Hello again! Um . . . Big thank-you's are in order:
Cara Mia: Thank you very much for your review! Piss me off? You did nothing of the sort; I assure you. I know my first A/N was a little . . . angry lol. Thank you, also, for liking it (I try ;]]).
Lais: Alright, well, I'll be quite honest with you. I have no idea how you are supposed to say her name because I got it off a site full of Greek names (it's a favorite name of poets [how fitting, no?]). It didn't provide the correct way to say it, so I've just been pronouncing it Lay-is (I'm not very good with whatever you call when you break down words and put the symbols all over them and such [incase you could tell by my illiteracy]). The end 'is' sounds like the 'is' in 'iris'. I don't know if that helps any, terribly sorry if it doesn't. Truthfully, you can pronounce it however you feel fitting because I don't know the correct way. That's just how I say it. Hmm . . . very teen angst, B.C. style (BTW love how you put that :P). I'm glad you like her. She's fun to write about as stupid as that may sound.
Achilles: Let me first say, Brad Pitt as Achilles = yum. And also, I understand that so far I've really only shown the more human (more emotional) side of Achilles. This is mainly because that's how I imagine he would act at home around his friends and family. Once I get farther into the story, you'll notice a whole new side of him in front of his company of warriors and during the war. (And thank you yet again ;]])
Patroclus: I love your opinion. Truly I do. I'll probably end up tweaking some phrases and using them in my story . . . I'm kinda weird like that. Kind of like Achilles, you'll see a big change in his character as he becomes jealous of Briseis.
Thetis: She'll show her true colors soon enough, and her faith in Lais. For the time, she's being a bit more mysterious and secretive because of the vision, and she doesn't want to give too much away. I think I just went off on a tangent . . . sorry. (And about Lais' fortitude . . . just yea. Very much manifesting. A lot to go through.)
In reply to your aside: Yes, Lais our ever hopeless romantic . . . she is almost desperate for love and thinking that Patroclus could possibly be her prince almost gave her something to hold on to and look forward to. She's expecting this love to be a great and wondrous thing without taking into perspective the downs that come with it. (This is also some hinting as to the future).
Hehe. I know. Sometimes we'll get so deep into our thoughts that we can't see the most obvious reasons and solutions to our problems.
Thank you so much for taking your time with this review. I appreciate it more than you know!!
good job: Thank you! I hope you'll continue reading 'cause I'll continue updating.
a reader: Thank you for helping me with my description of a 'Mary-Sue.' I'll be sure to keep Lais from turning Matrix on us all;]] Thank you and hope to see you back!
liz: Oh, it was not a pointless review! No, no! These kinda reviews make me keep writing, so thanks for being a motivation (this applies to everyone as well)! I'm an emotion type person. It'll eventually get on your nerves; I'm sure ;P Thank you!
Sandpiper: I do apologize for my somewhat passionate first A/N. I've just seen so many good stories with great possibilities get taken off because of cruel reviewers, and I accidentally took out all my rage into that note. I was honestly expecting much worse reviews than I got (I haven't gotten a bad one yet surprisingly). It's mainly because Achilles/Patroclus is a touchy subject for everyone. And when the flamers come flocking is usually when you try to place one of them with another person romantically. And that's kinda what I'm going to do, so I was assuming the worse. Anyways, that is my lame and rather long excuse. I hope you'll ignore it. I'm really not that hostile, and I didn't intentionally mean to come off that way. I'm really a pushover . . . anyways I'm going off on another tangent.
Thank you and thank you! The conversation . . . I was a little afraid of how people might react to it. I thought some may claim that it was too stereotypical to set them up and such. I'm glad you liked it though. Um . . . I apologize again -to all my readers- for my rude A/N's.
I LOVE YOU ALL JUST FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS, seriously.
So, guess what guys . . . Remember how I said my A/N's wouldn't be that long again?
I lied. :bows head in shame: Sorry, sorry!
I just have more to tell you all, and such. I like having so few reviewers (as insane as that may come off) because I can get more one-on-one with you guys. I like very much for my reviewers and me to talk about what we want to happen in the story. So please, Please, PLEASE do not, by all means, be afraid (even though my other A/N was a little intimidating - PMS I swear!) to make suggestions, tell me something you didn't like, note any concerns, anything! I know it's hard to in the first few chapters, but I mean when the story starts going along. I mean anytime! Really! Because I can promise you: I'll take it into consideration.
Anyways I actually wasn't planning on saying that . . . I wanted to tell you guys that I bought a copy (the last one) of The Iliad. People are going to scan over this and think I'm threatening yall again lol . . . Yet again, anyways . . . So I've been doing some reading, and am actually really glad I did because now I am more informed and understand better what happened post-war. And considering that's where my story's at . . . YAY! There were also a lot of things that happened during the war that the movie didn't even point out that I'm considering mentioning. I know, I know . . . I'm such a hypocrite. I said don't flame me about not following the book, and now I'm wanting to follow the book lol. :sighs: Of course. Please, don't expect everything to follow the story. I'll change some things and events to my plot.
Blah . . . I've said too much already. I've wasted like an hour, and now I have to go to bed. I want to point out too that I'm taking summer classes and dance, so just be aware that they may cause conflicts in the future. (Dance will because I'm going off for a week to dance. I gots a scholarship and stuff weeeee!) Ok, I really need to stop talking! NO MORE AUTHOR NOTES! (I just wrote like 2 pages of A/N's)
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Lais awoke late that morning. She was surprised (as well as relieved) that Thetis hadn't woken her up earlier. The sun was already almost at its highest point in the sky. She rolled out of the bed and stretched her sore muscles before putting on a new dress. It was the dress she usually wore because it was a simple white. She didn't bother with her sandals and walked outside, immediately being met with the sound of laughing and dull clank as practice swords collided.
She smiled and walked faster. As she had expected, Patroclus and Achilles were sparring in the courtyard. They hadn't noticed her or perhaps did and choose not to acknowledge her presence. She sat down nearby and watched them.
Patroclus stabbed at Achilles who easily evaded the move and went in for a swing of his own which Patroclus met with his sword at the last second. Patroclus said something to Achilles with a smile on his face, and Achilles smiled as well before replying. Then Patroclus moved again and swung at his chest. Achilles dodged to the side and grabbed Patroclus' wrist, easily twisting it behind his back. Patroclus was forced to face Lais with a pained look.
She couldn't help giggling. Patroclus glared at her and wrenched his arm free, swinging it around as he turned and nearly grazing the side of Achilles' face. Achilles raised an eyebrow before looking up at Lais questioningly. Lais looked as surprised as he was. She gave a few claps. Patroclus turned and mock bowed. Achilles elbowed Patroclus lightly on the middle of his back causing him to topple over rather ungracefully onto his face. Lais fell into a fit of laughs at the sight of Patroclus kneeling face first in the grass with his behind still sticking up.
Patroclus rolled over onto his back and raised his hand for Achilles to help him up. Once Achilles grabbed his hand, however, Patroclus used all his strength to bring the warrior down to the ground as well. He rolled over on top of Achilles and pointed his sword at Achilles' throat while smiling victoriously. Lais was impressed. That was the first time she had ever seen Patroclus over come Achilles. Apparently she had thought too soon for Achilles grasped Patroclus' wrists and pushed them above his head as Achilles rolled over above him and pressed the edge of his practice sword against Patroclus' neck.
"And as usual the legendary warrior Achilles claims victory over Patroclus," Lais said with a short round of applause.
Achilles smiled at his cousin as he got off Patroclus and walked towards Lais. Patroclus apparently would not allow Achilles the victory without another fight. He tackled Achilles to the ground, and they began to wrestle jokingly. Lais smiled at them. They were acting like little children, but it was quite entertaining. She felt a longing to go run and jump on top of them and join in the fighting like she used to when she was much younger. It would be too unfitting of a young woman to do so now.
Thinking of this only made Lais wish for it more. 'Well, perhaps I can't wrestle with them, but maybe I can . . .' She smiled and stood up, walking over to where they were wrestling. She swiftly kicked Patroclus who just happened to be on top in the ribs and ran. She was glad when she heard the heavy sound of his footsteps following after her. She chanced a look over her shoulder to see her older cousin on her heels. She laughed and turned a corner, trying to plan where she was running so as not to meet a dead end.
They used to chase each other for hours when they were younger. Achilles usually sat and watched, occasionally 'accidentally' tripping Patroclus as he passed by. She grabbed the edge of a doorway and swung herself through it, seeing the courtyard in view again. She ran towards Achilles who was sitting on the stone bench, hoping he might aid her. She gracefully leapt over the side of the bench and hid behind her cousin, watching Patroclus over his shoulder.
Patroclus stopped in front of Achilles though he was looking straight at the face of Lais. Her cheeks were slightly pink from running, and her smile was so bright it could out shine the sun. He half-smiled at her and put his hands on his hips as though he were angry with her. "Now, cousin, you can't hide behind Achilles every time."
Lais stuck her tongue out at him in reply, and Patroclus frowned at her. "Patroclus perhaps you should push our beloved cousin aside and come get me. Unless you're afraid that is," She taunted expertly from years of past experience.
"Don't bring Achilles into the matter, Lais. It was not he who kicked me and fled," Patroclus said back.
"Yes, but Achilles is protecting me," Lais pointed out matter-of-factly. "He is on my side."
Patroclus then turned his attention to the quiet Achilles. "Women need the protection of men because they are too weak to do so themselves," Achilles answered Patroclus' questioning eyes. "You would do well to remember that before you go chasing after her again."
Patroclus' eyes hardened compared to their previous joy-filled state. He nodded his head at Achilles and didn't bother looking at Lais afterwards. She frowned in return. That wasn't fair! She didn't need Achilles' protection. It was simply a game. She could easily outrun Patroclus for hours. She was about to open her mouth to voice her opinions, but remembered that it wasn't her place to say so. Instead she looked at her bare feet in quiet defeat.
"I thought I might find you all here," Thetis said as she walked out into the courtyard in a beautiful turquoise dress. Her eyes lingered on Lais for a moment before turning to each of the men in turn. "Has something happened?" She asked of their unusual quietness.
"Nothing, aunt," Lais answered for them all.
Thetis, however, knew better. "Lais, I'm going to the beach. Would you care to join me?"
Lais considered it for a moment. She was rather bitter towards the men at the moment and decided it would be best for her to avoid them until she was feeling more her usual self. "Yes, I would love to." Thetis smiled.
They waded until the crystal water was up to the middle of their thighs. Thetis was picking out shells for another necklace for Achilles with Lais' help. They were talking nonsense for a while. Subjects turned from the weather to the water to several other menial things until a thoughtful silence fell between them.
Lais used the time to enjoy the feeling of the water. She was wary of how much she actually got wet. Even she was aware of how transparent white could become when wet. She bent over and glided her hands over the water, watching with mild delight at the tiny ripples they created. She touched her fingers to the liquid surface as though it was solid, but she could feel it moving underneath her touch: the barely noticeable pull of the sea, tugging at the corners of her heart with each gentle pull. She looked out over the endless sea and wondered what was beyond that. What land? What kinds of people? Was there someone looking back at her without realizing it?
"You seem to be in a thoughtful mood, Lais," Thetis commented as she too looked across the sea. Lais didn't acknowledge her aunt for she was at lack of words. "May I inquire as to what is ruling your thoughts?"
Lais smiled briefly. "The sea." Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered how early her fascination with water had begun. Thetis used to tease her and ask if she were sure she wasn't a daughter of Poseidon.
Thetis seemed to think for a moment. "What is it about the sea that draws you so?"
Lais considered the question momentarily before answering, "I do not know, aunt."
Thetis forded past her to pick up another shell. "Did something happen this morning? I don't think I've ever heard you three so quiet."
"Nothing of importance," Lais half-lied. She could tell by Thetis' silence that her aunt didn't believe her. "Patroclus was chasing me," She avoided saying after she had kicked him, "and I hid behind Achilles like I used to do. Then Patroclus said to not bring Achilles into it, and I said that he was protecting me. Then Achilles said that woman needed to be protected because we cannot protect ourselves. He also told Patroclus to not chase me again because of that."
Thetis turned to look at her niece. "Achilles can be very stubborn at times. Especially when it pertains to his beliefs," She said. "However, young women such as you shouldn't be running around. It's not proper. If you ever want to find the love you aim for, you should start acting like the woman you're becoming." Lais nodded her head solemnly. "I understand it's hard. You're still very young." Thetis took the girl's chin in her hand and smiled at her. "I'm proud of you, Lais, and know you were made for great things." Lais smiled up at her aunt and blushed slightly at the compliment. Thetis took a breath. "I believe we should head back home. Achilles and Patroclus will think we've drown if we stay a moment longer."
When they returned, Achilles and Patroclus did not even seem to notice their long absence. Apparently they had gotten into another fight. Achilles had left to visit a friend in town while Patroclus seethed outside. Lais hated to, but she also hated to see Patroclus looking so miserable. Somehow she had become a little fond of him. She cautiously walked out to him and sat beside him on the bench.
"Hello, Lais," He said quietly when she sat beside him. She turned her head to consider him. She wasn't sure what to say. "Did you enjoy the beach?" Patroclus asked after moments of silence.
Lais nodded. "Yes, I loved the beach. Did you and Achilles fight?" She accidentally blurted out.
Patroclus kept his gaze on what was in front of him. "Was it nice out there?" He asked instead of answering.
Lais got the impression that he didn't wish to talk on the matter. "It always is. At least to me."
Patroclus finally glanced at her. He smiled, noticing how uncomfortable she was. "You've always enjoyed the beach more than I could understand."
Lais partially blushed. "It has that effect on me."
Patroclus continued to stare at her though she avoided his gaze. "I don't understand," He admitted. "How could you love something as unreliable as the sea?"
"It's beautiful. It calms me and . . ." She stumbled over what she was saying. She had never had a deep conversation with this cousin. He stared more intently at her. The fighting between Achilles and Patroclus seemed to bring out the most vulnerable sides of both. 'Strange that they both came out to the courtyard afterwards. Perhaps they see what I see in nature,' Lais thought.
"You think too much," Patroclus said suddenly.
Lais jumped somewhat and looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"You don't ever let things happen by themselves. You have to consider it for hours on end before even making a decision," He explained.
Lais frowned and turned back to in front of her. "And you, Patroclus, don't think enough." She didn't allow him to speak by continuing. "The only thoughts you spare partial time to are those of war and death. You obsess over such dark material that you become in a sense dark yourself. I don't understand how you could place so much time and effort into something so horrid." Her eyes filled with passion as they turned to look into his. "How could you take the life of another without thinking about it, considering it? Who are you to deal out death? Who are you to decide who should die and who should live?" She had unintentionally grabbed his forearm with one hand. "Leave that decision to the gods for it is their decision alone."
Patroclus was stubborn at times. Not only did he look like his older cousin, but he acted like him as well sometimes. One could blame it on the time the two cousins spent together. "And what if it is their time to die? Suppose that I am the one to kill them. What of that?!"
For some reason unknown to Patroclus, Lais' eyes filled with sorrow. "How can you be so heartless?" She asked barely above a whisper. She could understand how Achilles felt without love. Patroclus seemed as though he didn't understand the concept of love well enough to be able to give it intentionally and fully.
Patroclus stared down at Lais into those green eyes full of despair. Something pricked his soul with an invisible pin. Had he caused that? He wasn't sure how to voice his thoughts. They were jumbled up and twisted around. He vaguely wished she hadn't even showed up after his fight with Achilles. He hated showing this side of him. He felt weak, and he was not weak. He forced on a stone face despite his raging inside. "You, little cousin, speak of things you do not understand. They are above you. You would do well to hold your tongue and remember this." It was something he could have heard Achilles say. That was mainly why he said it.
The despair vanished within a second and was replaced with the most awful hatred Lais could conjure. She stood up abruptly and cared not if she was acting like a child throwing a tantrum. She couldn't stand it any longer. "Patroclus, you would do well to remember who you are, and that is not Achilles." With that said, she stormed off. How did he always bring out the worst in her? She had tried to help. How had they begun fighting? Why?
Lais wasn't sure. She didn't wish to stay in this house a second longer for it felt like a second too long. She instead fled to the sea where she felt she finally belonged. She walked into the surf, tears flowing down her cheeks and mixing with the salty spray. She trudged as fast as she could farther into the see. She was reveling in the way the waves folded over her and wrapped around like a blanket of comfort. Her legs were swept out from under her, and she momentarily went under into the darkness before resurfacing.
This was her world. She glided over the sand at the bottom as the undercurrent pulled her farther out. The waves were crashing over her head, and it was a precious weight to her. The salty water that filled her lungs and nostrils reminded her she was alive. However, she felt as though she were on the brink of Styx. That the tide might turn at any moment, and she would find herself drowning in the cold murky waters of the underworld. It sent chills that the waters soon brushed away.
In the moments that followed she wasn't sure what was happening. All she heard was someone calling her name repeatedly, but her ears and eyes were too full of salt water to figure out whom. Another moment and arms were around her, pulling her away from her haven. She tried to see who was the cause of this, but her vision was too blurry. Foggy vision of golden and the blurry outline of a man's face. "Achilles?" She croaked out for her throat too was salty from the water she had swallowed. It hadn't been loud enough, or the person choose not to answer for whoever it was continued to pull her from the water. Something snapped, and she struggled against them. No! She wanted to be in there! "Stop!"
"Lais!" The man yelled back. Enough water had drained from her ears for her to recognize the voice.
"Patroclus, what are you doing?" She demanded as he carried her out of the water and over to the sandy beach. He knelt and laid her down on her back.
"What was I doing? What were you doing?! Drowning yourself!" Patroclus said; his golden locks were dripping over her exposed neck as he leaned over her.
Lais groaned and rolled onto her side so her sand covered back faced him before sitting up onto her hip and glaring over her shoulder at him. "I was hardly drowning," She said haughtily. "I was swimming."
"Well, great swimming you were doing. You were struggling to keep your head above the water," Patroclus said.
"Who said I wanted to keep my head about the water?" Lais asked grumpily as she staggered to a standing position above him. She began to walk back to the water, but Patroclus grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"You're not going back in there!" He told her sternly.
"Let go of me. You don't command me!" Lais was angry enough with him before he had to 'save' her. Now she was downright furious. This rage seemed to push away the fact that he had been trying to save her.
"I'm not letting you back in there." Lais and her stubborn cousins.
"I'm going back in there." Lais herself being stubborn.
"No, you're not," Patroclus said and swept her up into his arms. He began carrying the squirming Lais back up the beach.
"I hate you!" She finally yelled at him before giving up. He was too strong for her to break his grip. He ignored her and carried her all the way home, finally letting her stand once they were inside.
Unfortunately, Thetis and Achilles were nearby. "Where have you two been?" Thetis asked as she rushed over.
Patroclus spoke before Lais could find the words. "Lais was drowning," He said simply.
Lais glared at him. "I was not drowning!" She looked back at Thetis and continued, "I was floating in the water, and this dumb brute thought I was drowning."
"She was drowning. She's simply embarrassed," Patroclus said with a labored sigh. "She even wanted to go back out into the water after I saved her. I had to carry her all the way home!"
"I was not drowning," Lais repeated again.
Thetis didn't seem to know what to say, and Achilles was looming somewhere nearby silently. "Lais, you owe Patroclus your life. Apologize to him for being so rude," She finally said.
Lais wanted to scream. "I'm sorry," She said through her teeth before leaving to go change. Why was it no one believed her? It was because she was a woman. She decided. She went to the bathing room and washed off before changing into her sleeping gown and robe. Achilles and Patroclus looked like they were spending the night again. Lais skipped dinner to avoid the source of her anger. She watched the sunset through her window instead while brushing her hair and reading from a book of poetry Achilles had brought her once.
Meanwhile Thetis, Patroclus, and Achilles were sitting at the table having dinner.
"Where is Lais?" Patroclus asked after a moment.
"She's probably still in her room," Thetis answered with a sigh. "I apologize for her. I don't know why she was acting so rudely."
Patroclus shrugged and took a bite of food, so he wouldn't be obligated to reply. "Why were you both at the beach?" Achilles inquired without looking at his cousin.
"We had been talking in the courtyard, arguing actually - as usual. Then she became so angry with me that she stormed out and to the beach. I wasn't finished speaking with her, so I followed after her." 'She can run rather fast,' He thought in his mind. "Next I saw her being tossed about in the waves with her head barely above the water. I assumed she was drowning and dove in after her."
The table was quiet for a time as everyone thought. "I thank the gods that you came after her," Thetis said quietly. "Lais may not be here if it were not for you."
Again Patroclus drank, so he wouldn't have to speak on the awkward subject. "I'm sure anyone would do the same if in the situation," He said modestly to break the silence since there seemed no other way.
"We sail soon," Achilles finally admitted calmly.
Thetis nearly dropped her knife at the sudden comment. "You know not when?"
Achilles shook his head and took another bite of meat.
'Soon,' Patroclus thought with a small smile and a tightening in his stomach.
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Thanks again to those who read this! I love you all! I hope I get as many reviews as I did last time . . . So go for it and hit that little button that says 'Go'! :]]