. But Y/N - One should find happiness in remembering the beautiful memories guiding your future, rather than mourning the past." "I am so proud of you, Siddhartha." her words were nothing that he expected, and the young man was taken aback. "You are right. Yes, you are entirely right. If only that life was kinder to benevolent souls like yourself and Jataka." she continued vaguely.
Y/N rose her head to look up at him, a wide smile through her tears. "But, Siddhartha, you see - That truth only applies to mortals. As a Goddess, seeing beautiful souls die so young... Beautiful flowers withering all around you, as the garden you tended with so much love and care dies upon winter... It hurts every time, and no matter how many thousands of years pass, I cannot get over the suffering that loss has on me." Siddharta frowned slightly, confused at her statement. "Goddess, you say? Ha! That's funny." he grinned at her. "You see, I have just come to the realisation that I absolutely despise anything that tries to control my actions. I am a firm believer that we seam the tapestry of our own lives through the choices we make. Now I understand why Bro was so upset last time we met. You knew all this, didn't you, you little minx?" "Of course I did." she huffed lightly. "Siddhartha - Do you hate me for not saving Jataka? Now that you know my identity, you must be very upset that I just let him die." The young man let out an over-dramatic hum, placing his hand to his chin as if to mock thinking, before he popped out a negative answer. At least he retained his childish vitality. "What are you Goddess over, anyway? You healed people. Goddess of Life or what?" "Nature, Peace and Serenity." Siddhartha let out a sound of understanding. "No wonder I and Bro felt so good around you! It's like everything was good around you!" he cackled weirdly. "Must be hard on you, huh?" his theatrical expression turned more gentle and kind. "Having to take care of so many things at once. You know, my wife told me once that she can feel what our child feels. I'm not sure how it works, but it must be similar with you and everything you create right?" Y/N nodded her head, albeit, bewildered at the accurate comparison that he figured out on the spot. "Having to feel the emotion of every living being must be a huge pain in the ass." Y/N giggled in amusement. "I love and care for every living being, Siddhartha. It is like a gardener tending to a flower garden. Every human, every animal, every tree. Everything has life, and their vitality, their energy surges through my veins." she explained, taking a step back. She rose her hands up to take his hair away from his tail, letting it swish with the wind. His hair was so long, that it matches her own. "You dig in the dirt with your own fingers, and you bury the seed of life. Every morning, every afternoon and night, you tend to this seed, and care for it - You water it and fertilize it, protect it from parasites and the harsher weathers. When it comes up from under the first, you see the cutest, littlest sprout, braving to live and grow more. You watch it get bigger, and stronger over the course of many days, until finally, it reaches maturity, and it blossoms into the most beautiful flower." she smiled widely, creating a gorgeous flower crown, which she placed on his head. "But once it reaches maturity, the risk of illness increases. It matures until it grows old. You watch it lose its vibrant colours, the petals fall off one by one, until only a frail stem remains, falling from the faintest breeze, until finally, the roots rot, and the flower is no more." Siddhartha's grim comment about life made Y/N's beautiful gem-like eyes gleam with emotion. "So is life, yes." despite being overwhelmed with emotion, Y/N continued to speak. "Out of all my flowers - Siddhartha, you are my most beautiful lotus flower, and I am most proud of you." the young man blushed in surprised. "Creating humans, creating life - It is the effort of the collective of Gods, not mine alone; But creating, and caring for, is different. I may not be able to look over every living being in this large, large world, but I am most honoured that I was able to meet you and see you grow into such a wise young man."
At once, Siddhartha pulled Y/N into a tight hug, swinging her around enthusiastically. "Awwww, you're the sweetest! You're making me blush!" Y/N was quickly beginning to get dizzy from all the twirling and swinging around from the awfully strong prince. "What did you promise Bro?" "Oh? You knew about that?" Y/N chuckled softly, trying to regain her balance. "I promised that I would take care of you, the same way I did for him." Siddharta grinned widely. "Nope!" Y/N looked at him, a little confused. "I've got a better idea, actually." he brought Y/N at arm's length, his hands placed firmly on her shoulders. "You knew I liked you, didn't you?" Y/N nodded her head. "But a mortal doesn't live long enough, so they can't hang around an immortal, huh?" Y/N's eyes lingered towards the river, before nodding again. "Welp, I've got an idea!" his dazzling smile was more charming than any God. "You see, I want to go on a pilgrimage, all by myself. I want to find myself, and my own happiness. I want to find my purpose. I need to do this alone - Though don't worry, if I am to encounter a like-minded friend, then we will travel together." he spoke. "Will you wait for my return, Y/N? Until I reach my Enlightenment and become an iteration of myself with which I can be proud of?" Y/N smiled dearly at the young man, glowing like the morning Sun. "I will wait for you for as many cycles it takes you to find me again. I hope that, by the time you return, you will have achieved true happiness, and I can see your beautiful smile again. Siddhartha."
The young man smiled brightly before pulling Y/N into a sweet kiss. "Something to look forward to." he gave her a peace sign before walking away. "See ya, Y/N! Laters!" "Have a safe journey, you little troublemaker." Y/N smiled dearly, waving at him. Though life as a God was long and tedious, and relationships were shallow, she felt a pure love like she's never experienced before. Whether she sees the young man again or not, she knew he was going to be just fine.
Since then, Y/N returned to the Gods, continuing her boring life, watching over the nature of Earth from above. Life truly wasn't all that exciting for deities living so long, but once in a while, something big happens - Big enough for the whole foundation of Valhalla to shake to the core.
If a human becoming a demi-God wasn't exceptional enough, considering the bravery and righteousness that Heracles displayed; A man had somehow attained supreme spiritual awakening, and ascended to the title of Buddha the Enlightened, the Wise. A human achieved Godhood.
Siddhartha Gautama
As soon as he saw the Goddess, completely frozen from shock of seeing him in Heavens, he let out a childish squeal and leapt on her, rubbing his cheek on her face as though he's a kitten or something. He told her how much he missed her and what not - Surprise! He even had his own brand of delicious lollipops to share with her! And lots and lots of chocolate too! Oh, and they had so much to catch up!
He told Y/N all about his journey and the people he met, those he guided on their path to achieving happiness, and all the sightseeing he did. Best of all, he reminisced all the awakening he did over the years - And how much he missed her! Haha, a joke - He is always determined to get what he wants, so of course, he was patient. Craving would only bring him suffering, thus the knowledge of knowing the Goddess was there, waiting for him, soothed his worried into a calm peace of mind.
Siddhartha - Now, Buddha - Still felt so giddy, being called by his name. Only Y/N could call him that, of course! No one else had that privilege. The more she spoke his name, the happier he was. Buddha ended up playfully pinning Y/N to the bed, kissing all over her face and tickling her, feeling his heart lighter with every sweet giggle she let. When she couldn't take the tickling anymore, the Goddess wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him flush against her chest; She took off his hair tie once again, and the pretty crown-like accessory holding it in a lotus-like style, and she caressed his locks soothingly. "I missed you." three simple words, yet they had the strongest effect on him. He felt compelled to engulf her in his strong arms, cuddling together, two hearts soulbound for an eternity of spiritual happiness.
Many, many years passed, and Buddha and Y/N were inseparable. Gods may argue, and so do humans, but never once did anyone even see them disagree on anything, let alone argue. Was it the endless patience and compassion of the Buddha, or that Y/N was always too kind to say anything that might upset someone, and detested confrontation; She'd rather walk away, or smile, instead of disagreeing with anyone.
That was their biggest similarity, but also, their biggest difference - Buddha was never one to back away from a fight against someone he couldn't stand - In his case, most of the Gods. Ironic, isn't it, he told Y/N so many times; How one can detest the very being they became, with the same strength that they love another just as much. He was a God who hated Gods, yet a God, who loved a Goddess as much as he loved the happiness and freedom he achieved.
"You have to find your own happiness within you." he told her once, watching Y/N dancing around the forest. Everywhere she stepped, flowers grew. "That may be so, Siddhartha - But my happiness increases whenever I see you." she bent to his side, grabbing his wrists and pulling him up to dance with her. Though all kinds of flowers bloomed wherever she stepped, hence why she always walked with no shoes on; Where Buddha stepped, beautiful white lilies grew. Together, they created endless flower gardens, more ethereal than any other God could make.
One would think eternal bliss was in store for them - Alas, one so connected to Nature as Y/N, was bound to suffer greatly, to the hands of the mankind she cherished so much. Buddha often saw how Y/N would try to sneak away into the forests, all alone. Though he hadn't seen her, he could sense her distress, her agony. After the third time that she refused to confide in him, preferring to keep the problem hidden, the newly Awaken God decided to confront her himself.
Instead, once he arrived at the edge of the forest, he found Y/N collapsed on the grass, writhing in pain. Panicked, he fell to his knees, cradling her in his arms, calling out her name; She seemed feverish and weak, but Gods couldn't contract illnesses, could they? Surely, they can't. He held her tight in her embrace, wishering the Heart Sutra in her ear over and over again, until finally, her breathing evened out, and the pain subsided.
"Pfeww, don't scare me like that, gorgeous! You're going to give me a heart attack!" he collapsed on his back dramatically. "Forgive me... I didn't want you to see me like this." Y/N sighed, rolling on the grass next to him. "I did not want you to see me cursing the humanity that I loved so much." "Humanity caused you this pain? What do you mean?" he turned to his side, his blue water lily eyes widening. "Take a look for yourself." she guided him to the edge of the floating forest. "Look there - They are at war. Countless people are dying all at once, the grass is drowning in blood, the animals are perishing." she sighed softly, before pointing to the opposite side. "And there - The deforestation, the excessive hunting - That whole hill is bare of life and decrepit, all so that humans may build and build and build some more." "Ahh, I see, so I was more right than I realised, though to think it would affect you to the point of being physically ill. My poor, poor baby Y/N!" he threw his arms around her, rolling on the grass with her dramatically. There was nothing that he could do to save her from this - It was the course that humanity took for itself, but perhaps there might be a way to somehow detach her, even by a little bit, from her connection with that which was created. Perhaps, that-a-way, the suffering may subside. Until then, however, he can only distract her with his love and playfulness. It was working wonders.
For thousands of years, humanity existed, with the will of the Gods, until that will was no more. Even Aphrodite herself, disgusted with the state of the world, agreed to decimate mankind. Shocked with the outcome, Y/N was the first to step forward and protest. Though she couldn't see Buddha looking at her, she could feel his presence and his lingering gaze. She wanted to fight for the mankind that destroyed her from within. None of the actions of humanity were directly affecting either of the Gods, except for her for the most part. She was the only one with the validity of voting, and if she wanted mankind to continue living, she had every right to vouch for them.
But they didn't care for her opinions - Instead, they laughed, saying her pain will disappear along with the humans, and she can achieve serendipity. How ridiculous. Thankfully, Brunhilde's plan of inducing Ragnarok worked, and thus, the thirteen fights were to take place.
Worried, Y/N quickly rushed out of the conference room, needing some time alone to regain herself. She was panicking and afraid. True, eliminating the humans was bound to relieve her heart of suffering - But at what cost? There were so many good people, innocent people out there, who did nothing wrong. Why should they perish, for the mistakes of others? Like how Adam and Even were cast away from Heaven, due to the disgusting lies and deceit of the Snake, so will billions and billions of other people suffer eternal Doomsday.
It wasn't fair.
A mother doesn't kill their own child for misbehaving. The Gods were being as selfish as always.
"N'aww, sweet-cheeks, don't tell me you're crying again! You know it breaks my heart seeing you like this!" though Buddha wasn't expecting to be pinned to the wall, Y/N's fingers digging deep into his shoulders. "We can't let them die, Siddhartha! We can't! They are innocent!" Y/N cried out, looking into his beautiful eyes. "Please, don't tell me you're on their side! We can't - We can't let them die! But what can we do? We are so few, against so many of them - And they're all so unreasonable and short-sighted." Buddha felt pain in his heart, listening to the distress of her voice, seeing the glimmering of her eyes. "I know! I'll... I'll fight for mankind! I... I've never fought in my life... But I am the Goddess of Peace. To know Peace is to know War; and to know War, is to know Peace. One must protect that which he holds dear. That's right, isn't it?" "Y/N." he called out in a gentle, calm voice. "Please, calm down." "Siddhartha...?" she found herself calling out his name. "You and I - We are soulbound, aren't we? We want the same thing. And you, more than anyone else in this world, know how much I hate being told what to do." he pulled her into a deep kiss. "And I'll be damned before I allow anyone to make you cry." Her distressed look turned into a content smile of relief, and she snuggled into his arms. "I love you so much." those words never failed to make his heart leap with joy.
Once Ragnarok began, Heimdall would call out the champions of the Gods, while Y/N would call the Mankind warriors to come over. It was the least she could do, apart from encouraging each of the fighters.
Mankind had a staggering two consecutive losses, and each time, Y/N took the short pause between matches to weep and regain herself. Staying in the ring for the duration of the fight, she used her magical powers to create a strong shield for the audience, so that none of the match-attacks would mistakenly harm anyone watching.
She felt sad yet emboldened seeing Lu Bu's tragic death, but also, his horse and brothers in arms asking for death, to be reunited in Niflheim with their General. She saw Thor smile for the first time in his life, after having fought with all of his mind against an honorable and strong member of mankind. Likewise, her heart shattered watching Adam's conviction is protecting his children from perdition, the very same she wished.
Thankfully, the great Sasaki was able to slash to death none other than Poseidon himself; Though not the most agreeable person, she still felt sad to see him gone forever. Alas. Y/N hugged the old man, thanking him for his resilience and strength before picking him up and bringing him to the infirmary.
The same happened with Jack the Ripper, a man despised by all mankind and humanity for being the scum of the earth. Y/N knew better - She knew all of their lives. In truth, though she disagreed with his actions, she pitied Jack, the poor man. He truly was a pitiable one. Unlike Poseidon, Heracles was wept by all, Gods and humans alike, whilst Jack got ostracised, ridiculed and insulted, even having stones thrown at him, despite already being injured. That angered Y/N.
"How dare you speak ill of the man who put his life on the line for humanity to keep living?! He has no descendants, he has no family - He fought for humanity, though he had nothing to gain out of it! He got the recognition of Heracles himself, and tied the score against the Gods with his shrewdness and wit - And yet you dare talk down to him? I don't see you in here, facing the wrath of the Gods who want you dead!" Buddha felt himself cackling from the stand, watching the Goddess pick up a grown man like he was a bride and actively healing him with love and care like none other before. What a darling she always was.
Unfortunately, Mankind lost the 5th match, with poor Raiden dying against Shiva, the God of Destruction. Still, the only good thing coming out of all the matches was that Y/N could sense the fighting Gods getting genuine admiration for the strength, selflessness and righteousness of humanity, beginning with Thor calling Lu Bu his friend, Zeus acknowledging Adam's strength in protecting his kin, Sasaki defeating Poseidon himself, Heracles loving humanity and Jack himself, and Shiva admiring Raiden's power.
And thus, the sixth match was to take place. The doors opened, and two rows of seven pink water lilies appeared - The familiar silhouette of Buddha appeared. Y/N looked at his unbothered face, blowing up bubblegum, his weapon lazily swung over his shoulder. He was smirking, winking at Y/N mischievously, reveling in the spotlight before he stepped by the Goddess' side and pulled her over into his side as he got to where the human representative was to stand.
He spit his gum in Heimdall's hand, snatching away his Gjallarhorn. "Excuse me. Testing. Testing." he spoke into the horn. "Uhhh... I'm gonna fight for Mankind. Ya dig?" the whole arena was in ecstasy. Numerous comments were thrown around, denigrating Buddha as he shattered the horn in his grasp. "Piss off." he pointed with his weapon towards Zeus. "Y'all made my girl cry. Screw you. If the Gods aren't going to save mankind, then I will. And if any God gets in my way..." he slammed the butt of the weapon into the ground, his expression now serious and devoid of any joy. "I'll kill 'em."
He truly is the kind not to take orders from anyone. Though Heimdall tried to press on that he can't switch sides, Zeus himself approved anyway. "Are you prepared to make enemies with all of the Gods?" "Dang, you're such a pain!" Buddha scoffed at Odin, pulling Y/N even closer to his side. "Remember what I said before? Whether you're allies or enemies, good or evil, Gods or Humans, none of that matters!" Buddha was glowing brightly with intense confidence. "In all universe, nothing else matters, except me!"
Such a narcissistic comment, added to the intense frustration of the Gods, made Y/N burst into laughter along with him. Two weirdos. "So, who am I fighting?"
The Seven Fortunes stepped into the arena and fused into a single deity. Vaisravana was no more, and instead, one called Zerofuku appeared. The Eight Gods of Fortune were actually a single entity. This Zerofuku guy was a real weirdo, even for their standards, and he confessed his intense wish to slaughter Buddha with all of his might, as he created his sinister weapons which got bigger and bigger the more misfortune he encountered.
Though Y/N didn't know of Zerofuku's past, he knew Buddha. He was able to take the misfortune of the humans into his own body, until he couldn't any more, only to receive discontempt and realise that those he tried to help were in no way less misfortunate than before. Material luxury and sinful indulgences did nothing to appease the soul. Instead, Zerofuku had to witness strings of people following Buddha in his path to Enlightenment. He got jealous, unable to understand his teachings - Yet somehow, no matter how cryptic or enigmatic Zerofuku found Buddha's words, the other people - Including those whom he helped previously - Began following the Awakened One close behind.
The more Zero attacked, the bigger his weapon grew, for Buddha could see the flickers of his soul and evade all the hits before they even happened. He was even taunting the God, intentionally or not, driving him into a mad frenzy. The few attacks that Buddha threw all landed with tremendous effect, earning cheers and applause from the audience.
Though he couldn't see Y/N reaction, Buddha was sure she was a worrying mess - That's her caring nature, after all - Yet seeing Zero's weapon growing as large as the whole arena, and him not moving from his spot, well - He feared she might be fainting on the spot, like a poor damsel in distress. Well, he'll just have to sweep her off her feet and protect her like the chevalier of light that he is!
Y/N knew, in theory, that Buddha's weapon transformed in each of the Six Paths identities depending on his emotions, and with his being a master at controlling his moods, he could form anything at will, more or less, so she wasn't all that surprised when the weapon transformed into a Shield to block the huge weapon. Still, she almost wished she could see all of the Paths.
Next, he used the Spiked Club of Nirvana, trembling to charge in an attack - And so he did, sweeping to the ground and causing lethal damage on the demon's side. The demon's weapon turned into two swords, to which Buddha made his weapon turn into a large halbert, easily countering every one of Zero's attacks. His misfortune was increasing, and his weapon turned into a multitude of hooks acting like snakes - He retaliated with a Vajra, running around and cutting them away to bits.
"Love yourself!" Buddha encouraged the poor demon. "I actually like you quite a lot, Zerofuku." that comment made the misfortunate one start sobbing and staring at the graceful God, shining brighter than the golden Sun. Zero's anger subsided and he finally understood who he really is, and what he wants from life. His weapon disappeared, and Buddha also threw his own to the ground, proposing an outright fist-fight. What a child, Y/N giggled, watching that playful smirk on his face as he intentionally allowed the pitiable demon to strike him back. Y/N could never image ever letting herself feel physical hurt just for fun - Alas, men were weird, and Buddha especially, was one of a kind.
Zerofuku was on the ground, sprawled, with all his misfortune and anger seeping out of his in a cloud. His purple hair turned pure white, and his blissful grin, that childlike innocence and glee were sparkling in his eyes. Buddha, also, was happy to have helped another worthy person achieve spiritual happiness - Until the horns on either side of his skull penetrated deep into his brain, worming their way inside his body. Zerofuku was engulfed by two dragons, one blue and one red. Buddha could do nothing to safe his new friend. Instead, he was forced to watch Zero disappearing, and a true evil appearing in his stead.
The Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Papiyas, was reborn.
Buddha immediately leapt back, afraid for the first time, for there was a creature of pure darkness, whom he couldn't read. He hadn't an inkling of brightness in his soul which he could read. Y/N, like everyone else, was trembling from the sheer malevolence of the demon. Terrifying, Y/N ran in front of Buddha, standing protectively in front of him - She knew, if need be, her defense magic was second to none in Valhalla.
There goes this legend about a terrifying foe from Helheim - Hades told her this story once, dating before he was ruled of the Underworld - That this enemy destroyed half of the realm... Or rather, it was lucky enough that even half of it was left intact, to some degree.
Once Papiyas turned his arm into a weapon, Y/N summoned her polearm into her grasp, parrying the attack. The Gods all gasped - It has been thousands of years since they've seen the Goddess of Peace fight. In truth, it was only during the Titanomachy that she fought - To protect her Peace, one must go to War. It was an irony that she had to accept as a true axioma.
"H-Hey, Y/N, it's not your fight! Two people can't fight for a single side!" she heard Heimdall's shaky voice call out. "To hell with your rules, Heimdall! If this freak doesn't die, we're all screwed!" Y/N growled, struggling to push him back, counter and block all of his strikes that came at the speed of lightning. "If Zeus accepted the intervention of the Valkyries for all the other fights, then for goodness' sake, there's hardly any difference, is there?!" "I SHALL ALLOW IT!" Zeus' amused voice called out from the stands, as Y/N leapt back, just a step in front of Buddha. She was breathing heavily from the effort. "Siddhartha, stand back." her overprotectiveness was taking over her senses. "I will fight with my fullest power." Papiyas glared at the two. "THAT WAS YOU HOLDING BACK?!" Y/N cried out at him. "Gosh... Buddha, come over." quickly, Y/N placed a few flowers in his hair. "This will protect you from harm... I hope." she muttered the last bit, watching as Papiyas was preparing a drill-like strike called the Pandaemonium Cycle. Before she could react, Buddha dragged Y/N behind him, pulling his shield up - But the drill was capable of penetrating through it, gouging his left eye out.
"S...Siddhartha...?!" Y/N started, shuddering in distress at her lover's injury. He protected her, while he got his eye drilled into mush. "Don't worry about me, worry about that monster!" Buddha transformed his weapon into the sword away, engaging in an exchange of slashes that barely left a scar on the demon's neck. Buddha had to make adjustments to his attacks, because of his blindspot. fighting with one eye only as he was gradually being whittled down.
"Judgement." Papiyas smirked, impaling Buddha's foot, urging him to leap back once again. Y/N couldn't believe there were idiot Gods out there, begging for Buddha's death - Idiots. The Demon King pointed out Zerofuku was no more - He ate him - Shocking both Buddha and Y/N. What a monster, they thought, and the Enlightened one was feeling even more angered, enough to curse at him. "I've made up my mind. I'm gonna KILL YOU!" Y/N, nor anyone else, ever saw Buddha's wrath. Hopefully, it will serve him and humanity well. His staff transformed into the Hatred Emotion which created a weapon he's never seen before, the Warscythe of Salakaya, which had a menacing head of a roaring lion on it. "Preposterous." Papiyas spat. "For a piece of trash such as you, to defy a supreme being like me... I will waste no time passing judgement! And nothing could be more pleasant than that!" his laugh roared through the whole arena. "Stick that judgement up your ass, you sick fuck!" the audience gasped with the curse of the Goddess as Buddha attacked first with his blade, before unleashing an infernal fire towards the demon.
Blood spilled to the ground, though Buddha was the most confused of all. He was the one who initiated the attack, and it was his blade that cut away at Papiyas' arm. It was him who was supposed to get impaled by the enemy's weapon - So why the hell was Y/N standing before him like a meat shield, while he was unscathed?! "Y/N...?" his single remaining eye was wide with shock, staring at the blood splattering to the ground, and the soft tremble of her body. "The flower protected you." Y/N smiled weakly. "That is my happiness in life. Caring for those I hold dear to my heart." she giggled softly. "How pathetic. Any last words?" Papiyas grunted menacingly. "The whole world shall freeze over before I allow a pathetic little shit like you hurt my children. You, and all the Gods that oppose us - All who wish for mankind's erasure - I will fucking burn you all to death until there's nothing left of you to commemorate your wretched existence." Y/N smirked, grabbing Papiyas' arm and forcing herself through the weapon, sticking her own blade into his shoulder. That pissed the demon enough to kick her into the God behind her, toppling them to the ground. "Never do that again!" Buddha briefly scolded her. "Sorry, love, but I will do that, for as many times as my body keeps holding me. I am not strong, but I am resilient. It is you who can kill him, not me. If you are alive, we can win this. Together." Buddha got up, glaring angrily at the demon. "You have twice more, Siddhartha. That is my limit. After that, you're on your own. Use my power wisely." Buddha understood the implication well enough without any explanation - If he gets careless again, Y/N will die, protecting him. Similar to the story of the Moon Rabbit, so is she; Whilst the monkey, the fox and the bird gathered fruit, mean and nuts for the traveler to eat, the rabbit, knowing it could only gather some grass, threw itself into the fire for the man to eat him. Moved by the selflessness of the rabbit, the traveler, who was actually Sakra himself, made it so that the fire did not burn the rabbit, and instead, created the moon in its liking, and the fumes that would have burnt it, the fog surrounding it.
Still, Siddhartha did NOT want to see Y/N actually killing herself like that; Though an admirable and selfless act, he did not want to mourn her, the way he did Jataka long ago. He had to win. He MUST win.
"You're weak. Way weaker than Zero." Buddha taunted the Demon King into attacking him, and he parried all of his hits for as long as he could, before getting kicked away again. His continuing of the mocking caused the Demon King such rage, that he managed to find the perfect opening through his attack, impaling him again - Only, it wasn't him, but Y/N, much to Buddha's dismay. "Damn it, Y/N! Damn it, damn it, damn it!" he wanted to destroy the last flower in his hair, but he didn't have the strength. "One last chance, Siddhartha. Don't waste it." Y/N felt so weak as she got thrown away to the other side of the arena, rolling to the ground like a used ragdoll. "Y/N!" she heard her lover called out, afraid for her life - But as long as the flower of life was pulsating energy within him, he was reassured she was still alive and continuing to actively heal him.
Buddha continued his plan of mocking the enemy, causing him uncharacteristic fright, to the point that he tore off his arm to create a mighty weapon.
Buddha attacked again, though surprisingly, the blade of his Scythe got cut off and shattered to the ground. "Seriously...?!" he gasped, not having expected his Divine Treasure to break, of all things. He tried to defend with his staff, but that, too, broke, sending him away. He was sent to the ground, crashing down with such force that he couldn't move. "SIDDHARTHA!" Y/N cried, crawling to his side and holding him in her arms. She tried desperately to heal him, but he was unconscious, thus nothing she could do. As Papiyas was menacingly approaching, Y/N used her weapon to hoist herself up, creating a shield to protect the two until he woke up.
Thankfully, Buddha achieved enlightenment once again, and he got up, holding Zerofuku's old weapon. The crown holding his hair together shattered, and his gorgeous hair was shown for all to see. "Thank you, Y/N, Zero. Let's fight together, yes?" Y/N smiled sweetly, seeing him confident once again. "Yeah. Let's." despite her bloodloss, Y/N smiled, preparing her weapon. "Samavadhana Volundr!" Buddha and Zero together created a Divine Weapon that only Buddha could attaint through sublime enlightenment. A gorgeous and strong weapon, containing the strength and feelings of all the Gods of Fortune.
Ready to fight, Buddha kept up perfectly with the Demon King, parrying all of his attacks as strong as never before - And he was grinning, confident and self assured, even managing to inflict massive damage, at the cost of some minor injuries on himself. Still, he had to finish things fast, before either he or Y/N perish. He managed to slash away perfectly at his chest one again, though it wasn't as deep as he'd have liked. The climax was approaching fast. Y/N stepped by his side, holding his hand to transfer the last bit of energy into him, so he could keep going - At this rate, he'd only get more injuries, so at least he must keep his vitality and strength, for as long as it lasts. The one sided exchange of life that only Y/N could gift to another.
No matter how Papiyas continued to attack, Buddha was so fast and accurate that no more hit grazed him. The last ultimate attack of the Demon King - All thought landed, but instead, it was a clone, crumbling in an array of petals. Y/N grinned impishly, pointing behind him, as Buddha was ready to kill the foe.
Just as he turned, the last thing Papiyas saw was Buddha's Godly form, perfect beyond boundaries existent to Godhood, and the sword of light, love and compassion shined bright through the dark arena, slicing down the Demon King in two or three. different parts. It didn't matter that Papiyas tried to attack again, for Y/N slapped his hand away, watching as Niflheim was crumbling him to dust.
Somewhere in the sky, the light of heaven showed the happy soul of Zerofuku and the other Seven Gods of Fortune, ascending to Nirvana - Together, in friendship. Buddha couldn't contain his tears of glee, as he brought Y/N into his side, holding the sword dearly into his grasp. Everyone was chanting Buddha's name as he reveled in his win. The sword disappeared, but a bird that loved Zero sat on it, weeping for the loss of its benefactor.
Barely able to stand up, Buddha used all of his strength to drag Y/N out of the arena - Somehow, he was rather sure she was in a far worse shape than he was, having taken two direct hits like that. Not only that, but the refreshing feeling of the gentle caress that Y/N's energy felt, healing him, was keeping him very much alive and giddy. "You were so cool, Y/N. I didn't know you could do all that." Y/N smiled enigmatically. "They say true strength can be found when protecting that which is dearest to you. The truth is, Siddhartha, that I love you more than anything else is this world. You make me the happiest I've ever been." "Ha! Hear you, all sappy and sweet! Y'know you're gonna make me melt!" he cackled, pulling her into a gentle kiss, afraid of causing her more pain. "Let's get all better and continue rooting for humanity, yes? We've done all we could. The rest is their burden to bear - And I think they've done a pretty damn good job so far, don't you think?" "Hella." when she lost strength in her legs, Buddha immediately reacted, picking her up and cradling her in his arms like a princess. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you did that intentionally." he teased her, kissing her forehead. "If most of my blood was inside of me, and not out in the arena, it would have been intentional." she smirked back at him just as comically.
After getting the much required medical care, they continued watching the matches from the comfort of their chamber, laying on the comfortable, fluffy bed, cuddled in each other's arms. Y/N had tied his hair up again, and instead of his golden crown, she replaced it with one made of flowers. He, in return, caressed her hair until she relaxed completely, singing softly the Heart Sutra for her, for as long as it took for her to achieve a much needed peace.
All things are empty: Nothing is born, nothing dies, Nothing is pure, nothing is stained, Nothing increases and nothing decreases. So, in emptiness, there is no body, No feeling, no thought, No will, no consciousness.
There are no eyes, no ears, No nose, no tongue, No body, no mind. There is no seeing, no hearing, No smelling, no tasting, No touching, no imagining. There is nothing seen, nor heard, Nor smelled, nor tasted, Nor touched, nor imagined.
Tumblr media
780 notes · View notes
hotvintagepoll · 24 days
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Propaganda
Alla Nazimova (A Doll's House, Camille, Salomé)—She was a proud lesbian, she was a director, she was artsy and experimental, she was instrumental in the rise to fame of Rudolph Valentino, she had the worlds biggest strap on energy
Xia Meng, also known as Hsia Moog or Miranda Yang (Sunrise, Bride Hunter)—For those who are familiar with Hong Kong's early cinema, Xia Meng is THE leading woman of an era, the earliest "silver-screen goddess", "The Great Beauty" and "Audrey Hepburn of the East". Xia Meng starred in 38 films in her 17-year career, and famously had rarely any flops, from her first film at the age of 18 to her last at the age of 35. She was a rare all-round actress in Mandarin-language films, acting, singing, and dancing with an enchanting ease in films of diverse genres, from contemporary drama to period operas. She was regarded as the "crown princess" among the "Three Princesses of the Great Wall", the iconic leading stars of the Great Wall Movie Enterprises, which was Hong Kong's leading left-wing studio in the 1950s-60s. At the time, Hong Kong cinema had only just taken off, but Xia Meng's influence had already spread out to China, Singapore, etc. Overseas Chinese-language magazines and newspapers often featured her on their covers. The famous HK wuxia novelist Jin Yong had such a huge crush on her that he made up a whole fake identity as a nobody-screenwriter to join the Great Wall studio just so he can write scripts for her. He famously said, "No one has really seen how beautiful Xi Shi (one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China) is, I think she should be just like Xia Meng to live up to her name." In 1980, she returned to the HK film industry by forming the Bluebird Movie Enterprises. As a producer with a heart for the community, she wanted to make a film on the Vietnam War and the many Vietnam War refugees migrating to Hong Kong. She approached director Ann Hui and produced the debut film Boat People (1982), a globally successful movie and landmark feature for Hong Kong New Wave, which won several awards including the best picture and best director in the second Hong Kong Film Award. Years later, Ann Hui looked back on her collaboration with Xia Meng, "I'm very grateful to her for allowing me to make what is probably the best film I've ever made in my life."
This is round 3 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.
[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]
Alla Nazimova:
Tumblr media Tumblr media
HOT as hell. GAY as hell. TALENTED as hell. Producer, director, writer, actress. A silent era superstar who is credited with having coined the term "sewing circle" as a code-word for gatherings of lesbian and bisexual women. Has been called "the founding mother of Sapphic Hollywood" and was the owner/operator of the Garden of Alla Hotel in West Hollywood, which she bought in 1919 and sold in 1928 after deciding she wanted to go back to Broadway. In addition to starring opposite Valentino in Camille, she also had an affair with BOTH of his wives (Jean Acker and Natacha Rambova). In her day, she was one of the most influential women in the business.
Tumblr media
"Nazimova was primarily a star during the silent film era, and her career in film started when she was almost forty. She was openly bisexual, and was engaged in two lavender marriages during her life while she carried on relationships with women (including at least one, and possibly two, of Rudolph Valentino's wives). She was brilliant and an autodidact - when she first moved to the United States from Ukraine, she spoke no English, but taught herself "in about five months" and went on to work as a screenwriter (among other things). Her predilections lay in art film, and she's credited with starring in / producing / directing one of the first American art films, the adaptation of Oscar Wilde's play Salome (1923). She has an elegant and commanding presence in all of her films, and is an absolute sensation to watch in motion."
Tumblr media
Gif link, another gif link
Tumblr media
A great actress who also produced a great deal of her films, Nazimova is absolutely mesmerizing to watch. She was also bi and coined the phrase "sewing circle" for sapphic celebrities.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Xia Meng:
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
164 notes · View notes
shomixremix · 2 months
Note
Hiii! >~< could you make march 8th head canons (what genshin men do on womens day as ur bf!) fluff! sorry English isn’t my first language but I looove your work! This is my first request I’m so nervous ^_^ !! 🌸🌸🌸
If you have time to do this could you add Kaveh, Xiao , Wanderer and Diluc? Thank you in advance <333
International women's day with them ♡︎
Tumblr media
hii anon!! don't be nervous, you can always request anything, lovely ♡︎ thank you sm for your request!!
and english isn't my first language too hehe
also i'm so sorry if this doesn't sound like him, i'm not really used to writing for wanderer😭😭
tags: kaveh, xiao, wanderer, diluc, female!reader, fluff, implied smut (yet nothing described), kissing, international women's day, feministic themes
-> of course, your boyfriend should treat you like a goddess everyday, yet there's that one special day every march where he shows his favorite woman a special kind of treatment.
reqs open ♡︎
-> kaveh
"hi, my love!" your blonde lover chirped as you blinked your eyes open. where were you? what's happening?
"mh.. kaveh?" you ask sleepily, rubbing your eyes while you yawn, still half asleep. you can't even think before a bouquet of sumeru roses is shoved in your face.
"happy 8th of march, baby! flowers for my beautiful flower~" he teased cheesily, and you softly laugh. your arms drape around his neck, bringing him closer.
"you're so corny," you chuckle again, eyelids half-open, "but thank you"
"heh, you still love me" he smiles wide, pressing a warm peck on the tip of your nose. "c'mon now, get up, baby. we're going out today"
your eyes flutter wide open, your mouth a little agape. "out? but, don't you have work? you've spent all week complaining about that client.."
"i can take a day off" he mumbles, kissing you again. "it's been so long since I last took you on a date, anyway. now's the perfect time, hm? so come on, get up! we got a whole day's worth of dates!"
he pulls the covers of your shared bed impatiently, trying to get you to get up as fast as possible. the architect grabs your legs, dragging you out from the soft bed.
"noo, kaveh..", you try to protest, "what kinda guy are you if you don't wanna let me sleep on women's day?!"
"the kinda guy who loves his girlfriend and wants to spend time with her! now, c'mon!"
-> xiao
as an adeptus, xiao has lived long and has seen many things change over the years. one of those things are different holidays and celebrations amongs the mortals.
do not get him wrong - he absolutely agrees that all different genders should have equal rights, why wouldn't they? he's a big supporter, he even participated in marches and fights himself! he just didn't get the whole deal with flowers and chocolates.
weren't those kinds of things reserved for another confusing mortal ritual, called "valentine's day" or something?
however, all that changed once he started dating you. suddenly, he realized that kind of attention was important to you and he wanted to give it to you. he wanted you to feel loved and wanted and seen, no matter how much he didn't understand human customs.
"xiao?" you ask a little stunned as the adeptus appears before you with a Qingxin flower in his hand. "what's.. what's going on?"
"for you", he simply regards, giving you the beautiful flower, "i wish you a very joyous women's freedom day"
"aww, xiao, thank you, you shouldn't have!" you press a soft kiss on his cheek, and you could practically feel him blush.
"i simply wanted to express my gratitude and sympathy for you" he slowly continues, clearing his throat.
"this day is a celebration of the female gender, is it not? it's only right i celebrate the most important important woman in my life"
you simply melt at his words, throwing your arms around him in a warm hug. he was the most important man in your life, too.
-> wanderer
"here" he muttered, hiding his face away from you as he shoved some hand-picked flowers in your face.
"what's.. this? are you okay, hon?"
he blushed furiously as the petname rolls of your tounge, getting more and more embaressed by the second. he so badly wanted to yell at you not to call him that, yet he swallowed his words for the ocassion.
"i'm fine" he coldly said, his gaze still away from you.
"and those are flowers. flowers, for you."
"for me?" you repeat back in shock, unsure how to react to your boyfriend's sudden display of affection. he never before did something like this, so your confusion was more than understandable.
"for women's day" his usually cold voice had a slightly embaressed tone in it, which cought you off guard. "and you are a woman, so it was only logical. if you don't want them-"
"no, no!" you protest immediately, taking the flowers from his hand eagerly.
"i love them! they are so beautiful! thank you.."
you softly kiss his cheek, making him blush. he says nothing, yet he silently tangles his fingers with yours, holding your hand as the two of you stroll away.
-> diluc
"diluc? love, aren't you going to angel's share? what are you still doing home?"
you softly ask your fiancé as you decend down the stairs of the dawn winery. you're still in your nightgown, hair a little dishvelled, eyes still a little puffy. he smiles at the image of his beautiful future wife, in disbelief that he was the one to put that shiny ring on your finger.
"no, not today, my dear. i took today off to spend time with you. it is a special ocassion, after all"
"oh? a special ocasion? what are we celebrating?"
he smiles softly, looking at you with pure adoration: "it's women's day, darling. it's only right to spend my day with a woman important to me. and who could be more important than my future wife?"
your eyes lit up in excitement as you make your way down, taking his hand he held out for you. "really? we get the whole day for ourselves?"
"mhm", he hummed in agreement, grabbing you closer.
"well, i have presents first, but yeah. i thought we could go for a walk along the starfell lake... if you're not up for that, you know i don't mind staying home all day"
"presents? you really shouldn't have, diluc.." you softly chuckle in awe as you look around the large living room, noticing the many flowers and a few boxes of what looks like jewelery and sweets.
"what can i say? i love spoiling my future wife"
246 notes · View notes
softshrimpy · 1 year
Text
How To Woo A Hot Principal
Chapter 1/?: Step 1- Shameless Flirting
Summary: Working at the weathervane was exactly what you needed. The routine, the people, your co-worked. It certainly helped that a certain tall, blonde, fucking gorgeous woman happened to frequent the cafe. Now some may call hopelessly flirting with your customers inappropriate behavior.
But truly, when it came it Larissa Weems, who could blame you?
I’m just in love with Larissa Weems and a silly bitch. I hope you enjoy ✨🦐
Chapter 2
Cross posted to AO3 Here
HTWAHP Masterlist
——————————————————————————
“Just because I like older women does not mean I’m a homewrecker.”
“Huh, interesting.”
“You’re telling me you’ve known me for three months now and this whole time you thought I was out here waiting to ruin a marriage?”
“In my defence-“
“I can’t believe this, I thought we were friends Kingston. Now I have to rethink everything.” You sighed, dramatically.
“You’re the most dramatic person I’ve ever met.” He chuckles.
You slap him with your cloth, scoffing at his comment before going back to cleaning the coffee machine.
You had been in Jericho for a total of three and a half months. It was a quaint little town, a bit hyper-focused on their pilgrim ancestry but not the worst small town you’d experienced. You had been working at the Weathervane since you’d arrived, enjoying the routine it provided and the socializing. That was where you had met James Kingston (A British man disguised as a regular person in your professional opinion. I mean what kind of name is James Kingston anyway?). The two of you had become fast friends, partly due to the work you did and partly because he found you hilarious and you found him tolerable. (this is a lie, you love him dearly.)
Working as a barista meant you got to know most of the residents of Jericho quite quickly. Some you found infinitely more interesting than others.
“Oh look its your lady crush.” James comments, wheezing when you whip around from what you were doing to stare out the window.
“Shut up, I just- I respect a woman in power that’s all.”
“Oh I’m sure its all respect in that filthy brain of yours when you think of her.”
“Fuck off.” You laughed, hurrying to the register when you saw her coming through the door.
“Good morning miss Weems.” You greeted, doing your best to shut your heart up and give her a relatively normal smile.
“How many times have I told you to call me Larissa darling.” She smiles, much to the chagrin of your heart-calming plans.
“She’s a bit slow this one.” James jokes, earning him a swift kick on the shin.
“Your usual, Larissa?” You ask.
She nods, chuckling at the two of you before moving to sit at one of the booths. Larissa came around often enough, usually in the mornings, you assumed before the academy day officially started. Sometimes she’d come around after dropping one of the students at Dr Kinbotts. You lived for the times she stopped by, almost always kicking James off the register if he was stationed there just to talk to her. So yes, you had a massive crush on the woman. But honestly? Who could blame you? She was a goddess among you mere mortals and you were simply relishing in her heavenly presence when you could.
Christ, you were a useless gay.
You finished making her usual, quickly doodling a small flower next to her name before taking it to her. You place it down on the table with a flourish, bowing dramatically.
“Your coffee my fair lady.”
She chuckles, shaking her head at your antics before standing, coffee in hand.
“Thank you, y/n. You always make my mornings delightful.” She hums, squeezing your arm as she leaves.
You watch as she goes, a dreamy smile on your face, before proudly strutting back behind the counter. James giggles at you earning him yet another smack with the towel.
The rest of your day is pretty mundane. Dr Kinbott stops by at around 12 for her usual. The sheriff comes around and gets an Americano to go (You suspect he’s actually just checking on Tyler.) Throughout the day you’re giddy thanks to Larissa. You often find yourself daydreaming about what it would be like to see her more often. You think perhaps you might actually implode if she were to ever have more than a two-minute conversation with you. You finish up the day with Tyler, letting him leave before closing up. All in all, a regular day in Jericho.
You were working your regular Saturday shift when Larissa arrived, looking rather upset. She placed her order and sat down at a booth, pulling out her laptop and getting to work. You made sure to put a little extra sugar in her coffee and grabbed one of the choc chip cookies before bringing it to her. You placed it down on her table, earning a mumbled thanks as she picked up the coffee. It took her a moment to notice the cookie, but when she did she glanced up at you questioningly.
“It’s on the house. You look like you’re having a shitty day so I thought you could use a little something to make your day a bit better.” You smiled, clasping your hands behind your back.
“You really are too kind to me,” she mumbled, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Pffft, Nah. You deserve it.” You brushed her off. You took a moment before speaking again. “I know we don’t know each other that well but uh if you want to talk I’m here. And I can give brilliant commentary, no advice though, I’d probably encourage murder or something equally illegal.”
She laughs, covering her mouth with her hand. You think her laugh might be one of your favourite sounds.
“That’s very sweet, but aren’t you busy with your work?” she asks.
At that, you throw your apron off and over your shoulder and sit down across from her.
“Galpin’s pretty competent, plus he owes me one anyway. So spill.”
She considers you for a moment, before heaving a sigh.
“The academy is receiving a new student next week.” She starts. “Which under usual circumstances would be fantastic, however, this student happens to be the daughter of… an ex-paramour of mine.” She mumbles, almost drawing in on herself.
“Did they do something awful that made you break up with them?” you ask.
“No actually, uh she broke up with me…for the man that is now her husband.”
You stare at her for a moment, mouth agape.
“You’re telling me someone chose to walk away from you? But you’re- I mean you’re gorgeous and smart and- was she blind?? Was she dumb?? I mean obviously, she was but… what.”
She chuckles at your outburst, cheeks flushing slightly.
“Yes, well, they seem very happy together. And I’m sure she’ll rub that in my face in some offhand way. And she’ll make jokes about me marrying my job because ‘no one else would want me’ which I-I mean it’s not- that’s not why I’m so devoted to the school!”
“She sounds like a bitch.” You comment, “I can throw hot coffee at her if that’ll make you feel better?”
“You’re very sweet but that’s assault darling.”
“I’d literally kill a man for you no questions asked, assault is nothing.”
She chuckles, swatting at your arm before sighing again and dropping her head into her hands.
“Well, look, I don’t know who your ex is, the stupid bitch, but you have become a talented, successful, absolutely gorgeous woman. So, no matter what happened between you or what she does whenever you see her, know that she’s just a jealous, silly old hag who could never be half as brilliant as you are.”
She stares at you at that, her eyes bright. You wait for her to say something, feeling yourself get more nervous the longer she stays silent. You play with your fingers, thinking perhaps you went too far and have now fucked any and all chances of having even a friendship with this gorgeous woman.
You stand up, pull your apron back on and do your best not to overthink every word you’ve said.
“Uhm, sorry, have-have a great day Larissa.” You mumble turning to walk away.
Suddenly she grabs your wrist, stopping you and turning you around. She stands up, towering over you. She looks down at you, a dazzling smile on her face. And then, by the gods, she bends down and presses a kiss to your cheek, and hot fucking damn you almost spontaneously combust on the spot. You stare up at her, awestruck and definitely blushing madly.
“Thank you, y/n” she smiles. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
And with that, she squeezes your wrist, giving you a dazzling smile and leasing the coffee shop. You watch after her like a lovesick puppy, heart racing.
You’re absolutely whipped for this woman.
Larissa didn’t come around for the next few days. But you knew she was a busy woman, she had things to do. You definitely weren’t considering changing your name and fleeing the country thinking she now didn’t want to see your face again after what you said and her thanking you was just because she felt awkward. Definitely not.
You found yourself glancing out the window every five minutes or perking up whenever the bell above the door would ring, only to deflate when it wasn’t Larissa walking in. You were busy wiping down one of the tables when James appeared at your side.
“My bestie in Christ, you know I love you, but you currently look like an abandoned puppy.”
“I do not,” you scoff.
“Sure, sure... Oh hey, Larissa!”
You whip around faster than you’ve ever moved in your life, coming face to face with an empty doorway. You scowl as you hear James wheeze next to you.
“Don’t forget we work with hot coffee. And accidents happen, Kingston.”
He laughs at your threat, patting your shoulder as he heads back to the counter. You continue working for a while before James pipes up again.
“Oh damn. Good morning miss Weems.”
“That’s it, give me the boiling water I’m giving you the wicked witch of the west treatment.”
“Now why would you be burning your friend at the mention of my name?” a velvet voice speaks from behind you.
You spin around on the spot, gaping at the woman behind you. There she stands, all tall and gorgeous and dreamy. You feel yourself blushing as you try to stand straighter and lean on the table you were cleaning. Unfortunately, you did such a great job that you slip and all but fall on your ass. You’re tempted once again to throw boiling water on James as he cackles at you. Larissa, the kind goddess she is, rushes over and offers you a hand.
When she pulls you up you realize you greatly underestimated how close she would be as you’re now toe to toe with her, staring up at her, cheeks aflame. She smiles down at you, her hand still holding yours as her other arm settles on your waist. You’re barely breathing at this point and then she has the audacity to flash you the cutest smile.
You take your chance to take her in up close, knowing you’ll probably never get this close to the goddess ever again. You notice the crow’s feet at the edge of her eyes and the slight bags under them she tried to hide with makeup. You also notice she smells absolutely fucking divine, you can’t quite pinpoint what it is but it suits her so well. You know you’re staring and you should stop, but you can’t help it.
“You should be more careful, sweetheart.” She murmurs, her eyes sparkling. “I wouldn’t want my favourite barista getting hurt.”
You’re still gaping at her, your brain turned to mush at the way she spoke, low and velvety. You open your mouth to speak but can’t seem to find anything clever to say, for once. Something she takes full advantage of.
“What’s wrong darling? Cat got your tongue?” she whispers, and oh god is she getting closer? She looks closer.
You’re startled back into the waking world when James accidentally drops something, the loud clanging making you jump back from the woman in front of you, heart racing and body flushed. Larissa drops her hands from their hold on you, stepping back slightly. You internally whimper at the loss of her touch and then immediately internally scold yourself for being so uselessly gay.
“So uh, how-how has everything been? I haven’t uh seen you around lately.” You commented, sliding behind the counter and getting started on her drink.
“It’s certainly been an eventful few days, to say the least.“ she sighed, leaning onto the counter.
“Well, you were dearly missed at our humble café.” You remark, placing her drink in front of her.
She chuckles at that taking a sip of her drink before letting out a relaxed sigh.
“God I could’ve used this yesterday.”
“The drink or my riveting conversation?” you joke.
“Perhaps both.” She hums.
“Well, I mean we could always deliver to your office on the days you can’t get here.” James offers, grinning at you.
“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble-” Larissa starts.
“It wouldn’t be any trouble at all. Isn’t that right?” he comments elbowing you suggestively.
“Oh! No of course it would- I would be honoured- I mean it would be my pleasure Larissa really.” You manage, giddy at the prospect of delivering her coffee every day.
“Really you don’t have to go through any extra fuss for me we have coffee at Nevermore so I-“
“You’re worth the fuss though.” You say, and then immediately want to shoot yourself for speaking aloud.
Silence falls between the three of you, Larissa looking shocked, James at a loss and you mentally preparing what to put on your tombstone. It’s a while before Larissa speaks.
“Well, when you put it like that how can I say no hm?”
“So, I get to deliver you coffee every day?” you grin, tapping the counter a few times in excitement.
“If that’s what you want, sweetheart. You can bring it to my office, I’ll expect you before nine.” She hums, turning to leave.
“Yes ma’am! I won’t let you down” you respond, giving her a mock salute.
She chuckles, waving at you and waits a fucking second did she just fucking wink at you?? Oh, Jesus on skates your life just keeps getting better and better. As soon as she’s outside and gone from view you all but squeal, throwing yourself at James.
415 notes · View notes
applecidersstuff · 6 days
Text
Pjo AU, but the plot stays more or less the same, the only difference is that pjo!ares is replaced by myth!ares
So onto the differences:
Ares is a girls girl. He goes to feminist protests and pro-choice protests. Is the kind of person to beat up a guy who tried to drug a girl. Will pretend to be a girl's husband if sees her being harassed by a creepy dude, after the guy leaves calls an Uber for the girl.
He's a girl dad, despite having very few daughters over the last couple of centuries. Clarrise, and everyone in camp, know that she can ask him to become a goddess and he will make her one. Because she usually gets mistaken for a golden child some new campers think she's weak and is a counselor because she's Ares' favorite. They quickly find out that she can, and will, beat your ass if you try mocking her.
And don't think that just because Ares is a girl dad he doesn't love his sons. He's the kind of dad to have pictures of his kids in his wallet and tell about their achievements to anyone who'll listen.
He has a tradition of hosting a party for his children's birthdays(which he remembers) and he gets them gifts.
At some point after tlt he learns what Sally did to Gabe and immediately starts fangirling after her. They become friends. He's her maid of honor at her wedding with Paul.
Clarrise also has beef with Percy in this AU, but not why you think. Annabeth tells Luke she thinks Percy might be the son of Poseidon and this idea spreads among the counselors and gets back to Clarrise and she's mad, because she knows the story of Alcippe and Halirrhothius and automatically doesn't trust any children of Poseidon, so she has beef with him in the beginning, that goes down the same way, and that's why Ares has beef with Percy later on.
Because he's friends with Sally, at some point, after her and Paul start dating but before she tells him about the whole "my ex is a greek god" thing, she gets Ares and Aphrodite go on a double date with them, because in her eyes there are no better judges for her new boyfriend then the goddess of love and the god protector of women.
90 notes · View notes
rowaelinsdaughter · 5 months
Note
Hii... Dorian x reader please? When Aelin and her court and Manon are in Adarlan and she feels insecure about them and doesn't want to meet them (maybe because she's just a human and thinks she's not good as them) so she makes excuses to stay in her room and Dorian finds out?
my present
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
a/n; thank u anon for this!!! hope youre okay. love u.
WARNINGS; insecurity, bad thoughts, angst(?) to fluff
Tumblr media
you met dorian after the war.
the psychological wounds caused by this and by everything that happened before were still present, but it was no impediment for you since you took care of him and were with him in the moments where he needed someone the most.
of course, you knew that dorian was with manon, the queen of witches and one of the most beautiful women there was... although you had never seen her, just as you had never seen aelin ashryver galathynius, the queen of terrasen. but as dorian had told you, they were both among the most beautiful immortals there were... and they would be here in a week.
ever since dorian told you that manon and aelin and their court were going to come to adarlan, you couldn't stop thinking about how ridiculous you felt. anxiety and negative thoughts became recurrent throughout the week. you didn't want to meet them so as not to make dorian look ridiculous. if they really were as beautiful as they said and one of them was even with him... you didn't want to think about that.
different scenarios haunted you in dreams. them laughing at you, aelin's court looking at you up and down like you were a weirdo... dorian being ashamed of you after introducing you. that was your worst nightmare.
from your window you see how aelin's entourage arrived on horseback. she and rowan at the head and her court behind. god she was beautiful, more than you had imagined. a soft flutter reaches you and in the distance you see a shadow approaching... no, not a shadow. wyverns. getting closer and closer, you make out manon's white hair. when it lands, you feel your hands start to shake and a lump forms in your throat. people said they were beautiful, but it wasn't anywhere close. they were devastating. goddesses. you can't leave the room. you can't make a fool of yourself.
you hear a knock on the door and you turn in time to see dorian enter. his well-combed hair contrasts with the gold of his crown and his navy blue suit hugs every part of his body, creating a second skin. beautiful.
dorian smiles when he sees that you have been looking at him without blinking. “i already know I'm beautiful, you don't need to keep looking at me.”
you look away quickly and a blush appears on your cheeks. "sorry"
dorian frowns. “are you still not dressed? i thought you would be ready.”
“ah yes, I just don't feel very well”
dorian approaches you worried. "oh really? do you need me to call someone? do you need a healer to look at you?”
“no no no, don't worry dorian, i just have a headache.”
"sure?"
“yes dorian, i'm sure. go on, go with them.”
he leaves a kiss on your forehead and, not very convinced, leaves. you don't know when you've stopped breathing, but you let out a sigh and go to bed.
what you don't know is that dorian had noticed you strange ever since he said manon and aelin were coming, and this was what he needed to confirm what he suspected. you were insecure
the afternoon passed and you were still in the room. at that moment you were reading a book from your bookshelf.
the door opens and dorian appears with a dress in his hands, some shoes and a crown.
you swallow, putting the book aside to sit up.
“i brought you this so you can wear it.”
you open your mouth to answer but dorian takes your hand and brings it to his lips, sitting next to you on the bed.
“you don't have to lie to me, you know? and you don't have to stay here either. i love you, you know? you are the most beautiful person i have ever seen in my entire life. you don't have to have the best hair, you don't have to look like a goddess because i love you just the way you are. i adore your lips, your freckles, i adore the way your eyes shine every time you read a scene that you love. i adore the softness of your hands every time you hold my hand. i adore you just the way you are.”
dorian wipes a tear from your cheek as he caresses it and rests his hand on it.
“i don't want you to change, and i don't want you to think that i'm going to leave you alone because i was with manon. that's the past. and i want my present”
“what is your present?”
"my present is you"
you throw yourself into his arms and feel dorian's arms surround your figure. you hide your face in his neck breathing in his scent.
“and now i want you to get up, put on the dress i brought you and go out with your head held high.”
“i love you dorian.”
“i love you too, doll.”
Tumblr media
all rights reserved to ©rowaelinsdaughter. no tranlations allowed. no copy theme. don not copy my work.
94 notes · View notes
pandorxxx · 1 year
Text
Hard to get (part 1)
Neteyam (19) x Metkayina reader(18)
Tumblr media
Summary: There is a new family that has washed up on the shores of the Metkayina clan. Y/n, the oldest child of Tonowari and Ronal, must take the responsibility of helping the sully children learn their ways. However, she might fall for a certain someone in the process.
Warnings: Just fluff kinda
As the eldest daughter of tonowari and ronal, y/n dreaded the favor her father asked of her when the sullys arrived.
“No! I can’t father. I’m supposed to be leading the hunt party in a few, on top of training the new hunters in the clan tonight.After that I have to help mother with preparing the feast. I cannot be everywhere at once. This is too much pressure for me to handle” you express to your father.
“ I know my child, but I need you to squeeze the sully children into your day. They have to learn our ways” tonowari pleads
“But father,I have to tend to my other responsibilities, this is too much on my plate as of now” y/n says through a clinched jaw looking down at the patterns of the woven mat in her families shared living quarters.
“You are my eldest child, my most responsible. Tsireya and Aunoung will pick up the slack, but I need you to be the overseer” tonowari lays his hand gently on your shoulder.
Y/n understood that as the eldest child, she had more responsibilities than her younger siblings. Although she loved to help her people, she hated this pressure.
Y/n sighs “yes sir, I will get on it”. You nod your head swiftly as you turn to walk out.
“Hi!!! Can you help me find my brothers? I lost them…or they lost me actually” a soft voice says, looking up at your strong beautiful stature.
It was the youngest daughter of the sully kids. She smiles up at you with her doughy eyes.
“Wooowww!!! You’re so pretty” she looks up at you like you were a goddess.
Among being one of the best hunters, you were also the most sought out women in your clan. The eldest daughter of a great warrior, and healer. You were beautiful, strong, loyal, and cared so much for your people.You were at the top of the food chain. Once you turned 18, you were getting possible suiters left and right. None that caught your eye. You were content with the idea of being alone because you knew you didn’t need anyone to protect you. If you were going to find a mate, it was going to be someone you wanted, not who you needed.
“Th-thank you, what is your name little one” you say bending down to eye level with the young girl.
“Tuktirey, but you can call me Tuk!!” She smiles
“Of course…tuk. That’s a really pretty name for a really pretty girl.” You smile and cup her cheek
“So” you stand up and cross your arms. “You’ve lost your brothers huh??”
Tuk nods sadly
“It is alright, I will help you find them, yeah?” You hold your hand out for Tuk to grab it.
She chuckles and takes you hand as you guys walk away.
After about 20 minutes, you and Tuk walk by the shore. You spot her brothers play fighting in the shallow parts of the ocean.
“Yo!! Bro, I can’t breathe!” The younger of the two says.
“Maybe that will teach you not to test me” the oldest one chuckles as he’s about to slams his brother in the ocean for the 2nd time.
They are too busy fighting to realize that you and Tuk are standing directly in-front of them.
“UMM…hi” you shout, still holding Tuks hand.
They immediately stop in your presence. Just staring at you which creates an awkward silence.
You break the silence:
“I have someone who belongs to you” you hold tuks hand up, as she laughs.
The younger brother smiles awkwardly
“HAHAHA….ha. I- I’m, umm” the youngest one stumbles on his words as you glare at him coldly, titling your head.
“TUK,where have you been????!!! we’ve been looking everywhere for you hahaha!!!!…we really have….” the youngest one says as he wipes water out of his face.
“How do you MISPLACE….a child? You were NOT looking for her! EITHER OF YOU” you say through gritted teeth as you squat infront of the youngest son.
The youngest sully brother is frightened, as he gulps loudly, trying to avoid eye contact.
“Hey hey hey, easy…easy. I’m sorry, ok?” The youngest one says as he puts his hands up to block whatever you were about to do to him.
“Tis not a JOKE! she could have gotten hurt!” You hiss.
You didn’t like people at the best of time, because you never knew their true intentions. You were a great help to your people, and you would protect them at all cosst, but you didn’t trust many. A child is innocent, not able to do for themselves. You would shield a child with your life.
“I- it was my fault” the oldest one says as he puts his hands infront of his brother to shield him from your wrath.
You slowly turn your head towards the oldest.
You get really close to him, to the point were you can feel his irregular breathing on the tip of your nose. You can hear his heart beat. You can practically smell his fear.
You tilt your head and look him up and down. You get really close to his ear.
“Yeah…it is YOUR FAULT. As the oldest, you are supposed to look after your siblings. You had NO IDEA where she was” you say in a low, eerie tone.
His breathing hitches as you back away to look at the two collectively.
“What are your names” she says as she stands up slowly, not breaking eye contact from the oldest.
“Neteyam” he says clearly.
“Lo’ak” the younger one says as his head hangs in disappointment.
“Well…lo’ak and neteyam. Here is you sister back” you smile sarcastically.
They stand up, as Tuk walks over to them. Grabbing neteyams right hand.
You walk slowly towards the middle of the two brothers as you stand facing them. You stop directly in between them and eye them both. They are towering you as they both scan your body
“Let’s try NOT lose her again…or there will be no talking next time” you say in a monotone voice as shift your eye contact between the both of them.
The brothers knew what an important asset you were to the clan, and what a great warrior in training and hunter you were. So they knew that wasn’t a threat, but a promise.
“Goodbye now” is all you say as you turn away and walk off.
The two boys look at each other, and then at you, swaying your full hips as you walk off.
You stop in your tracks and turn back running to give Tuk a hug.
“Come find me if you get lost…. again” you say to her as you look up to hiss at the two boys.
“Ok y/n!!! Bye” as she waves while you walk away.
“Thank you…” the two boys startle themselves as they have seemed to be in sync with there gratification.
You don’t acknowledge them, however, and continue to walk away.
The next morning, you are helping your mother organize her healing supplies, which you rarely ever do. Ronal was just happy to spend time with you since you are always busy. However, she knows that this isn’t like you. You were a hunter, a warrior in training. You wanted to be healed from a rough battle, not the healer.
“Y/n, I must ask, why are you of such assistance this morning?” She asked with a smirk
“You know mother, I just really wanted to spend time with you, that is all.” You try to sound convincing, but you’re not a good liar
“Cut the act, aren’t you supposed to be overseeing the sully children’s training with Aunoung and tsireya at this time?” She asked as she mixes the yalnabark in a wooden bowl.
“Mother, I do not want to. Let me hide in here with you please!?” You say as you hug your mother tightly around her shoulders
She chuckles loudly causing you to as well. You go back to your original seat on the floor.
“Enough, your father gave you a job, and you gave him your word. How do you want to run this clan, and you cannot do this simple task? Hmm?”
You talked to your mother about everything, so she was the only one who knew your desire to become leader of the clan someday. She believed that you could do it even though she likes to stick to tradition.
“There is no way that father would let me run the clan anyway. The next in line will be Aunoung” you say in a defeated voice with your head hung down.
“If you do this, without arguments, I will talk to your father. I believe that you would make a great leader, but you have to do the hard work. You have to work harder than your brother if you want to prove your worthiness.No more complaining” she glares at you
“Oh mother! Would you really talk to him? Oh Thank you thank you” you cheer hugging your mother once again before you bolt out of the tent.
She laughs at your speed “SLOW DOWN my mighty warrior!!” She chuckles under her breath and shakes her head.
You walk towards the shore, as you noticed the training has started
“Y/n!!!!!” Tuk yells making everyone look up at you. She runs towards you as you pick her up and swing her once.
“Hey Tuk!!! Have you gotten bigger since yesterday girl???” You put her down and look at her with your hand on your chin
She burst out into laughter as you take her hand and walk towards the others. She runs to take her spot in between Lo’ak and Neteyam
“Ahhh!!! Finally!! The MIGHTY WARRIOR is here. So nice of you to join us!” Aunoung says sarcastically, as he claps in slow motion walking towards you.
“Well as long as you know who the REAL warrior is” you shoot him a death stare as you tilt your head. The group tries to hold in their laughs,but fail.
You high five (well high four) tsireya, as she laughs at the witty comeback.
“Alright, chill out” Aunoung shushes you
“We told them the rules before we took them out for training” tsireya says with a polite smile.
You place your arm around Tsireya’s shoulder.
“Well let’s get started shall we?” You say as you stare at the group. Aunoung pulls you and Tsireya in for a brief sibling meeting
“We were thinking of splitting them up, so we can get more one on one time, it will make the training go quicker” Aunoung says as the sullys talk amongst themselves.
“Yes! that is a good idea baby bro, who do you guys want to take?” You ask your siblings.
“I was thinking I take Kiri” Aunoung says
“I wanted to take Tuk” says tsireya
“So that meansss…” Aunoung dips his head at you with a smirk.
“No…” you say with a straight face.
“Come on y/n, we’re supposed to be working together here” Aunoung pleads
You stare up at him, and then back at the 2 boys who were staring at you the whole time, but immediately shy away at your cold gaze. They are frighten of you based on your guys last encounter
“Come onnnn, they’re both Skxawngs! At least take one of them” you whine to Aunoung.
“Fine, I’ll take lo’ak” he growls.
“Ok perfect, let’s get started” Tsireya smiles and walks over to Tuk.
“Hey Tuk, do you want to learn how to ride an ilu?” Tsireya questions
“YES!! IM SO EXCITED” she jumps up
“Ok let’s go find you one!!” She hold her hand out for Tuk and they walk into the water.
“Hey kiri…you’re with me” Aunoung says smiling
“Who picked these groups?” Kiri says as the rolled her eyes
“We’ll have fun, trust me” he holds his hand out for Kiri to grab but she gets up on her own walking into the water.
“UMM HELLO??? Aren’t you forgetting something brother?” You point at lo’ak
“Oh yeah, him too” he smiles sarcastically as lo’ak stands, and walks into the water with Aunoung.
“We got beef bro?” Lo’ak says with open arms as the pair disappears into the water.
Neteyam finally stands, trying his best to avoid eye contact, but he can’t. You have the most beautiful ocean eyes.
“Stop that” you stand taller to intimate him
“Stop what?” He says with a smirk, yet confused by your comment
“Trying to stare into my soul” you say as you
slowly walk closer to him.
“I-I’m sorry, my apologies” he stares at you once more creating an awkward silence as you two get lost In each others eyes.
“So…umm, how did you slee-“ Neteyam started but was quickly cut off.
“NO.” You break his sentence as you dart into the water.
He chuckles as he follows you, not keeping his
eyes off of you.
Hey guyssss! I’m new here so show me some love❤️. I hope you guys liked the story. I’m thinking about making this a series, so let me know if you guys want a part 2!!! Also, my suggestions are open if you guys want stories tailored to your imagination. Bye for now!!
532 notes · View notes
riseofamoonycake · 4 months
Text
ROR SPOILERS FOR THE LAST CHAPTER
Tumblr media
Ok, I have to say it: I am not surprised that much by this chapter.
Yes, I am referring to Loki and his behaviour, and at that scene with the doll. I am not surprised, no; after all, there were all the hints of a so called "yandere" character, with creepy attitudes, twisted thoughts and smiles, devilish glares and manners. We have laughed a lot about it, and now it shows in all its power; it is uneasy... and it has to be.
He is a Trickster, and every Trickster has to be somehow twisted, dark, wrong, who more who less; so, I think it suits Loki well, even if I am very uncomfortable thinking about that scene (and even more at the dolls in pieces... brrr... N O), and it has helped me understand the character even more, with all the consequences of the case.
The only thing I have found very, very off putting? That there is always Brunhilde in it. PLEASE, STOP. I HAVE ENOUGH OF SEE THE CHARACTERS FALLING FOR HER AND ONLY FOR HER, ENOUGH. Among all the goddesses and gods, half goddesses and half gods, women and men, everyone has to fall for the same character. PLEASE. I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE. AAAAA.
125 notes · View notes
babyrdie · 27 days
Text
Paris and Vanity
[This is an extensive text of my opinion about the character of Paris. These are just opinions, not some super deep analysis! ALSO: I think it's interesting to mention that I use English editions because the post is in English, but I didn't read these editions in full, just the excerpts I wanted. I read editions in another language. So I'm not saying that I recommend any of these editions!!]
I find it interesting how the characteristic of Paris being vain makes perfect sense with his myths, regardless of the version (in this case, the Greek myths. I haven't read his Roman ones yet). Characters in Greek mythology tend to change their essence a lot depending on the version (I think one of the most obvious example is Menelaus), but Paris in his constant vanity always made sense to me.
The best-known version of the birth myth of Paris is the one in which Hecuba dreams that she will give birth to the one who will destroy Troy and, because of this, Paris is left to die on Mount Ida. But he is saved by Agelaus and grows up as a shepherd, unaware that he has Trojan royal blood.
Growing up as a shepherd, Paris did not have the status or wealth of royal lineage as his sibilings did. He was strong, but it's not like he had such grandiose adventures that would be enough to give him glory and fame. But there was something he undeniably had: beauty. Among Priam's children, Paris stands out for being very beautiful and, even when he thought he was a plebeian, this was already notable in him. At a time when he didn't have the power, the fame or the wealth, Paris had the beauty. I'm not surprised he became attached to his vanity. That was something of his, and it never stopped being his even when he wasn't a prince.
[3.12.5][...]The first son born to her was Hector; and when a second babe was about to be born Hecuba dreamed she had brought forth a firebrand, and that the fire spread over the whole city and burned it.227 When Priam learned of the dream from Hecuba, he sent for his son Aesacus, for he was an interpreter of dreams, having been taught by his mother's father Merops. He declared that the child was begotten to be the ruin of his country and advised that the babe should be exposed. When the babe was born Priam gave it to a servant to take and expose on Ida; now the servant was named Agelaus. Exposed by him, the infant was nursed for five days by a bear; and, when he found it safe, he took it up, carried it away, brought it up as his own son on his farm, and named him Paris. When he grew to be a young man, Paris excelled many in beauty and strength, and was afterwards surnamed Alexander, because he repelled robbers and defended the flocks.228 And not long afterwards he discovered his parents.
(The Library. Translation by James George Frazer)
Then once he was called to be a jury in the dispute between Athena, Hera and Aphrodite to decide which of the goddesses was the most beautiful. Each of them, in an attempt to gain his favor, offered him a different reward if she was chosen. He chooses Aphrodite and, as a reward, Paris has the most beautiful woman in the world: Helen of Sparta, already married to Menelaus.
[E.3.2] For one of these reasons Strife threw an apple as a prize of beauty to be contended for by Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite; and Zeus commanded Hermes to lead them to Alexander on Ida in order to be judged by him. And they promised to give Alexander gifts. Hera said that if she were preferred to all women, she would give him the kingdom over all men; and Athena promised victory in war, and Aphrodite the hand of Helen. And he decided in favour of Aphrodite51; and sailed away to Sparta with ships built by Phereclus.52
(The Library. Translation by James George Frazer)
I often joke about how Paris's choice is really dumb to me because I would never choose the most beautiful woman over Athena and Hera's other much more interesting gifts, but I actually think it makes sense. A woman so beautiful that she's desired by everyone, that she is known for it, that she elevates her husband's status just by being with her? I think Paris chose Helen over the other options because she had a different status, much more than choosing her because he was out of simple lust. There are different wealth and achievements out there, but he couldn't specifically have the most beautiful woman in the world if he didn't choose her now as she was already married. And since he's already so aware of his beauty, I wouldn't be shocked if Paris felt entitled to the most beautiful woman because he's so handsome. And then discovering that she has the divine blood of Zeus? Helen represented even higher status.
Even in The Odyssey, Proteus makes it seem like the main reason Menelaus is destined to go to Elysium is that he's Helen's husband and consequently this makes him Zeus's son-in-law. Of all the things he could say to Menelaus, the one he chooses to use to assure him that he will have Elysium is his marriage. Helen, as a wife, actually elevated Menelaus' status in a way beyond just marrying her putting him into the lineage of Sparta (which was already a big deal). She elevated him to the point of guaranteeing a good afterlife for him, at least in the Homeric tradition — this, of course, is not a fixed tradition in the myths because almost nothing is; Helen is not always married to Menelaus in Elysium, Pausanias even offers a version in which she is married to Achilles.
So I spoke, and he in turn spoke up and made answer: “That was Odysseus son of Laertes, who makes his home in Ithaka, whom I saw on an island, weeping big tears in the palace of the nymph Kalypso, and she detains him by constraint, and he cannot make his way to his country, for he has not any ships by him, nor any companions who can convey him back across the sea's wide ridges. But for you, Menelaos, O fostered of Zeus, it is not the gods' will that you shall die and go to your end in horse-pasturing Argos, but the immortals will convoy you to the Elysian Field, and the limits of the earth, where fair-haired Rhadamanthys is, and where there is made the easiest life for mortals, for there is no snow, nor much winter there, nor is there ever rain, but always the stream of the Ocean sends up breezes of the West Wind blowing briskly for the refreshment of mortals. This, because Helen is yours and you are son-in-law therefore to Zeus.”
(The Odyssey. IV, 554-571. Translation by Richmond Lattimore)
In The Iliad, unlike what usually happens, Paris has his consort status tied to Helen instead of her having her consort status tied to him. He who is "fair-hatred Helen's consort". It's she who gives status to Paris, and not the other way around.
Hesiod, for example, generally puts the active role in the masculine character. It's the husband who takes a wife, it's the man who takes a woman in his bed. But he doesn't seem to do this with Helen. In the fragments we have from the "Catalogue of Women", where Hesiod describes a lot of female characters from Greek mythology, it's the male suitors who want to be something for Helen. It's Helen who has the choice of choosing who she will take — when, in the myth of the Oath of Tyndareus, Helen chooses Menelaus, he is the one being given the honor of being her husband.
FRAGMENT 6838 - SUITORS OF HELEN (translation by Evelyn-White, H G.)
Berlin Papyri, No. 9739:
(ll. 31-33) to horse-taming Castor and prize-winning Polydeuces, desiring to be the husband of rich-haired Helen, though he had never seen her beauty, but because he heard the report of others.
(ll. 34-42) And from Phylace two men of exceeding worth sought her to wife, Podarces son of Iphiclus, Phylacus' son, and Actor's noble son, overbearing Protesilaus. Both of them kept sending messages to Lacedaemon, to the house of wise Tyndareus, Oebalus' son, and they offered many bridal-gifts, for great was the girl's renown, brazen . . . golden ((lacuna)) . . . (desiring) to be the husband of rich-haired Helen.
Berlin Papyri, No. 10560:
(ll. 52-54) . . . sought her to wife. And after golden-haired Menelaus he offered the greatest gifts of all the suitors, and very much he desired in his heart to be the husband of Argive Helen with the rich hair.
(ll. 63-66) But from Euboea Elephenor, leader of men, the son of Chalcodon, prince of the bold Abantes, sought her to wife. And he offered very many gifts, and greatly he desired in his heart to be the husband of rich-haired Helen.
Having talked about how Helen for me was more a choice of status than of desire, let's return to another aspect of Paris's vanity. Agamemnon contemptuously mentions how pompous Paris was on his visit to Sparta. 
"[...]Then there came to Lacedaemon from the Phrygians the man who, Argive legend says, judged the goddesses' dispute; in robes of gorgeous hue, ablaze with gold, in true barbaric pomp; and he, finding Menelaus gone from home, carried Helen off, in mutual desire, to his steading on Ida.[...]"
Iphigenia in Aulis. Translation by E. P. Coleridge.
Considering that this happens in Iphigenia in Aulis, the same play in which Iphigenia even says "and it is right, mother, that Hellenes should rule barbarians, but not barbarians Hellenes, those being slaves, while these are free", this could just be a stereotypical and xenophobic portrayal of the Trojans. Or Agamemnon could be exaggerating, after all he has more than enough reasons to want to throttle Paris. But, in this specific case, I think that's really how it is. Having spent years as a shepherd and then suddenly returning to being a prince, Paris would certainly show off his wealth much more than the other Trojan princes and princesses. This is because others were used to wealth and status, they had it since birth. Paris, however? This was all very new to him, and he was going to overdo it to the fullest.
As to how Helen was taken, sources seem to disagree. Homer seems to be going the way she was kidnapped and didn't want to go, judging by Helen's behavior towards the war, Paris and Aphrodite. Some versions place the Helen who was in Troy as not even being the real Helen (such as the play Helen, by Euripides). Some versions seem to reaffirm that she went because she wanted to, like Iphigenia in Aulis. Others are too ambiguous to know who to trust, as is the case with The Trojan Women. Etc etc.
Here I will be taking an excerpt from The Trojan Women. Helen tries to defend herself to Hecuba and Menelaus because Menelaus is convinced to punish Helen, while Hecuba is convinced to try to get her punished, as she sees her as one of the reasons for her misfortune. With each explanation that Helen gives for being innocent, Hecuba finds a way to counter it in a way that would be convincing enough for Menelaus to take seriously.
Faced with Helen's argument that she was taken by force with the help of Aphrodite, who gave her as a prize to Paris, Hecuba says:
"[…]You won’t persuade people with sense. You say Cypris —that’s a laugh—came to Menelaus’ house with my son. As if she could not have stayed peacefully in heaven and brought you and Paris, Sparta, Amyclai and all, to Troy? My son was preternaturally handsome and your mind, on catching a glimpse of him, was turned into Cypris. All that mortals lust for becomes Aphrodite to them. Even the goddess’ name has come to suggest immodest desire. When you saw him in his exotic foreign attire shining with gold, you went mad with lust. You had little luxury in Argos where you lived, but once rid of Sparta you hoped to overwhelm the city of the Phrygians flowing with gold with your sense of style. The palace of Menelaus was too puny for your extravagance to run rampant […]"
(The Trojan Women. Translation by Cecelia Luschnig)
Paris' expensive clothes are mentioned again, this time by Hecuba (considering that Agamemnon's previous speech is from a play by Euripides and that this play is also by Euripides, this similarity makes sense). And also, once again his beauty is reinforced. Right after Hecuba gives reasons why Hera and Athena's beauty dispute is an absurd idea (the reasons: Hera is married to Zeus, Athena is a virgin goddess), she gives explanations why it doesn't make sense for Aphrodite to help kidnap Helen. One of the reasons is that Aphrodite could simply make her appear in Troy, the other is that Paris was immensely beautiful, well dressed and something new in Helen's boring life and that's why he was seductive.
I got the impression that, although Euripides leaves it open-ended as to what happened, he was trying very hard to frame Helen as being guilty as well. However, regardless of whether she was kidnapped as she says or not as Menelaus and Hecuba think, the point is that Paris here is once again characterized as a portrait of opulence and beauty. More than that, here his characteristic as "exotic interest that seduces a married woman out of her life" is made even more evident than in Iphigenia in Aulis. Paris being the typical character archetype of a person from a foreign land, with immense beauty, seductive personality and exotic air is something common for his character. It's not like only Euripides imagined him like that.
In The Iliad, other characters constantly highlight Paris' vanity as a flaw. Hector mainly, but not only. For example, Diomedes uses this as immediate offense after being hit by an arrow from Paris. And throughout the Iliad, we see how Paris has a chance to give up Helen and end the war, but doesn't. He was too proud to give up what Helen meant in the first diplomatic contact between Achaeans and Trojans years ago, and after ten years he is even more immutable in his opinion.
It's been ten years, why give up now? Menelaus surpasses Paris in status, being a king while he is a prince, and in power, being stronger than him and having almost defeated him if not for Aphrodite's intervention. Menelaus may not be the favorite of a specific god, as is the case with Hector with Apollo or Odysseus with Athena, but he also receives divine help. The only "thing" Paris now has that Menelaus doesn't is Helen, and he won't give it up.
So Paris's vanity being something consistent is something that makes so much sense! Paris grew up as a plebeian with the distinguishing characteristic of being very handsome will be very aware of this. Consequently, he sees in beauty something that he has more than other people. Being so different, he is entitled to have more. When the goddesses offer him 3 reward options, the status Helen offers is seductive to him. Beginning to rise in status with Aphrodite's favor and his return to Trojan royalty, Paris is fascinated by wealth and status, so he acts like a peacock. As a prince, he is still concerned about always maintaining his beauty, as this is the only characteristic that has been with him his entire life and the one he trusted most. When Troy is threatened by his actions, Paris refuses to give in because he is too proud to give up what Helen means.
27 notes · View notes
mask131 · 3 months
Text
The myth of Dionysos (4)
The Dictionary of literary myths does not have just one article about Dionysos… But two! And since I translated the first, let’s journey through the second: it is titled “Dionysos: The evolution of the literary myth”, and it was written by Ann-Déborah Lévy-Bertherat.
Tumblr media
According to the imagery of the Ancient Greeks, Dionysos is supposed to be a young god – he is often depicted as a teenager, sometimes even as a child. This perhaps explains why his Greek name was thought to be the counterpart of the Phrygian “Dioskouros”, “the boy of Zeus”. However, it seems more plausible to link Dionysos’ name to Nysa, both nurse and homeland of the god. But no matter which of these explanations is right: both highlight and insist on a foreign origin for the god. A foreign origin that we know to be purely mythical rather than historical – indeed, the Mycenaean texts proved that the cult of Dionysos was implanted in Greece since a very, very old time, and was not a “recent importation” as classical Greeks believed. But then, why make Dionysos a “foreign god”? Maybe because, in a symbolic way, it is important for Dionysos to be a god that “comes and goes”, a “god that arrived” – or maybe, it was a much needed element to explain his strange, bizarre and frightening character.
I/ Births and rebirths of Dionysos
Semele, a mortal woman loved by Zeus, died because of Hera’s jealousy: she asked her divine lover to appear before her in all of his glory, but this resulted in her death struck by his lightning. Removing the child she was bearing in her womb, Zeus placed the unborn into his own thigh, where the baby completed his growth. As such, Dionysos knew a double-birth, and his cult was deeply marked by this. One of the Dionysiac rites is the ritual of the liknites (child in crib) – where a child has to disappear and be searched by women in vain, for he will only reappear one year later.
Tumblr media
The Passion of Dionysos: The myths of Dionysos’ childhoods and wanderings depict him as a persecuted god. One time he is dismembered, boiled and devoured by the Titans before being resurrected by Demeter. Another time Hera curses with madness Semele’s sister, Ino, first nurse of the god. In a third tale pirates kidnap the child to sell him as a slave. Homer, in the Iliad, retells of how Lycurgus, armed with an axe and a desire to kill, hunted down Dionysos and his nymph-nurses – the child had to throw himself into the sea, where he was saved by Thetis. The true “passion” of Dionysos (in the Christian meaning of the term) always suffering, always dying, but always resurrecting, seems to be a symbol of the vegetal cycle. As a result, it is no coincidence that the four great holidays of Dionysos are all placed between the end of December and the beginning of April – aka, between the winter solstice and the arrival of spring.
Ivy and vine: Legends insist on the ties between Dionysos and other vegetal deities, such as Cybele or Rhea – two incarnations of the great Earth-mother, two deities that shield Dionysos from Hera’s revenge. There are the agrarian nymphs that constantly surround the god; there is his lover, Ariadne, that was originally a Minoan goddess of vegetation; and there is of course Demeter, to which he is tied through the Mysteries of Eleusis (and Pindar even goes as far as making Dionysos and Demeter a couple). Dionysos is also called Bacchus (a named which, according to Euripides, comes from “bacchos”, the “branch” the “bough”) ; he is said to be a “ploutodotes”, a “wealth-giver” ; he was believed to give strength to plants and to help them grow ; and among his numerous attributes, his most prominent ones are the ivy (of which he is crowned) and the grapevine (which he offered to the world). These two plants have always a savior role in his myths. It was said that the child Semele bore was protected from the lightning by ivy ; the pirates were frightened when ivy and vine started growing around their ship’s mast ; a nymph hunted by Lycurgus turned herself into vine to choke the murderous king… And yet, these two plants are such a contrast they can only make the god ambiguous: ivy is coldness and sterility, where the grapevine is warmth and generosity. Dionysos is almost most famed as the god of wine: it is the wine that symbolizes the presence of the gods during festivals; during the Lenaia festival (January-February) the new wine is offered to the god (symbolized as a bough-decorated mask). Dionysos “polygethes” (joyful, happy) is said, according to Euripides, to have the power to “laugh and put to sleep all our problems”.
Fertility and fecundity: This god, friend of the nymphs, who found a home with Thetis at the bottom of the sea, whose statue is ritually plunged in water at Halai, who was said to have entered Athens on a naval chariot, has too many affinities with water and humidity (an universal symbol of fertility) for his power to limit itself just to plants. Indeed, let us take a look at his cohorts and parades: w find in there donkeys, goats and bulls, usually painted in an ithyphallic position; and he is surrounded by Satyrs and Silenes whose lubricity and lust are meant to parallel the chastity of the Maenads. Dionysos himself, during the Anthesteria festival (February-march) knows a physical and sexual union with the Basilinna, and by doing so ensures one year of fecundity for all of Athens. The exaltation of fertility in Dionysos’ cult is most expressed through phallophoria – but the particularity of Dionysos is that he depicts a complete and “full” fecundity, with both its masculine and feminine attributes. Dionysos, in his myth like in his cult, is surrounded by women: Aeschylus calls him “effeminate”, explaining his youthfulness (he hasn’t grown a beard or body hair yet), and his clothes (he usually wore the women’s peplum). Some even depict him as an androgynous figure, and the ambiguity of his sex reminds the one of the hermaphrodite and their “ideal fecundity”. The French poet Baudelaire will even interpret the thyrsus, a long, leafed staff held by the followers of the god, as the union of the masculine symbol (the straight staff) and the feminine one (the curvy boughs wrapped around it). Dionysos is “polygethes” and “ploutodotes” – but reducing Dionysos to this sole role would be removing from him his “dark side”, the eviler part of his power. For Homer calls him “mainomenos”, the “demented one”. He is a god that disturbs, he is a god that break the order.
More about this next time, in “The Frenzied God”!
Tumblr media
48 notes · View notes
salaimoi · 2 months
Text
˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆ Jealousy Jealousy ⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚
Tumblr media
pairing: gojo satoru x fem! reader with superiority complex
synopsis: gojo won’t give up pursuing a one-night stand with you, but you’ve made it clear you’re not that type of girl; he only sees that as resolve to make you his.
content: light smut, jealousy, controlling tendencies, mentions of sexual themes.
wc: 2,790 m.list
Tumblr media
No one ever understood your relationship with Gojo Satoru for multiple reasons. For starters, he was the Gojo Satoru, the strongest sorcerer alive and the most coveted man among the female populace. That said, who the hell were you and more importantly, how did you manage to become his girlfriend? These were the same two questions everyone who caught a glimpse of you two holding hands in public asked themselves without fail. You always overheard the murmurs; continuously noticed the stares, but you pretended you didn't.
After all, it was you who pleased him to his heart's content every night—not them. It was you who forced him to throw in the towel every so often because your hunger and desire were boundless when it came to Satoru. He always caved and satisfied you, even when he didn't have anything left in him anymore, but you always wanted more. Satoru adored that about you more than he'd ever like to admit.
He took pride in his ability to please women, always boasting that there wasn't a woman alive that could keep up with him to his friends. Until you came along. The moment he laid his cerulean colored eyes on you he had one single thought on his mind: “I'm going to ruin her.”
Boy was he wrong. Little did he know you were a scheming minx who prided herself in forcing men to bend to her will. You made this crystal clear when you two met as well.
Usually, any woman who even got as much as a glimpse of Satoru would go berserk. It was different with you though. No matter how much jewelry, money, expensive clothes, or other materialistic gifts he threw in your face, he could never manage to coax you into his arms.
You weren't a gold digger either; you simply had no interest whatsoever in men who flaunted their money to impress you. The only way to your heart was by being worshiped like the goddess you knew you were.
It wasn't like Satoru hadn’t been informed of this since the moment you became acquainted; he was merely putting it to the test. This was due to the fact that he had a hard time believing any woman could resist his charms and good looks, so he took it upon himself to prove you wrong.
“What do you mean you don't believe me?” you replied with a smug look.
“Yeah, I think you're full of shit. How do you continuously turn away a night filled with passion with someone like me every time I come over?” Satoru responded while flexing his muscles, his body leaning towards you so that you could get a clear view of his toned body.
You have had this conversation a million times before. He always came knocking at your door, letting himself in before you could even invite him inside. He would then begin offering you what he considered the deal of a lifetime: sex with him. You always said no, but in his head he must've heard, “Not right now; try again later, my beautiful blue-eyed king!”
“Someone like you? What do you mean by that?” you repeated in confusion.
“I mean someone as handsome as me—irresistible as well.” Satoru replied with a complacent grin on his face.
You rolled your eyes in annoyance, already knowing where this conversation was headed. “And? Just because you're attractive doesn't mean I'm gonna drop my panties at your beck and call. I value myself more than that— I don't know if you do.”
“Excuse me!? Are you calling me a man-whore??” he riposted with a stunned expression.
He couldn't believe she had the nerve to insult him in such a manner. It wasn't that he felt offended; if anything, he felt challenged by her remarks.
“Never did I use such a vulgar word when I answered you, ‘toru. If you're becoming this defensive it must be because you know my words hold some truth to them.”
Gojo remained silent for a moment. He knew both your comments were true but he would never admit it. All the attention he got from women was the food that fueled his ego. The fact that someone like you would defy him like this was only hurting his amour propre.
Why did she keep turning him down? Was it because his good looks were starting to fade away? No, that couldn't be it. He had just finished dicking down a girl he met for the first time an hour before he got here. He had only come over to your house right after because that interaction had him feeling invincible.
If he could sway a stranger into sleeping with him then why the hell couldn't he coax you into it as well? You were giving him a run for his money and he hated it. Still, that wasn't gonna stop him from pursuing you.
“Oh don't be like that, tell me what it is I need to do so you'll give me the time of day and I'll do it.” he responded with a dulcet tone, in hopes that his words would persuade you. He was internally kicking himself for even saying those words out loud.
“Why are you so obsessed with this whole thing? Are you trying to prove something to yourself by getting me into bed? I already told you it takes more than a silver tongue to make that happen.”
Gojo let out a sigh of disappointment laced with annoyance. His patience was languishing by the second but he knew that he had to get a clear answer out of her.
Deep down he knew she loved the cat and mouse game they had going on. If she didn't, she would've kicked him to the curb by now, but she kept him around despite his numerous failed attempts to pursue her.
He had tried everything: paying for her nail appointments, buying her pricey clothes and shoes, taking her to luxurious restaurants, and even gifting her the latest technology.
Even after all this, he always got turned down and he would sulk all the way back home like a wounded puppy with his tail between his legs. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't catching actual romantic feelings for you after spending so much time with you. In all actuality he had tried everything except one thing.
“Mmm—do I need to beg?” he asked in a defeated tone.
“Yes. On your knees actually.”
“You can't be serious.”
“Do I look like I'm joking?” you replied with a snarky tone. Your words did have some bantering undertones to them, but the only reason you said them was because you knew he would never beg. Maybe this way he'd finally give up trying to sweet talk you into a one-night stand with him.
“Oh my god. You're horrible for even suggesting something like that.”
“There's the door if my suggestion displeases you.”
“I didn't say I wasn't gonna do it.” he raked his hands through his lustrous white mane in frustration before continuing. “Damn it–you better not tell anyone about this!”
“Don't tell me what to do.” you retorted.
It seemed as if he was committed to begging after all. You weren't expecting it, but everyone has a breaking point after all. Now, if he was going to give you a show, you were sure to enjoy it and even store the video on your phone as memorabilia. You reached over to the back pocket of your denim jeans and pulled out your lilac pink-cased phone that Gojo himself gifted you not too long ago.
*ding* an ostentatious chime reverberated across the room as you pressed the record button on your phone. At least that's how Gojo discerned it as he stood there witnessing first hand how you continued to belittle him. As luck would have it, he found this utterly appeasing for some unknown reason.
“Damn–she really has no interest in sparing my feelings even after a year of us knowing each other.” he thought internally. He huffed a small breath through his nose before placing one knee firmly on the ground followed by the other.
His body almost seemed to be moving in slow motion as he processed what he was doing. He continued by pressing his palms together firmly in a begging gesture.
All of this was borderline ridiculous to him, but he had no room to complain after it was him who spent a year gifting her pretentiously exorbitant items to sway her. Gojo took one last deep breath before picking his head up and giving you a facial expression that pleaded for your approval.
“Please—may I have the pleasure of having you tonight? I would be the most exultant man on Earth if you would grant me this opportunity. I swear that I'll cherish it with every fiber in my body. I'll make it my mission to please you like no one ever has. Please grant this starving fool his only wish. I beg of you.”
The chime from your phone sounded once more as you ended the video, placing the phone into your back pocket once more. You let out a mischievous taunting grin as Gojo’s imploring declaration was exactly what you wanted to hear.
Seeing him on his knees and supplicating for your attention was everything you stood for. This was what you were put on this Earth to do.
However, as enticing as his words were, you weren't satisfied. Sure his commitment to the act was alluring, but you weren't a one-night stand girl. He was either fully committed to you or nothing.
“Nope—I don't do one-night stands, sorry.” you retaliated while looking down at him in a condescending manner.
“Then be my girlfriend.” he replied without hesitation. He picked himself up from the floor and walked towards you, meaning every word he said.
“I thought you didn't do relationships, Mr. Promiscuous.”
It was true. He never committed to relationships for more than half a year. Why did he have to constrain himself to one woman after all? He could have anyone he wanted so why settle?
At least that's what he thought before meeting you. Maybe it was your taunting nature, or your sense of superiority over him that drove him to defy this ideology within him.
“Fuck that—I don't want anyone else. I'll marry you right now if that will make you believe that I'm serious about this. I'm tired of the back and forth. Be mine and mine only for the rest of eternity.”
Not only had you procured his love and affection, but you also managed to unveil his jealous side along the way. Satoru swore he wasn't jealous; he was only looking out for his girlfriend. This was the same excuse he used over and over again due to the fact that admitting he was jealous would mean admitting he felt insecure.
He had fought tooth and nail to get you to say yes to being his girlfriend, almost milking his bank account dry along the way for you. Not that it inconvenienced him.
He wasn't about to let any peasant near you and let them think they had a chance with you. After all, he made himself believe that you looked a million times more alluring than you did before you guys met because of what he invested in you.
“I told you to stay the fuck out of my phone Satoru!” you spoke spitefully. This was the thousandth time you had to whisk your phone away from your boyfriend’s hands. No matter how many times he snooped through it and you lectured him, he wouldn't let the habit die.
Gojo rolled his cerulean eyes at you in vehement. He then crossed his arms as he sat on the white velvet sofa in your house, something he also paid for.
“Whatever. Don't think I didn't see that provocative picture in your camera roll that I haven't received yet. I better see it on my phone by the end of the day. Who the hell are you taking those for anyway??”
“You're so fucking insufferable. That was supposed to be a surprise for you later. You just spoiled your own gift you dumbass.”
Your boyfriend’s eyes widened in shock as he realized what he just did. All because of his inability to stay out of your phone. He swiftly got up from the couch and walked towards you from behind, placing his arms around your waist and swaying you side to side.
“Awww I can pretend I didn't see anything, pretty girl. You know I meant no harm.” his breath tickling your skin as he planted soft kisses on your neck. “What's this? You're not wearing the necklace I got you?”
“I sold it.” you retorted.
“Please, you'd never sell anything I ever gifted you. You still have the candy wrappers from the first candies I ever gifted you.”
“Shut up–I just let my friend borrow it for her date. I think I'll let her keep it.”
“And why is that?”
“Well~” you reply before turning your body around to face your boyfriend, placing your arms around his neck. “I think it's only fair you got me a new one after the stunt you pulled yesterday.”
Satoru knew exactly what you were talking about. You had gone out to lunch together and he pulled one of his jealous acts again. Except this time he did it in public, something you completely despised.
You didn't mind his proprietorial attitude towards you simply because he always atoned for it by fucking your brains out. You always went from shrieking his name in a reprimanding manner to moaning it in less than an hour.
Yesterday was different however, your male friend had approached you to say hi with no ill intentions. Howbeit, Satoru didn't feel the same way.
He felt like your “conversation” with your little friend was taking too long and that he was ogling you with prurient eyes.
After surmising this, he got up from his seat and dragged you out of the restaurant by your wrist. Your wrists aching in torture as his grasp prompted the diamond bracelet to dig into your skin. You knew the scene that would follow if you protested; you simply let him haul you to the car.
“Have you lost your fucking mind Satoru??” you jerked your arm back and massaged your throbbing wrist as he was opening the door to shove you inside. “I was having a conversation with my friend before you barbarically manhandled me, you dick.”
“Your friend clearly wanted more than just a conversation with you. Don't act dumb with me.” he retaliated.
Although he was livid, he knew not to ever maul you with such heedlessness, but this occasion was disparate from all the others. He vigorously jostled you into the car and slammed the door. Before you could even say anything, he hastened over to the driver’s side and situated himself behind the wheel. His seething expression felt as if you were the one in the wrong here. He was quite literally foaming at the mouth as he refrained from yelling at you.
The conversation only escalated from there until you demanded that he drop you off home. You didn’t speak to each other for the rest of the night—until he came over in the morning to pry into your phone.
Now you were here—coaxing him into buying you another necklace simply because you felt like it. All you had to do was bat your prepossessing eyelashes at him a few times; he always succumbed to your antics.
You bring your hands up behind his neck, slowly trailing them into his silky hair. A mischievous smirk emerging from your lips as you processed the notion of having the strongest sorcerer at the palm of your hands.
Satoru’s hand kept a light touch on your body as he trailed it to the side of your ribs, cupping your breasts amorously as you stood in front of him. His hands groping the fat in your boobs ardently. It had been weeks since you last handed your body over to him; he had only himself to blame for that, his demanding behavior was beginning to irk your nerves. Seeing you in that low-cut lace satin shirt only aggrandized his sexual appetite for you. He had to feel you tighten around him no matter the cost. He’d even settle with fingering you at these altitudes.
“For you, I’d purchase the entire jewelry store, princess.” he finally answered.
He had actually attempted that on multiple occasions, but you always stopped him.
“Tell me what it is your heart desires and I’ll arrange for it.”
Tumblr media
ꨄauthors notes: hihi! this is my first time ever writing a fanfic feel free to leave any constructive feedback! hope you enjoyed <33
30 notes · View notes
beardedmrbean · 5 months
Text
Muslim pupils who expressed outrage after their teacher presented a Renaissance painting of nude women in class will be disciplined, France’s education minister has said.
A French teacher at the multicultural Jacques-Cartier college showed students the painting Diana and Actaeon by the Italian artist Giuseppe Cesari, which portrays a Greek mythology story in which the hunter Actaeon sees the goddess Diana and her nymphs bathing.
The work, which depicts a naked Diana and four female companions, is held at the Louvre museum in Paris.
Sophie Vénétitay, secretary general of the Snes-FSU secondary school teachers’ union, said: “During a French class, a colleague showed a 17th-century painting that showed naked women.”
“Some students averted their gaze, felt offended, said they were shocked,” said Ms Vénétitay, adding that “some also alleged the teacher made racist comments” during a class discussion.
A pupil’s parent sent an email to the school director saying that his son was prevented from speaking during that discussion and that he would file a complaint.
“We know well that methods like that can lead to a tragedy,” Ms Vénétitay told BFMTV news. “We saw it in the murder of Samuel Paty. Our colleagues feel threatened and in danger.” Teachers at the Issou school said that pupils admitted lying about events in their art class but that the damage had been done. “We’re dealing with vindictive parents who prefer to believe their children than us,” they said. Gabriel Attal, the education minister, visited the school in person on Monday and later said that a disciplinary procedure would be launched “against the students who are responsible for this situation and who have also admitted the facts”.
A team would also be deployed to the school to ensure it adhered to the “values of the republic”, he said.
Staff at the Jacques-Cartier middle school in Issou, west of Paris, refused to work on Monday, saying they feared for their safety given the recent murders of two teachers by jihadi terrorists.
Dominique Bernard was stabbed to death by a Muslim man in his school’s playground in the northern town of Arras in October.
In 2020 a civics teacher, Samuel Paty was stabbed and beheaded by a terrorist in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, 12 miles from Issou, after he showed his pupils a caricature of Mohammed in a class on free speech.
In an email sent to parents on Friday, teachers said they were exercising their right to stay away from classrooms over the “particularly difficult situation” and “an increase in cases of violence” as their daily reality.
Deteriorating discipline at the school
The school’s head teacher recently asked the education ministry for more staff and resources to deal with deteriorating discipline at the school, saying that fights and death threats and threats of rape had become common among pupils.
“We feel we are clearly in danger. We are supported by our direct superiors but not from higher up. This is a real call for help,” said one teacher.
Last week a Paris court convicted six teenagers over their role in events that led to the beheading of Mr Paty, who was their teacher at the middle school in Conflans when he was killed by Abdoullakh Anzorov, an 18-year-old of Chechen origin.
In another sign of school-religion tensions, the state this week said it would withdraw funding for the country’s biggest state-subsidised Muslim high school. In its teaching of Muslim ethics, the Averroes school, in Lille, was found to be violating French republican values.
On Tuesday, Jordan Bardella, leader of the hard-Right National Rally party, warned that “freedom of expression is under threat in France from an all-conquering political Islam that is imposing on our society its laws, its way of life and its prohibitions”.
39 notes · View notes
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
International
Women‘s Day 2024
— To my favorite girls in rock —
This international women’s day is for these two incredible ladies. Immensely talented, candidly beautiful, tremendously underrated. They were trailblazers in their profession. At a time where the rock & pop music scene was dominated by male only bands, such as The Beach Boys or The Beatles, and crowds were bowing to rock-gods such as, Jimmy Page or Roger Daltrey, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks were right up there with them. Women, as anything else than pretty faces and background singers were scarce in 1970s leading bands. Among Grace Slick, Joan Jett, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart and of course ABBA‘s leading gals Agnetha and Frida, they were in good company but still leading ladies in rock bands were a rare breed.
Christine Anne Perfect had been in a band called Chicken Shack over in the old country when she married the bassist of Fleetwood Mac and finally joined his band in 1970. After their founding member and frontman had left the band (and in some ways also this universe), the rest of them, consisting of a rhythm section and two guitar players found themselves somewhat lost and in need of a fresh spark. The spark came in the shape of Christine (now McVie) a very talented keyboard player with a soulful, mellow voice who conveniently, had already been living with them, having spattered her talent all over the last album they’d made as an all male blues band. After a while the music scene in Great Britain had developed in a different direction as the Mac, so they decided to try their luck in the land of dreams — the United States. After initially being promised to be back home by christmas, Christine would stay with the band — abroad — for the next 28 years. She would be a driving force and function as the fierce and headstrong but at the same time caring and peacekeeping den mother of the group, captivating countless souls with her love drunken songs.
In 1975 the somewhat unlucky band that was Fleetwood Mac found themselves in need of personell once again. After all of their lead guitarists had either gone insane, joined a cult, were fired for infidelity or left to do their own thing, in particularly that order, the band anew, was missing a crucial part of their lineup leaving them with an uncertain future. Their luck seemed to have turned as a new guitarist was quickly found, only to discover that he came as a package — with a girl.
Stephanie Lynn Nicks was the grand daughter of an understated country singer who took little Stevie on stage when she was only five years old. Having grown up around music, writing songs since she was a teenager, she was trying to make it big with her boyfriend in the city of angels. Her dreamy lyrics and hoarse, rusty voice was a welcome contrast to Christine‘s neat and upbeat love songs and it was soon clear she would fit right in. Even after splitting with the very boyfriend that brought her into the band, she would stay on as the main focalizer and diligent contributor for decades to come.
Both of those women were in their own way unique and oh so contraire but still stuck together, having each others backs. Neither jealousy nor competition seemed to be able to break them apart. They were co-existing in the sometimes toxic but oh so vital eco-system that was Fleetwood Mac forming a symbioses, as friends, keeping each other sane and most importantly alive and kicking — kicking in the glass ceiling that was the male dominated scene of 70s music and thus paving the way for so many talented young girl-singers, songwriters and musicians to come.
Christine once casually stated in an interview upon being asked if she ever felt the got enough credit, that nobody ever really said, ‘thanks for groundbreaking‘, so here it is: Thank you, ladies. Thank you, Christine McVie, queen of the keys and Stevie Nicks, goddess of the stage, for groundbreaking, for being role models in many more ways than just your talent in music. Thanks for sticking up for each other, for lifting each other up instead of taking each other down, for showing us what true and honest sisterhood is all about. Thank you from the bottom of the heart of just another girl out there trying to make it.
20 notes · View notes
Text
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
52 notes · View notes
thefiresontheheight · 8 months
Text
if you leave the road will change you, life will change you, the world will change you, man of many ways
So says the oracle. And you love your wife, and you love your new born son and what is it to you if the so-called most beautiful woman in the world fucks this far off king or that other further off king? The days of your youth, when you swore your great oath, are slipping past already. You have found love, here in Ithaca. You have seen it give you a gap toothed smiled, broken-nose still crooked from when she was a girl. Looking up from weaving. Love is not hairless and smooth. Love is not a marble statue or a goddess. Love is a woman. Here in Ithaca.
So you, man of many ways, try your best. You feign insanity. You plow the salt-shore by the dark wined sea. You try. It is not enough. The cursed kings to whom you vowed your great oath before you could even grow a beard place your son before the plow. You turn away. And so too they take you away from the love you found. Here in Ithaca.
The world changes you. The world changes you. The war changes you. Away from Ithaca. If there is a time men may die, should they be fortunate enough to see their dotage, you near halfway there. Ten long years you have been away from home, man of many ways, contending with Ajax and Paris and the Walls of Illium and the stupidity and arrogance of the Hellenes. Too much enough. And so you make a plan.
Troy burns. You stride among its fair houses and watch them fall in a war you never cared for over women more like statues in the way your leaders, the great kings of the world, desired to carry them away. Cassandra stares at you and you feel the touch of the gods. She knows. You do not want to be this kind of many wayed man anymore. You want to go home. Back to Ithaca.
But misfortune comes in many ways and the gods must claim their dues. First storm then monster then giant. I am no man, you tell the great inhuman thing, and the words carve themselves into your heart more terrible then any blade. You look at your hands. Older now. Decades upon them. No longer the same hands that touched her. Hoary and hairy with salt and you are still not home.
You run across a witch, another touched by the gods and she turns your men to swine and you can but ask her: “I cannot be this man anymore. Make me elsewise.”
You return home a stranger. So goes the tale ever called the oldest. There is always a house and there is always an older, wiser woman weaving, turning away the brash, bearded men who would court her. She is beautiful. Here in Ithaca.
You are not. You never would be. You are a dog upon her door and a beggar at her gate. Here in Ithaca.
But she takes you in a stranger even so. She says, “sister, I see you the same age as me, change by roads and ways. Come. Weave with me.”
And so you do. You are hairy. There are gaps in your smile. Your nose is broken. And so is hers. And so is she.
The suitors grow tired of waiting. You walk with your son upon the beach.
“When did you know?” he asks.
“I didn’t,” you say.
“And when did she?”
“I think,” you say, “she always did.”
The marital bed is the same. Your scars are the same. The house and the loom upon which you both now weave remain the same as well. But you have changed, woman of many ways. The world has changed you. But you look at her, and she at you, and you have again found beauty. You grow old. You laugh again. The sun sets beneath the sea.
Here in Ithaca.
43 notes · View notes