ALINA STARKOV

shadow & bone, season one (2021)

thearistaeus​:

        “It’s even better at sunset, though perhaps you’ll see that, I’m not sure how long they intend to take pictures of you for,” he admitted, looking from her to the others working, his hand still gently caressing her own until she finally drew it back. His gaze shifted back to her again, trying to memories every inch of her far for when she finally did leave, especially if she decided not to return.

         Theo’s hands fell away, hitting his jeans before he shoved his fingers into his pockets. “I was actually taught to do this by some women who raised me and some others that kind of came in and out of my life and it all grew, literally, from there. How about you?” Theo asked, believing his words were true enough that he wasn’t lying, especially since he presumed her mortal. “Did you fall into modeling or pursue it?”

“I’m sure it is.”

His words made her miss her sisters, missing that family connection, even if her family had never been entirely simple. She could only hope that the Fates might permit them a second life too. “A bit of both really. It came about like a... second chance of sorts. But once it did, I was determined not to let it go. Things haven’t always come easy. I wanted to make this work.”

What does love feel like to you?

“Pain. Foolishness. Warmth. Safety.”

mind-the-minthe​:

He quirked an eyebrow as he pressed the overly sweet cup of coffee into her hands, “Why would they ask you for help?- Not trying to imply anything about your ability to be a good little helper, but the gods don’t give a fuck about us. If one of them decided to stroll up over here the best bet for us would be to run, regardless of what they know.” He beckoned her over to start the photo shoot, quickly getting into character while keeping the spite on the top of his tongue, “There are good ones, sure, but betrayal is ripe among the Olympians.”

***

Maddie’s jaw twitched at ‘good little helper’ but it was a fair question she supposed. “Because they might not give a fuck about us, but they sure seem to feel entitled to involve us where they please. No matter what the outcome for us.” He wasn’t wrong though in insisting they’d be best to run. “Why run when I can hide? Let me live my life and keep them in the dark for once.” She laughed lightly. “Trust me, I remember.” She sat beside him, posing for the camera, her eyes never leaving it as she added, “I don’t trust any of them.”

gxddessofnight​:

────  the touch of the hair had been nyx’s way of getting a reaction   &  it had worked.  if there were any doubt in her mind,  it would have vanished as soon as medusa pushed her hand away.    ‘ relax!  i just wanted to be sure. ’    she took a step back,  softening her expression.  she understood why medusa would want to keep her identity a secret.   the gods had  not  been kind to her.   honestly,   why so many of her fellow gods felt the need to prove themselves through murder was beyond her.   was being a god not enough that you had to assert your dominance in any way necessary?    ‘ i understand why you would want to hide your identity,   so your secret is safe with me. ’

Relax. Medusa only just held back a snide retort. Why should she relax, given all the gods had never done for her? She was remembered as a monster. This was her chance to truly live, and she would not have it ruined. As much as she couldn’t truly bring herself to trust the goddess’s word that her secret was safe, Nyx had never hurt her. So Maddie could afford her some politeness at least. “I’m not going to help break... whatever this is. This curse. I’m sorry but I’m perfectly happy like this.”

apategrace​:

Apate’s perfectly painted lips curled into a haughty smile. She shook Medusa’s hand. “Well, let’s get coffee and discuss it,” she replied. Watching Medusa’s reaction carefully, she added, “I was thinking maybe something with statutes? Like trapped by the patriarchy, but it’s stone.” 

***

Oh, that was on purpose. Maddie’s eyes jumped up to Apate’s, a flash of recognition quickly hidden. There was no doubt in her mind that Apate was not unaware of her past. “That’s an interesting idea. What gave you that inspiration?”

worstnemesis​:

“It seems that perhaps maybe they were only to start crossing now.” Nemesis, while unsure about the other’s status, could only take it so far, knowing she had seemed like a crazier person before and hated the notion of dismissal. So, instead, she let her guard down. “Neme…I go by Neme. And you?”

***

Medusa shrugged. “Seems so.” She wondered how far Nemesis would push, trying to get Maddie to admit who she was. Not as far as she had expected, evidently. “Maddie. Pleasure to meet you, Neme.”

thearistaeus​:

        Theo had actually had the place photographed a few times by magazines so when he was asked he simply assumed it was for some kind of food based magazine, a travel one or even just something about nature and the environment. So he didn’t really think too heavily on discovering why the magazine wanted the photos. Unless they asked to speak with him it didn’t totally matter, it was a nice pay cheque to supplement the general running of the establishment and gave him a day off.

          Pushing off the edge of the table he closed the distance between them so he could take the hand she’d held out to shake. He didn’t, not quite realising that’s what she’d wanted his fingers gently grazed the tips of her own until they were touching her palm, callouses on his skin obvious. “I will remember it,” he assured her with a tenderness to his tone as his opposing hand placed itself atop hers, a ring on one of them that was a thick steel, worn and old it was a crest with a small bee on it. “In case you decide you might want to come back.”

Maddie knew he was flirting. Men--and women--flirted with her plenty. The job seemed to invite it as much as her looks. She had no problem with his flirting, secure in the knowledge that nothing of substance would happen. So she let him take her hand as he did, with a smile on her lips. “I might just do that. What I’ve seen of the place, it’s beautiful.” Her tone was friendly, charming. Some might call it flirting, but if she were, it was more of a game than serious. Medusa would not fall again and risk ruin.

“So, Theo,” she said, taking her hand back. “Tell me about this place. How’d you end up doing this?”

thearistaeus​:

       Honey on her lips with some of the cracker dust Theo leaned back against one of the tables in the room, only a foot or so from her, letting out a gentle laugh when he eyes went wide. “You would be the person to know what is,” Theo offered lightly, only then letting his eyes drift away, glancing outside and seeing them set up for her. “Hopefully it wasn’t too strong, I wouldn’t want to ruin any of the work being done on you,” he continued, trying to be somewhat humble about his work and to potential lighten the words he’d said before.

       “With help, you can’t quite make enough to serve people if you do it alone, I’d be much more overwhelmed,” he explained, hips remaining against the wood of the table, having to consciously think about them being there so he didn’t simply start making things for her on the board. “Theo,” the God answered, it was him now, the version of himself he was content and happy with, any other name…well, it didn’t matter now, a name was simply a title. “Can I ask yours and not offend you that I don’t know it?”

His compliments were as sweet as the honey he’d given her. She was used to compliments again, as Maddie, but they were never unappreciated. The make-up artists had moved away, unintentionally giving her a chance to actually talk to him properly--at least until the director made his mind up about what he wanted. “Not at all, it’s wonderful. I’ve never had anything like it.”

But it was still his farm, Maddie gleaned. And he had booked this without knowing her name. It wasn’t that she got recognised so often, but if the shoot had been booked here, wouldn’t he want to know? “Maddie. And no offence taken.” She held her hand out to shake, grabbing another olive with the other.

thearistaeus​:

        Theo nodded his head, he’d strangely expected her to be a little aloft or even maybe dismissive and rude like the models in reality tv shows but her words felt sweet as she accepted his gesture, somewhat surprised when she actually started with one of the olives that in her hand seemed an even more brilliant shade of green.

        “Yes, they are,” he nodded as he picked up the vase of water and began to pour the glass for her. “All of it is local, most of it is from me. The olives are from my farm, I make a lot of the cheeses myself with the staff here and the honey…well, I make that at home and only serve it here so it’s one of a kind, I even add a bit of chili so it has kind of a kick to it,” Theo described, the water poured for her actually also from his well and then filtered on site. “How does it taste?” he asked, eyes lingering on her lips.

“One of a kind?” Maddie raised her eyebrows, dipping one of the crackers into the honey as she did. It was sticky and sweet, but with that sure kick of chilli. Her eyes widened. It wasn’t really like anything she’d tried, but it was delicious. She took a sip of water to clear any remaining stick from the honey, noticing the way the man’s eyes lingered. “It’s beautiful.” 

She took a piece of cheese yet, deciding to taste it on its own before trying it with the other elements of the plate. “You make all of this yourself?” It was impressive. One of these alone would be impressive, in fact, but all of them? Maddie smiled wide. “What’s your name?”

Keftas of the Grisha Orders

Etherealki: The Sun Summoner

Medusa enjoyed her new work, her new life. The Fates had given her a new life in this modern world, and she had spent her time shaping it into what she wanted. She had been beautiful once, admired for her looks and her charm, until she had been cursed and no one could look at her without perishing. She was beautiful once again, and here in this new world she made that her work.

Today it was a gorgeous farm for a shoot among the olive trees. Dappled sunlight, beautiful Greek scenery. It was gorgeous. But it was time for a break and a touch up as the director of the shoot decided his next move. Maddie sat back, allowing the artists to touch up her hair and make-up, sipping her water carefully and picking up at the catering they’d provided. She mostly sat back, eyes closed and trying to relax as everyone else fluttered around her. A stray, unwelcome thought crossed her mind: Is this what the Gods felt like? 

Her eyes opened, thoughts forgotten, looking now at a man that looked more like he belonged in the photoshoot with her, and yet seemed entirely at home here. He wasn’t part of their crew, Maddie knew that much. Her eyes go to the artistically plated board, with food that looked truly divine. She smiled, looking back to the stranger. “Thank you. This looks incredible.” She picked an olive, popping it in her mouth. “Are these from the farm?”

She’s a Stunner || Maddie&Theo

      Theo’s hands were worn with work, having spent much of the morning chopping wood, and yet they were still eager to work. It was all he had done, his entire life, taught various trades by a myriad of Gods but none were ever so soothing as what he did for the Etesian. The callouses harshened by his wood chopping now held delicate slices of salami he twisted into soft roses and finely cubed cheese until his wooden chopping board was covered in delights. He hadn’t intended to bring out any food, the magazine that had booked his olive farm for the day had brought their own catering but then he’d carried the wood inside and caught sight of the woman they were taking photos of.

       “Good,” he told himself as he looked at the board, picking it up along with a tray that held a small golden fork, a vase of water and a glass. He’d seen them stop to set up a new location and figured now was as good a time as any to step out and offer the woman something to eat. He’d even changed shirts so he didn’t smell like sweat, olives and dry meats. It was probably too much, he knew, as he walked out into the dining area of the establishment, aware they’d set her up inside to keep her beautiful soft skin out of the harmful sun’s light she’d been modeling in.

       Around the woman fluttered stylists, a make-up artist and someone touching her extraordinarily dark hair, but Theo moved confidently past them, having a foot on each one without having to even straighten his posture. It was only when he drew this close he could truly see her, gorgeous face in the large mirror in front of her, her eyes nearly as dark as her hair. He tried not to stare too long though, placing the cutting board and the tray on an empty section of the vanity. “I thought you might like something a little more refined to eat,” Theo offered, gesturing to the craft service table that was mostly subs and packets of chips.

@gorgonofstone​

Prior to Curse Anon: Were you a good Priestess?

“I was. Until I wasn’t.”

Do you have any crushes right now?

“No. I’m far more careful with my heart these days.”

Prior to Curse Anon: Do you loathe Athena?

“Yes. But I loathe Poseidon more so. I failed Athena, I know that. But I thought he loved me. How naive.”

You deserved Athena's repercussions and Poseidon's abandonment.

“My crime was to get caught in the games of Gods. I didn’t deserve what they did to me. My biggest mistake was thinking any of them cared.”

“I know.”

gxddessofnight​:

────   ‘ indeed they do. ’   nyx smiled,   never having been one to make mistakes,  though even she would admit that some of her children had not turned out quite as she’d hoped. regardless,  she did not appreciate being taken for a fool.  she failed to believe  that, even in human form,   medusa would be so  polite.   the fact that she thought she could lie to her so easily made nyx more determined to call her out. 

‘ you may be able to help me,   you see,  i’m looking for snake … ’  she stepped forwards, reaching a finger out to stroke a strand of medusa’s hair,  ‘ you haven’t seen any around here,  have you? ’

Medusa’s smile held right up until Nyx touched her hair, talking of looking for snakes. “Don’t touch me,” she said, taking a step back as she pushed the goddess’s hand away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The lie was up, but Medusa wasn’t about to be helpful about it. The goddess was mortal, for now, she couldn’t hurt Medusa, couldn’t curse her. And if this curse were to break? Medusa would likely be sent back to the Underworld where she had been for thousands of years. Nyx didn’t scare her.