prismatica | ( video )

[The video feed begins on a close view of a face, revealing a stern set of eyes and a curve of nose but little more. Then the picture shakes as a new perspective is gained. The man who comes into view posesses a princely bearing and wears well the mantle of importance. His voice belongs to one who is accustomed to being listened to.]

I am told that this is the way that men call others to counsel in this land, and so as strange as it seems to me to address those whom I see not, I shall follow the local custom. I am Achilles, son of Peleus — Peleus who rules the fertile plains of Phthia, and who claims for his own worthy father Aeacus, judge of the House of Hades. New as I am to this land, which is farther from my dear native land than even the windy plains of Ilios, I bear many questions, but the first in my heart is this.

What deathless gods watch over the city of Lunatia? I have seen no temples built to honor Zeus who bears the aegis, nor bright-eyed Athena, nor Phoebus Apollo. Where are the priests who aid in the rituals of sacrifice, the seers who interpret the will of the gods in bird-signs? Surely, a city so rich as this, with precious silver trimming its houses, and all manner of riches I have never before seen — surely its people have the benison of the gods. Yet I see no practices that would suggest such reverence. Tell me, therefore, the ways to honor these gods who to me are so mysterious.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A crueler possibility does not make the current state of affairs kind.

You are gentler of word than one might expect from a servant of a Nightmare King.

As a farmer burns his field before planting new crops, the Nightmare King clears what remains of old kingdoms so that life can start anew. It is not the kindest of roles, but neither is it done with ill intent.

Besides - while I am certainly a vessel of the Nightmare King, I am still a man like any other. I have loved ones of my own.

[He is a father, and a friend, and has been many things to many people over the years.]

Then he is a god of death and life whom you serve, not so unlike Dionysus, god of the vine, who was torn apart by Titans at the behest of Zeus' jealous queen Hera and then born anew from his deathless father's flesh — just as each winter the vines must die only to grow anew in the spring, that they might bear another year's crop of grapes.

How true, that even the deathless gods know what it is to love. Mine own mother is a daughter of Nereus, the old man who dwells in the sea.

I have a child of my own, far from here. How dearly I miss them.

[There isn't much he can do about that, but it's in the nature of a parent to wish to return to their young child's side.]

Then we have this in common, for I too have a son, my Neoptolemus, whom I have not seen in some ten years while my spear rages across the Dardanian plains. I hope that you will be allowed to return to your child, as I never shall.

I shall keep your child in my thoughts, and hope for his good health.

[Grimm knows he won't see his child after his fated death - not long after he returns home, most likely - but that's simply how things are for the vessels of the Nightmare King. Burn the father, feed the child.]

I am honored to receive your blessing, Grimm who serves the Nightmare King.

As we speak, my Neoptolemus remains in the care of his grandfather Lycomedes, he whom I consider a father third after Peleus and wise Chiron, but soon he shall be on the cusp of manhood, ready to wield spear and sword in battle. If I have any reason left to live, it would be to behold him thus.

Perhaps you wil see him again, if only in your dreams. ...Though I have no power to grant pleasant ones, sadly.

Indeed, as only in memories and dreams can I ever see him, the fruit of my loins. Although even there, I cannot know how he looks in truth, for in my thoughts he is forever a babe, just as a flower plucked and dried shall grow no more.

Moreover, is it true, then, that you pour nightmares into the ears of the sleeping?

I could, if I chose to. But I do not. You have more to fear from a goddess's sweet dreams than you have to fear from the realm of nightmare.

In your land do there dwell laughter-loving goddesses who beguile men with their charms? How true that fair features often conceal troubles unending, as it was with white-armed Helen, whose beauty and treachery are one and the same — whose visage launched the thousand ships gathered by the sons of Atreus.

...I don't recall ever hearing the Radiance laugh. She's more the type to spread an all-consuming plague through dream.

True it is that the gods speak through the dreams that visit us in slumber, and sometimes these dreams reveal truths, and sometimes they are naught but lies. However, never have I heard of a pestilence that might be carried upon the soft mists of dreams!

Consider yourself fortunate. The kingdom that earned her wrath and garnered her plague has been brought to ruin.

So it is when one of the deathless gods is slighted. Is there no way to supplicate this Radiance?

Not in the slightest. She holds grudges longer than a kingdom's rise and fall. Even another god would have no power to sway her.

Even the gods cannot rage forever! Although, perhaps the same cannot be said of goddesses, it is said that ox-eyed Hera's love for grudges is equal to her love for her husband. It was with such rage blackening her heart that she tormented glorious Heracles, son of Zeus by a mortal woman's womb — she robbed him of his wits so that he would slay his own wife and babes, and restored him only once the terrible act was done. The bards tell many tales of her unflagging fury for the sons sprung from the passions of her most royal husband.

Yes, that sounds like my dear sister. Except I'm not certain she's capable of loving anyone.

[Bitter? Bitter.]

She is your sister, then, this goddess whom you call the Radiance? Even immortals are not free from the strife that spreads among kinsfolk.

She is, or was. Dream and nightmare were one, long ago.

[Their relationship is not nearly so cordial now. Killing your sibling once will do that.]

Indeed, as shadow cannot be without the light that casts it. Yet it seems best to me that mortal man stays out of matters among the deathless.

And yet how frequently are mortals dragged into divine affairs against their will. Seen as mere collateral damage, if the gods think of them at all.

[He's not fond of many other gods.]

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what the heck he's so cute

the only good dad in his canon tbh

wish i could say the same for achilles but...hand gestures

no one is good at anything in greek myth besides murder

true...odysseus might win for trying so hard to get back to his kid...and then teaching him MURDER

he's so proud

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