❛ Magical Borders of Camp Half-Blood

@[R] Pompeii Brooks "Okay..." Christien shrugged. "You're a natural ball of sunshine, aren't you. Talking about monster killings and whatnot." He got up [he was already up though but I'll ride along hahaha XD] with the help of the girl now named Pompeii Brooks. Something about the name seemed familiar, not in a friend way but a historical way. "Pompeii? Like the city buried in ashes? That's a unique name." He gave an approving look. Now there's a great conversation starter. /Hey, I'm Pompeii-- and yes, it is the same as the Roman city--/

"Oh my gods! Roman!" Christien piped up. Excitement oozing out of his eyes. "You're a roman, arent you?! Trivia--Trivia's the roman form of Hecate. Whoa, that's amazing. I've never met a Roman up close before." He said as he circled around the Roman as if she's a mannequin with a chic leather jacket on. "So this is what a roman looks like. Nothing scary--no offense. I mean, I thought you're all burly and buff and BLOOD or something like that. Hm, stories do exaggerate."

Christien chuckled as he recalled the rumor about a Roman tearing a sheep limb by limb to feed a mean cyclops. He had to sleep with his night light on for weeks! He shuddered at the memory. "Oh where are my manners? I'm Christien. Christien Lovenly, son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, currently a resident of Cabin 10, fifteen years old and three years a camper." He said and showcased his CHB necklace on his wrist.

"I don't usually overthink stuff--It's not an Aphrodite thing. You just caught me on a bad day. I miss home, you see." He crouched down to reach for something in his backpack. It was a blank white envelope with a letter inside and a pouch of coins. "I want to go and send this to my father but I don't know what my old address was exactly. So I plan on giving his clinic a call with this," he tossed the pouch up and down his hands. "It's weird that I remember the phone number there instead of my own house. Well I could give him a call from inside camp but then everyone would know that I want to go home. Like for a while."

He gasped. "Uh, forget I said that. I'm talking nonsense."

@[G] Christien Lovenly Pompeii suddenly covered to hide her brightening smile. The way he sassed about fashion was entertaining though she doubted it was the right word. It made things seem lighter than before. She motioned to the shawl idly, straightening her back a little. "I feel you misunderstand, demigod. The shawl is meant for sneaking up on your enemies and being able to slay them without being seen. Blood washes out of this kind of fabric the best, so I naturally put the invisibility potion on the shawl," she suddenly declared, the amused tone being replaced with a monotonous and regal voice.

In all honesty, Pompeii's not the best at teasing. Many people take it literally and often look at her bug-eyed. But, if there were brownie points for trying, she'd get some for that comment.

"I don't want to break the rules anymore. Or, at least, the ones about passing the border. If I had a stringless puppet, I could send it to go get ingredients for my potions, elixirs and spells. Chiron would have one less reason to be cross with me. However, it requires me to break the rules one last time," she muttered; the monotone in her voice lowering slightly. Her eyebrow raised at the suggestion he brought. Her eyes finally were brought down to him.

This place is strange, she thought to herself. Why would he go with a camper he didn't even know the name of? It was already deadly clear that they were contrasting personalities. Yet, her almost got her to smile and he was enjoying chastising her about her misplaced fashion sense. Nonetheless, she found herself mulling over why not to go with him. She didn't really like being alone all the time. Maybe venturing off into the dangerous human world with someone else, a potential friend no less, would make her feel better.

"What could you possibly have to overthink, demigod? Of course, there's always the impending danger of monsters, godly politics that affect us yet we have no say in it, the inevitability of our heroic or villainous demise, and being unable to properly fit anywhere else but here... but isn't that what fashion and magazines are for? To help us... erm, you, not to overthink?" Pompeii asked, unintentionally being macabre. She never means to bring a downpour with her, it just sort of happens due to her outlook on life. Nonetheless, she held out her hand to help him onto his feet. "It'd be foolish of me to cross the border with someone without introducing myself. I'm Pompeii Brooks, daughter of Trivia."

@[R] Pompeii Brooks "Ugh," Christien grimaced, "An accessory that doesn't match anything is an accessory worth burning. Throw it away!" He patted moss off of his bottom. "Honestly, unnecessary garments are not flattering. You should take a look at magazines more, they might have something else that matches. A little lesson in fashion over spells won't hurt." He patted his hands together. He made a little mental note to stock up on his own supplies of magazine and clothes.

Christien sratched his head in curiosity. Well, it's not everyday demigods get out of camp unless they were chosen to fight to death on a quest. So he couldn't really blame anyone if campers had outdated clothes in abundance. Anyways, that meant he had all the more reason to get out of camp: everyone, except his half-siblings, of course, needed extreme wardrobe changes. His homesickness was now fueled by passion for high fashion. "Is it just me, or have you noticed Camp Half-Blood campers have...peculiar sense of style?" Christien shook his head dismissively.

"Anyways," Christien put a finger on his chin, "A puppet, you say? What does one do with a stringless puppet? Surely that would be awesome but it's a bit... out of the ordinary, isn't it?" Christien nodded to himself as he imagined a wooden doll trailing behind him and carrying his armor for him. "Now that's a useful accessory."

Christien hummed. A little adventure wouldn't hurt, would it? It's not like they'd take too long or go to some random country. They'd just be on a little, harmless field trip. Well there was the fact that their harmless little field trip could attract monster and stuff but that's beyond his concern.

"Well... I am a little homesick." Christien bit his lip in thought. "I mean, my overthinking is different from your puppet stuff, but we both want to go somewhere, do something and be someone, right?"

@[G] Christien Lovenly From the way the boy jumped, Pompeii felt a sense of... protectiveness, was it? He reminded her of a red panda, a creature she was incredibly fond of. She wasn't sure but any impulses to turn him into a dragonfly or a toad quickly vanished. She was tempted to sit down beside him but didn't do so out of worry. There were a lot of worries that came to her mind about the consequences of sitting down next to him (he could be creeped out by her, it could introduce a level of familiarity she was not comfortable with, they could somehow manage to get themselves both killed by being so off-guard; the list could go on). Nonetheless, she let out a wry smirk as she peered out past the borders.

"That is exactly what I'm doing. I am trying to create a puppet that doesn't need strings and I need the right ingredients. Unluckily for me, I came across you so it just became that much harder for me to cross," Pompeii proclaimed, her eyes glued to the view, "That smile tells me you were up to something. Is it harder to achieve now that I'm here? Or do you think we can work together on this?"

The snap in his voice made his rather demure appearance more vibrant. The "don't get offended" tidbit almost made her crack a smile. Almost. Instead, the corners of her lips twitch and her smirk changed from wary to amused. She held out the shawl and tilted her head, then looked down at her outfit. "Thankfully, no one will see me in this. It was never meant to match anything anyway," she murmured before placing it back in the crease of her arm.

@[R] Pompeii Brooks [WOW I took longer than I wanted to. OTL sorry.]


Christien Keither Lovenly, son of Dr. Keith Lovenly Jr. and greek goddess Aphrodite, was not a boy of deep thoughts. He rarely pondered about anything or stuck to one thought for too long. It got in the way of the now, the what-should-be, and the what-would-be. Christien wouldn't be Christien if he took way too long to dwell in the past and not move on to the latest style of the future. Aphrodite wasn't the patron of wise decisions and boring patience so why would her son be? He didn't like waiting either so that's a no-brainer. Christien threw away everything that took way too long to function. He's never patient, never waiting, and never distressed. Even if he was contented with his lifestyle, lately he found himself doubtful. Should he be the stereotypical Aphrodite kid with just the pretty face? Should he be the boy that tries for everyone to love him even if he had to break himself? Should he just be what he thought he could be? Does everybody care about him enough? Does /anybody/ care about him at all? These were the questions of Christien's insecurity and these were the questions that may put him in danger.

He sat down on the thick roots beneath the shade of a tree, his backpack of supplies beside him. His mind danced around the thought of running back to his dad but his demigod training screamed for him to resist. It was a dangerous world for a demigod to wander off into alone. He had barely made it with the help of a heroic satyr when he was twelve, and without one would be the same as offering himself for monsters to feast on. He had tried iris messaging but that would give his father an unwanted heart attack so he had shook the mist away. He had tried snail mail but then realized that he only knew his address by heart and not by word--meaning he doesn't know where to send it exactly. Unless 'the mansion with big black iron gates and pretty rose bushes around it' made sense to the post he had to put that idea on hold. He could always ask Lord Hermes or one of the god's kids to send it for him, but then that meant he had to tell them why he wanted to go home. There was Chiron, but knowing him, he'd talk Christien out of it. And a reasonable Chiron was a Chiron with unnatural charmspeak. So all there was left was to take matters into his own hands. Yet, he's too much of a coward to venture of alone and now he's under a random tree with moss on his camp clothes. He was wearing his loose orange camp shirt, tucked in his navy blue skinnies. His CHB necklace wrapped around his wrist like a bracelet. Christien chose to wear his hiking shoes rather than his expensive pair. 'Good call, Christien'

He was considering his options before a voice spoke from behind. It startled him and he jumped up like a cat.

"Oh, gods." Christien took deep breaths to calm himself, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" He accused blatantly. A little jumpy from almost being caught. Not to mention he almost tinkled in his jeans but that could be one of his little secrets.

He gave the now visible girl a once over. "Same goes for you. Someone could assume you're trying to cross the border. Which I bet you are, little miss magical troublemaker." He grinned. He was delighted he wasn't the only one trying something crazy.

"By the way--don't get offended--but that shawl does not match your outfit."

@[G] Christien Lovenly If Pompeii were to describe herself according to the Camp, it'd be invisible. People hardly noticed her when she was at camp and people hardly noticed when she was gone. Well, save for Chiron, but he had a protective streak over her (especially since she deliberately attacked other campers away from his presence). Pompeii certainly didn't have the cleanest record on the campgrounds.

Nonetheless, she wanted to try her hand at making a sentient puppet, someone that can go off of the campgrounds in her stead. Villains broke rules and she didn't want to be a villain anymore. However, that meant breaking the rules one more time, to gather the ingredients she needed to create the spell. Surely, Chiron could understand that she needed herbs and certain ingredients not found on the campgrounds.

However, as she approached the border, she saw another figure resting idly. It was an unusual sight. She's never come across another camper while she left the grounds. She paused, knowing full well what she /should/ have done. She should've ignored him and continued on her way. It's not that he could see her; she wore a shawl that made the wearer invisible. Nonetheless...

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" Pompeii asked, though it sounded more like a demand. Her voice was powerful but monotonous. As she spoke, she took off her shawl. In her arms, it had an off-white tinge to it with reflective sequins knitted into the pattern. She didn't look too inconspicuous for a girl her age, save for the bundle of talismans around her neck. "Someone could assume you're trying to cross the border."

[ starter for kyungsoo! cannot tag, not online. ono omg sorry if it's crap? OTL ]

So far, today was just like any other day in camp.

Krystal spent her day doing camp activities with the other campers, helping out voluntarily and taking combat and Greek classes. After the camp had sheltered the remaining survivors of Camp Jupiter, Camp Half-Blood has been more crowded. Especially the Hermes cabin, where the unclaimed campers of Camp Jupiter had ended up staying. Some of the counselors even considered establishing a few more cabins in order to help with the growing population of the half-bloods; but until now it’s still not yet settled. The camp director, Mr. D, was unfortunately having a hard time coping in the new addition to the place (they say the split headaches gods get were pretty nasty).

Chiron had told her about the upcoming new addition to camp, and was also specifically asked if she could possibly handle the camper. “Of course” was all Krystal said and smiled before politely heading off to the borders. It wasn’t really something she does all the time—welcoming campers as they enter the magical borders of camp—but admittedly she had done this quite a lot of times already. From helping out some Romans to cope in their new environment to helping her new bunk-mates.

Pulling her hair up in a messy bun, she stood near the pine tree where the Golden Fleece was, admiring the view.

The new camper should be here any time now…

[ i suppose we will, let me put the QR sign there c: ]

Never once had Jinri thought she would die from a car accident, until now. Honestly speaking, in any other situation, she probably would have found their current predicament exciting; however with all the screaming and yelling she found herself getting more and more irritated with each passing second. Her eye twitched as the three sister's continued to argue about who got the eye—if she had space she would have taken the driver's seat. She groaned loudly as the car took another sharp turn.

"Oh no the eye!"

Jinri watched—a bit of amusement on her face—as the eye flew up and landed right on Naeun's lap. Taking this as a chance, she grabbed the eye while saying 'I'll take that!' The three sisters turned to her all reaching for the eye, the car was starting to go berserk. "Nu-uh hold it," she opened the window and held her hand out; the three panicked, stammering something about how it was completely unfair how this was happening again—whatever that was suppose to mean. The car accelerated, her head hit the headrest, but her the eye was still in her hand.

"Give me the eye girl!"

"No, give /me/ the eye!"

"That's not fair you have the tooth!"

"Well I'm the-"

"OH MY GODS SHUT UP OR I'M DROPPING IT!" Being met with silence, she lightly smiled. "Thank you—" she rolled her eyes as she spoke. "goodness you people are worst than my siblings," she handed the eye to the driver, much to the dismay of the other two sisters.

The car seemed to accelerate even more, Jinri grinned and laughed—she couldn't even imagine what her quest-mates thought about that. After a few more minutes, the car came to a sudden halt. "Here you are demigods, now pay up!"

[ so we go to Manhattan now? ]

Cheering up Naeun pretty much worked out, as it was clearly evident with a brighter smile she wore after his statement. Chanyeol then nodded back, then followed the two girls as they hopped inside the cab and shut the door close in the process. The tall guy somehow creased his brows at the sight that appeared before him, with the dusty and faded leather chairs, unclear glass windows, cobwebs almost everywhere—and was that an eyeball? Flashing a goofy grin, he picked up the tiny organ in curiosity, scanned it gingerly and with sheer astonishment until three heads turned to face them and apparently, a pale grayish hand snatched away the eye from his grip afterwards.

“Where to, demigods?” The three gray sisters asked, linking it word per word as a taller lady popped in the eyeball at her left socket and flashed him a smile of which what he’d describe as disturbingly creepy.

Taking in a gulp, he turned his head faintly to check on the two. “Manhattan.” Naeun replied politely, and as Chanyeol was about to take a glimpse at the taller girl, the cab suddenly moved—more like raced at a ‘speed limit breaking’ manner for he felt himself being submerged against the squeaky leather seats at the motion. The guy shut his eyes close and held onto to something stable for his dear life, fighting the urge to let out hideous wails of fear when the cab sharply turned to the right straightaway, earning a high pitched squeal from Naeun? Sulli? He didn’t know.

“Give me the eye, woman!”

“No! That young man gave it to me first!”

“Well excuse me, I’m the one behind the steering wheel here!”

Chanyeol then squinted, boring his gaze towards the three ladies of whom, was too busy pulling away the only eye they have from each other’s grasp rather than actually paying attention to the driveway. “Can’t you just try to cooperate? For once?!” He involuntarily shouted, earning the attention of both three heads as they retorted a big fat no to his face, getting the eyeball rolling across the dashboard at the process. Taking in a sharp breath, the guy bit his bottom lip as a muffled shriek of mercy tried to escape his lips. ‘Oh gods, please!’ He cried internally, his grip upon his underneath his seat tightening.

[post deleted by owner]

Naeun nodded at Chanyeol's words and smiled at him. "Got it." She said with a nod, feeling slightly more cheered up. Once Jinri climbed in, she climbed into the cab next and heard what the other girl was about to ask her. "Yes, I'm sure." She said in reply. "Though I'm also a little worried about being in their cab considering their driving skills." She whispered to the tall girl as soon as the three heads turned to face the front one more. "Okay, maybe not just a little. It's the opposite. I'm very worried." She corrected her words, still whispering as she made a face seeing how the gray sisters were trying to snatch the only eyeball they had. What the heck happened to the other eyeballs anyway? She wondered.

The moment Chanyeol climbed in and shut the door, the cab took off. "Oh my god.." She was muttering over and over seeing how fast the cab was going.

"Where to, demigods?" The three gray sisters connected the sentence as they turned around to face them.

"Manhattan." Naeun spoke up since she was the leader, a post she didn't think she belonged in. The next thing she knew, the cab sped up even more. As it barely passed by a tall tree, Naeun let out a high-pitched scream upon seeing that there was another tree right in front of them and the cab didn't seem to be slowing down. "OH MY GODDESS! I'M GOING TO DIEEEE!!" She panicked as the cab suddenly made a swerve to the right. 'I'm so regretting my decision. I'm so stupid, so stupid." She called herself stupid, something children of Athena would never ever say.

[After Sulli posts, let's move to Manhattan! ^^ ]

“Yeah, Sulli.. Got it.” Jinri wanted that, she even thought so moments before, so she found it completely stupid that her heart sunk. (She wanted him to say no, to tell her that he would call her by her real name.) She forced on a smile and nodded as a 'thanks' (thanks for breaking my heart even more). 

"Manhattan. We're heading to Manhattan." Hearing Naeun answer her question, she pushed away her feelings and refocused on the quest. 'Manhattan?' Her eyes widened at the name, 'You have got to be kidding me.' Jinri stared at the other girl, waiting for her to correct herself and say they were going somewhere else -- which was an idiotic thing to hope for, Naeun was a daughter of Athena for goodness sake. The nervousness she had felt before increased by ten-fold; when she had accepted the quest, she hadn't really given it much thought... she didn't realize that they could go to- "Climb in." 

Jinri glanced back at the camp one last time and uttered a final goodbye, before going into the cab first. The moment she sat down and looked at the driver, her eyes widened. She had learned quite a bit in her time at the camp, and if she wasn't mistaken, she was currently with the Gray Sisters. Was Naeun serious about riding in this thing with these people? She had heard a little about their 'driving skills'. 

"Um, Naeun are you sure about-" she stopped talking when the three heads turned to her. "Nevermind," she turned her head to the window; she really didn't feel like seeing empty eye sockets at the moment. 

"Daughter of Hermes." He overheard the tall girl present herself, then suddenly turned her attention to Naeun. “/You/ can call me Jinri, my /real/, full name is Choi Jinri.” She spoke unhurriedly, evidently giving emphasis to some words that somehow made Chanyeol grow rigid in his spot. What’s worse is how she purposely used Naeun to mock him some way, but heck, she was partly wrong about that as the guy’s previous smile gradually faded with her introduction.

“Just call me Sulli, okay Chanyeol?” She simply said, but he could’ve sworn he heard a hint of melancholy in her tone, or was it just his imagination?

With that, Chanyeol stared at her, an undistinguished expression plastered upon his face. “Yeah, Sulli.. Got it.” He murmured, internally slapping himself for being such a total jerk and not likely to gain the ability to address her by her real name. The guy visibly sighed this time, his grip on his bag tightened a bit. ‘Guess it’s better this way.’ He thought, now shifting his gaze to their quest leader.

“We’re heading to Manhattan.”

At first, Chanyeol was having thoughts; ‘how can she be so sure?’ ‘why did she think we’re heading there?’ and ‘who the hell told her to?’, but coming to look at the girl, it was obvious enough that she was feeling almost the same way. Chanyeol, though he tried to hide it, was dead nervous. He’d bet the feeling’s worse when she’s squeezed into the picture.

By then, Naeun took out a few drachmas and hailed a cab that literally popped out of nowhere. Oh yes, the Gray Sisters. Best transportation in /their/world—at least. “Climb in.” The girl then walked her way towards the vehicle and opened the door.

“Hey.” Chanyeol rushed up to follow the brunette and tapped her shoulder lightly. “Don’t carry the burdens all by yourself. We’re a team, remember?” The guy said, nudging Sulli at the process, with his grin growing bigger as he obviously tried to cheer their leader up in his own way.

Naeun slowly nodded as she listened to the two demigods standing before introduce themselves. "Well it's nice to meet you both." She smiled at them before adding another sentence in her mind. 'and I hope we'll manage to get back alive.'.

"So..what now?" She heard Jinri ask. "Manhattan. We're heading to Manhattan." She told the both of them after drawing in a shaky breath. She was worried. 'Would they be able to get back alive? Would the quest go through smoothly?' Questions swarmed about her mind in worry and it turned her into someone fidgety as she tugged on her backpack which was slightly bumping considering the maps, a book and a couple of other supplies all stuffed in without a care in the world.

Silently, she drew out a couple of drachmas from her pocket. "Hopefully this will be enough for the Gray Sisters." She mumbled as she used them to summon the taxi. "Fastest mode of transportation to Manhattan." She smiled as a puff of gray smoke flew from god-knows-where and landed in front of them. As the smoke scattered, it revealed a taxi that looked a whole lot like a city cab.

"Climb in." She said as she opened the taxi door, not wanting to spare the camp another glance because she knew, if she did, she would probably just back out from the quest from fear.

“You may get off now.”

No matter how much she hoped, Jinri knew it would be Chanyeol. Her face warmed in embarrassment, though it would probably be seen as the effect of her run. She mumbled a sorry to him, but it probably went unheard. As she pushed herself off the ground, she saw Naeun helping Chanyeol up; seeing this she couldn't help but feel like she would become the odd one out. 'Great,' she thought while rolling her eyes. (She was going to get jealous- no scratch that, she was, and she knew it. It was stupid and cliche, but she was jealous.)

"It's okay.. I understand.. It must be hard to be saying goodbye to the place that seems the safest to you, doesn't it?" Jinri gave a small, empathetic smile. "If I weren't the leader of the quest, I think I'd be even later with saying goodbyes to my sisters and brothers."

In the middle of Chanyeol's reply, she snorted on instinct; it wasn't meant to be rude - though it might be seen as that ('Crap.') - it was just that it seemed like something he would say. He smiled sheepishly at both her and Naeun (well she didn't expect that), “I’m just more comfortable, with engines and gizmos and all that.”

Jinri frowned for a second at that sentence, her gut clenched. For some reason, that last sentence just sounded so sad to her.

“But I think we could be good friends, just no turning backs, alright?” Again, she felt her gut clench, but this time for a different reason. She wasn't sure if he was actually talking to both of the girls, or just Naeun, or if he was just saying that to be polite. (She really hoped for the first one.)

Son Naeun, daughter of Athena and "quite possibly the youngest daughter of Athena in camp," quest leader.

Park Chanyeol... a distant smile was on her face - 'Can I call you Channie, like old times?'

And then she felt his attention on her; it was obvious what he was thinking, honestly, she would be thinking the same thing if she were in his position. Jinri turned to Naeun, but the girl was looking towards camp, looking a bit distressed. She exhaled a soft sigh and put up her infamous smile, although her downcast contrasted it. "

Daughter of Hermes," she started quietly. (She didn't want Chanyeol to say her real name, at least not now, it would... well she didn't know, it would just be so strange.) She raised her eyes to Naeun, she knew she didn't have the girl's full attention, "/You/ can call me Jinri, my /real/, full name is Choi Jinri." Her eyes flashed to Chanyeol; it was clear what her words meant, or at least she hoped it was.

"I have a lot of... other names too," she didn't know what compelled her to say those words, but they were said. "And I still go by all of them, so..." Her words stopped abruptly, she had no idea where she was going with this, yet the next words came out as if she had planned it all out. "Just call me Sulli, okay Chanyeol?" (She was pleading, her voice wavered and cracked a bit at the end. For just one moment, her facade fell, and the broken girl screamed for help.)

Jinri felt absolutely stupid, she regretted every word that came out of ... but at the same time, she was glad.

She spoke to Naeun now, but her focus stayed on Chanyeol. "So what now?"

“Guess so.. and guess not.” Naeun simply replied and turned to look at the opposite direction, with Chanyeol following her gaze as well. A few meters away, he saw a tall girl running frantically towards them. Pursing his lips, he averted his gaze from the girl and turned to face Naeun. “So.. Since the attendance’s complete I guess—ow!” He grunted, feeling the back of his head hit the ground so hard that he could almost see stars encircling his vision.

Squinting his eyes, Chanyeol gradually presumed what was happening at the moment and mind you, it was /not/ that fortunate for him, or maybe not. Hearing soft pants from the other, the guy remained pretty much uprooted from his spot as he stared at her wide eyed. The lad could see the long strands of her glossy brown hair brushing across his cheeks as the wind blew them haphazardly until it sent pleasant chills down his spine. (Curse whatever wind god who did that, he thought.)

Chanyeol then snapped out from his thoughts, blinking at the process and tore off his gaze from her seemingly attractive face and coughed a bit, flashing a very small, awkward smile. “You may get off now.” He simply said, his lips for a split second before pushing his torso up and stood in his two legs, with the help of Naeun, of course.

"It's okay.. I understand.. It must be hard to be saying goodbye to the place that seems the safest to you, doesn't it?"

“Well, to me, I guess not.” Chanyeol muttered out silently, dusting off the back of his shirt and jeans as he took a brief glance at the tall girl. “Considering I practically have none to care much about ‘cept my machines.” He shrugged, “No offense though.” The guy turned to look at /both/ of them, flashing a sheepish smile. “I’m just more comfortable, with engines and gizmos and all that.”

“But I think we could be good friends, just no turning backs, alright?” He chuckled halfheartedly, before bowing his head slightly. “The name’s Chanyeol, by the way. Park Chanyeol. Call me anything you like, I won’t mind.” He said, his both hands gripping upon each strap of his backpack while flashing a polite grin.

‘What now, is she going to say her name’s Hana, or Jiseok, or something?’ The guy thought bitterly, recalling those degrading memories as he turned to look at the girl who arrived last; waiting for her to introduce herself.

“Hey. Guess we’re a bit early, huh?” The tall male said. “Uh, S-Sulli’s not here yet?” The guy questioned and Naeun looked at him for a second before looking around. "Guess so..and guess not." She said with a shrug and a smile before turning to look at the camp once more. 'Please..at least let me see my sister for one last time..' She thought, praying hard that her older sister had at least heard the news about the younger girl going on a quest and would send her off with hopes and encouragement but there was nothing since nobody showed up until at least half an hour later where she saw a rather tall girl running from the distance.

"Is it-" She cut herself off upon seeing the tall girl suddenly run towards the male before knocking him down causing Naeun to stare at them in shock and surprise. "O...kay.." She muttered awkwardly.

"Sorry I'm late." Jinri apologized and Naeun smiled before shaking her head as she helped the male up.

"It's okay.. I understand.. It must be hard to be saying goodbye to the place that seems the safest to you, doesn't it?" Naeun asked, slowly lowering her head as she suddenly found the floor far more interesting. "If I weren't the leader of the quest, I think I'd be even later with saying goodbyes to my sisters and brothers." She chuckled before drawing in a deep breath and letting it out as she looked up once more.

"I just remembered. We haven't formally introduced ourselves and to think we're already setting out on a quest." Naeun grinned shyly. "I'm Son Naeun, daughter of Athena and quite possibly the youngest daughter of Athena in camp." She told the two demigods.

As Naeun silently waited for the two to introduce themselves, she allowed herself to briefly turn to look at their camp still harboring hope that someone she knew would show up and send her off. After all, every quest was dangerous and she didn't even know if she would be able to see anyone of them ever again after this. The feeling of anxiety scared and worried her. The combination of the four turned her into a complete mess though she still kept up her 'confident' facade. Well, at least she tried to.

"Can you keep it down Ji?" One of her brothers groaned, she had been talking to herself -- most of the words were vulgar. "Sheesh, some of us are trying to cut down on the profanity, thank you very much."

"Oh sorry," her sarcasm was loud. "It's not like I'm late for a quest or anything!" Jinri rolled her eyes and continued to throw random necessities into her backpack; clothes, toiletries, dagger, bel- She strapped the belt through the loops of her shorts (maybe she would finally figure out what it did). Her backpack was huge and lumpy, and it irritated her completely, but she slung it on her back and made a run for the door.

"Did you even brush your teeth?" She turned to face him, her face scrunched up in irritation; she wanted to run back and teach him a lesson -- and then brush her teeth -- but time was something she didn't have. Groaning under her breath, she raised a certain finger at her sibling (this counts as a goodbye right?) and ran for the door again. "Love you too sis! Don't die!"

"No promises," she mumbled to herself.

The cool morning air was like a slap in the face, this was really happening. She was really going to on a quest, a dangerous, 'you-might-not-come-back-alive' quest. These thoughts caused her steps to falter until she was standing completely still, she could die out there...

Well that was a nice thought to have in the morning.

Jinri swallowed and inhaled, she took in the camp around her. The sun was still rising, the whole camp basked in the few rays provided; the view was breath-taking (okay maybe she was being a bit cliche, and maybe her thoughts have a bit of bias in them), if she did say so herself. She let out a sigh; this could be the last time she would ever see the camp, the last time she ever spoke to her siblings, the last time-

Okay, her backpack was really pissing her off. Heaving another sigh, this time out of exasperation, she knelt down and took off her backpack; she was already late as it was, being a tad bit later wouldn't make much a different, right?

(What if Chanyeol was bad-mouthing Jinri to Naeun right now; what if they were both angry about her being late; what if she got into a fight with both of them at her arrival?)

It seemed like hours when she finally finished rearranging her backpack; a faint smile was on her lips, her backpack was no longer huge and lumpy and her dagger was now strapped at her side. Looking up at the sun, her eyes widened, and for the third (was it the third?) time today, she ran. The sun was still rising, but she felt like if she didn't run she would go from 'fashionably late' to 'where-the-Hades-were-you' late, not that she was worrying at all. (Oh come on now, be honest.)

In the distance Jinri could make out two figures, whom she assumed to be Naeun and Chanyeol; she ran faster, it felt like her feet were off the ground, like she was flying. Now she was closer to the two, she could clearly make them out, but she couldn't slow down. (What the Hades?) One moment she's running towards them, the next she finds herself staring at the sky, out of breath, with someone beneath her. (She seriously hoped that the Fates would at least let her have at least this, she hoped that it was Naeun beneath her.) She felt disorientated from the impact, but she still as able to speak softly between pants. "Sorry I'm late."

[ sorry for the late reply, rpr wouldn't work for me ;; ]

‘I am expecting you, my dearest demigods.’

He woke up in the middle of the night with his heart pounding, and beads of cold sweat trickling down from his forehead. That phrase somehow kept ringing again and again throughout his head, and it wouldn’t stop. It felt as if the voice was ridiculously inhumane and.. sinister; and it only doubled up Chanyeol’s queasiness. But the guy forced himself to sleep, again, burying his enormous frame underneath the thick blankets of his cabin bed.

Soon came the sun slowly rising from the east, but who was Chanyeol kidding? He couldn’t sleep after that pointless dream, that’s for sure. Though some time, maybe one in the morning? Two? The tall guy found himself sneaking into the forges in his pajamas as he worked anxiously; trying to come up with something useful before he sets foot on the camp borders and off to who knows where.

The guy seemed to be really shaky for he had gone several rounds of trial and error as he formed some kind of useless junk with a use of spare barbed wires, some metal strips, an old toaster (he didn’t know where that came from either), and some loose springs from his old gadgets. Throwing it carelessly on top of his work table, Chanyeol slumped down his chair in exhaustion; oh how tiring it was to be struck with insomnia.

Until then, he fiddled with his watch; the one he never took of his wrist no matter what. Turning it to the right, the outer layer of the watch automatically formed itself into a circular bronze dagger, with pointy spikes twisted on its edges. Twisting the remaining parts to the left, it then turned into a customized steel ballistic knife, in which he programmed long before. But then, an idea suddenly struck him; oh how he loved it when his genius thinking popped out of nowhere.

-

After what seemed like a quick hour, he then gathered his watch and rushed into their cabin to fix his things, but then he realized that it’s already dawn. The tall guy quickly dressed up in a plain black t-shirt, a gray jacket, combat jeans and chucks before actually packing up at the last minute. Snatching up his backpack, Chanyeol stuffed his bag with some of his clothes, mostly shirts though, a few ambrosia he’d keepsafed for emergency purposes and a tumbler of nectar as well. He exited the cabin, not bothering to bid others goodbye and jogged towards the camp borders.

“You better not fail me.” Gently, he brushed his thumb across his watch, smiling to himself for he surely was looking forward to how his reprogrammed weapon turned out to be.

As he arrived at the borders, he spotted Naeun who was looking quite tensed as she eyed him unsurely. He felt worried for her, to be honest, being the one appointed to be the leader of the quest and all; receiving all the pressure. But heck, he knew he could not let that happen. He would do anything to make all of them survive without risking a life.

They were destined to be a team for a purpose, so be it.

Dismissing his thoughts, Chanyeol took a deep breath and grinned as he got closer to the girl. “Hey. Guess we’re a bit early, huh?” He started, trying to lift up the mood as he realized something. “Uh, S-Sulli’s not here yet?” The guy questioned.

Dawn arrived so quickly that Naeun was already panicking more and more. Oh, how afraid she was to travel out of camp once more. The last time she wasn't in camp was when she was 16 and her experiences out of camp was rather traumatic as it had caused her to lose her adopted brother she had grown fond off. Drawing in a deep breath, Naeun checked her backpack to make sure everything she needed was inside for the last time before zipping it up and leaving her cabin for the camp borders.

A couple of minutes later, she reached the borders and upon seeing that she was alone, she realized that she was the first to arrive. She let out a loud sigh and tried to calm herself down. She had to stay calm. After all, she was the one who had to lead this particular quest. She briefly closed her eyes and tried to recall her happiest moments in camp with her friends and family. It was one of the methods she used to calm herself down all the time. It helped, it truly did. It allowed her to not be as scared as she was before.

When Naeun opened her eyes, she saw someone walking from the inside of the camp towards the borders so she squinted her eyes to see who it was only to fail terribly since the person was still a few dozen feet away.

"Son Naeun. You can do this. Make your mother proud." She gave herself words of encouragement, still preparing herself for the danger she might- no, will face the moment she left camp.

----------------- SCENE CLOSED -----------------

[ OTL wth why r u guise taking so long sdhsjfdkfhsflkjdflksdf.
let's already head to the next sequence. ; n ; if you're still interested, this sequence is still open. ]

[skip my sequence-- I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ANYMORE OMFG SORREH]

In a life where all you wanted was someone who was getting away, then luck would be nothing for Ailee. She already lived through a life without luck, it seemed, and for her to lose more didn't bother her as much. Because if the luck went to the one she loved... she'd rather not mind.

Despite the tears building up and about to fall, Ailee only waited until the man she loved had turned before the first tear fell. And despite even that, she turned her head up and bid the other people in the quest along with Sunggyu.

To Krystal who had been she that needed fairness - Ailee wished that she found her proper recognition through the quest. She wished that this daughter of Hades would have it in herself to be strong enough to fight for the equality she so wanted. She wished that even in the face of her own power - death - she can stand up and say that she will overcome what is set before her. And Ailee wished her the best.

To Yongguk who had been the silent giver - he who created the weapon she now knows will have an impact in her life - she wished for peace of mind. That in circumstance where the test is almost impossible to bear, she wished him calmness and strategy. War can only be won with the right combination of tactic and patience - may this war be his to claim victory.

And once more, just like the old days where she hung out with the seven-or-eight year old Sunggyu, Ailee looked up at the sky.

To Apollo whose realm is of the light and freedom, may you help your own son escape the opposition of what you hold - darkness. May he be able to come back alive and well.

And in the moment that the future for Sunggyu becomes bleak...

... Ailee wished that the god himself could say sorry to Nemesis for her.

Because when it is her own heart - her own love - put into the balance, she'll give everything to make sure it becomes her instead.

Sunggyu wanted to say no. Ailee's words incited a feeling of fear and ill foreboding in himself; if he took all her luck, then he was condemning her to a life without it.

He didn't want that.

But before he could voiced the words, he was silenced by her lips; and he found himself not caring about anything else.

He kissed her deeply, putting everything into just one last kiss.

'I don't want to leave, but I have to.'

'I'm sorry.'

'I'll come back to you. One way or another.'

'Because my heart is yours.'

'I love you.'

'I love you.'

'And I love you.'

Tears were similarly in his eyes the moment she pulled back, and unable to say anything, he only nodded.

For a moment, he only looked into her eyes; could he leave now?

...No, it seems.

It was only after returning the kiss that he stepped back, and steeled himself.

"See you sooner or later... Yejin."

He smiled at her softly, and turned his back towards her as he walked towards the others.

The Oracle of Delphi, managing to get to him before he settled beside the Hundred Eyed once more, pulled him into a hug he never expected, and he was thankful for the words said to his ear.

"Thank you."

She stepped away, and he also stepped away.

He's leaving... and the quest begins.

[ I swear I don't do justice with this. OTL sorry this is short compared to the others... gah. xD ]

[ last batch of posts, then after luhan's next post we move to the next room with new sequence. shall plot some monsters' appearances as well. ]

Dear gods.

Krystal was almost as broken as everyone else. Of her whole existence, she did not wish to show such vulnerable side of her regardless of whatever the situation may be - but this is different. /Entirely/ different. Life and death... both were far apart. Even with the span of three days she cannot even make a guess of whatever may happen to the three of them.

Three demigods, three days...

Was three even supposed to be a lucky number, or perhaps will it be the other way around?

When Suzy ran towards her as well, Krystal hugged back as tight, nodding at what she had told Krystal. Yes, she will stay strong. Not only for the sake of herself, but for the sake of her closest cousins, Luhan and Taeyeon... for the sake of Suzy who's here, standing before her to bid her goodbyes... for her comrades who she'll spend her whole three days with... for her godly parent, whom she made an oath with, and most especially for the camp, who expects them to be able to come back.

Safe and sound.

"I'll-" she paused, then correcting herself. "/We'll/ always make a way to communicate with you." Krystal, despite her voice cracking, had managed to tell Luhan and Suzy.

With one last look at Luhan, she managed a smile - that one smile she promised herself she'd give off more often and not just those evil smirks, like how Luhan would often describe it. "I'll miss your dorkiness even for just three days," she chuckled.

Then nodding at Suzy, she said, "Thank you, Suzy."

"I believe this is when we take off."

Truth be told, every single step she made as she started to walk away from both Luhan and Suzy and into the vehicle weighed her down too much as if she had the weigh of the skies on her shoulder. This is for their sake, she'd tell herself inwardly, as she entered the vehicle first, occupying the passenger's seat.

This is the beginning of an end.

[ HOHO. XD sorry about the late (and augefgwyefg) reply ; A ; ]

He hated goodbyes. He hated seeing someone leave. It's a terrible feeling. It was eating him up inside, starting with his heart. He might loose his sanity in this sight. There was just this thin red line between where he is now and the complete lost of his sanity... And judging by his swollen eyes and aching heart, he's one foot over that thin line.

Luhan blinked rapidly, tightening his embrace towards his cousin. It was always easy promising the impossible... "I'll come and get you, I will." He said, swallowing his tears back, trying to be strong for Krystal, for everybody here... For himself. "Do-don't forget to call me... I'll wait for your return." He whispered, releasing her from his grasp, although he doesn't want to. But all things has to end, it doesn't last. He wiped his tears with his sleeve and patted Krystal's head, giving it a short few pats.

"Bye, Stal."

And that was it... He can't take it anymore. He turned his back and walked away, he just can't take the sight of the goodbyes. He can't bear the tears rolling down their faces. He can't bear that the sad expressions on each and every one of their faces.

He can't bear seeing them leave.

But with every 'goodbye's comes a new 'hello'... Just then, Suzy walked towards Luhan. With this, he glanced at her and saw tears dripping from her face, silent sobs sounding so loud in his ears. And at those sounds, it tore his heart even more. He put his arms around her, trying to give her all the comfort he could. "Hey, it's okay." He said, in a trembling voice as he patted her back.

( omfg finally! i'm so sorreeh guise. ; n ; )

What would happen to her friends if they were to leave without adult supervision? Will they survive? Will they be able to overcome the obstacles? Can they bring the sword back without getting hurt? Can Suzy at least do something useful than worry about something that can’t be helped? Can she change the prophecy and help her friends? Those are just some of the questions that continuously swamped Suzy’s head as she stared blankly at the wide open beach.

She sighed in defeat. Worrying couldn’t be a help.

If only she could see her friends future. And for once be at least a help to them. She sighed even more and mentally killed herself for being so useless.

She glanced at her wrist watch; a habit.

Without any doubts, she sprinted away from the white sand beach to the Big House.
Suzy was the last to arrive.

Sprinting towards the Big House, few figures started to came into view, They probably had bidden their goodbyes. Her visions were blurry from the air pressure that’s meeting her eyes and the tears that is building up on her eyes.

“_____ Suzy, how could you be lost of the time when this is the most important, yet?” She mentally scolded herself repeatedly until she finally came into a stop.

Everybody turned to her direction. Shocked at her sudden entrance. “I’m so sorry I’m late.” She confessed, welling up in tears as she tried to hide it by wiping it away with her palms.

She ran towards her friends one by one and hugged them as she said her last farewell.

“Krystal, stay strong okay? Give me a call if you need anything.” She told Krystal, referring to the Iris Messages demigod’s can send as a form of communication instead of deadly gadgets that humans offer. Giving her a one last hug, Suzy mentally bid her goodbye as a tear fell from her eye.

Next on her list is.

Yongguk.

“Yaaah! Be back soon okay? You’re like my big bro and we just found each other again and everything. We barely even get to catch up with each other!” Suzy, unable to stop herself from blabbering even though her face is now filled with tears. She launched herself forward towards him without any doubts. Knowing that he’ll be able to catch her anyways. “ I’ll miss the way you kid around you bulky monster.” Suzy said, trying to lift up the doleful atmosphere. “Take care.” She tiptoed to reach his face and gave him a brotherly-sister kiss in the cheek before turning away to face the next person on the list; at the same time, trying to hide how much pain this causes her.

Sunggyu. They barely know each other, yes. But if you’ll look right into his eyes, you’ll see confusion and sadness glued to it. Such things that represents weakness and negativity. Something that is NOT to be brought aboard if you’re going away for a dangerous death trap.

“Take care.” Suzy said right into his ears when she gave him a hug. “May the Gods be with you.”

Finally done with her role, she stepped away from the three and placed herself next to Luhan before lowering her head and silently burst out in tears.

[ ODG PLEASE WHOEVER'S NEXT. I BEG U. REPLY ALREADY.
WE NEED TO FINISH THIS ASAP. SJDKHJSKHFSOLJKFHKDFHJDHLKFJ. ]