mythopoeics

[ Galahad didn't much want to get involved with Elaine, but his duty dictated that he ought to at least go check on her. The fact that she had been lacking as a mother did not mean he should be lacking as a son- that would be something that would be on his concience. He didn't want to sin when being a son should not be a chore.

It was though.

He knocked twice on the door (rapping the wood with his knuckles to avoid doing something to the door) of the address he had committed to memory and waited.

Nothing was allowed to be touched unless she wanted another snapping turtle on her hands. Elaine was doing better, truth be told, but she was still deeply frustrated because going to work was impossible. And then Hermes had come along and said the wrong things at first and she felt not shame but annoyance.

And when the knock on the door came, Baldric yipped, Rhett lifted his head to observe and Elaine went to the door. Once seeing who it was through the peep hole she took a step back. And before touching anything, she took several deep breaths and then swiftly unlocked it, yanking it open.

"I didn't expect you."

Galahad tilted his head a little, betraying that he was a little bit confused as that sort of greeting but said nothing of what he was actually thinking. "No, I suppose not. I was merely passing by to see if you were doing fine. To see if you required something." Nothing more than a duty of a son to his (somewhat deranged) mother.

Galahad didn't seemed annoyed at having to do this, he might have felt so but his duty had never been something that annoyed him. Doing things out of duty was too natural for him.

Deranged was just a flavour she could provide. ...not that it was a good thing. She knew that. She nodded to his reply and took a step back, her nerves threatening to overtake her. Elaine wasn't a fool about what the state of her relationship was with her son. She had something to accomplish and she did. Then it was all on him to do what he was meant to do. That was the way it was. No warm fuzzies, no coddling or sweet tuck-ins at night. She was his container and he the answer to their problem.

Yet sometimes, she just wanted to grab him and tell him what a fat baby he had been and it had hurt like hell getting him out. "Do you want to come in? Please? Just for a moment?"

"Sure." Galahad would not refuse most of the requests his mother made of him, but he remembered now- so clearly, the loving whispers of Morgause against his brow when she came to check up on him during night. He remembered the encouragement of her words, the conviction that he was the right choice for the throne. Things not easily forgotten or dismissed. He missed being loved as a son.

"Is there anything you need?" He closed the door behind him with a nudge of his shoulder not wanting to risk anything again.

Morgause had been a true mother to her children, to all five sons. Even the one that turned on her later. Elaine could never even claim to be one-tenth that maternal. Babies were adorable but raising them...perhaps there were some good books about that somewhere.

With Galahad here and her building generally safe enough, she left the door unlocked for now. Closed was good enough. "Me? I'd like to go to work, that's all. Idleness isn't for me," she admitted. "I saw that your Bible was taken from you. I'm sorry. And I'd offer you something to drink but..." Well, they both knew why that wasn't possible.

Which would've been fine had Galahad not experienced Morgause's mothering. Now there was a bigger elephant in the room between them. "Please do not concern yourself." Politeness was always his default mode for dealing with most situations. Most. "I came to see if you required help with something, I believe I might have less trouble than you handling things." He lifted one hand, staring at his palm in thought and then curled his fingers. "If you find that acceptable."

Lord, his politeness would slay her one day. There was only so much a woman could take before she cracked a man over the head with something heavy. But today would not be that day. She nodded once more and then said, "You might end up changing something as well if you touch it so I'm not sure how much help you can give but...I think it's just nice that you came. Even for a bit."

Galahad rubbed the bridge of his nose, a sign that there was the vaguest hint of annoyance lurking. "It is no problem, I shall stay here for a little longer, in case you find something you urgently need and cannot grab yourself, yes?" He didn't really wait for a yes or no, instead he strode over to the couch and sat down. It was not a relaxed posture, he sat straight, looking at the coffee table and whatever had been left on it. Well, he had never been much of a talker in general. Now? Now it was just the same.

Except he felt like he couldn't even approach Percival without sinning. It bothered him. Galahad suppressed the urge to sigh, it wasn't like Elaine would be any comfort to him. Not then, not now, not in future.

And then Baldric attacked his shoes.]

I meant to turn on the video but I am not going to change it over now because I'm terrified to touch anything. But tell me, am I going mad? Am I stuck in some bizarre dream or is this another game? Because I was going to go to bed when Baldric insisted he needed to go out immediately. And, annoyed, I went to get his leash.

[something is shaken and it's certainly not a leash] And that, the moment I grabbed it, turned into silk flowers! And after he took care of himself on my kitchen floor, I grabbed the mop and it turned into butterflies. Good lord, butterflies! And after that, my struggle to not screech down the whole apartment building and then ridiculous concern I had swallowed one of the butterflies, I managed to make myself tea after five tries.

[a subtle groan is offered then] Please tell me I'm not alone in this. Please tell me something is going on with everyone and I am not mad. I am not.

Please?

Extra, extra, read all about it! An entire city's worth of former mythological beings all underwent the same torture yet again and everyone's pissed! I, for one, might have liked that place a little better, just because I had an awesome dad it was more fun.

I think we should all compare notes, and while we're at it I think someone from the Trojan War should help me ace this paper I've got to write on The Iliad. I'll be super-grateful.

We're back now, and I've got an unholy ton of homework. You know what would make me feel a lot better about all this? If I had a puppy. Seriously, puppies make everything better. Hint, uncle, big fat ~ sparkling~ hint.

[Memory was a powerful thing.

Despite using copious amounts of alcohol to attempt to forget, the past two months were wearing on Mordred far more than he felt anyone had any right to know. Between knowing he shagged his half-brother to falling in love with Iseult, planning children and a future with her, fighting alongside Percival and Tristan, and finally down to being killed by Deiphobus, there were far too many things that even an orderly mind like his couldn't reconcile.

Daytime was filled with phantom pains from where a sword ran him through and nighttime was filled with fevered remembrances of a blonde-haired goddess among women writhing under his skillful touch - with thoughts like that plaguing his brain it was no wonder Mordred was imposing a willful insomnia on himself that was doing nothing to improve his attitude. Thoughts of what had and what could have been made him more irritable and surly than usual. Had he truly fell in love with his brothers' little piece on the side? Craved children and stability? These were questions he refused to entertain except in those moments of weakness he wished he never had.

There were very few people he hadn't snarled at in his more drunken moments, to the point where his mother had (politely, oh so politely) asked him to take his leave. The first thing he did upon making it home was to boot up his computer and stare at the screen. What to write...?]

Rumours of my demise... None of tha...

I believe there are a few people inquiring as to my whereabouts?

[filter; elaine, hector, odr, and euterpe]
Whatever you do, don't call me Hermione in public, okay? It's Denver. It's really, really important that you call me Denver.

[filter; pheme]
Is your uncle working tonight?

[filter; menelaus]

[Filter: Aeneas]

I don't even know what to say right now. I don't even know what to think.

[Filter: Hector]

I should have said something when it all sank in but
I needed a little time to let it settle.


How are you handling things?

[Filter: Arthurians] Mordred's gone. He's gone and I
Why? You'll end up snarled at or worse. But
[Filter: Arthurians]

To his family: I'm so sorry about Mordred.

I don't know who to - I shall start from the beginning.

Lady Morgause, King Arthur. Mordred is dead. I am so sorry.

He - we were married. I remember it so it must be real. I don't think either of us particularly wanted to marry the other but it was working. Oh, it was working and we were happy.

He died in Ilium. He was fighting with the rebels. He - I heard that he died at the hand of the Queen's Consort. I don't know if that's true. But I'm so sorry for your loss. Would you believe that it is my loss, too?

Agravaine, I'm so sorry about your brother. He was so good to me.

[Filter: Hector]

Could I have a moment?

[Filter: Aeneas]

Guess what I'm doing!

[Filter: Arthur & Lancelot] no, no I don't want to speak to them at all
[Filter: Public]

There is nothing like being home. There is also nothing like being chased by one of your annoyed dogs. Silly thing.

[Filter: Elaine]
Elaine? I thought you were getting married.

I've made something for Baldric.

[Filter: Public]
I heard some ladies talking. What happened in Ilium?

[filter; camlann faction]
No one is to see the queen unless they speak with me first. There will be no room for discussion on this matter.

[filter; elaine]
Did you see? Something has happened, sister.

[filter; gwynevere]

[She had delayed no time in seeing their things be readied after stirring the princess from her sleep. No one was given notice of their leaving. Elaine had zero interest in making this into something even worse - and something slow. The moment things were just right, Elaine immediately wrote to her friend. The hour was late but she wanted to push through with the idea of vanishing now.

They wouldn't be alone for too long.]

[Filter: Polyxena]

Ready? Come meet me by the horses soon. The sooner we leave...

Yes.

[Filter: Hector]

The princess and I are coming home. I'm asking Aeneas to meet us as swiftly as possible on the road back home.

I'll explain things better in person but I don't believe any marriages will be happening, brother.

[Filter: Aeneas]

Leave immediately for Mictlan, please. Polyxena and I are on our way back immediately. We'll meet you part way.

I'll answer all questions when I see you.

( we learned new games under the covers; how to laugh and how to grieve )

[filter; morgan, lancelot, hermes]

(scrawled, and blotted, and not at all like Arthur's usual steady handwriting)

We have a problem.

( i loved you first, i loved you first )

( Duty was too valuable to throw away, to ignore. )

[A week had passed since Arthur's arrival in Camlann with Lancelot. And now it was her turn, with Polyxena, to go to spend time with them in Mictlan. If all went well as everyone hoped, she would be married the nineteenth.

Elaine was doing her damned best to pack and not have a panic attack. She was not ready for this, even as bride at her age. Lancelot was wonderful, so terribly wonderful but wasn't ready. When would she ever be?]

Camlannian sunsets are so inspiring, I think. And I won't see one again for a long time. I hope Mictlan's sunsets and sunrises are as beautiful if not more.

I'll soon know!

[Filter: Polyxena]

How ready are you for tomorrow? For the rest of our lives

[Filter: Hector]

HECTOR.
HECTOR.
YOU CAN HEAR ME THROUGH PAPER. I KNOW IT.
BROTHER OF MINE, I KNOW YOU CAN TELL WHEN I NEED Y

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I have doggie drool all over my left hand ewww Olivier

[Filter: Aeneas]
[Filter: Aeneas]

I'm leaving tomorrow.

I pricked myself today. I never prick myself. But it wouldn't stop bleeding, and I nearly smeared it upon my work. I sucked it clean, and now I can't wash the taste of blood from my tongue.

Sister, when are you returning to Camlann?

It was a good morning for a hunt. But before I found my game, I found an abandoned wolf pup. The runt of the litter by the looks of it. She is weak with hunger and it looks like something ran off with one of her ears. I have a mind to put her down, but we will see how she fares after she's fed and rested. She might make a good companion if she can be trained.

People seem to be asking a lot of philosophical questions lately. I like it. Here's one of my own, a simple one:

If you found yourself invisible for one day and one day only, what would you do? Would you feel guilty afterwards? Would you miss people?

Here's an idea: don't touch my fucking horse, and you won't get kicked. Touch my horse and face the consequences. I'm going to beat the stable boy within an inch of his life

[Filter: Private]

Hey. Hey. HEY. NOT A WORD TO ME. Hmmm. HMMM.

OH REALLY? REALLY? Just up and gone, not a 'do you want anything?' or 'I'm off' or 'take care' or
Not that you have to but it would have been nice seeing as I'm getting married and, oh goodness, is this very selfish? Or hopeful? Or am I going mad to expect these things because soon I won't have it AT ALL? MAYBE ALL OF THAT? BUT I

REALLY, AENEAS? HMM? HMMMM


ow

[Filter: Public]


DOCTOR

ok ok not really, just jabbed myself I AM FINE. but HECTOR. TO THE BEDROOM oh, wait a second, rewrite COME TO MY ROOM we must plot things. things only a brother and sister can plot. hurrhurrhurr

if you are available. of course. I LOVE Y



PUPppppy

Guess everyone needs a change in scenery.

Little brother, I'm visiting. Save me a spot that's not on a barn.

And here's to nothing happening while I'm away.

Don't get me wrong. Weddings are great. They're lovely. I'm a romantic at heart, honestly, but... what else is happening in the world?

I feel like now would be a great time to share our tales of human endurance any maybe brave pets who pull their owners from flaming carriage wreckages and all of that. Something to remind us of the simple things in life.

So come on, folks. What has your dog done today?

(I don't have a dog, by the way. Had a parrot once. Little bastard bit me.)

This talk of marriage has led me to wonder what a life as a married woman would be like. I wonder, do all girls dream of marriage as a child? And if so, to married women, has the fantasy lived up to the expectations now that it's happened?

[Filter: Freyja]
My queen, would there be any chance that I may have your leave for Glastheim? I will return as soon as the wedding is over.


after the filter to freyja
[Filter: Gwynevere]
In a few days time, I'll be seeing you, my lady. Perhaps I may see you on the road before the wedding.

[Filter: Elaine]
Tomorrow I leave for Glastheim. Do you want any souvenirs, or shall I bring you back a snowman?

[Filer: Aeneas]
Aeneas, I can't say how long I will be in Glastheim, but could you watch over Elaine in my absence? Provided you are not attending as well.

As I close up on a rather fruitful week-long stay at one of my favorite watering holes in all of Camlann I find myself considering where I should look for temporary employment next. I thought about just getting in my little caravan and driving until I found a place that seemed in need of entertainment, but then I realized it's winter and I'd rather not overwork my poor horse. It occurs to me that there might be someone who knows of someplace in need of a minstrel, and I just happen to be one of those musical types who enjoys broadening her horizons.

So, if anyone could offer suggestions, or perhaps even be in need of a ride someplace for a small fee, do let me know.

I can bet this is going to unravel in yet another amazing round of politics games. How long till someone else gets stabed in the back.

There must be a way to use this tool productively. I might just not know it properly yet. Because right now, it's only helping me ignoring the unexplainable amount of giggling females around.

I'm not about to say goodbye and settle my affairs just yet.

[it was time to do some caroling. no mistletoe was going inspire this. this was all Elaine and she was going to tackle the fifth floor with some cheery songs. she had started with apartments 5J and 5I (doing them in twos to save time!), continuing down until she got closer and closer to her own apartment. the songs weren't meant to be lengthy and she didn't linger as well.

now she came upon the final apartments, hers and 5B. the voice post begins here]

Fifth floor, that noise in the hallway? Was me! I'm sorry if you didn't fully appreciate the caroling but I was in the mood and it's almost Christmas. I had to. Of course, if that doesn't cut it, I do have treats in my apartment. I've been requesting a lot of sugar and flour. And yeast. And...well, anyway. Stuff. Knock on 5A's door if you want any.

That aside, I'm going to wrap up here and get back to making honey cakes and taffy.

[she already knew which song to sing (Deck the Halls). her throat cleared, she launched into the song with gutso, forgetting to kill the recording]

[filter; polyxena]

Princess, are you safe?

[filter; gwynevere]

...

My Queen. I gather we are in the same building.

[filter; public]

Having gotten over the urge to build a fort (it is a fine fort but I will hear no more about it), I have investigated the building a little more. The room service is prompt. I'll say that much for it.

Knights, my Ladies - how do you fare?

If anyone needs me I'll be at my office, avoiding anything holiday related to the best of my ability.

( inside a snowflake like the one on your sleeve, there happened a story you must see to believe~ )

Maybe it's true what they say, and The Grinch's heart can grow. Only one size for now, but I'm working on it...

Dear Santa,

It's been so long! I hope you liked the cookies I left out for you last year, and that the milk was cold enough because I left it in the freezer for too long. I'm still wondering how you got inside my apartment because I don't have a chimney and my balcony door was locked from the inside, not that you couldn't find a way to break in because I'm sure you've got excellent lock-picking elves to help you.

This year, I'd like several bottles of expensive wine because I'm not enough of a lush. I need to get more drunk! Like, a bottle for every day of the year. If you could also give me those cute little doggie jackets and boots, that would be like super cool. Not for the dogs, they're totally for me.

Give my regards to Mrs. Claus and hug Rudolph for me! Oh, and tell your elves they're doing a super great job. I promise the cookies I'm leaving you this year will be like so much better than last year's. Are you allergic to nuts? Send me back a letter just to be safe, I wouldn't want to kill you and ruin the dreams of children for decades to come.


LOVE~,

Elaine the Drunk

xoxxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo

CHRISTMAS IS CLOSING IN ON US EEEEEEEEE ♥

I am going back to my parents' place for Christmas on the 23rd. And I know you all have plans and Arthur's doing his kingly thing and organizing something. So. SO. JOIN IN THE FESTIVITIES. ALL OF YOU.

It wouldn't kill any of you to enjoy the holiday season. :| No matter WHAT you celebrate or believe in. It's the end of the year, some of us have known one another for almost a year, little less, a lot more. The new year should begin with good thoughts and good cheer. So smile, celebrate and be merry. Be GOOD.

♥♥♥!!