Paradiso

Every morning I wake up hoping he'll be back...

And every morning he isn't.

I've felt the influence of divine all my life; there is ichor from the Sky King himself in my veins and my own brothers adorn the night sky. I have been to the bed of a son of Poseidon and felt Cytherea's claws hooked deep in my ragged heart. Mighty are the gods, then, who rule this isle and whose limits outstrip Olympus.

What offerings do they require and where are their temples? Were I given lend of a bow I could bring down a bull for sacrifice at the altars.

Giving birth is exhausting. Scott shared the news, though! Our daughter is a little angel, and we're doing wonderfully. Except...I don't think I've slept more than an hour since she was born.

[Scott]

She's perfect. You're perfect.

Scott!

Scott...I think it's time. I think -

Oh gods

The gods are angry at us.

Have they set off a mountain close by? Has it exploded in their rage? I did not hear an explosion, but if we were far enough away...

Scott! So I've been thinking of names for our daughter.

These are my top ten:

Terpsikhore - it's the name of a muse, and it means 'Enjoying the dance.'
Ianthe - it means 'violet.'
Kalligeneia - it means 'beauty born'
Kharis - meaning kindness
Pherenike - meaning 'bringer of victory'
Euterpe - meaning 'delight'
Glykeria - meaning 'sweet'
Tryphania - meaning 'glory of god'
Tryphosa - meaning 'soft'
Spyridoula - meaning 'spirit

Which one do you like best?

I am very nervous. The time is coming soon and yet I feel...normal. I mean, the baby is moving a lot and I can't wait to meet it but it's very frightening to think what is between right now...and finally getting to hold my daughter.

Would you like help making diapers, Pepper? I desperately need something to do with my hands. I also have been knitting a bit if anyone would be interested in blankets or socks...?

In less than two weeks, I'm going to be a mother.

I'm so excited...but I'm really terrified, too. Back home, I was married, but never conceived, but here Arva's made everything right and I feel so blessed...

But please, I pray to the gods, don't let me mess this up. I'm so terrified that I will. But I guess that's natural, right?

I think I understand why women hide themselves away when they reach their last months of pregnancy. I feel disgusting and certainly not fit to be seen in public. Certainly men must be sickened to look at us when we're like this.

I think I shall bury myself under my blankets until the baby is born.

I've been making diapers and baby clothes, but I'm not sure that I have enough. I'm a little worried that we're not going to have enough in the way of cloth. It would be nice if we had sheep for spinning wool. Not for the diapers, of course, but for the clothes.

Scott!!!

I felt the baby move!!

I think it's wonderful how people here are able to look past things like jealousy and possessiveness in order to be with more than one person. Nobody has gotten angry, or caused fights about it, or treated their partners (men or women) like things.

This isn't really something I'm used to. For people who know my story, I was treated like a piece of property, and Achilles looking at me that way and throwing a tantrum over not having what was 'his' is what eventually led to his downfall.

Just some thoughts.

Hello!

I'm Briseis, but people here have started calling me Bri, and I like it. So you can call me that. I'm having a baby with Scott, but I know that Arva wants us to share our love with lots of people, and I'm fine with that.

The thing is, I'm not very good at getting out and meeting people. Even though I'd like to!

So...I'm from Lyrnessus, which was a city-state in Troy. I was married there when I was sixteen, to the King. Achilles destroyed my home a few years later, killed my family, and took me as his prize. But I don't want to think about the past - I'm far more interested in the future.

So! I would like to get to know people, men and women (although I'm only interested in being...uh...intimate with men) for friends and lovers.

I...feel a little queasy this morning.

But that must mean it's real, right? I'm really, really pregnant!

[Filtered to Men]

I...I'm very sorry if I offended anyone with my post. I - thought that was the way things were done here, but since I got no replies on that particular part, I must have been wrong...I hope nobody thinks badly of me.

Hi! I just wanted everyone to know that Scott and I are now expecting.

A baby! I'm going to have a baby.

[Filtered to Men]

This is a strange request, I know, so please forgive me if it's too bold. But I am looking to expand my horizons and my experience here. I know there must be kind men in the world besides Scott, and I would like to find another to have...relations with.

This sucks in so many ways it isn't even funny.

[Finnick]
Ugh. This is what it must feel like to have the plague.

This place is like one of them fancy whore houses on a core planet...minus the Alliance looking to arrest a fella in the middle of a good time. This bed is heads and shoulders more comfortable than my bunk on Serenity. And there ain't no Jayne.

This was a really exciting week, as the walls went up and it really started to look like a cabin. The walls are done, the loft and roof supports are in place, and next week the roof goes on. Thanks so much to Nick for all your help, especially with the really heavy, high stuff like the upper parts of the walls and the ridge pole and beam. Thanks for Bucky and Steve for taking a little time out from your awesome chicken coop to help, and of course thanks to my main man in all of this, Scott.

Are there still enough fishing nets? I'd be glad to make more if they're needed. Or if anyone needs any clothes mended?

Also, who is planning to have a baby soon?

Would anyone be willing to have a child with me?

I am so grateful for everything this place has given me and I would very much like to contribute to the gods' pleasure as well.