Midnight Proser

Clytemnestra:You should refresh your wardrobe. At least change your hair. Helen (offended): What is wrong with my hair? Leda (defending): Leave it alone. Clytemnestra: I will not. [Leda almost stood up from her seat] Clytemnestra: Your hair is cooler than hers. [Leda was pleased] Clytemnestra: And you are a senior citizen. [Leda was about to reach something under the table] Leda (ominous): I don't slap like one. Clytemnestra: ... Helen (in cold sweat): I do not want to change. I like who I am. Clytemnestra: Yes, but some of us have to be seen with you. [Helen dramatically gasped] Clytemnestra: Now you are the Golden Goose, it is time for you to HONK!!! [Helen rolled her eyes] Leda: Doesn't the scripture say a person shouldn't be too proud? Helen: Don't you remember, mother? Spartans ignore that part. Leda (lecturing): You can't piecemeal the word of the gods. Clytemnestra: That was not the gods, that was Daedalus. And his son became a star. Leda (sympathizing): After he flew too close to the sun. The poor lad met a terrible end... Helen: I've always admired your style. Maybe I can steal borrow some of your cool outfits. [Helen blinks innocently] Clytemnestra (ominous): You take my look, I take your life (ಠ益ಠ) [Sometime later in the evening] Helen: You're right, sister. I cannot feel my toes, but I look like a queen. Clytemnestra: Yes, we can never feel our toes. Leda (nods in approval): Mm-hm! [Tyndareus and his sons walk in the dining room] Tyndareus: Hey. Helen: Hello, father. Pollux: Why are you walking funny? Castor: Did you step in something? Leda: Look at her feet, you fools. Helen: They are not just shoes, they are a lifestyle (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

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There is no coincidence. I want to see my favorite boys come to life. It's been something I am preparing for hehehe

Design notes:

Aeneas

He gets his long eye lashes from his mother. I want him to be gorgeous. After all, he is the son of the Goddess of Beauty (｡♡‿♡｡)

I did his hair based on the photos of men with curly hair I can find I think suits Aeneas

In my head, his hair is light brown, but sometimes appears either red or blonde under a certain lighting [this is a nod to his mother who's described to be xanthos (fair hair)]

Did I mention he's gorgeous (♡ ω ♡ ) ~♪

I wasn't sure how old he was during the events of the, "Iliad"

This is my estimated guess, but I think he's somewhere between Achilles and Patroclus' age, or early to mid 30s

But, definitely older than Diomedes

(Aeneid) - I grew his hair long and styled it in a pony tail

I have a recent thing for men in pony tails

His appearance was inspired by artworks I can find on him

For the, "Aeneid," his beard is based on this painting

Oh yes, I love him very much... but I haven't read the, "Aeneid" yet!

I'll get there as soon as I get through the, "Iliad"

Wait for me, I'm coming for you, sir (ﾉ◕_◕)ﾉ

Palamedes

My original design of him

During Pre-Iliad, he has wavy, flowy hair like this picture

I think I remember some sources mentioned he is tall, lean, and charming but doesn't take care of his hair well (?)

Whatever the case is, I need him to look as handsome as possible (I mean where else does he get his good looks from? He's not called the cousin of the Atreides for nothing)

I know there are different sources on how Palamedes died, but I chose Hyginus' play, "Fabulae," where he was executed by being stoned to death

Let's just say he and Aeneas need group therapy to discuss their stone trauma

Justice for the man who came up with dice and the Greek alphabet

RIP Palamedes, at least you get avenged later by the Romans

His later appearance is inspired by Eric Shanower's design of Palamedes in the "Age of Bronze"

His mustache is take from this painting

Other Notes:

During the, "Aeneid," Diomedes grows his hair out. There might come a time I'll braid Diomedes' long hair. I also thought about giving him a mustache

Diomedes and Odysseus are about to throw hands. Or stones in this case. I feel bad for reminding Aeneas and Palamedes

This is a headcanon that'll probably never happen, but Aeneas gets a panic attack as soon as he sees a stone or pebble in front of him

Achilles' armor is based on Dimitrios Katsikis' recreation of Thorax (A Version), or the first set of armor.

During the events at Aulis, I imagine Achilles is close to 20 years old when he's old enough to be suited for marriage.

His hair is based on his statues. I didn't have a specific hairstyle for him at that time, but I want to see him with wild, wavy hair.

I also considered drawing his helmet, but there was not enough room on paper. Plus, this was a deliberate choice to have Achilles take out his helmet out of respect, and be intimate with Iphigenia.

Iphigenia's parents both have sharp eyes, so I try to have Iphigenia with sharp and round eyes to show her youth. At that point I think she is 14 years old. Which is also common for an adolescent girl to get married during the Bronze Age.

These are the scenes from the film.

The movie timestamp starts at 1:53:00. But, if you want the script:

Iphigenia: Because of all this, since Greece wants my life, I give it to her. (MEN CHEERING) Iphigenia: Death will be my wedding, children, and glory. (IPHIGENIA TURNS TO CLYTEMNESTRA) Iphigenia: Mother, that's how it is. You should be grateful that we are Greeks... and not barbarians or slaves. (ACHILLES APPROACHES) Achilles: If the gods loved me, you would have been mine today. I envy Greece that is taking you away. I envy you for the glory she gives you. There is nothing I wouldn't do to save you. Speak, before it's too late. There's no coming back from death. Iphigenia: I'm not afraid of death. I know it. I'm just thinking how much blood will be shed for Helen... and I say that's enough. Don't kill for me. And above all, don't get killed. Achilles: Since death could not bend you, what can I say? I want you to know one thing. You can change your mind at the last minute. I'll be close. (ACHILLES CARESSES IPHIGENIA'S CHEEK) Achilles: Don't forget this... I don't want you to die.

The most beautiful pair of chipmunks.

Inspired by this Instagram post.

Odysseus was trying to avoid going to war help his friend out in need. But Menelaus was too deep in despair, and it made matters worse when his big brother encouraged him to take action.

Outfit #1 is based on her mother, Hecuba, from Eric Shanower's comic series, "Age of Bronze."

Outfit #2 and Outfit #3 are based on typical Hittite and Assyrian fashion.

As for her default outfit I'm going to pick my other design, but have the dress be purple. Maybe I'll even alternate the outfit to be combined with Outfit #3.

The list of earrings from top to bottom

Earring #1

Earring #2

Earring #3

Earring #4

Hittite Charm

The list of necklaces from top to bottom

Necklace #1

Necklace #2

Necklace #3

Assyrian Rosette

Here's a closeup of Achilles' eye. He has central heterochromia iridus amber and blue eyes with a hint of turquoise and aqua green.

The top left corner was drawn from the statue where an arrow shot his Achilles tendon.

I styled his hair in different hairstyles to figure out how I want him to look like. Personally, I think he looks good in a ponytail. Maybe I'll style his hair again with more braids.

When I tried to cut his hair short at the bottom right corner, he reminded me of my design of Megapenthes. Hopefully there won't be any confusion in the future.

His design is still a work in progress, so nothing has been settled.

For his eye color, I was under the impression they were as blue as the sky that his hands extend to pray to the gods that they shall give him the recognition he desires.

However, I also like the idea his eyes could be brown or amber as a lion's eye given that it is his animal motif. In the end, I chose to go with blue and amber eyes.

It wasn't on purpose, but combining these colors reminds me of the sky and sun. Two cosmic symbols that he is blessed with to use as gifts to fight off against his opponents.

There's an olive tree, the very same tree you decide will be the root of the palace you'll build as your new home on the small island of Ithaca.

You start with the floor, and work your way around the tree. Each tile you personally pick the materials out of, every single pattern you designed, and an array of colors that you painted by hand tells a story.

Representing through the mosaic patterns is a key memory that you and your wife can recount off, even to the exact shade of color on the grass that you laid on to take a nap.

You come up with another idea to make the room more engaging.

Only you and your wife can figure out the riddle that will reveal the secret. However, the tiles are too heavy to step down for a single person. And the only way to solve the puzzle is when two people are in sync together, and know the choreography.

You dance with your partner to your wedding anniversary song. A soft note, a familiar melody played strung your heart as the player strums to the strings of the cello. Gentle as the breeze, melancholic as the flight of a baby bird, nostalgic as the orchard you cared for with your father.

The dance would go something like this (Fena: Pirate Princess).

Or something like this (Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses).

(You know if I think about it, I guess I made up Odysseus is the type to make a rhythm dance game in his own bedroom hahaha)

(Sorry for the interruption, it was funny in my head.)

As you and your wife stared into each other's longing eyes, your ears heard the sound of a click somewhere in the room. The heavy tiles that you stepped on rose up to its original position.

You found it in the room, the missing piece that makes you and your wife complete. No one else, but the married couple knows what the answer is (not even I know what was in the room).

Next are the walls and the roof that will cover your quiet, intimate moments with your wife.

The wall murals were designed with a grove of olive trees, each side painted to stretch near the ceiling.

And if you inspect the rocky walls, you find yourself looking at a little boy, or a young man doing something different at every corner.

Whether he was tending to his animals, helping his father, playing a game of hide and seek with a little girl who looks similar to him, training with his spear, or hunting a boar.

Yet, the one that stood out the most was the side of the wall facing the tree showed a loving young man and a woman pressing their heads together as they held hands in harmony.

However, the ceiling isn't as grand as the floor patterns.

A simple blue background with the shadow of branches along with specks of glitter flicked, and a circle at the very center of the ceiling.

Still there was an ethereal feeling, almost holy, and calming in your wake. The same feeling that you have after you are blessed after you listened to Orpheus' music.

Like you're living in the forest where you're celebrating the fine festivities with Ariadne, Dionysus, and his nymphs.

(I wanted the paint to give the illusion the ceiling "glows" as luminous as the sky.)

(When the morning light creaks through the curtains, the ceiling "reflects" the morning sky, and dims black olive once night comes.)

(I think the closest paint techniques I can find that fits the description are either encaustic painting or Trompe L'oeil.)

You finish the bedroom, and now move on to the main piece that is tied to the roots. Your wedding bed.

(The image was used for visual representation. Imagine the bed attached to the column of the tree.)

You sand and polish the bark of the olive tree so there won't be any splinters when you and your wife lay on the sheets.

Next, you trimmed the branches, and got rid of the leaves to make room for the ceiling view you and your wife will stare together.

Just as the moments you laid down on the grass to look at the starry skies, and point the constellations.

You completed your bedroom, and knew for the rest of your life you're going to make more memories together.

During the happy years of your marriage, you hang the branches with colorful paper written with the wishes you and your wife wrote.

(Perhaps it wasn't paper, as paper doesn't last long. And was too precious at the time period, even when the royal family can afford it. The meaning behind was what matters the most.)

Maybe it could be strips of tapestries, or ribbons. Each piece shows a moment you share together that your wife weaved to form an image. But, only something you and your wife know if you lay on the bed.

(I don't know what this technique is called, but think of the scene from the film, "Megamind," when Roxanne was able to identify Titan through the clues she's collected.)

(Inspired by Japan's Tanabata summer festival celebrated every July 7th.)

(The story that was adapted from Chinese mythology goes that Orihime and Hikoboshi love each other so dearly, they neglected their duties.)

(Because of this, they were forced to separate each other by the Milky Way, and may only meet once a year on July 7th.)

(Befitting of Odysseus and Penelope's story, as they waited for their loving spouses to find each other.)

Still, you attached glass beads or polished wood to create your own bedroom wind chimes.

(Glass beads were too expensive at the time, even when they could afford the material. You can think of this as a wedding gift sent to them from Icarius or Agamemnon's family.)

You welcome the wind when you open the curtains that give you a view of the royal courtyard. The breeze whispers a greeting through the wind chimes that you hung on the branches.

Playing a sweet melody as the sound of an Aeolian harp that can only play when Aeolus comes to visit.

Iris bestowed the blessed couple with colorful hues as the rays of the sun reflect on the glass beads have them experience a tour of Mount Olympus in their bedroom.

(I thought about having the wedding bed on the second floor, because I wanted the bed to be next to the balcony where you have a clear view of the sea reflecting from blue sky to red wine as the sun passes by.

(But I have to scrap the idea since realistically an olive tree wouldn't be that tall.)

This is the room where you'll be resting by your wife's side for the remainder of your life.

~~~~~~~~~~

When you wake up, you find the other side cold and empty.

There's no gentle hand to caress your face. No arm to secure you when you lay too close to the edge to fall down. Every morning you wake up to find a smile that greets you vanish as the phantom by the sea.

You wait as long as your husband gets back. Perhaps believing, praying as long as you wait one moment at a time your wish will come true.

Your lover will come to you, as did the star crossed lovers that meet every year when the Milky Way separated them.

It's been days, months, a year, ten years, and then twenty years pass.

During the whole time that you waited, you recounted the stories of his great feats to the boy he never had the chance to see grow up. You spoke of the legendary ones. Others minor to your son, but not to you as you remember the time he gave you a bouquet of forget me nots.

You smiled as you appreciated this sentimental value when you knew these flowers are hard to grow under the Mediterranean climate. But each memory completes him as a piece completes a puzzle. You find yourself empty in every waking moment without him.

In the last painstaking three years, you take a break from your weaving. You grew lighter, your legs creaking from how long you sat to finish the funeral shroud.

Although you didn't give in since you wanted to dance again when he got back. Yet, you still remember your wedding anniversary song, and find yourself humming to the familiar melody.

You look at every mural on the walls, and you don't miss the corners. A memory played as though you're there to see it all.

Tears threatened to trickle down your pale face when you stare over to the side of the wall that showed.

Letting the tears fall down, you crane your neck to the ceiling to take steady breaths. Your eyesight isn't what they used to be, but you can still make out the specks of white paint camouflaged by the dark background to be your favorite constellations.

As your eyes dried, you trace over the ceiling until you find yourself looking over at the branches where you and your husband hung your old memories and wishes.

The years have passed, but the hanging decor will always be the same as the day the palace was completed. There aren't as many wishes since you're starting to think it wasn't needed any more.