by the light of the moon @nymfernal - Tumblr Blog

☾ nymph ; infernal ☽ independent MELINOË from supergiant's hades ii. narrated by k, they/them, 30+. low activity ; iconless ; mutuals only. not spoiler free! spoilers tagged: #hades 2 spoilers

— beating @retribrutal to Tartarus

rules & basic info under cut. also found at archtemis

#est — 28.12.2024

i need a life

#tumblr snek

songsomi

Hades II (2025) dev. Supergiant Games In the name of Hades, let us begin.

#HELL YEA #sgg knows what girls want #and it’s more of mel’s back #✧ * · — nightmare bringer / melinoë

cringemaster4000

??? i like you too, nem

#✧ * · — ready to break a sweat again? / melnem

zoinyoi

#this EATS #✧ * · — nightmare bringer / melinoë

kosmogrl

#✧ * · — gloom of night / lore

warwaited

"What can I say. It's nice to be able to spend some time by the seaside, even if the smell kind of carries if the wind turns the wrong way. Fortunately, it seems it tends to come in from the sea... probably because of that massive storm up at the peak." With the concern of imminent danger having passed, at least for the moment, Xue affords herself a glance back at the mountain across what was once land and is now quite a stretch of water.

The longer they talk for, the more she calms. Having worked herself up for potentially a fight for her unlife, the come-down is on the slow side. She nods along with the explanation, though - if only until the Princess mentions where her destination is. Brows rise, and the last vestiges of her combat stance melt away as Xue looks over her shoulder again.

"Is that so. Well... the wretches don't cause me too much trouble. Some of them are more dogged than others, but aside from Polyphemus himself and the nasty little cutpurses with the daggers, they aren't exactly a match. I suppose when you spend your life preparing for the fight of it... some things carry over."

A soft laugh, but the shade then bows her head and steps aside. "Only if it wouldn't hold you up. If it were me, I would be heading to the palace as quickly as possible, though... no mortal is going to be making that climb, especially not with the Titan's legions on the same path. If you're not tangling with them, I think the mountain's defenders would probably go after you regardless." Not that she's sure what kind of things protect the mountain of the gods. Funny enough, as she speaks, the shade's words catch up with her mind, and her eyes go back to Melinoe with both renewed unease and quiet... respect? Fealty? Fear?

"Whatever business you have there. Travel safe. I shouldn't take up any more of your time- maybe I'll see you again, and we can talk about safer places then. Don't worry for me."

nymfernal

❝Why, if it isn't the mysterious Shade. Hail, friend! What sights catch your eye this night, might I ask?❞ Beside the indignity of a premature end and a rising anticipation of facing the Cyclops again, she'd been left with little time to wonder at the wayside Shade. If not exactly a friendly face just yet, the lack of foes present alone is enough to lift the Princess's spirits.

With her vantage point, Rift in full view... no — ships rise and sink too often, and the distance is too great to catch sight of a lone goddess felled by an Anchor, of all things. The Princess of the Dead has conserved her strength more prudently this time, and shall make it further yet, watching eyes or not.

Still, the enigma is too tempting not to tarry a moment. Questions leftover from their first meeting, and the fundamental wrongness of a Shade left to her own devices out on the surface. ❝Last we spoke, you gave mention to 'preparing for the fight of it'... were you a warrior, in your past life? I've met a number of your kind, soldiers and generals alike, who still tell of the great mortal wars they were a part of — perhaps even a familiar face or two.❞

❝You're not the trusting sort, I can tell. But I only mean to help. I'm Melinoë.❞

#warwaited #✧ * · — warwaited / i #✧ * · — ic

in a very chinese time in my life (it’s chinese new year (i’m chinese))

#✧ * · — ooc

apolytia

it almost sounds like @nymfernal's joking with, “how time has flown.”

Time? ❝ King Skellememnon told me once that Lord Chronos has wings. That the expression comes from a literal understanding... ❞

It's the first thing she says. Her thoughts raced, her heart ACHED, and she'd a million-million questions, queries, and curses to unveil before this powerful witch; her beloved (former) babysitter.

But amid her loss-borne sorrow, her elation upon finding her way here, the relief she felt to hear her aunt's voice once more... amid it all! The first thing she has to offer is the precious remnant of a better day. A day not too long ago, and all too far away, where the Crossroads were full, and warm, and alive with the sounds of change and the patter of a princess dancing from joy to joy.

...now? Now, as she stood on shaking legs, leaning against a gate of silver, cold iron, and complicated craft, even that remnant she'd offered felt so far and away from her. It all did... Because She did.

❝ Please forgive the intrusion, my lady... I would have sent word, but - ❞ Not even the ravens and vultures were allowed to visit Aeaea any longer. ❝ - I knew not where else I could turn. Auntie, if I could just have a moment of your time? ❞

nymfernal

'Tis a battle fought for a lifetime ☾ one particular witch's, to be precise ☽ , to suppress the call of rosy recollection where she stands. Time, once cruel as a scythe buried in flesh, retains still its ruthless humour, it would seem. How can it be? — Melinoë all but blinks, only to find the castaway babe grown sturdy and strong, yet no less joyous and wondrous in her warrior's prime.

❝The good king speaks true. Though, the turn of phrase is less a remark on the doings of the Titan of Time, but of my own oversight. Diana, how long has it been?❞

The seasons pass too swiftly; so many moons since she'd journeyed down to the Wild Isle, each she now feels. It is not the effect of age or even the scars which renders the Amazon Princess nigh unrecognisable, but the weight on her brow as she'd yet seen before. Ah. Coward the witch has been in her deliberate avoidance of matters certain to come to pass, and now...

A tilt of her chin dismisses the gathering Shades, leaving the clearing all the dimmer for it, the yawning distance all the tenderer.

❝You are welcome here and safe, Diana. You may come and go as you please, always. More than that, you may ask of my aid whensoever you are in need, that much and more will I do for the daughter of my Sister Witch.❞ A paltry attempt at warmth, so great is the disquiet that turns her gut. Speaking of,

❝Word has reached even the Crossroads of the fate of Aeaea. Diana, ❞ Here is the heart of her regret, already aching before she speaks it. ❝I'm afraid there's little that can be done.❞

#apolytia #✧ * · — apolytia / ii #✧ * · — ic #!!!

cadhla182

Princesses of the Underworld

#she is not immune to strong women with big swords i fear #✧ * · — nightmare bringer / melinoë

underbloods

ZAGREUS HAS NEVER met once hecate, not face to face, before everything had unfolded. if she was queen persephone's house maiden, zagreus does not remember her; the idea unsettles him, as he makes an active commitment to remembering each and every soul crossing upon his path, and yet: hecate was an unknown shadow, an absence around a self, and zagreus cannot parse it. when he thinks about it a moment too long, there's a sharp pain at the nape of his neck, like someone drilling a pick right underneath his cup of his skull.

" i suppose thanks must be extended, then, " zagreus muses, expression shuttering like the click of a camera. " how does she know about slaying of the titans? the best of the warriors in father's domain hardly knows. "

nymfernal

It gives her pause, this level of distrust she mislikes to see in herself — and toward Prince Zagreus, of all people!, so cherished and revered that it is altogether unthinkable until the feeling occurs. But there is little avenue for the reinterpretation of his words, unassuming and pointed all the same.

The shift is subtle: from dismay to defensiveness, Melinoë's hackles raised without so much as a change in demeanour. She keeps cautious distance all the same. Oh, to have to protect her heart from the very one she yearns to open it to. Her brother, the confidante of many a childhood tear, never any less than doting in her nightly imaginings.

❝Headmistress Hecate is a Titan herself, though shares no allegiance to her blood kin should you be wondering.❞ Curt, but more importantly, precise as she ever strives to be.

❝Her power is second only to her age and wisdom. I expect she had good reason to keep her involvement from you in your time.❞ This, she cannot make sound more charitable, testy as the foot they'd started on and childishly sullen.

This, may be downright unkind: ❝And Father, and Mother too.❞ To keep such a secret from their own appointed Security Specialist.

#underbloods #✧ * · — underbloods / ii #✧ * · — ic

how's your portrayal: I think your Mel is absolutely incredible. I'm not saying anything 'new' by putting that there, but it needs to be said. You have this way of holding your pen that brings out smaller details and quirks to Mel's character and her portrayal that /feel/ as if I'm reading a novelization of her story as opposed to an adaptation of the character, know what I mean? It 'feels' effortless, in the same way it feels like you're putting a lot of effort into getting things right.

High recommend. Would follow again if I could.

how's my portrayal?

ugh thank you, this means a lot. i'll be thinking about this for a long, long time.

#✧ * · — ooc #✧ * · — saved #might have said this recently but. thank you for being here 💚💚

musingmeme-blog

beep beep how’s my portrayal ?

#✧ * · — ooc #keeping with mel’s domain of ghosts i guess #the way i’m never here

😪

#✧ * · — ooc #want to try to get back into things but #sigh

sitervlitoy

pestering my big angry woman every chance I get

#✧ * · — ready to break a sweat again? / melnem

itskatieclearly

gangly preteens

#✧ * · — nightmare bringer / melinoë

ximerose

Getting this far alone is impressive. The worst she could do is reject him and perhaps they continue this endless fruitless fight. If it weren't for the ever watching gold eyes, Tanner would just let her pass whenever they ran into each other later. He can only hope these little oases are hidden. Being caught rebelling scares him more than dying permanently does. Though he'd admit he's unclear on if that could even happen with Thanatos' absence. But some shades had already escaped so in theory it was possible for him to.

"Some nights you don't come. I can only assume that means you go battle Typhon." He lifts wings in a shrug. "I would...see you strike him down again but then who knows how long it would be until we meet once more?" There are plenty of other hazards besides him Chronos can throw in her path. Absolute sheer dumb luck lead to this moment - it can't be fate for the three sisters are far far away.

Eyes widen at her acceptance, further still that they're doing this now. What else had he been expecting? Maybe a bit more planning...or something. His heart all but climbs into his throat, equal amounts horrified and thrilled. To finally escape, to see the sky! Even thrashed by storm clouds he imagines it nothing less than beautiful. And perhaps his freedom would let Aether lend a proper hand. In the very recedes of his mind, Tanner must hope the god has been seeking him and only been thwarted by Underworld's darkness.

Tanner suddenly focuses on his hands with a fierce intensity. Fingers spread in a tall cup shape then follow the form almost as one working with clay. Thin strands of watery light trail off his nails, overlapping until the density finally shifts to something corporeal. A poor jug by any crafter's standards but it's solid and has a cap to it so he doesn't hesitate to fill it in the fountain. If that's blasphemous or something, well, they're already in Hades realm.

He looks down at clothes awkwardly, trembling hands carefully tucking the container in belt. Another swallow of clear liquid steadies him again. "You die on the surface...or did. I figure this is what happens when you're somewhere in between. Why it burns, who knows?" He stretches and rolls all joints while he has the chance, sat comfortably on the cool edge. Only a few feathers shed this time. Shaping a pale crossbow is much easier and familiar than a carafe. Tanner holds it pointed down respectfully.

"Melinoë it is then. You have my utmost gratitude for this. I wouldn't have blamed you for killing me on sight, you didn't have to listen to me. Or believe me."

nymfernal

❝I don't think...❞ How swiftly after she speaks does the demigod bottle up the pure waters of the fountain. Oh, what does it matter. The very act they're about to attempt was once as unthinkable as it, defying the very authority of her Father's realm, making themselves caveats out of it. ❝I can't guarantee that the healing magick will work once we leave this chamber, but it is clever of you to think of it.❞

Credit where it is due.

❝Cruelty for cruelty's sake, I expect.❞ He'd said that it was the Titan of Time that kept him alive all these nights — one vicious battle after another, translucent flesh burning and torn asunder, used and discarded and used again. Melinoë'd not thought much of her own role in this Tanner's life, only the single-minded determination to win her way past him each time they met. If it isn't quite regret that wells up presently, it is at least something decidedly uncomfortable in this new light. ❝It's no secret that Chronos enjoys all this torment. I'm only sorry you had the bad luck to find yourself caught up in all of this.❞

Just a boy. Might she have seen him for his circumstances any earlier had she but paid attention? Not to the swinging blade or snarling leap; but to the frayed, singed edges, the look in his eye. Best not fret over what she cannot know.

Still, it is a salve to hear his thanks. She's not without pride. ❝I'd be no better than the Titan if my only impulse was to kill indiscriminately.❞

❝I've seen much of what you can do by now. Though, if you were holding back any other abilities, you might let me know now. It's best we embark knowing what we might expect of each other...❞ This is the true test of faith: more than a tentative ceasefire, more than fighting back to back. In this, the Princess of the Underworld is not entirely freed of hesitation. ❝...and our limits.❞

#ximerose #✧ * · — ximerose / i #✧ * · — ic

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by the light of the moon