i m m o r t a l i t y

Victoria Cartwright underboss, merciless, furious “Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

[ofxhera]

aresfontaine:

In the ranks of Old Olympus, everyone was cut from the same cloth. They were made of steel and fire, their chests swelled with pride at every offering they could get. Dante had long since adapted to their natures, knowing that if he sought affection in the form of intimacy and validation through words, he would have to look elsewhere. His heart had always been a little battered, a little bruised, but taking offensive in Victoria’s words was something that he discovered to be futile. Praise coming from her lips was fleeting and altogether sure to be foreign after his year long absence. Hera was known as the mother of the gods, but he would never call Victoria motherly. Yet, there was a certain comfort in her gaze, one that didn’t hold something malicious or manipulative in them. They often betrayed her fondness for him and even after everything the two of them had gone through apart from each other, there was still something there. For that, he was glad.

The topic of Ben and his involvement in Dante’s supposed death was a touchy one still, causing him to swallow down whatever revulsion he had for the man. That would be a topic for another time and place, he’d get his revenge one way or another, even if it wasn’t by his own hand. He didn’t warrant sympathy from Victoria, but his eyes quickly flashed to hers at the mention of family. Dante held her gaze, even as she insulted him, a humored scoff forced from his lips at her blatant implication. As backhanded as it was, he couldn’t help the smile that it elicited from him. “It may have taken me awhile to figure out who was, maybe what they did caused me to lose some brain cells in the process. I’m not leaving again, I can promise you that.” He swore, still rather amused as he bit back a laugh. “So, you still think I’m pretty, then?”

Still, his expression turned solemn after his teasing, knowing he certainly wouldn’t get away with it.

“What do you need to me do?”

The bedrock of Old Olympus was duty and loyalty. Pretty damn ironic for a woman who had murdered to see it fall into her (well, Luli’s) grasp - but no less true. These were the people who hadn’t abandoned when Syrus raised his banners. These were the ones who had stood the test of time - the rise of the Titans, the swallowing of their Empire. Soon, they would be rewarded. Soon, they would conquer New York and take the other fools for war spoils. But you never knew when soon might be. Just as you never knew when it was the end. That was why his betrayal cut the hardest. (Perhaps harder than any other member. Well, there was no perhaps. It was definite). But it also made his return all the sweeter. He was choosing. “So, you’re not here because you have nowhere left to go?” Old Olympus was not some second choice. And she wouldn’t allow him to believe it was. “You’re here because you want to be?” 

Her seriousness dissipated at his question, Victoria unable to take him seriously with that tone and those sparkly eyes. In another life...perhaps. If those existed. It would have been a simpler one than the one she made for herself here. Less ambition. More peace perhaps. Shaking her head slightly, she forced that silliness out of her mind. If that was the case, then she wouldn’t be Victoria. She’d be some other girl. Probably known as Vicky. This version of the pair of them was far superior. “Oh yes.” Victoria paused for a beat. “Pretty damn stupid.” She smirked. “You wouldn’t see my ass hauled up and captured.” Tapping the side of his head gently, she shook her head once more, seriousness replacing amusement. 

“Why don’t we start with everything I ask of you? First of all, you should probably let people know you’re not rotting six feet under. Do try to rub it in everyone’s faces. And keep it mysterious. I would love for the world to think we’re actually immortal Gods.”

[ofxhera]

lovxr-boy:

Russ opened the door just a crack, popping his head into the penthouse. He flashed a massive smile at Victoria before he entered, his tie hanging loosely from his neck. Seeing her in her wedding dress was a sight Russ would never forget. “Listen, you and I both know that if you planned on running away, you’d do so,” he teased, a gleam in his eyes as he stood directly in front of her. He wanted to hug her, but he didn’t want to mess anything up. “You look… wow…”

At his remarks - both of them - Victoria laughed, distinctive from the haughty chuckle she usually granted. This was genuine - and softer than usual, betraying the heart she pretended didn’t work. At first, Luli had been the only exception. Then it had been Dante. And now it was Russ too. Victoria was determined to make sure the list never expanded. Just as she had been each time before. “I know.” She replied, shrugging cockily. She was literally wearing thousands of dollars. She better damn well look like her namesake. The Goddess of Marriage. It used to be ironic. Until now. “You don’t look too bad either.” Pausing slightly, she took a step closer. “Thank you for agreeing to this. I know you’re not exactly my father.” That asshole didn’t get an invite. He wasn’t even worth gunning down.

[ofxhera]

womankingzeus:

It was so strange, so surreal. It felt almost wrong saying her vows, like she should not have been alive at this point in her life to experience such a milestone. What was next for them? Babies? Joint accounts? A ridiculous life insurance plan? It was frightening, it was exciting. Luli, for once in her pathetic life, was so completely overwhelmed with actual love for her wife. Something that wasn’t supposed to happen to someone like her, after everything she had done, after everything they did to each other. Her dress, as unconventional as it was, paired so well against the pink in Victoria’s one would think they really planned it like that. The softness they reserved for one another was displayed for everyone to see, but for once, Luli didn’t mind. “I sure hope you won’t mind putting up with me.”

This wasn’t just a wedding. This was a coronation. Underground Kings and Queens didn’t get anointed, their chests were not pure enough to bear holy oil and the promises of a God. But they were their own deities, wearing crowns bold despite their invisibility. For Victoria, it felt like inevitability - the culmination of everything in her life up until this moment. The pain, the sacrifice, the darkest of deeds...this justified them all. Selfishly speaking, of course. But hey - she was a mobster. No one ever said kindness was part of the package. Shuffling across the dance floor, Victoria had eyes only for Luli. One last private moment before hell broke loose. “Oh, I dare say I’ll manage.” She teased gently, leaning in to press a kiss on her cheek. “Our life together is going to be one for the history books.” Then, quite seriously. “Thank you.”

[netflixdefenders]

Élodie Yung  styled by Thomas Christos Kikis photographed by Maarten de Boer

[ofxhera]

LOCATION: Penthouse Suite DATE: February 14th (before the vows) STATUS: Closed @lovxr-boy

Restless, Victoria paced up and down the room, unable to settle. Her nerves weren’t caused by the upcoming ceremony. That, she knew, would go seamlessly, down to the minute detail. It was what came after that made her fret, ever so slightly. It could be their biggest payoff yet. Or it could be a grave mistake. Thought cut off by a knock at the door, she collected herself. “Come in.” An icy portrait, she allowed herself to relax ever so slightly for Russ. “Hey hot stuff. Ready to make sure I don’t runaway?”

[elegancia-moda]

Zuhair Murad Fall 2018 Bridal

[ofxhera]

LOCATION: The Metropolitan Museum of Art DATE: February 14th (after the shootings) STATUS: Closed @narcissuslies

It had gone off without a hitch. Well, nearly. But today, Victoria would take that a a win - and relish in it. To be sure, she had envisioned more opposing gang members to be fatally wounded - and higher ranking ones at that - but the attack had its desired effect. Everyone knew that the King and Queen of Old Olympus were done with playing. They were here to sweep the board, no matter the cost. Smirking with satisfaction, Victoria departed from the ballroom, intent on reuniting with Luli and celebrating the night the way it deserved to be. Detouring down a corridor, she was more than frustrated when an unexpected - and unwanted - face popped up in front of her. Ugh. Although she forced herself to be civil, her tone couldn’t help but be clipped. “You have terrible timing. What do you want?”

[ofxhera]

LOCATION: Penthouse Suite DATE: February 14th (morning, before the vows) STATUS: Closed @aresfontaine

Dressed in white, head to toe, Victoria smoothed out a crease in her dress, hands anxious to have something to do. Thus far, everything had gone to plan. The ceremony would be executed without a hitch. And the reception...well, everything had been seen to there as well. The appropriate people had been informed. Tonight, Old Olympus would assert themselves as the victors in this struggle. It was the beginning of the end. Absorbed in her thoughts, Victoria nearly missed the light rap of knuckles against the door. It was either Russ or Dante. Either way, they could come in. “Enter.” Good, my voice is steady. This is no time for weakness. Pivoting in her gown, her normally stern expression softened slightly. “You clean up pretty good for a dead guy.”

[ofxhera]

LOCATION: The Metropolitan Museum of Art DATE: February 14th (before the shootings) STATUS: Closed @womankingzeus 

Please welcome Mrs and Mrs Cartwright-Zhao to the dancefloor for their first dance as a married couple! Rising from the table to applause (some, Victoria noted, was rather muted, but today that couldn’t bother her), Victoria fell into hold with her wife. Wife. Wife. It had happened. Among the cheating and the doubts and...well, everything fucking else, it had happened. They were married. And soon, the pair would give each other the greatest gift of all. Hopefully, her dress wouldn’t get too stained in the chaos. Swaying in time with the music , Victoria smiled, leaning in so that no one else would hear their words. “I think I’m going to rather like being married.”

[ofxhera]

look i am v v terrible and yes we can all agree that but i am determined not to be a terrible person and reform myself. therefore, if you would like to write with hera, before, during or after the wedding (we can specify which!!) please like this post and i will write you a starter!

additionally, unless we discuss this, i’m going to be dropping all old threads.

[ofxhera]

hiatus - 29/12/2017 - 05/01/2018

to do list:

HERA:

Russ

HYPERION:

Ryan

Ben

CAERUS:

Elias Starter

Fel Starter

Luli Starter

Froggy reply

[ofxhera]

hephcvstus:

etna weaponry open

One of the most difficult parts of the month had finally arrived, and Henry wished it could wait another day — but alas, dusting couldn’t be ignored when the flecks danced in the sunlight and threatened sneezes. 

Moving about the shop with a duster in hand wasn’t the most threatening appearance, and though they wouldn’t want to dissuade genuine customers, they did have to work harder than most others to be taken seriously. Reaching for the top shelf on their tip toes — and failing more than once due to adjusting their stance on the prosthetic — wasn’t the best approach. 

Still, cleanliness was important, and it had to be done. Their father had done this type of work beforehand, and they would follow his footsteps, no matter if it was meager work. Though there was nothing to be said about a few sighs slipping through their lips every ten minutes or so. 

But then, a flicker of a shadow snatched their attention, and Henry stepped from the corner of the room, clucking their tongue with almost every step. 

“Oh c’mon, you know better than to do that here.”

Weapons. Such important tools, so necessary to building an empire from the ground up. After all, what point were assets if you couldn’t protect them, or wipe out the opposing sides? Unfortunately, there was only one recognised dealer across both strands of Olympus - to whom Victoria barely concealed her disdain. She never could quite decide what it was about them, whether it was their relative youth, how they failed to pick a side - or something else - but she never could warm to Henry. Usually, she sent someone else to do her bidding, but today’s expenditure required confidentiality. 

At their comment, she cocked an eyebrow, chewing her lips and trying to rein her sharpness in. Still, playing nice had never been one of her strong suits. “What, shopping?” True, her fingers had been inching closer to the shelf, but she was no thief. She could afford her stock, especially with their recent boon. “Forgive me, I assumed that was what you were here for?” A little sharp - but nothing she hadn’t expressed towards them at all.

“I can come back later, if you’re uh - “ Her eyes flicked to the duster in their hands, lips coiled with amusement “- Busy?”

[ofxhera]

womankingzeus:

“Could we be anything else?” The question was poised mostly to herself. Luli was made for crime life, that was her destiny but Victoria most definitely could’ve done anything else with her life. But Luli wasn’t going to apologize for dragging her to hell like this, she was selfish like that and wanted her queen right alongside her. So at the sound of her sweet little ultimatum, Luli sighed to herself. She knew that. But she’d be damned to let anyone else snatch Victoria up; mostly because whoever had her would be running a more successful gang or industry and she was competitive to say the least. “Believe me, I’m aware. But I won’t let you get away that easily.” Her possessive hand reached into Victoria’s hair, pushing her to move her hand as they kissed before raising an eyebrow as she pulled away. Of course, it was only fair with their marriage coming up to plan the next big move together. 

But Luli never played fairly. This time? She might have to.

“Our next move,” she started, tilting the other woman’s head from the grip in her hair. “Is our w e d d i n g. From there… well.” She leaned up, bit her bottom lip and shrugged. “Anything for my Queen.”

I won’t let you get away that easily. Those were the words Victoria had always longed to hear drip from Luli’s lips, craving both the affection and commitment it hinted at. She might wear a rock on her finger, but the truth was, she could never feel completely secure, not until now at least. Now, she felt at peace. The world might feel her turbulence, but never her. It had been that way from the beginning, Luli the exception to every rule Victoria had written. The only one who could claim her heart, the only one she would kill for, the only one she would create for. Others might be party to Luli’s flesh (and god only knew, Victoria gave hers to a rare few) - but no one could ever have all of her, not like she did. The strength of her heart, the brilliance of her mind, the tenacity of her bones. In return, Victoria would give her all but one thing. A secret. A truth. Luli would never know the cost Victoria paid for her coronation. Nor would she ever. “And what will you do to me if I run? Will you...punish me?” Flames danced in her eyes as she deepened their kiss, greedy for more.

Wedding. 

Fuck, she was hornier than ever. Hungry, Victoria dug further, carefully moving to straddle her fiance, arms scooping her love. “Well you know what they say about weddings.” Something dangerous flashed in her eyes, a reckoning promised. “They have a tendency to bring people together. Perhaps that’s what we need...to consolidate our lead.”

[ofxhera]

narcissuslies:

LOCATION: A Mt. Olympus Hotel Room AVAILIBILITY: Closed @ofxhera

Rhysand knows for a fact that the ceiling mirror was his idea. It’s ingenious, and Victoria only installed it after their second dalliance together, so it makes sense that he was the reason for it. Granted, he can’t recall the actual moment when he suggested the idea, nor does he count of Victoria giving him credit. But obviously he’s the only one clever enough to come up with this. It never occurs to him that perhaps Victoria’s vanity might rival his, or that she might have a sidepiece that’s more attractive than him ( ha, as if ). All he knows for certain is that there no greater sight than his own reflection, with his face aglow with pleasure and his dark locks splayed magnificently across his forehead. He’s a Renaissance painting come to life, the man Michelangelo sought after in that block of marble. As the great Shawn Carter put it, If Picasso was alive, he would’ve have made her—er, made him ( no disrespect to Queen Bey ).

Victoria was so lucky, but Rhysand knew better than to vocalize that thought. He was not wise enough to fear her like most of her other underlings did, but he was smart enough to know what not to say in her presence. ❝ When does does the fiancée get back? ❞ he murmured into the silk pillow sheets. He was admittedly worn out, but in a good way, and knew he’d be back at it again soon enough. And he would be lying if he didn’t say he loved the thrill that came with sneaking behind Luli’s back, knowing that any second they could get caught. But actually getting caught was off the table. If there was a chance she’d join them, that’d be another matter. But Rhysand doubted that’d scenario would ever occur outside of his sordid dreams. ❝ Should I be offended that I still haven’t gotten a wedding invitation? ❞ he joked, lazily stretching out his left arm in search of a lighter and a cigarette. 

Pretty boys were always such a nuisance, this one more than any other she had ever met. Victoria had spent much of her life (too much, she sometimes reflected) surrounded by men with egos as large as his - whether it was generated by wealth, beauty or a hyper-inflated unfounded ego. Where they once would have scraped against her edges, serving as a thorn in her side, she had long learnt to breezily waft them away. If she wanted to shut Narcissus up, she simply used her own tongue. Not for speaking, however. From the start, he had been little more than a vanity project of her own, a tug-along to keep Luli in her place, to mask a facade of indifference. Luli would have her lovers - and Victoria would have her own. Narcissus, haughty and proud, picky about what he considered desirable enough to fuck, had been a project. Whether it was beauty, authority or power - she had won him over.

Her lips curl with amusement, a vixen with its plaything. “Why? You planning on sneaking out like a shamed school boy?” She could have pointed out the obvious - that it doesn’t matter when Luli returns, because this isn’t their penthouse suite. (He would, she knows, die to fuck there - upon the King’s throne). But she likes him pleased and satisfied, a cat lapping up the cream. “Funny. There’s still an opening for flower girl. You’d be adorable with a little basket.” Slyly, her gaze averts to the rock across the room, the diamond lying on a dresser. She wishes she could keep it on whilst someone else is fucking her. With Luli, she wishes so many things, half of which will never come true. Never a dreamer, always a reality, she keeps within the bounds. Slender fingers trace the outline of his abs, a leg coiled around his, skin enflamed. What a fucking work of art. Asshole. Greedy fingers grab the cylinder in his hand, inhaling the poison into her lungs. “You know these age you prematurely, right?” Two can tease.

[ofxhera]

womankingzeus:

“Maybe we should buy Kraft. They make billions with how many cigarettes they sell.” She was only being half-sarcastic. Maybe that could be her wedding gift to Victoria, a joint business venture. As woman and wife. Luli watched in amusement at Victoria’s little display, possessively grabbing said hand to place a kiss on her ring. “And yet here you are, all mine.” She knew that was what Victoria wanted to hear but also, what else would this be about? It started off as a game to show off and now as the date approached closer, it was less of a game and more of a salvation. Huh, being shot really did open her eyes. Maybe that was Victoria’s plan all along. “Oh yeah?” She leaned up to meet her, tugging Vic closer towards her. “And what exactly is that?”

"And we’d still be immoral criminals. I love it.” It was hard to imagine the pair of them as anything else than dwellers of the dark, creatures of the shadow, those destined to spend their lives in the underbelly of New York. After all, that had been part of Luli’s appeal, all those years ago. She had been the rich heiress on her way to running a fortune500, Luli had been the King-in-the-wings, waving a ticket to freedom. The sex had definitely helped. All the way, she had fallen in love with them both - but the lifestyle and Luli were now inseparable. Inhaling for a final time, Victoria stubbed the cigarette in the glass that lay to her side, second hand now moving to settle on Luli’s leg, tracing absentminded patterns. If Luli played her cards right, it would soon be somewhere else. “And you’d better treat me nicely. Else I’ll find someone else to share my ambitions with.” Behind her teasing lay a dark ultimatum. This was a city big enough for more than one top dog. Factions were fractioned these days. It was the trend. Victoria didn’t bother to resist Luli’s grasp, arching her torso closer. When they kissed, her lips tasted like ash. Like death.

How poetic.

Licking the rim with her tongue, Victoria pulled away, mere inches away, her breath heavy, loaded with expectant desire. “Our next move, of course.”

After the dock, it would never be your again. Victoria liked pie. She liked a bigger slice of it more.

[ofxhera]

aresfontaine:

No one could ever mistaken Victoria for soft, people often thought her to be cruel and calculating, but Dante knew the truth. While the intimacy of physical touch was not something that they often delved into, he thought he knew her better than most. In truth, he was one of the few people in her life that would occasionally see a genuine smile cross her features and perhaps one of her closest friends. If anything, he was counting on that foundation of mutual trust and their memories to elicit some sort of forgiveness from her. She, after all, was the closest thing to home, despite her cold exterior, and if he didn’t have her, then he would have nothing else. As she moved towards him, he stood frozen in the doorway, as though holding his breath.

His practiced eye could see it coming from a mile away, her hand lifting to strike him with brute force, but he did nothing to prevent it. Even as his cheek burned red-hot from the blow, the corners of his lips twisted up into a grin.

After all this time, they still speak the same language.

“You killing me is still a better honor than to die by Ben’s hand.” He replied, amusement along with bitterness riddling his words. Still, he stalled, slightly unsure of how to answer her question without seeming pitiful. “I wasn’t basking in the sun in Bali, no. I was trying to find my mom.” His tone wavered at the last sentence, shoulders sagging in defeat as his smile slipped away into something desolate. “It wasn’t worth my time or effort.”

In this world, there were only three people Victoria considered truly indispensable (not including herself, naturally). The first was the woman she had pledged to marry, the other half of her soul. And the second? The second was Eros. And the third? That was the motherfucking tool in front of her. Luli might scratch her heart whenever she strayed, but Victoria had only known true heartbreak when Dante had fallen at the hands of the enemy. Not him, she had whispered when she found out, he would never turn his back on us like this. As it turned out, she had been right. But as much as she wanted to welcome him back, for them to pull up a stool and open a bottle of whiskey like old times, she couldn’t. It had been too long. Too much had happened. She had to make him suffer a bit first. He could never know how much she cared. No one ever could.

“At least I’d finish the job. God, Harvey should have put him and that doe-eyed thief girlfriend of his down.” In that moment, she couldn’t have been more grateful for Ben’s incompetence if she had tried. Guess running with the big dogs hadn’t done wonders for his talent after all. At his confession about his mother, she nearly hesitated, almost faltered. Half of her wanted to ask about the solemn expression that had fallen upon his face, pry into what had happened and help him heal. But she was no nurse - she was a soldier, a general at that - and you couldn’t burden yourself with the plights of others. So she remained harsh. “I could have told you that already. Did it really take you a year to figure out she wasn’t your family?” I’m your family, she might have said - and indeed, the words were laced between the lines, remaining unspoken. “Guess you really are just a pretty face.”

Knife, dagger, cut. Had he endured enough?

“I hope you can still fire a gun. If you hadn’t noticed, we’re winning. I intend to keep it that way. So if you’re back, you may as well work.” 

Again, what went unspoken said the most. 

At my side.

[ofxhera]

womankingzeus:

“So do the drugs we push.” She quipped back, taking another, dramatic, drag. Victoria was irritated, and Luli couldn’t blame her. She really was living up to her patron, whiny and pathetic. But what more could she do when she was still recovering like this? Luli had been shot at before, but she never tasted death like this. She was pissed off at Victoria at first, sure. But it wasn’t like Luli could just stay mad for long. She deserved it anyways. Now, she felt like a useless king, too lethargic to get up and rally up the troops. She allowed Victoria to snatch away the cigarette from her, rolling her eyes at her comment. “Ever so sorry, dear. I’ll try to be more appealing.” She was in a funk, but it was a bad look on her. She knew she needed to get over whatever it was she was feeling, but god who was she if she didn’t sulk?

When they were good, they were great. It showed in the way Luli’s legs moved for her, how she adjusted herself to allow Victoria in. A year ago, they weren’t like this. Progress? She supposed.

“I’m trying.” She sighed in exasperation, not towards Victoria, but her own self. “But nothing is working.” 

“At least we make a tidy profit.” Victoria added tartly, inhaling the poison into her lungs. Everything, it seemed, would kill you, sooner or later. There were the slow deaths, terminal diseases that left you bedbound or addiction, its claws slowly digging deeper. And then there were the fast deaths - a strike of lightening, the smoke of a gun, the impact of a car. You ask her? She’d prefer to go out blazing - crumbling the world as she did. At least she gave Cronus that mercy. If you could call it such a thing. “You should. I’m a catch. Do you know how many people would die to put a rock on my finger?” As if to illustrate her point, Victoria flashed her diamond at her beloved, angling the cigarette in her direction so that she could take a puff. What’s yours is mine, sweetheart. Dangerous words, something deep flashed inside of her - almost goading Luli to respond. Show me, show me that you care. They say that green-eyed monsters can kill, but Victoria had always felt beloved by them. “I mean, a gunshot wound isn’t something you walk off. But maybe something else will take the edge off.” Seductive, Victoria raised her voice an octave, daring her to ask.