#jupiter goodson

[peeta-mellarks-smile]

Green Ember thoughts. Spoilers under the cut because this is stuff I wouldn't have wanted to be spoiled on. :D

...No because what do you mean his name is Jupiter Smalls? What do you mean, sir?? That the name of the true heir of the good king, who will take the throne and set everything to rights, is his gloried father's name followed by a physical descriptor that usually denotes inferiority???

Jupiter is a Latin name, derived from Dyēws, which in itself is derived from Zeus, and pater, which means father. Zeus means "sky" or "shine". Sky father. Heavenly father. King Jupiter Goodson and his son are heroes that obviously point to God the Father and God the Son, who are of course both Persons of the same God, so that makes sense. Jupiter is the king of the sky, and even though he's usually associated with pagan myths, all myths and stories point to the one true King anyway, and so there's this idea that Jupiter the planet represents God the king; the joyful, sacrificial priest-king who comes to make all things right and new again. (It's been theorized that this is the idea that C.S. Lewis built The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe around. Planet Narnia by Michael Ward is a great read if you're intrigued.) So that's great.

But then you have Smalls, and oh my goodness oh my goodness hold me because this is where it really gets crazy. Smalls is called Smalls because he's, well, small. He always has been. He's older than he looks, more than he looks, and that alone is in itself pointing to Christ, but!! The mere fact that he has this small stature that offsets a person's expectation of him and makes him seem lesser than he really is also pointing to the prophecies about Christ!!!

For he grew up before him like a young plant,     and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,     and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men,     a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces     he was despised, and we esteemed him not. --Isaiah 53:2-3, ESV

Smalls is small. He's not grand in stature or form. Jesus wasn't much to look at, either. And as he emptied himself of all his glory (Phil. 2:5-8) to come to earth in the same way we all do, as a tiny zygote who grew into a tiny baby, Jesus made himself small.

Jupiter Smalls. The Heavenly Father made small. The king, come again. For us. To be with us.

I'm gonna go cry over how good God is.

[the-chaotic-christian]

Ember's Blood: Prologue Part 3

“Anything the Bleaks do is suspicious.” Wilfred sighs. “Always has been. But there’s been no attacks, and Victor hasn’t mentioned any raids. Terralain is quiet. Even the Hollow has settled, at least for now. It’s not worth stirring up trouble, Jupiter.”

“I know.” Jupiter nods. “Yet……I can’t shake it. This feeling that something’s about to go wrong.”

Wilfred ignores his gut reaction of agreement. Instead, he exhales softly and turns to gaze out over the city, which, even this late, is still glowing warmly with nightlife. “We’ve been at war a long time, Jupiter. You and I since we were fourteen. I wouldn’t expect those instincts to go away any time soon. Or ever.”

“I know……but this is on a different level. I can’t sleep, and when I do…….it’s strange dreams. Very strange dreams.”

“Like the ones that came before you chose an heir?”

“Worse. Fire and blood. That’s what they’re full of. Fire and blood.” Jupiter stills, gazing out at Merle again.

Wilfred doesn’t have a response to that. He’s heard some of the other Visionaries say that they’re seeing the same thing. We haven’t had an en mass Seeing in decades, Wilfred thinks, If Fay is trying to tell us something, why can’t she do it plainly? Maybe it isn’t her, though. Maybe it’s something else entirely……

“You’re having them too, aren’t you.” Jupiter says quietly.

Wilfred nods. “True Blue,” He begins at last, “That’s the only thing I can think of. It must have something to do with True Blue.”

Jupiter shakes his head, shifting. “It can’t be. We know…..well we know next to nothing about it. Just old children’s tales and The Hollow’s ramblings.”

“It’s dangerous.” Wilfred insists.

“Why do you think that?”

“Why don’t you?”

“Because I, unlike you, am not afraid of the unknown.” Jupiter’s tone heats, fist slamming onto the railing in passion.

First Flower always sets him off, Wilfred observes. “And that is why one of us is the voice of common sense, and it’s not you.” Wilfred replies flatly. “Think about it, Jupiter. A strange plant that’s been missing for who knows how long suddenly resurfaces only for several of our scientists to mysteriously die while working with it? That sounds sinister.”

“You sound superstitious.”

“And you sound arrogant.” Wilfred snaps. “Bad things happen around the plant, Jupiter, you can’t deny that. Who says it can’t mess with our seers and visionaries too?”

Jupiter looks away, tense and irritated. He hates being called arrogant. He doesn’t want to be like his brother, Wilfred sighs. Regardless, Jupiter’s pride is getting in his way here, and he doesn’t like admitting he’s wrong. He never has.

“I don’t think it’s the plant.” Jupiter says quietly. “I…..think it’s more than that. It’s why I can’t stop thinking about what will happen if I die.”

“Sounds like you need a talk with Maggie.” Wilfred remarks. “If you’re spending all of your time thinking about death.”

“Hilarious.” Jupiter replies dryly, “And no. What I need is to make sure my affairs are in order. My heir is the most important part of that.” “A three-year-old heir is hardly going to do the country any favors if you suddenly drop dead on us.” Wilfred replies.

Jupiter shrugs. “Having one is better than not.”

True. But why is he so concerned?

“I’m leaving tomorrow to join the army.” Jupiter says tiredly. “Maybe then the Hollowers will rally to help fight off these raiding bands. It’s becoming a bigger problem than we anticipated, and the Hollowers are just sitting there.”

“You don’t want to send Whittel up there?”

“Not after Sween just gave birth. Hardly seems fair, does it?” Wilfred shrugs. “Send Garten then.” It’ll get him to shut up for five minutes.

Jupiter shakes his head. “I’m taking him with me. But I’m going.” Still trying to win the Hollowers loyalty, Wilfred thinks, I doubt it will ever happen.

“Alright.” Wilfred says at last. “See you in a couple of weeks.”

Jupiter nods. He heads for the door. Then he pauses, turning back to Wilfred with a strange, pensive expression. “Everything’s going to be okay, Wilfred. You’ll see.” He says, an almost excited tone to his voice. Wilfred gazes at him, puzzled. Right now, Jupiter seems much less of the powerful, wise king he is and much more the wonder-struck dreaming kid Wilfred’s known since childhood. Like the kid Wilfred used to protect from bullies on the playground, the kid who brought frogs to school and put firecrackers in the teachers’ desks. The kid who spent more time with his head in the clouds than his head in his studies.

Slowly, Wilfred asks, “What will be okay, Jupe?”

“You’ll see.” Jupiter repeats. “First Flower isn’t the problem, Wilfred, it’s the solution.” And he leaves without saying another word, and Wilfred stands there, one hand on the balustrade, holding an empty coffee mug.

[meadow-roses]

After hot words were said and no peaceable solution managed, Prince Bleston left the First Warren…

One thing that really saddens me is broken families- like the brothers who have a disagreement and are never able to reconcile. One of the stories I was working on a while back included this aspect, the younger brother died before they could reach reconciliation and the older continued the feud with his nephew. My favorite part of having that thread in the story was when the two brother’s sons became best friends. They overcame their fathers’ quarrel and became the brothers their fathers should have been. They’re cousins again and that old wound is mended.

[bear-the-flame]

Jupiter: So, how'd you convince them all of them to betray me? What'd you offer?

Garten: I asked them if they wanted to embarrass you, and they instantly said yes.

[the-chaotic-christian]

Ember's Blood: Prologue, Part 1

Wilfred leans against the balustrade of the balcony, mug of black coffee in his hand. He swirls it absently, gazing out at the palace grounds. They’re mostly empty, considering how late it is. Only a few guards stand at the two exit points Wilfred can see, lounging against the wall and looking in a right state to nod off on duty. The soldier in Wilfred twitches at that, hand tightening slightly around his cup. Somehow……four years of peace and he still can’t shake the foreboding feeling that sits in his stomach, a constant reminder of how much of his life he’s spent on edge. Which is fair, considering what a trouble magnet his best friend is.

He recognizes Jupiter’s footsteps in the hallway outside Wilfred’s office. Wilfred shakes his head, glancing up at the clear, starry sky. Jupiter would never have made it as an assassin, Wilfred muses, sipping his coffee. First of all, his conscience would never allow him. Second, he would trip in the dark and clomp around so loudly he would have the entire army on him in minutes.

“Wilfred?” Jupiter calls from inside.

“Balcony.” Wilfred replies. Jupiter nosily makes his way towards the door. Wilfred thinks he hears him curse the dark. It’s amusing. He comes out and immediately blurts, “Wilfred, I need you to promise me something.”

“I don’t know, Jupiter, I’ve made you a lot of promises.” Wilfred says good-naturedly, taking a sip of his coffee. And wondering what it’ll be this time. Jupiter’s absurd requests and ideas have certainly decreased the older he’s gotten, but……there’s always something. Jupiter always has something up his sleeve, and Wilfred either must make it work or talk him out of it before someone ends up in the hospital. Again.

“This is different.”

[the-chaotic-christian]

Ember's Blood: Prologue Part 2

Wilfred’s eyebrows draw together, and he turns. Jupiter looks like he hasn’t slept in a week, blood-shot eyes and a pale complexion evidence enough. He’s pacing, a sure-fire sign that something is bothering him. His face is scrunched in concern and concentration, and he frowns.

“Everything is about to change.” He continues, stopping at the balcony and drumming his fingers along the railing, gazing out past the gardens and towards Lake Merle. Mist covers the islands in the center, and Wilfred eyes it warily. It’s superstition, he knows, but the old tales have some truth to them, and he doesn’t trust Merle. “I don’t know how or when, but something is changing. I can sense it in the wind.”

Wilfred pauses.

“You’ve felt it too.” Jupiter states, glancing over at his friend, some strange hint of his I-told-you-so tone in his voice. But it’s more ominous.

“I have.” Wilfred agrees, mind flashing to the strange dreams he’s been having lately, dreams of fire and blood, violence. He’s written many of them off as visions from his childhood, but that doesn’t feel quite right. There’s something more going on. It’s why he’s felt so….off lately. “But it’s foggy. It feels far off.”

Jupiter shakes his head, posture tensing. “I don’t know. I don’t know. That’s what’s bothering me, the fact that I can’t figure it out.” He grips the railing, glaring down at his hands.

“Some things remain mysteries even to kings.” Wilfred remarks, yawning. He glances down at the coffee mug, finding it upsettingly empty.

“No!” Jupiter retorts forcefully, turning on Wilfred. “This-this is different. I can tell.”

“In what way?” Wilfred asks calmly. (He’s always been the voice of reason, that’s certainly never changed)

Jupiter ignores Wilfred’s question, steamrolling right through. “If something happens to me, I need you to promise you’ll protect my son and heir.”

Wilfred sighs. They’ve been over this a million times. “Jupiter, as much as I understand your concern, you’re being dramatic. You are the king of the most powerful state in six thousand miles. The likelihood of something happening to you is extremely low.”

“Dramatic?” Jupiter scoffs, “Me?”

Wilfred rolls his eyes. “Yes. And we’ve had this conversation at least three times this week alone. You’ve already named me the Chief Protector, there’s no need for this. If you need more reassurance, just go look at your army.” Wilfred shoots a disapproving look at the on-duty guards, one of whom is definitely now asleep. “Just maybe not the palace soldiers.”

Jupiter glances down, lets out a long sigh, and rubs his face. “The army’s north near the Hollow.” He mutters through his hands, leaning his elbows on the balustrade.

“My point stands.” Wilfred argues, setting his mug on the railing with a soft plink, “Natalia is secure, save for those who choose not to be. You have nothing to be concerned about. Morbin’s been silent for years.”

Jupiter looks back at him, exhaustion and frustration settling on his face. “And that’s not suspicious?”

[the-chaotic-christian]

Here, Have Some Green Ember Memes

Featuring my OC, Evan! For context, he's Smalls immediate older brother (they're irish twins).

Smalls: Can you cut me some slack, Heather? I’m sort of in love. Heather: I’m sorry, but that’s really not my problem. Smalls: I’m in love with you. Heather: *blushes* Oh. That brings me in the loop a little.

Naylen: Time for plan G. Kylen: Don’t you mean plan B? Naylen: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties. Kylen: What about plan D? Naylen: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago. Kylen: What about plan E? Naylen: I’m hoping not to use it. Smalls dies in plan E. Kylen: I like plan E. Smalls: I'm right here.

Kylen: No, this is not a mess. You know what I consider a mess? Naylen: Your life? Kylen: I- well yes, but-

Bleston: LOWERCASE LETTERS ARE FOR THE LOWER CLA--! Ian: And here we have a capitalist. Oh look another OC- Jupiter: Did you just- Wilfred: Let us all take a moment to appreciate that all of human history, human language, and the universe itself aligned to make this joke possible.

Evan: Change is inedible. Smalls: .......Don’t you mean inevitable? Evan, spitting out a bunch of pennies: No, I really didn’t.

Frye: Don’t go picking a fight with me. I could make your life difficult. Smalls, sarcastically: Wow. I wonder what it’d be like to have a difficult life.

Evan: All right, Smalls, that’s it, you’re grounded! I found a rap album hiding under your bed and it was the clean version. I didn’t raise you to be such a nerd! Smalls: I’m not even your kid-

Wilfred: So Evan and Smalls. Wilfred: According to this, you two are being accused of: Armed Robbery, Vandalism, Alcohol Abuse, Grand Theft… Evan: We had a bad day. Wilfred: And… MURDER?! Smalls: It was a pretty bad day…

[meadow-roses]

Perkin doesn’t want to live off the dew of the universe he just wants a nice salad. :(