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Serial overthinker, sometimes writer

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

I adore the underworld saga! It's really just so beautifully written. I love the themes of grief throughout. I especially love the song the underworld. That final "all I hear are screams" is so powerful. I'm not sure if my interpretation is correct or unique but I see it as a reflection of the guilt Odysseus feels. Throughout the song you don't actually hear any screaming, not like in the Cyclops saga.

The interaction with the crew that died sounds more like a repetition of what Poseidon was saying in Ruthlessness. It doesn't actually feel like something his men would say. The two other interactions you do see are calm, peaceful. Heart wrenching yes, but not tortured agony. The agony is Odysseus' only and the screams are his own conscience.

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

Has anyone else had that feeling when you have more than 50 open tabs on greek mythology and the history of Mycenaean Greece, and while all of it is interesting, you still can't find what you're looking for, and you keep getting sucked down endless rabbit holes that lead to more questions you can't find answers to? So you get really frustrated?

Just me?

What a nerd 😆

[wolfythewitch]

Old doodle of them based on this template I found lmao

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

Check out the latest chapter of my fanfic series here on ao3. The main pairing is Diomedes/Odysseus. Below is a snippet 🐍

Was this what Athena had warned him about? The weakness that came from loving someone? That you'd kill for them and cover it up? That the idea of their inevitable death would surely drive you insane?

Would Diomedes have chosen differently if he knew this was the path he was walking? What a cruel question. Because even when Athena had warned him, nearly a month ago, he'd already been at the doorstep of this moment. He just hadn't been brave enough to look up and see where he was. Hopelessly in love with a fellow fool.

Now he had to watch that fool attempt to defy the fates. Diomedes' stomach twisted painfully and he almost screamed as he was forced to watch. 

Another damned prophecy. The first Achaean leader to step on Trojan soil would die first upon it. What was Odysseus thinking? Did he think Athena's grace would protect him against such a thing? Surely not. Yet, he'd lept from the prow of his ship like a man possessed with the courage of Ares, spurring the rest of them to do the same. 

[dootznbootz]

Why is one of Odysseus' epithets "Godlike"? Epithets usually say something about the person. But Godlike is so... vague??? I mean most other epithets lets you know about the person.

"Swift-footed"? Fast as fuck. Eat their dust, slowpoke.

"Loud of Warcry"? Can speak at max volume. Who needs a fire alarm when you have this guy?

"Breaker of Horses"? Horse girl™

But what about Odysseus specifically makes him godlike??? While he is a descendant of Hermes, he is not a demigod like, for example, Achilles. He's a favorite of Athena but he's not the only person favored by a god.

Is it because he's "as wise as Zeus"? Is it because he's a pretty boy with hair like hyacinths in full bloom and fine thighs? Is it because he's unpredictable af in everything other than his family?

Idk I just think it's neat to think about.

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

So, I was listening to "Just a Man" for probably the thousandth time, as one does, and I was vibing to the ensemble near the end when I remembered one of Jay's recent videos explaining them. That the ensembles were real characters when only human characters are present and that the gods do whatever they want and make their own ensembles.

So does that mean in "Just a Man" it's real soldiers echoing Odysseus' "when does a comet become a meteor...."? Like they're there laying waste to Troy in the background and having these same feelings? Or is Zeus still there in the room with Odysseus as he has a mental crisis, and he's just like "well time to amp up the drama and tension! Can't let this moment go to waste!"?

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

Madeline Miller is a real powerhouse. Just read her two short stories "Galatea" and "Heracles Bow". They're both so good! How is she able to capture so much emotion and plot in such short works? Fangirling a bit.

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

Here's a snippet from the latest chapter of my longer fic on AO3

Of Snakes and Men: Chapter 18

The sea was infuriatingly calm, a steady wind filling the sails and clear, sparkling waters as far as the eye could see. Odysseus would have preferred a hurricane. A great storm to scream and rage into as Dio had suggested. Howling wind, driving rain, so that the beast in his lungs could rip from his chest and finally be free.

He paced wildly up and down the length of the ship, snapping orders and growing more and more foul with each worried look his crew gave him. These men knew him and his tempers, a fact that made him feel more wrathful.

"You can scream, you know? We understand." His childhood friend, Polites had always been braver than most in the face of Odysseus' wrath. 

"Do you?" Odysseus didn't even try to keep the bite and venom from his voice. Polites was remarkably unphased and continued to give his most empathetic puppy dog eyes. They were usually a source of great comfort, but today Odysseus wanted to rip them out.

"Or you could hit something. Always works for me," Eurylochus supplied with false nonchalance, now that Polites had started this conversation. 

Odysseus glared at them both. He knew they meant well but in that moment he wanted them both to hurt as much as he was. "Are you volunteering to be that something, Eurylochus?" He growled. His second in command admirably began removing his weapons, preparing to spar, barely phased by his ire. 

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

Here's just a little drabble I wrote on AO3 inspired by the Ocean Saga. I shamelessly stole lyrics from a few songs. Below is just a snippet.

The Monsters We Become

Here he was at last, on his knees, head bowed like a supplicant. The grains of sand digging into the palms of his shaking hands felt like absolution. Home. Finally.

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited for the Circe Saga! Literally crying right now 😭😭😭 this is going to be the best Valentine's ever!

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

So, for months without fail, whenever this dog sees me on the way to work they run to greet me, tail wagging, the happiest look on their adorable face. It's always the best start to the day. But, today, they completely ignored me 😭 so heartbroken 😞

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

So my friend keeps telling me to promote my fic here and I've finally worked up the nerve to do that. Pairing is Odysseus/Diomedes and it can be found on ao3.

Of Snakes and Men

The Trojan war promises to be long and drawn out. Before it even starts, heroic Diomedes finds a diversion in the cunning and mysterious Odysseus. What starts as an unlikely friendship becomes a port in the storm of a great war.

[wolfythewitch]

something something green knight au

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

So beautiful!

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

So, a lot of people hate on Troy (the movie), which is more than fair. They completely disregarded the source material on so many counts that it's barely recognisable as a retelling of the Iliad. The most egregious sin of all, in my opinion, was them writing out Diomedes' character entirely. But, for all its many sins, I'm still glad it exists. I grew up hearing the names of Achilles, Odysseus, Hector, Helen and many others that I might not have been exposed to were it not for Brad Pitt and his lack-lustre hair.

[wherethecrazyoftengo]

Why is Diomedes so incredibly underrated as a Greek hero?! I seriously don't understand! The man's a badass! The more I read about him the cooler he gets. Why doesn't he have his own epic poem or movie?!!!!! The injustice.....