pyredez

[pyredez]

               HE   PULLED   ELLE   AS   SHE   CLIMBED   ABOARD.   LEO   THEN   TURNED   to   face   front,   hands   reached   for   the   reigns   to   grip   them   in   a   loose   hold.   Festus   could   pretty   much   handle   flying   without   guidance,   but   he   always   made   sure   to   have   them   in   his   hands   just   in   case,   “   Well,   your   Captain   Valdez   is   always   willing   and   able   to   help   a   curious   mind.   ”   Since   when?   Such   a   surprising   statement   that…   Leo   really   meant.   Normally   he   would   avoid   questions,   at   least   about   himself,   but   with   Elle   he   felt   he   could   answer   them   without   judgment.

               FESTUS   SHIFTED   ON   HIS   FEET,   GROUNDING   HIMSELF,   FEELING   THE   RIDERS’   weights   to   recognize   them   if   anything   were   to   happen   to   them.   Then,   he   lifted   his   head   to   let   out   a   mechanical   roar   as   wings   spread   on   either   side.   With   one   big   push   of   his   wings,   they   were   off   the   ground,   “   Hang   on!   ”   was   a   late   warning   as   they   lifted   up   and   up,   winds   whipping   over   their   faces,   and   camp   was   just   down   below   them.

               LEO   LEANED   FORWARD   SOME,   CHOCOLATE   EYES   WIDE   WITH   EXCITEMENT   AS   they   started   a   small   circle   of   camp.   See?   Festus   already   knew   the   drill,   “   How   ya   doin’   back   there,   chica?   ”   A   laugh   spilled   around   his   words   as   he   shouted   over   his   shoulder,   “   I’ll   try   to   keep   Festus   from   doing   anything   too   wild.   Sometimes   he   likes   to   show   off!   ”   Festus   made   a   small   grunt   in   response   to   Leo’s   words,   but   the   dragon   did   keep   a   nice   speed.

Laughter escaped her lips. She doubted she could ever dethrone Leo as Festus' favorite person. Not that she wanted to try. But still. Dark brown eyes watched as he pulledh imself up onto Festus and when he looked down and stretched out his hand, Elle shook her head.

"Nope," she said, popping the 'p'. "All queried out for the moment." But there's no doubt that she'd ask more things - about Festus, about Leo himself, about his inventions - the minute more thoughts plopped into her head.

"Now," Elle grinned as she allowed Leo to pull her up. "Take me for a spin, good sir." They've all been waiting long enough.

#nosestealer #【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: ic.

[pyredez]

Can i love you without getting hurt?

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: musing.

[pyredez]

               HE   WANTED   THIS   AFTER   ALL.   HE   DIDN’T   WANT   TO   RELY   on   his   fire   abilities   to   save   him,   and   besides   they   generally   do   take   up   a   lot   of   his   energy.   Although,   this   sword   fighting   thing   was   already   making   him   exhausted.   Which   was   why   when   Jason   knocked   him   off   his   feet again,   and   Leo   landed   on   his   back,   he   didn’t   get   up   right   away.   Instead,   he   laid   there   looking   up   at   the   blue   sky,   and   silently   cursed   to   Jason   in   English,   Spanish,   and   Greek—   in   a   friendly   manner   of   course.

            HE   DIDN’T   PICK   UP   HIS   SWORD   FROM   THE   GROUND,   BUT   he   did   sit   up.   A   hand   went   to   block   the   sun   from   his   eyes,   squinting   to   look   at   the   amusement   on   his   friend’s   face,   “   I   think   you’re   enjoying   this   a   little   too   much,   ”   he   offered   one   of   his   own   smiles,   “   But   I   will   take   you   up   on   that   offer   of   a   different   weapon,   ”   finally,   Leo   got   to   his   feet,   “   I’ve   been   working   on   one   myself!   ”

" what ? i did say i won't make it easy for you . " jason says , his sword gleaming gold held by his right hand , and the left on his hip as he stares down at his fallen friend . he didn't make a move of helping him up . for a soldier needs to learn how to get up on his own feet , he could hear lupa say in his head . but he did really try to hide his amusement , turning his smile into something that looks like encouragement instead .

" come on . we could do one more round before dinner call . you can change your weapon , too , if you want . "

@pyredez.

#ivlius #【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: ic. #{ that’s THE best type of friendship lol } #{ thank you for this uwu }

[pyredez]

               HER   WORDS   STRUCK   HIS   HEART.   IT   WAS   SAID   IN   A   playful   tone,   but   from   what   he   knew   of   Elle,   she   always   spoke   the   truth   no   matter   the   tone.   Yet   still   that   voice   in   the   back   of   his   head   wanted   to   keep   denying   all   the   good   that   anyone   would   display   in   front   of   him,   “   I   can   tell   him   all   you   want,   but   he   won’t   believe   it.   ”   He   smiled   brightly,   his   head   of   curls   bounced   when   he   shook   his   head.

               FESTUS   MADE   A   SOUND   DEEP   IN   HIS   WORKINGS,   ANOTHER   PURR.   The   dragon   was   content   with   the   gentle   touches   to   his   bronze   hide.   His   tail   swished,   making   the   grass   ripple,   and   Leo   gave   him   another   pat   as   well,   “   Keep   that   up   and   you   might   become   his   favorite   person,   ”   he   chuckled,   “   All   that   sucking   up   I   mean.   ”   Festus’   wing   seemed   to   nudge   Leo   who   then   replied   with   a   small   “hey”.

               LEO   MOVED   AROUND   FESTUS   AGAIN   TO   MAKE   SURE   HE   WAS   ready   for   flight,   “   Huh?   Oh!   Yeah,   I   came   up   with   his   name,   ”   he   secured   the   straps   one   last   time,   “   If   he   had   a   name   before   I   didn’t   see   it   anywhere,   and   he   didn’t   seem   too   concerned   about   correcting   me.   So,   Festus   just…   became   Festus,   ”   he   looked   up   from   what   he   was   doing,   smiling   at   Elle,   “   Alright!   ”   Leo   pulled   himself   up   onto   Festus,   now   looking   down   at   her,   “   Anymore   questions?   ”   He   then   stretched   out   his   hand   for   her   to   take.

"Please tell him that I am not. Lying, that is." She may have been raised alongside those of Cabin Eleven but if there is one thing that Elle doesn't do, it's lie about her friends.

Especially not new ones like Leo.

Especially not precious ones like Leo.

"Well, I'd be more than happy to," Elle smiled as Festus pressed his nose into her chest. Giggles escaped her lips as she gave into the demand of petting.

However could she have believed that Festus was scary? He was just a big ol' Golden Retriever in mechanical dragon form!

"Aw! You're so adorable---" And yes, while this wasn't really baby-talk per se, her voice did soften just a tad. She sounded like she did whenever she talked to a younger camper. "---thank you so much for taking me with you on a flight, I really appreciate it."

Then she directed one last question to Leo - though Festus was more than welcome to chime in - before they'd be off.

"Did you think of the name or was Festus just Festus from day one onwards?"

#nosestealer #【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: ic.

[pyredez]

We can't ibuprofen our way outta this one boys

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: musing.

[pyredez]

*ten minute rant* i aint even mad

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: musing.

[pyredez]

*whispers* come love my magic boy @mistforms ! I have yet to make him a proper promo

#【 SPEAKING NONSENSE: ooc #{ finally got his new blog set up } #{ it took like two months } #{ since this site wanted to be mean to me } #{ also i'm not ignoring IMs or anything } #{ just been an OOF time lately }

[pyredez]

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: image. #【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: aesthetics. #{ love him } #{ love him for his fc }

[pyredez]

            LEO   THREW   HIS   HEAD   BACK   WITH   A   SMALL   LAUGH,   STILL   patting   the   bronze   dragon   as   Elle   rambled.   He   didn’t   mind   giving   up   the   reins   if   Festus   liked   the   person   enough.   Leo   knew   for   sure   that   he   would   like   Elle,   and   like   he   had   said…   Festus   usually   liked   whoever   Leo   did.   Though,   that   was   something   he   wouldn’t   say   to   his   face.   It   might   hurt   his   dragon   ego.

               FESTUS   WHIRRED,   HIS   HEAD   LIFTED,   AND   FIRE   BILLOWED   OUT   FROM   his   bronze   muzzle   as   Elle   spoke.   Leo   patted   his   neck   once   again,   feeling   the   warmth   that   spread   through   his   body   from   the   heat,   “   Show   off.   ”   he   mumbled   as   he   moved   around   the   dragon   now,   making   sure   that   his   body   was   working   how   it   should.   After   Piper’s   charmspeak,   Festus   had   been   running   pretty   much   smoothly…   minus   a   few   things   here   and   there.

            THE   DRAGON   SHIFTED   ON   HIS   FEET,   LOWERING   HIS   HEAD   TO   be   face   to   face   with   the   daughter   of   Hecate.   Smoke   was   huffed   out   through   his   nose,   clouding   over   the   female,   “   Easy,   buddy.   I   know   you’re   just   saying   hello,   ”   Leo   called   over   the   dragon’s   back,   smiling   at   Elle   as   he   had   heard   her   words.   It   made   him   feel…   seen,   “   He   likes   sweet   talk,   but   when   it’s   about   me   he   thinks   you’re   lying.   ”   Leo   chuckled.

            THE   BRONZE   TAIL   MADE   A   SMALL   CREAK   AS   IT   MOVED   once,   and   then   he   pushed   his   nose   into   the   girl’s   chest.   There   was   a   small   hum   as   the   mechanics   inside   did   their   job,   but   it   could   be   passed   as   almost   a   purr,   “   You   can   pet   him.   ”   Leo   said,   walking   around   from   the   other   side   of   him. He then shrugged, “ More like he wants you to pet him. ”

"Oh, no, no, no. Not yet, no. I mean---uh, I'd rather you take the joystick. Or wheel. Or, um, reins." A hasty nod. "I'm good at the back." For a moment, Elle was silent, and then she couldn't help but succumb to the giggles as her cheeks turned pink. "Sorry 'bout that."

"Got'cha," Elle hummed. "Good manners." She could appreciate that. She was raised on that very same thought. Well, until the whole memory erasure debacle thing happened, anyway. "I'll be real proper."

Then Festus landed, quite gracefully, in an empty space beside the Big House. Leo went first and once he yelled for her to do the same, she did.

"Hi," Elle said, "my name is Eleusine, Leo's friend from Cabin Twenty. I do magic. He does too with all the cool stuff he makes." She flashed him a quick grin. He'd better get used to her praising him all the way to Olympus. "Is it okay if Leo takes me for a flight?"

#nosestealer #【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: ic.

[pyredez]

daenerys targaryen appreciation 57/–

#【 FESTUS. #【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: aesthetics.

[pyredez]

Ana Mendieta: Untitled, Silueta Series (1978)

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: aesthetics.

[pyredez]

didnt you die

That was weeks ago dude. Things change

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: musing.

[pyredez]

*switches language to talk shit about you*

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: musing.

[pyredez]

               HE   DIDN'T   LIKE   BEING   UNDER   SUCH   A   STARE.   IT   DIDN'T   help   that   Percy’s   eyes   were   intense,   seeing   more   war   than   any   their   age   should.   It   made   him   feel   like   he   should   run,   made   him   feel   that   he   had   no   business   being   here   on   this   ship   with   them.   Leo   just   wanted   to   run.   He   always   did   when   things   got   too   comfortable   or…   or   too   much.   He   told   himself   he   wouldn’t   run   from   this   life,   from   this   new   home,   and   from   these   friends.   However,   he   might   have   sunk   that   ship   with   the   actions   done   to   New   Rome.   

               Stupid,   stupid,   stupid!

               LEO   COULDN’T   TAKE   IT   ANYMORE,   AND   HE   DROPPED   HIS   GAZE   to   the   floor.   The   action   was   much   like   a   puppy   would   do   when   scolded.   Shame,   guilt,   and   an   understanding   flooded   his   face   despite   his   hardest   to   hide   it.   Leo   had   been   in   these   cases   far   too   many   times   than   he   would   care   to   admit.   The   blame,   the   anger,   and   the   disappointment   all   pointed   at   him.   Why   not?   His   own   family   called   him   a   devil   child.   Wherever   he   went   something   happened   because   he   was   there.   It   was   no   big   deal,   right?   He   was   numb   to   it   all.

               IT   WAS   EASY   TO   KEEP   MOVING,   TO   HIDE   IT   WITH   his   humor,   but   being   here?   Being   here   with   people   who   experienced   similar   situations?   He   couldn’t   hide   very   easily.   Leo   tried   to   run   and   hide.   He   hardly   left   Bunker   Nine   as   he   built   this   ship,   and   even   on   his   masterpiece   Leo   locked   himself   away   in   the   engine   room.   Though,   he   couldn’t   hide   if   someone   sought   him   out   like   Percy   had   done.   It   made   him   want   to   recoil,   to   hide   deeper   into   the   engines.   But,   sadly,   the   truth   was   he   couldn’t   hide   and   run   forever.   

               HIS   SHARP   TONE   MADE   HIM   WINCE,   BUT   HIS   CHOCOLATE   EYES   fell   back   to   the   son   of   the   sea   god.   Leo   tried   to   make   himself   even   smaller,   to   again   hide   in   plain   sight.   Leo   tried   to   find   that   inner   humor,   that   fake   confidence   to   brush   this   incident   off.   He   had   already   let   it   crumble   more   than   he   wished,   and   the   last   thing   he   needed   was   for   everyone   to   know   how   much   Leo   wasn’t   real.   He   wanted   to   do   that,   but   sitting   here   under   Percy’s   gaze   almost   made   it   impossible.   He   felt   safe   here.   Which   was   a   new   feeling.   Leo   wasn’t   so   sure   if   he   liked   it.   

            LIPS   PARTED   TO   SPEAK,   BUT   WHAT   WAS   HE   TO   SAY   to   that?   It   was   common   sense.   It   was   the   truth.   And,   he   was   still   apologizing.   Percy   was   being   honest,   being   real,   and   Leo   felt   pathetic   that   he   couldn’t   pull   himself   together   to   do   the   same.   Leo   almost   felt   cornered.   Not   because   of   Percy,   but   because   of   his   own   self.   He   was   keeping   himself   back   in   this   corner   because   it   was   safe.   Even   made   worse   by   those   words   he   spoke:   You   didn’t   have   anyone   there.   Painfully   he   was   aware   of   that.  

                HE   TOOK   A   BREATH   IN,   AND   HE   LET   THE   BREATH   out,   “   Man,   feel   free   to   make   any   assumptions   about   me.   Of   course,   just   make   sure   they   are   good   ones   next   time?   Being   known   as   the   guy   to   start   World   War   III   isn’t   really   fun,   ”   Leo   smiled,   his   body   relaxing,   and   slowly   trying   to   form   into   the   Leo   everyone   saw   and   knew,   “   Look,   I   just… ”   he   felt   words   fail   him.   Why   couldn’t   he   play   it   cool   with   Percy?   The   demeanor   fell   just   as   quickly   as   he   put   it   up,   “ …I   dunno.   I   appreciate   it,   honestly,   ”   his   whole   body   seemed   to   deflate,   vulnerability   held   out   timidly,   “   I   fix   things—   machines   or   weapons,   but   I   always   make   things   worse   in   anything   else.   ”

Something continued to hurt here. Something would probably still continue to hurt here, and it wasn’t something Percy could fix with just one conversation.

He tried not to be that guy, y’know? He tried not to be overly imposing and intimidating (unless a monster was all up in his business; then he’d bite back). And, really, what was more intimidating than having someone staring you down while they waited for a response? It was like sitting in the principal’s office again, feeling super small in that rickety chair, all eyes burning holes into you, the silence more stifling than the inside of a volcano (Percy knew from experience), everyone there just waiting for you to explain yourself, your latest transgressions and the damage you’d caused with them . . .

Percy didn’t want to do that to Leo. He really didn’t. But he also couldn’t look away, and that might’ve been his mistake.

Because he saw everything in the guy’s face. The immediate shame. The guilt that literally weighed him down, as if he was getting crushed under the sky. Percy saw how he braced himself for the impending admonishment. He watched as he took in that breath, watched as it finally left him so much heavier and with so much genuine surprise at what he heard. Percy watched. Percy saw everything. And Percy knew for sure then.

You are so ready to always take the blame.

That right there? That hurt.

And while Leo’s inner tangles had somewhat loosened, Percy would bet his had become tighter. It was like some serpent was nestled there around his ribs, occasionally squeezing and releasing as it saw fit. All Percy wanted to do was strangle the damn thing himself.

“You didn’t, though,” he said almost too sharply. Adamantly was the better word. “Like you said: it wasn’t you. So whether or not you . . . physically were involved in what happened—? Doesn’t matter. You didn’t do it.” He needed to hear this, and Percy had split-second decided right then that he was not letting this go until it sunk in. All the nerves from before? Gone. Now he was just determined to set things as right as he could. 

He spread his hands, head cocking into a shrug. “Hey, I mean. Literally yesterday I wanted to kill Grace. Like, very badly. If Piper hadn’t done something, then . . . ” Percy wasn’t going to say he would be dead, but he’d leave the implications. “You didn’t have anyone there to stop you. I understand what it felt like, and . . . even if I never had the joy of experiencing it myself, I still shouldn’t have made assumptions about you because of it.” Distantly, he remembered a teacher once using a phrase about making assumptions, but the fact that the teacher had said a swear in the middle of class was what stuck most.

“I guess all I’m really trying to say is I’m sorry too.”

#tidaltow #【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: ic. #{ the way leo is so shook } #{ like... hold on a second... } #{ but he's also opening up a little?? }

[pyredez]

we can tell the way you run from us, we’re not your perfect fairy tale. / ©

#【 PROMO! #【 SELF PROMO! #{ COME LOVE THESE SIBLINGS } #{ finally got alabaster running } #{ i love them so bad }

[pyredez]

i hadn’t drawn leo in soooo long

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: image. #{ LOVE the idea of him having an earring }

[pyredez]

i wish i didn't care about certain things but i'm stupid and i do

#【 THE SON OF HEPHAESTUS: musing.