NÃO HÁ LUGAR COMO O LAR - PERCY/NICO AU COLEGIAL - CAPÍTULO XXIII
NÃO HÁ LUGAR COMO O LAR - PERCY/NICO AU COLEGIAL - CAPÍTULO XXIII
Oiiiiiii, tudo bem? Então.... eu disse que não ia voltar tão cedo, ne? O que eu posso dizer? Consegui escrever um capítulo essa semana! Mas quase não saiu. Acho que eu estava precisando recuperar as forças, mesmo que eu não me sinta muito melhor que dias atrás.
De qualquer forma, estou aqui! Também descobri que eu tinha algumas cenas já prontas para postar, o que eu vou fazer nos próximos dias. Acho que eu não postei porque quando eu me sinto mal é quando minha autocrítica autodestrutiva mais ataca. Tudo isso para dizer que tem vezes que eu leio o que escrevo e tudo parece um desastre e outras, eu me divirto enquanto escrevo ou reviso. Felizmente no momento estou no aspecto positivo da autocrítica.
Também vou começar a postar algumas coisas mais aleatórias, ok? Eu tinha por aqui um blog de dicas de escritas, e às vezes ainda tenho vontade de fazer posts assim. Então, se aparecer esses tipos de posts ou posts com algumas anotações, relevem. Vou encarar esse blog como um diario. A verdade é que eu gosto de documentar coisas que eu leio e prendo, para assim quando chegar no fim do ano eu ter uma prova de que não fiquei apenas olhando para o teto sem evoluir em nada.
Por enquanto é isso. Peço desculpas novamente para as pessoas que tem que aturar minhas mudanças de humor e ainda estão por aqui, mas... acho que essa sou eu, às vezes tudo está bem e outras, nada está. Principalmente peço desculpas a minha beta😫 estou com muita vergonha para pedir desculpas pessoalmente, por isso espero que você veja isso e me perdoe. Não vou pedir ajuda para ninguém até eu acabar essa história (pra não perder o tempo de ninguém), o que talvez nem aconteça. Então, eu acabar essa história não é uma certeza, mas vou tentar. E com certeza não vai ter capítulos novos todas as semanas, vou tentar meu melhor, porém, não vou me forçar como eu fazia no passado.
Obrigada por me ouvir e boa leitura!
Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX / CAPÍTULO X / CAPÍTULO XI / CAPÍTULO XII / CAPÍTULO XIII / CAPÍTULO XIV / CAPÍTULO XV / CAPÍTULO XVI / CAPÍTULO XVII / CAPÍTULO XVIII / CAPÍTULO XIX / CAPÍTULO XX / CAPÍTULO XXI / CAPÍTULO XXII
PS: Por enquanto a versão em inglês está em hiatus. Quando eu tiver tempo, vou continuar. Vou aproveitar que as ideias estão vindo para escrever bastante, assim, que burnout vir, porque eu sei que ele vai vir continuo com essa versão.
OBS: Como eu disse antes, percebi que tinha um capítulo pronto. Vamos regredir uma ou duas cenas e continuar daí. Também dei uma revisada na história inteira, ela está aqui no AO3.
CAPÍTULO XXIII
— Bom garoto. Tão obediente. — Nico fechou os olhos bem apertado e se negou a responder, sentindo seu corpo balançar com o efeito do orgasmo.
Não que ele fosse capaz no momento. Não, Nico acha que nunca tinha gozado com tanta força em sua vida, e ouvir Percy falar assim com ele, o fazia estremecer ainda mais. Nico achava que nem o próprio Percy sabia o que essas palavras faziam com ele, o tom de voz aveludado e agora o toque suave que o acalentava depois de algo tão intenso. Não era apenas isso, era a forma como Percy falava com ele, como se Percy realmente estivesse orgulhoso; era a forma que Percy olhava para ele, o analisando friamente dos pés à cabeça e, ao mesmo tempo, com aquela fome no olhar que o fazia querer obedecer a cada ordem. Ele não conseguia lidar com isso, então, era melhor apenas se sentir grato por esse momento estar acontecendo.
— E, então? — Nico ouviu Percy dizer, o sentindo tocá-lo e massagear seus braços, chegando em seu pulso para enfim abrir a algema. Engraçado, para quem tinha medo de ser preso, ele nem hesitou quando Percy sugeriu.
— Então, o quê? — Nico murmurou, ainda ligeiramente desorientado. Ele nem mesmo conseguiu levantar os braços, permitindo que Percy continuasse a massagear a pele avermelhada.
— Foi bom ou ruim?
— Hmm?
— Você gostou do que eu fiz?
Não era obvio?
— Eu gozei duas vezes.
— Não quer dizer que você tenha gostado.
— E você, gostou? — Nico rebateu, tentando se mover, o que apenas o fez cair para trás feito uma jaca podre.
Quando Percy não respondeu, Nico olhou para ele. Era bem claro o que acontecia, Percy e seu complexo de mártir. A verdade é que ele tinha gostado, ambos tinham, e isso parecia ser um problema para Percy.
— Eu gostei, tá bom? Quer dizer, seu queixo ainda está molhado.
Para provar a evidência do crime, Nico se esticou todo, gemendo de dor em seus músculos e passou os dedos no rosto de Percy, mostrando o líquido a Percy.
— É, eu acho que sim. — Mas Percy ainda tinha aquela expressão analítica, quase rígida demais, como se estivesse se preparando para dar a próxima ordem, o que se tornou verdade no final. — Fique aqui.
— Para onde eu iria?
— Com você eu nunca sei. Só não… fuja. Tudo bem?
— Eu disse que não vou fazer isso de novo. Até quando você vai me culpar por isso?
— Eu sinto muito. — Percy tentou sorrir, e quando isso não funcionou, ele deu as costas a Nico, que caiu mais uma vez nos travesseiros.
Parecia que Nico não era o único traumatizado pelo passado. O que ele podia fazer? Essa era a história deles, às vezes feliz, outras, problemáticas. Nico não trocaria o que viveram por nada nesse mundo. Onde ele estaria se não tivesse conhecido Percy em um banheiro público de escola? O que ele teria feito se Percy fosse igual aqueles garotos? Pelo menos, eles não estariam nesse impasse. Será que se… que se ele forçasse as coisas só um pouquinho, Percy veria que não havia motivo para tanta culpa? Afinal, Percy sempre gostou da verdade e de coisas bonitas…
— Nico.
Se assustando, Nico viu o rosto de Percy perto demais e segurou nos ombros de Percy, o afastando.
— No que você anda pensando, hmm? Conheço bem essa carinha.
— Não sei do que você está falando.
— Você não está aprontando, está? Se comporte.
— Eu sempre me comporto. — “A não ser quando eu preciso agir”, Nico pensou, colocando sua expressão mais inocente.
— Vou acreditar em você.
Percy se sentou a seu lado e começou a limpá-lo. Em seu peito, abdômen e então no meio das pernas de Nico, suavemente deslizando uma toalha umedecida, chegando em sua entrada.
— Você não precisa fazer isso.
— Eu quero fazer. — Percy murmurou, o beijando no rosto. — Você tinha razão. Eu estava ausente, prometo que vou te recompensar.
— Que tal começando agora. Me deixa te chupar?
— Como isso pode ser uma recompensa para você? — O importante nisso tudo é que finalmente Percy tinha sorrido, acariciando seus cabelos.
— Isso é um sim ou um não?
— É um talvez depois. Agora, está na hora do bebê tirar uma soneca.
— Eu não sou um bebê.
— Então por que você está bocejando no meio da tarde?
Era uma boa pergunta.
Nico só deixou que Percy o cobrisse porque ele tinha se deitado a seu lado e o abraçado bem forte, também entrando debaixo das cobertas junto com ele.
***
Por algum motivo, Percy se sentia exausto. Ele se permitiu relaxar no travesseiro, colado contra as costas de Nico e fechar os olhos, apenas por um momento, apenas o suficiente para sentir o peso sair de suas costas. Era um peso metafórico, é claro, um peso que ele nem sabia estar ali. Percy nunca imaginou que a culpa poderia drenar alguém a ponto de afetá-lo fisicamente. As coisas também eram assim no passado? Percy não conseguia se lembrar. Esse era um mal hábito que tinha desenvolvido, outra muleta psicológica, ele sabia. Percy se esquecia e guardava a sete chaves no fundo da mente tudo o que fosse traumático ou frustrante.
Quer saber? Percy tinha decidido não pensar no que fosse ruim ou bom, bem ou mal, e se concentraria no que fosse o certo para eles. Eles estavam confortáveis com isso? Ótimo! Parecia divertido? O fazia se sentir bem? Então, seria o que eles fariam. O que adiantava fazer o que era considerado como “normal” se isso causava tanta dor, e não do tipo que Nico parecia gostar? Era melhor se ele falasse com a mãe, só para tranquilizá-la. Percy sabia melhor do que ninguém que Sally o perturbaria até que ele se confessasse para ela.
Se sentindo cansado mais uma vez, Percy saiu debaixo das cobertas, tentando não acordar Nico e viu algo caído no chão. Ele deu a volta na cama e ali no meio do caminho estava o diário que tinha dado a Nico. O diário estava aberto no início das primeiras folhas e tinha uma caneta presa, marcando a última página escrita.
Ele também já tinha se esquecido disso. Felizmente, parecia que mesmo ele sendo uma pessoa horrível, Nico ainda era o mesmo doce garotinho, sempre o obediente. Sim, Percy pôde ver que Nico já tinha escrito algumas palavras e tinha personalizado a contracapa:
DIÁRIO DO NICO Se perdido, devolver para o Percy!
Percy teve que rir, já se sentindo leve. Tinha até uns desenhos bonitinhos de corações, anjinhos e diabinhos ao redor das letras. Entretanto, o que realmente chamou sua atenção foi a página em que a caneta estava presa.
“Eu adoro aquele tipo de espaço mental em que eu quase flutuo, quase delirante, sabe? Minha cabeça fica leve e eu não faço ideia do que quero fazer, só quero o que você quiser que eu faça. Na maioria das vezes, tudo o que sei é que quero ser fodido com tanta força que eu mal consiga falar e tudo o que eu consiga fazer seja pequenos gemidos quando você me perguntar alguma coisa.” “Quero o tipo de sexo que deixa marcas nos meus quadris e a forma das suas mãos na minha pele. O tipo de sexo que deixa o meu peito coberto de mordidas e as suas costas cheias de arranhões. Quero o tipo de sexo que faz o meu corpo doer e pulsar e que me faça te sentir entre as minhas pernas no dia seguinte.”
Esse era um trecho que parecia se destacar das outras páginas, algo escrito às pressas, em garranchos despreocupados, á tinta preta e sem decorações ao redor, como se Nico não quisesse passar muito tempo com aqueles pensamentos e só precisasse despejá-los no papel. Esse foi o real motivo que o fez encarar aquelas palavras por longos momentos, estático, parado no meio do quarto com Nico ainda dormindo tranquilamente, sem nenhuma preocupação.
Era impossível não comparar os dois estilos tipográficos. De um lado da folha, vinhas e arvores que pareciam se entrelaçar até os céus, acompanhados por linhas de poemas, simples e bonitas, do outro, uma prosa desajeitada e vulgar, permitindo a Percy ver os dois lados de Nico que ele raramente via juntos. Tinham outros desenhos, é claro. Um demônio e um anjo que ocupavam uma página inteira, descrições de personalidade e características físicas, algumas poucas linhas de narração que na página seguinte eram interrompidas por mais garranchos com pensamentos soltos.
“Quero que você me abrace e me toque, quero que você me faça sentir seguro e pequeno, feito o bebê que eu nego ser. Quero que você me diga quando ninguém estiver vendo: "Como está o meu garoto? Ele se comportou?" Quero ter regras e quero ter que pedir autorização. Quero ser disciplinado quando não faço o que você mandar.”
Percy teve que parar de folear o diário e olhar para Nico dormindo cama.
Ele... porra! Ele queria fazer tudo isso, queria fazer todos os desejos de Nico se realizarem. E sabe por quê? Eram os mesmos que os seus. Cada palavra e confissão parecendo ser algo que ele faria se a culpa não o tivesse impedido até aquele momento. Será que essas fantasias realmente eram de Nico? Ou será que era algo que Nico tinha escrito para se vingar dele? Ou, pior ainda, era o que ele tinha levado Nico a acreditar que ambos queriam? Mas, ao mesmo tempo, Percy conseguia reconhecer Nico em cada linha, seja desajeitada ou elegante, misturado a influência que ele tinha sobre Nico e outras coisas e momentos em que Percy não esteve presente para moldá-lo.
Sinceramente? Percy estava aliviado. Saber que Nico tinha tido outras experiencias e conhecido outras pessoas e que mesmo depois de tudo isso Nico ainda tinha voltado para ele, tirava mais uma parte do peso que ele nem sabia que levava. Entretanto, a questão importante era: Como ele poderia fazer... tudo isso sem passar dos limites? Como ele poderia se certificar que Nico não sairia disso o odiando de verdade?
Ele... Percy precisava de ajuda. E de algumas coisas, também. Algo que fizesse Nico entender a seriedade da situação, do quanto ele desejava que Nico permanecesse seguro e feliz. Parece que esse era o momento de agir.
***
Nico abre os olhos e a primeira coisa que nota é a luz do sol entrando pelas persianas, o cegando momentaneamente. Sua cabeça pulsava com uma dorzinha irritante nas têmporas, mas seu corpo estava o mais relaxado em que ele já esteve. Sua visão estava turva também, atordoado pelas endorfinas que ainda pareciam manter seu corpo calmo e sua mente maravilhosamente vazia, como se toda a ansiedade tivesse sido sugada por uma mangueira compressora. Nem mesmo suas aventuras com garotos mais experientes tinham causado esse tipo de reação nele.
Ele olhou para o lado, esperando encontrar Percy e recebeu em troca a ausência e um pedaço de papel, Percy nem mesmo tinha deixado seu calor para trás, o que significava que Percy tinham se levantado tempos atras.
Bem, Nico não deveria criar expectativas quando Percy estava lidando tão mal com as coisas nos últimos tempos. E ele disse que daria tempo para Percy se acostumar com as coisas, não disse? Mesmo que fosse difícil continuar esperando por algo que talvez nem fosse acontecer, ele não tinha outra escolha. Era melhor ter a companhia de Percy do que não ter nada. Mas isso não queria dizer que ele não fosse tentar seu máximo para conseguir o que queria.
Se dando por vencido, Nico se sentou na cama e pegou o bilhete.
“Você dormiu bem? Eu tive que sair rapidinho. Prometo estar de voltar para o café da manhã. Me espere. Per.”
Era só isso? Era o que ele merecia depois de sentir seu mundo sacudir? Isso era tão justo! Chega! Ele iria tomar uma atitude imediatamente.
Esquecendo da dor de cabeça e os dos músculos doloridos, Nico amassou o bilhete, o jogou em algum lugar em direção ao cesto de lixo e marchou até parar em frente ao guarda-roupa. Isso era tão ridículo! Nunca pensou que chegaria o momento em que ele teria que se rebaixar a tanto. Ele pegou a caixa com seus brinquedos, enfiou a mão no fundo dela e pegou uma embalagem lacrada, de cor preta. Era algo que a vendedora tinha sugerido e já que ele tinha comprado coisas piores, não era isso que o tornaria uma pessoa ruim. Nico colocou o pacote em cima da cama, pegou os itens que iria precisar e entrou no banheiro. Iria mostrar para Percy quem mandava ali.
***
Percy se sentia bem melhor agora.
Como ele poderia explicar? Bem... tinha um lugar, um tipo de bar, e ele tinha ficado curioso, sabe? Percy nunca participou, entretanto... ele tinha assistido e entendido bem rápido como as coisas funcionavam. O que ele podia fazer? Sua mãe sempre dizia que conhecimento era algo que ninguém podia tirar de você, e de fato, tinha sido algo difícil de esquecer. Talvez ele tivesse ficado entediado sem Nico por perto ou talvez quando ele se viu sozinho, sem ninguém para vigiá-lo... por que não? Sendo que Percy não precisava mais ser o cara bonzinho?
O fato era, Percy tinha descoberto que ele fazia aquelas coisas sem precisar que ninguém o ensinasse. Pelo menos ali, aprendeu que o que ele fazia era errado se Percy não pedisse permissão antes.
Um bom exemplo disso eram as palavras, pequenas sugestões que se repetidas poderiam se tornar em comportamentos condicionados, como quando você ensina seu cachorro a dar a patinha em troca de petiscos. Pessoas tinham as mesmas tendencias e vontades semelhantes, também. Algumas mais assertivas e outras, mais obedientes. Era um dinâmica normal, nada forçado, é claro, apenas modos de comportamentos onde cada um se sentia mais confortável para se expressar. E isso era só o começo, nem sequer era algo sexual ou romântico, apenas atitudes que a maioria das pessoas não reparavam. Sua psicóloga da época tinha sugerido algo parecido. Não que ele fosse atras desses tipos de clubes e sim que Percy analisasse por que ele se sentia tão codependente de Nico ou porque Percy se sentia tão frustrado. E como parecia estar relacionado a sexo, ele pensou... por que não? Sua mãe tinha apoiado a ideia e, seu irmão e Grover, amado mais ainda. Assim, como uma família unida, todos foram investigar o bar, incluindo sua mãe.
O importante era que quando ele descobriu o que fazia com Nico já era tarde demais, Nico tinha ido embora e ele tinha ficado sozinho, com todas aquelas ideias e ninguém para testá-las. Percy não se orgulhava do que tinha feito, mas não se arrependia tão pouco. Sendo sincero? Ele não se importava com aquelas pessoas e se ele tivesse magoado algumas pelo caminho, não era da sua conta. Percy nunca prometeu nada a elas, cansando de avisar o que aconteceria no fim.
Era por isso que Percy estava ali naquela manhã, um bar vinte e quatro horas que funcionava como lanchonete durante o dia. Fazia mais de um ano que Percy não entrava lá, mas como eles eram o lugar que ele mais confiava, teria que ser ali mesmo.
Percy respirou fundo e entrou pelas portas de ferro negras, chegando a primeira área onde havia mesas e cadeiras de madeira que ao anoitecer seriam retiradas para dar lugar a pista de dança. Continuou andando mais ao fundo e encontrou o bar, um balcão longo junto a uma cozinha espaçosa, vendo os garçons pegarem pratos de comida para serem entregues. Ele só esperava que ningue--
— Percy, querido. Quanto tempo!
— Vanessa. — Percy disse e se virou, vendo sua “professora” favorita. Ela era uma dominatrix atenciosa, bondosa e firme, algo que ele sempre quis ser e que nunca teve a paciência. Em comparação a ela, Percy era ansioso e um tanto cruel. Quem sabe um dia?
— O que te trás aqui? Finalmente procurando companhia? Tenho um submisso que--
— Não dessa vez. — Percy disse e sorriu, negando educadamente. — Estou procurando Apolo. Será que ele está por aqui?
— Ah, isso é tão bom. Quem é o garoto?
— Alguém novo.
— Hm, entendi. — Mas ela parecia o julgar como todos faziam.
— Não tão novo. Ele é novo na cena.
— Ah, tudo bem. — Vanessa voltou a sorrir e saiu de trás do balcão. — Eu sei exatamente o que você quer.
Então, juntos, eles passaram por mais uma porta, subiram uma escada em caracol e chegaram no segundo piso, cheio de portas com quartos particulares, alguns com janelas que permitiam ver dentro dos quartos e no fim do corredor, uma porta grande de metal negro que eles também entraram.
Realmente, aquela sala era o que Percy estava procurando. Ele sentia que se trouxesse Nico ali, o garotinho iria passar algumas horas perguntando para o que aquelas coisas penduradas na parede serviam. Também havia um balcão mais ao fundo do cômodo, onde um homem alto e loiro lia uma revista, usando um fone de ouvido.
— Ei. — Percy disse assim que se aproximou.
Apolo olhou para cima e no mesmo momento tirou o fone e se levantou, correndo em sua direção. Estava tudo bem, porque Percy estava preparado. Ele abriu os braços e deixou que Apolo o abraçasse o quanto quisesse, se esfregando nele.
— Ah, olha o nosso pequeno Dom. Tão crescido. Você tem malhado? Aposto que os garotinhos te perseguem.
Não desde que Nico tinha voltado, mas esse era outro assunto.
— Só um. Eu estava procurando algo específico.
— Eu sei exatamente o que você precisa.
— Eu não disse nada ainda.
— E nem precisa.
Apolo sorriu todo esfuziante, pegou uma cestinha de compras e começou a andar pelos corredores e prateleiras.
— Deixa eu ver. Algo discreto para o dia.
Apolo esticou a mão e pegou uma gargantilha, algo no estilo gótico. Uma tira de couro maleável e discreta com cristais pequenos a enfeitando.
— Algo para brincar.
Dessa vez Apolo pegou uma coleira rosa clara, pesada e com grandes furos, com uma plaquinha de identificação e um fecho para colocar uma guia se ele quisesse.
— Algo para mantê-lo quietinho e comportado, sim?
Finalmente Apolo pegou uma focinheira com uma bola no meio, uma venda de ceda e algemas macias.
— Pronto. Isso deve bastar.
— Eu não posso, isso é muita coisa.
— É um presente para nosso Dominador júnior!
— De verdade, eu não posso--
— Ah! Está faltando uma coisa!
— Apolo, não!
— Sim.
Antes que Percy pudesse impedi-lo, Apolo voltava com uma palmatoria. Sua superfície era toda em couro preto, feito de um material rígido, mas a ponta dela tinha um acolchoamento macio que traria dor sem deixar muitas marcas.
— Apolo!
— Vamos, é só dessa vez. Eu nunca vi você interessado em ninguém. Considere um presente de boa sorte.
— Exatamente! Eu não posso aparecer com isso. Ele vai pensar que eu--
— Ele não está errado.
Percy bufou e desistiu de discutir. Apolo era tão ridículo que isso tornava impossível contrariá-lo.
— Além do mais... — Apolo continuou, embalando os itens em uma caixa bonita. — Já que você me rejeitou, o mínimo que você pode fazer é aceitar meu presente.
— Quanto ficou? — Percy, para sua própria sanidade, decidiu ignorá-lo, e pegou a carteira.
— Você não ouviu o que eu disse? É um presente.
— Qual é! Isso vale pelo menos mil reais.
— E daí? Eu sou rico.
— Eu também sou.
— Parece que estamos em um impasse. — Apolo fez uma careta de tristeza e balançou a cabeça. — Parece que o seu garoto vai ficar muito decepcionado, então.
— Ele não sabe que eu estou aqui.
— É uma surpresa? Eu não sabia que você era um romântico. — Dessa vez, não havia nenhuma ironia na voz de Apolo. — Estou me sentindo muito solteiro agora.
Percy tinha esquecido como Apolo podia ser dramático. Ele era bonito, isso Percy não podia negar. Entretanto, beleza não era tudo na vida, mesmo que ajudasse muito.
— Vanessa! Me arruma um dom agora mesmo!
Percy se virou e lá estava Vanessa, os observando de longe como se assiste uma série de comedia.
— Eu fiz, três vezes no último mês.
— Você chama aquilo de dominação? Minha mãe é menos vanila do que aquilo.
— Por favor, me poupe. — Vanessa cruzou os braços e revirou os olhos.
— Custava me apresentar alguém alto, gostoso e com atitude? Será que é muito?
Foi a vez de Percy revirar os olhos. Ele queria dizer que essa era a primeira vez que algo parecido acontecia. Ele jurava que não estava tentando se gabar, mas... de fato, Percy pensou que esses dias de D/s tinham ficado para trás. Mas ali estava ele, pedindo ajuda para essas pessoas.
— Se comporte. — Percy se pegou falando, já irritado pela situação. O pior é que Apolo imediatamente endireitou a coluna. E ele teve que completar: — Não se atreva.
Também não seria a primeira vez que Apolo se ajoelharia sem nem perceber.
— Tão malvado.
— Olha, eu agradeço a ajuda, mas eu tenho que--
— Está tudo bem? — Apolo perguntou, agora sério. — Você disse que nunca dominaria ninguém. É sobre o garoto que te fez sofrer?
— Talvez. — Percy deu de ombros. — Não é culpa dele.
— Tudo bem. Você precisa de ajuda? Talvez uma mediação?
— Não. Eu consigo. — “Talvez”, ele queria ter dito. A verdade é que Percy não conseguia nem mesmo pensar em ter que dividir Nico com alguém ou deixar que outras pessoas assistissem. Percy não sabe se conseguiria se controlar. — Não precisa se preocupar.
— Tem certeza? A gente podia dar uma ajuda pro pobre do garoto. Ele sabe no que se meteu?
— Não precisa se preocupar. — Repetiu.
O pior era que Percy não estava mentindo. Nico sabia muito mais do que ele gostaria.
Por enquanto é isso. Até que eu gostei desse capítulo. Não sei, acho que consigo ver um amadurecimento no Percy. Pelo menos ele está tentando ser responsavel. Vou adorar saber a sua opnião ou possiveis sugestões e feedebacks. Provavelmente semana que vem estou de volta, já que eu tenho mais algumas cenas prontas.
Até proxima!
More Posts from Auroraescritora and Others
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER XI
Hello, how you doing? Looks like I had some time in the the end. I hope you like it. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter.
Good reading!
Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X
"Beautiful.’’
Nico ignored Percy who was lying on the bed and finished drying his hair with the towel, combing it back. He put on his t-shirt, pulled it down and buttoned his pants, pulled the zipper up and looked at himself in the mirror.
If it were up to him, he would’ve stayed in the kitchen, where he belonged, and finished helping with the preparations for the party later. Unfortunately, right after the wedding proposal, Sally had kicked him out of the kitchen, pushing him away from the stove while Percy had picked him up and carried him up the stairs until they reached Percy's bedroom. And with no choice, still full of flour in his clothes, Nico went into the bathroom without complaining, taking a long bath in the tub and then looking for clothes that still fit him. Apparently, Percy hadn't thrown away the things he’d left behind, like his favorite black jeans or his t-shirts with jokes and superheroes printed on them, or even his leather jacket, which his mother used to wear before the cancer prevented her from getting out of bed.
He admitted that the shirts that were previously baggy and reached his thighs now fit perfectly well, although a little tighter than he would like, contouring his not-so-masculine curves; apart from his broad shoulders and height, the rest was very... very thin in some parts and slender in others, impossible not to notice in those tight clothes. Nico didn't even like to think about it. Maybe that was why Percy loved so much holding his waist.
‘’Since when did you have those muscles, hm?’’ Percy asked again with good humor.
Muscles? He didn't see many. And of course, Percy could be able to fool him if it was a few years ago. Now? Nico could hear the pure jealousy behind the laughter.
"I don't know. I had free time in Italy.”
In fact, life in Verona was much easier and more uncomplicated than this first week back here. It’s like, when Percy was involved, trouble and strong emotions were guaranteed. He didn't even know why he was still complaining, things had always been like that.
‘’Don't make that face. Today is the day to celebrate. Or at least that's according to Sally.’’
"Sure.” Nico rolled his eyes and finally put on his jacket, slipping his feet inside his high-top sneakers that had also been left in Percy's wardrobe. Now, Nico was back in the past and with the complete look. He almost felt nostalgic; If it weren't for the anxiety and constant self-doubt, Nico would miss those times. "Let's go.’’
"Hold on. I bought you something.’’
‘’Another gift? What will it be now? A car?’’
‘’Do you need another one?’’ But Percy was smiling. Nico watched him get up and walk around the bed, opening the dresser drawer next to the bed. ‘’It's nothing expensive.’’
"What is that?’’ This time, the object in Percy's hands aroused his curiosity. He could see what it was, the thing was that Percy had never given him anything like this, which made him come closer and take the diary from Percy's hands, opening the hardf, black leather cover, finding simple, straight lined pages, noting a dedication on the inside of the cover, thar said: “To make sure your thoughts and ideas never get lost”. “Per?’’
“I thought about what you said… about not being able to express yourself.’’
"Express myself?’’
"In bed.’’ Percy said and then held his hands over the diary, making Nico face him. “I know how…how scary things can be from time to time. I want this diary to be a way for us to talk without needing all that… drama.”
Percy used the word “drama”, but for Nico it was more… “humiliation”.
“Are you going to write too?’’
"Yeah.”
"And you'll... read everything? Everything I write?”
"Only if you want.”
Nico stopped for a moment and looked at Percy, his fiancé, the love of his life, the person who always accepted him unconditionally. Percy seemed so calm and confident, so sincere… no one before had ever tried so hard to understand him.
“It doesn't have to be about that.’’ Percy said again. “You can write about anything. Or something you want me to know about.”
"Anything? Really?”
"What's wrong?” Then, Percy smiled again, carefree. “What do you still have to hide from me?”
That was the moment where the mortification took him by surprise. Nico looked away and stared at the diary they both still held, the rings shining on their fingers. If only Percy knew… Nico didn't know if it was the best or the worst idea Percy had ever had.
“Look, you don't need to force yourself. Let's leave the diary by the bed and if you feel like it, it will be here. Is that all right?’’
Percy smiled at him once again, took the diary from his hands and placed it on top of the dresser, less than a foot away from them. But that was the problem, Nico already felt the urge to flip through that notebook and write whatever came to mind, like a free writing exercise, only more stranger and embarrassing. He felt like writing and letting it all come out, like he hadn't done in years.
"No, I want it! Gimme.” And like a little kid, Nico reached out and took the diary, hugging it to his chest, feeling satisfied as he once again held that black leather notebook.
“I'm glad you liked it.’’ And acting like the daddy they both refused to admit, even though they were both the same age, Percy hugged him tightly and kissed his hair, saying: “Good boy.”
And, Of course, this had the expected effect. Nico hid his face in Percy's shoulder and groaned once again, mortified, berating himself for feeling so good and so happy with those words. Or with the care that Percy continued to show him day after day.
***
Before they left for the party, Nico put the diary away with the now empty ring box in his backpack and held Percy's hand, making Percy's chest warm with Nico's absent-minded gesture. It wasn't the most romantic or affectionate gesture he had ever seen, but Nico did everything with so much care that Percy was sure he had made the right choice by waiting until that moment. He knew that these attitudes, as much as his or Nico's, came from a painful place; of loss and abandonment, things that they both felt firsthand and wanted to avoid at all costs. That's why every moment that served to bring them closer together would be a reason to celebrate. Percy still couldn't believe that he had finally proposed to Nico. They were going to get married! There was a time when Percy thought he would never see Nico again, and even less that they would be so happy and content together, even if the little boy hid it behind an angry pout and the usual bad mood and insecurity. And who was he to judge how other people behaved when he was the worst of them? All Percy knew was that he had a plan, and he would do everything he could to make it reality. That’s why he smiled at Nico, took back the hand offered to him and the next thing he knew, one of his mother's helpers was guiding him to the outside of the house where tables were set up in the garden and people were already walking around the improvised dance floor next to a buffet table divided into three rows organized by sweet, cold and hot dishes, and there wasn't even all the food he had seen in the kitchen earlier.
“You guys went overboard this time.”
"It’s nothing out of the ordinary." Nico shrugged.
"Clearly. I wanted to--”
“Nico! I finally found you!”
Percy sighed and gave up, nnow that they were in the middle of all those people, it would be impossible to keep Nico's attention to himself. As if in slow motion, he saw Clarisse approach them in hurried steps and grab Nico in a bear hug, pulling him away from him.
"How long were you going to ignore me?’’
"I wasn't ignoring you!" Nico shouted back, but hugged Clarisse as tightly as she had done, closing his eyes with pleasure.
"Why didn't you tell me you were back? And when did that happen?’’
“It’s been… five days ago? Six?”
“I bet it's his fault.”
“Clare!”
"Don't give me that. I want to know everything!”
"So you can tell Annabeth later? No, thank you very much.”
"That's not true. I did it once and now--”
It seemed there was no way around it. Percy left Nico with Clarisse, watching the people approach the noisy pair, and went back into the house, finding his mother now in a long black dress and high heels, although she was still pacing the kitchen, giving orders and checking the still-working ovens.
"Mother.”
“Oh, Percy, darling.” His mother came up to him in quick steps and squeezed his cheeks, then kissed them. "You could have told me before. I didn't have time to prepare anything.”
“I didn't have time either.”
That was the moment Percy hugged his mother and let himself relax.
“What is it, darling?”
“I don't think Nico wants to be with me.”
“Percy, that doesn't make any sense. Why would you think that?” Then his mother touched his face again and looked at him affectionately.
“He changed. We seem to fight every step of the way, and now he has so many friends and things to do…”
“Percy.” Now his mother looked disappointed. “We talked about that. You need help?”
“No.” He denied, walking away. Percy didn't want to go back to endless hours at the psychiatrist or taking medication.
“Honey, Nico is growing up and you should too.”
"I know, I know. It's just... he's telling me so many things... I didn't know he felt that way.”
"That is great. That means he trusts you, right?”
Deep down, Percy knew this. He just wanted someone to tell him everything would be okay. But it wasn't what his mother was doing. As always, she told him what he needed to hear and not what he wanted to hear.
"What should I do?”
“Nothing you don't want to.”
“What if he only marries me out of pressure?”
“Percy!” Sally grabbed his shoulders and laughed in his face. “My little boy is growing up so fast. I remember how you ran away from any responsibility and now here we are, you worrying about someone else's well-being?”
“Mom! I'm serious!”
“Look, from my point of view, I've never seen Nico so happy or calm. He doesn't seem to be forcing himself into anything.”
“He said he didn't want to date me and I insisted! What if he told the truth?”
“Honey, none of this is your responsibility. He accepted of his own free will. Even if you want to protect him, it's Nico's decision. Whether he accepts it or not, even if in the future he decides to leave once again, it won't be your fault.”
"So whose is it?”
"It's nobody's fault. These are things that happen and we have to accept them. And being honest? It's about time, right? If you had talked to Nico, none of this would have happened.”
“You... you ruined the surprise. I should have talked to him alone.”
“Exactly, darling. Don't you see? The less you say, the more Nico will pull away from you.”
"Do you really think so?”
"Believe me. I know all about failed relationships. Don't create distance between you, okay?”
"I would never do that.”
"No? If you don't say what you feel, Nico might think you don't care.”
"I--”
“Have you talked to him in the last few days?”
"Yes, but--”
“How did he react?”
Percy wanted to roll his eyes. His mother was right, as always. Nico had been sincere back when he opened up. The worst thing was thinking that Nico had kept everything inside his chest, thinking that Percy wouldn't accept him or that Percy didn't care. At least the time he'd wasted at the psychiatrist had been useful for something.
"You are right.” Percy admitted, looking around at the people who continued walking back and forth. “I didn't want to admit defeat.”
"Darling.”
“I made Nico leave before and I don't want to be the one to blame again. Is it so bad to be careful to not destroy things again?”
"Of course not. I understand.”
“Do you really understand?” Percy then turned to face his mother again. “If you understand, can you stay out of this?”
“Fine, I won't interfere. But you should pay attention to who your friends are.”
"What does that mean?”
“That blonde friend of yours is at the party. I thought you guys didn't talk anymore?”
"Who? Annabeth?”
"She herself.”
“I didn't invite her.”
So, who invited her?” Sally and Percy stared at each other for long moments, not understanding what was happening, until Percy snapped and turned his back on his mother, going back outside. In the garden, he finds a scene he thought he would never see, Annabeth with her long golden hair, shining in the sun, looking furious and Nico, with torn pants and a black t-shirt, staring at her as if she were an earthworm about to be trampled over.
***
"What's going on here?”
The next thing Percy knew, he was standing in the middle of the crowd, seeing Annabeth and Nico staring back at him.
As if by magic, the atmosphere changed. Nico came to his side and held onto his hand, lowering his head and placing it on Percy’s shoulder like the most obedient and well-behaved little boy, while Annabeth stood there, head held high, looking even more furious with the display of affection.
“It’s nothing, Per. We were talking about old times. Isn't it, Anne?” Nico smiled, hugging him around the waist and suddenly there was silence, even the waiters and kitchen assistants were silent.
“Are you drunk, by any chance?”
"Me? Never!” He looked at Nico and Nico made a cute pout. "I would never do that.”
To prove his theory, Percy leaned over Nico and kissed him right there. This time, Nico didn't seem embarrassed at all. The little boy grabbed him tightly by the back of the neck and let himself be kissed, opening his mouth in the most shameless display of affection.
“My baby is jealous, hm?”
“I don't know what you're talking about.” But the blush on Nico's face said what Percy needed to know.
"Why don't we talk somewhere quiet? But before guiding Nico away from the crowd, Percy turned to Annabeth: “You are not invited. Go away.”
“But, Percy! You promised!”
"I didn’t promise anything.”
“Your lying--”
“I won't repeat it.”
With that, he took Nico by the hand and led him into the house, leaving behind a curious crowd and a blonde foaming with anger.
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So, I'm enjoying their progress. This time I thought it was more interesting to give Percy this insecurity and Nico a bit more of impulsiveness. I imagine that this way the characters seem more real and interesting. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am. See you next time!
Weird how the non canon ships in Rick Riordan's books tend to have a better and more interesting history together, better chemistry, healthier dynamics,and feel more natural than the canon couples; plus a lot of wasted potential. Examples are Reyna x Jason, Nico x Percy, Rachel x Percy, Leo x Piper, Jason x Nico or Jason x Leo.
It's like the more Rick wants you to ship something,the more it feels forced and has red flags that are kinda hard to ignore. The only exception being Hazel and Frank
Talk #1
Oii, como vai? Tenho alguns capítulos já prontos e estou chegando num momento mais smutt, então, eu queria saber se alguém gostaria de ver algo especifico? Ou algo que combine com eles? Se você tiver alguma sugestão vou ficar feliz em saber^^
Hi, how's going? I have a few chapters ready and I'm getting to a more smutt moment, so I was wondering if anyone would like to see something specific? Or something that matches their personalities? If you have any suggestions I'll be happy to hear^^
I did a post on religion a while ago, but I can do a better job with it.
Part I: World Building Considerations: Religious Hierarchies
Part II: World Building Considerations: Deities and Mythologies
THE BASICS
Religion is the belief that supernatural or spiritual powers exist.
There are four “branches” of beliefs that form the way a person feels about their religion (or lack of) and other religions. They are:
Theism: A theist believes in a god (or more).
Atheism: An atheist lacks the belief in a god (or more).
Gnosticism: A gnostic believes it is possible to know that a god (or more) does or does not exist.
Agnosticism: An agnostic believes that it is not possible to know that a god (or more) does or does not exist.
These create people who are one of the following (this can change throughout a person’s life):
Gnostic Theist: These characters believe in a god (or more) and are absolutely sure that it exists. Depending on the personality of this character, they might take offense if other people tell them they are wrong or that their religion is false. Others will brush it off and not care.
Agnostic Theist: These characters believe in a god (or more), but do not claim to know for sure if this god exists. These characters might struggle with their religion if this existence is important to them.
Gnostic Atheist: These characters are absolutely sure that there is no god (or more).
Agnostic Atheist: These characters do not believe in a god (or more), but do not claim to know of its existence for sure.
THE BEGINNINGS
Most early religions began with animism. This is when supernatural powers, life, souls, or spirits are attributed to the natural world as well as objects.
Sometimes, deities can be created when certain attributes as parts of the natural world are viewed as more important than others. A population may give a name to a particular spirit (like the sun) and thus make a deity out of it. Over time, this leads to polytheism.
The earliest deities were most likely female because back then, humans believed that women had the ability to create life from nothing. This is why “virgin” deities, goddesses, beings, and religious figures are common. They are seen as being able to make life by themselves, but the concept of virginity has changed to being “clean” or “pure”.
Early monotheistic religions often came from polytheism, but not always. What happens is one deity becomes more important than all the others for whatever reason. Here are some reasons for why monotheism might have come up in your world (with the exception of the spread of religion):
A person claims that one deity is the true deity. All other deities are slowly forgotten or reassigned as lesser religious beings, but not deities.
One deity may be more important than the other deities. Over time, this deity becomes the sole deity. All other deities are slowly forgotten or reassigned as lesser religious beings, but not deities.
A historical figure transforms into a deity over time through myth and legend, thus becoming a major deity.
One deity might “absorb” other deities and their attributes due to its importance, thus becoming a single deity who is a mixture of other deities.
Religion does not always evolve in this order and it does not have to. There is no “ultimate” form of religion. Monotheism is not “civilized” and animism is not “primitive”. They are both valid religions, they just exist in different ways.
One source of conflict for your story could be the switch from one form of religion to another. If polytheism is moving into monotheism, a minority of the population might be trying hard to hold onto old deities.
Of course, there are more types of religion other than animism, polytheism, and monotheism, such as naturalism. Look around at various religions for some inspiration.
NAME
The name! You have to name your religion. The followers of this religion need a name to refer to themselves by. You can also have names for the various branches of a religion or for the followers of a specific religious figure. If you’ve made up a language, you can use that language to create a name. You can also name the religion after a deity, a historical figure, or a religious figure. You can also name it after the founder of the religion.
ORIGINS
Where did this religion originate? With older religions, it might not be clear. Other religions have a clear start, or at least are known to have started in a specific area or with a specific person. If there is a founder of the religion, create this character and their history.
You also need an origin story for the world. A lot of religions have them.
REASON AND APPEAL
There are three general reasons for why people practice religion:
Sociological: Religion is used for cultural conformity. It unites a community through similar morals and values and can be used to control a population or to bring general peace among worldviews. If you can influence a person’s thoughts, you can control their actions.
Cognitive: Religion has been used to explain the unknown and to help people make sense of the world they live in. Myths, legends, and deities have been used to explain why the seasons change or why storms happen. Religion offers an explanation.
Psychological: People turn to religion in times of need or emotional struggle. They might turn to religion because they have a sick family member or they might turn to religion because they need an end to a drought. Having a reason to hold on (religion) can help people get through the hard times.
It’s common that all three reasons exist together, but one reason may outweigh another in an individual or a population. For example, in a time of famine, the majority of a population might turn to religion for reason 2. In a society with little understanding of science, the majority of the population might use religion for reason 1.
When creating a religion, think about why your characters are religious or why they are not religious. Think about situations that would make them approach religion. All characters will differ based on their personal needs, how religious they are, and how they were raised. Some characters might only turn to religion when they are extremely desperate.
SACRED TEXTS
A sacred text is a general term that refers to a text that is important to a religion. The Bible is an example. Sacred texts do not have to exist in a religion. Oral histories can take their place or exist alongside them.
If there is a sacred text, decide how it is supposed to be read. Some religious texts are meant to be read by a religious official, who teaches others what it says (the Bible). Other texts are meant to be ready by everyone and interpreted on an individual level (the Qur’an).
If the sacred text is meant to be read by a religious official and no one else, religious officials will be educated while most of the population will not be (depending on the society, available education, hierarchy, and technology available to spread written texts). Lack of literacy might be used to control the population.
Sacred texts might be a part of the government. If so, create laws carefully and make sure you know all the details about the religion and the government you’ve created.
Another option for a sacred text is one that is created by an individual or by a community. These sacred texts are filled with whatever information a person sees as important to the way they practice their religion. They may collect information through religious officials, oral histories, or their own experiences. These sacred texts can be passed down to another generation.
Here are some things you can put in a sacred text:
Historical Accounts: If a sacred text is just a historical account of a religion, you’ll need to come up with mythologies that fit into this text.
Laws & Guidelines: Sometimes, a sacred text is used to write down laws and guidelines of a religion.
Prayers, Songs, etc.: If prayers, chants, songs, and other spoken words are important to a religion or hold meaning, they might show up in a sacred text.
PLACE OF WORSHIP
Not all religions have a place of worship. However, places of worship can be as grand as the Hagia Sophia or they can be as simple as a personal altar in one’s home.
Within certain religions, such as Catholicism, there can be a hierarchy of places of worship. For example, a Cathedral is a church, but it also acts as the seat of a Bishop for a given area. Places of worship, in times when the majority of the population could not read, used lots of common symbols within the architecture so that people knew it was a place of worship for a certain religion. This is why many medieval religious buildings portray religious stories or figures within the architecture.
If there are places of worship in your world, put them in your story. If they are in a city or near a trading center, they might be more grand than others due to available resources. If a government official commissions one of these buildings, it will likely be large and detailed due to available expenses. Places of worship in isolated areas are likely to be smaller and simpler.
Make these places known in your world. Give them a feel. A lot of religious buildings are meant to give the feeling of grandness and divinity. Some might make a person feel small and insignificant. Give these buildings a demeanor. This will help readers get a feel for this religion while also setting the mood and tone for the scene.
BELIEFS
Create the main beliefs and philosophies of your religion. This will impact your society as a whole. However, there should be differing opinions and beliefs within a religion. People are going to interpret parts of a religion in different ways and will have different opinions on how to approach a religion.
Opposing Forces: Some religions have opposing forces within it, such as good vs evil. Some religions don’t have opposing forces and rather see everything just as it is without attributing morality. Decide how your religion views the world.
Opposing Forces 2: This refers to the opinions of people within the religion. Having differing opinions within a religion can be mild, but it can also be extreme. The latter can cause lots of conflict and even a split in religion, creating two different branches or a new religion altogether.
Common Values: The main values and morals of this religion will affect the way your characters think and behave, even if they are not religious. Being raised around this religion can sway their opinions. This might create conflict for your characters when faced with a decision that goes against what they were raised with.
Afterlife: Everyone, at one point, wonders what happens when we die. As I mentioned above, religion is often used to explain the unknown. What is the afterlife in this religion? If there are no opposing forces of good vs evil, there will probably not be a hell-like place.
Sins: You don’t need to put sins in your religion, but it can help with conflict and character morals. Decide what this religion has outlawed or what it has looked down upon. If you want, sins can become law through the government.
Other Religions: For a post on what happens when other cultures come in contact with each other, look at the lower part of this post. Sometimes, religions can exist peacefully side by side.
Like I said, beliefs will impact your characters and the world they grew up in. People are a part of whatever culture they were raised in and it’s impossible to completely cut off those ties. The morals, values, and beliefs of your world’s religion impacts your characters in a much larger way than you think.
BRANCHES
Lots of religions have different sub-religions, branches, and denominations. If the religion you have created it widespread, it’s likely that this religion will have sub-religions and different forms of worship. If a religion has influence on another religion, those religions might end up combining.
Region: Different branches of a religion tend to be dominant in certain regions, even in multi-cultural places. Decide where certain branches are more common or where they are limited to.
Interaction: Two different branches within a religion might hate each other to such extremities that war can occur. This is another source of conflict for your fictional world.
Difference of Beliefs: If applicable to your story, think up some differences between the branches of religion.
VISIBILITY
Religion should be seen in your story if you make up one. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a huge part or if none of the characters are extremely religious. If you have created a religion, it should have some visibility. It could influence language, dress, architecture, holidays, and more.
Architecture: This will most likely be places of worship, but religion can appear in all types of buildings and structures. Certain symbols might be seen in windows or on doors. Certain architectural styles might hold symbolic meaning, like how tall buildings are seen as reaching up to the heavens and therefore are seen as divine.
Clothing: Religious clothing can be obvious or subtle, but it still affects fashion. People might mimic the style of a religious figure or they might wear something that shows which deity they worship. If you show this, you can let the reader know what certain characters value. For example, wearing a certain symbol in the form of a pin might show that a person worships the deity of bravery, thus showing that this character values bravery.
Language: People mention parts of their religion in common phrases all the time, sometimes without realizing it. You can come up with exclamations and common phrases in your world through their religion.
Calendars: A lot of calendars surround important dates in religion. If you’re looking where to put year zero, go to religion. Did someone important die in that year? Were they born? Did something else important happen?
SYMBOL
Most religions have some kind of symbol. This symbol is often important to that religion (like the cross for Christianity). Creating a symbol can add depth to your world while also bringing reality to this religion. You can put this symbol in various places to help show readers where this religion has spread.
It’s not necessary to have a symbol.
POPULARITY
Decide how far this religion has spread and what people think about it. Religions, if small, are sometimes viewed as cults. If they gain popularity and start overcoming another dominant religion, they might be seen as threats.
Region: Know the region that your religion has spread to. There can be small regions within larger regions that resist this religion. If your characters are traveling, knowing the boundaries of this religion can help you create scenes and cultures that have this religious influence.
Subscribers: Decide how many people subscribe to this religion. If this is the dominant religion in a region, this religion will be more visible in your world.
Influence: Religion has massive influence on culture. If you are writing a world where religion is important, it will greatly influence your characters’ lives and worlds.
Spread: Does this religion have a goal to spread to other places? If so, your religious characters might try to convert others or there might be conflict with the spread of religion.
JOINING
Is there a certain way to join this religion? Many religions have rituals, ceremonies, and initiations that are used to accept a person into that religion.
Invitation: A few religions are invitation-only. This can be rigid or more free. A rigid invitation means that only a certain person can invite others into this religion. For example, if a person wants to bring a friend into their religion, they might have to bring their friend to a religious official to get permission. Less rigid invitations can be as simple as allowing any member of a religion to bring in others.
Open: An open religion allows anyone to join whether they were invited or not. These religions can spread fast while invitation-only religions are able to stay small and private for a longer period of time.
The Initiator: Who performs the ceremony? Most often, it is a religious official, but it doesn’t have to be.
The Ceremony: How they are brought into a religion? What happens during the ceremony? How long does it take? Are there any preparations that need to be made? Does it have to happen at a certain age? If so, your characters might have to go through this.
Birth: Most people are born into a religion. Sometimes, they are given the choice to leave this religion at a certain age or they can be officially initiated (like within some Amish communities). This might cause stress for characters if they come of this age and if their parents or guardians are expecting them to turn a certain way.
Forced: Sometimes, people are forced to join a religion.
RELIGIONS IN YOUR WORLD
It’s realistic to have more than one religion present. They don’t have to exist equally and probably won’t.
Outlawed: An outlawed religion is one that is not allowed to be practiced. What are the punishments for practicing an outlawed religion? Why are they outlawed?
Minority: A minority religion is simply one that has a lesser amount of followers than a dominant religion. They do not have to be oppressed religions.
Oppressed: An oppressed religion is one that may or may not have been outlawed and one that is rejected by society as a whole. Practitioners experience discrimination. What this discrimination is depends on you.
Dominant: The dominant religion is the one that is most common in a given region. It does not have to be oppressive to other religions.
Secret: Secret religions are unknown to the general population and are invitation-only.
Mythical: Mythical religions are secret religions that may or may not exist. The general population might have conspiracies about the existence, but they have no hard proof.
Dead: These religions are no longer practiced.
Revived: These are religions that were previously dead, but revived by a population. The practices in the revival will not be the same as the original religion.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is the dominant religion in your character’s region? How do they feel about it? Is it their religion? Do they agree with the dominant opinions?
How much power does religion have? Are government rulers considered divine or close to divinity? Is religion above the law? Does it dictate your character’s world?
What is the most well known story? What does this story explain? Does it give morals or does it explain a natural occurrence? Or something else? How does this story affect your characters and their world?
How important is religion to your character? Do they turn to religion in times of need? Do they take offense if someone puts down their religion? Do they try to spread their religion?
Why do people follow this religion? Did it appear in a time of need? Or is it used as an explanation? Does it bring a community together? Is there a reward (like in the afterlife)? Were they forced to convert?
What sacred days are there? Are there any at all? If so, how are these days viewed? How often do they come along? What do they celebrate?
How did this religion spread? Some religions spread unintentionally, as do languages and other cultures. The Phoenicians never had the intention of conquest, only trade. Their trade led to widespread cultural exchange. Was your religion spread on purpose? Is it actively spread? Was it forced upon a population?
How does the environment affect religion? Available resource might determine what is used for places of worship. Weather might create deities. Positions of the sun might create holidays. Geography in general might impact the origin story of the world.
How does this religion feel about various topics like marriage, death, sex, sexuality, drugs, magic, incest, and murder? What this religion says about such topics will determine what is considered “the norm” in your world and how your characters act. If incest is considered a sin rather than just taboo, people might be afraid to get too close to their sibling.
What conflict does this religion create? Does it create internal conflict for your character? Does it create wars or fights between people? Is it dangerous for your character to travel in a certain area because of their religion?
How does this religion impact your character’s outlook on life? Religion shapes the way a person perceives the world. It impacts whether they see a person as a villain or as a hero and how they feel about everything in general.
This was meant for Nico’s bd (i did this months ago w my old art style 😭
Help! Looking for a Beta Reader!
Hi, how are you? Now that we've finished the first arc of “Sitter's Love” I was wondering if anyone was interested in proofreading it for me? Jus the first arc, for now. This will finally be the last version. If it's possible, I'd like someone who's good at grammar and good at catching those little mistakes, you know? And also check any sentences that sounded weird, and a general opinion of the plot? I'd appreciate it if you could leave your opinion on the story and the characters at the end of each chapter, or every couple of chapters. I need betas for the English and Portuguese versions. I was even going to ask the beta I already know, but… there have been so many screw-ups on my part that I'm embarrassed to ask her. So if anyone is willing, I'd be very happy to ask for your help.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) dir. John Lounsbery and Wolfgang Reitherman
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Sejam bem-vindos! Olá, esse é meu blog pessoal. Escrevo fanfics Pernico/Nicercy e orginais, e reblogo alguns posts de vez em quando. História Atual Não há lugar como o Lar - versão em Portugues There's no Place like home - English version Resumo: Nico está voltando da Itália depois de passar dois anos por lá e encontra Percy, o melhor amigo que ele deixou para trás, mas que manteve contato nesse tempo afastado. O resto se desenvolve a partir desse reencontro. Se você quiser saber o que eu escrevo, siga a tag #my writing
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