---

---

Ashley's prolonged vacation had finally reached its end. Her father's business trip to Paris was over and she had to go back to the Academy. She tried to convince her father to let her stay in Paris a bit longer, with what she heard about the kidnapping and such from her peers that were actually at the Academy but her father didn't believe her. So here she was, beautiful and perfect for the taking. She was an ideal target. She was beautiful, talented, smart, and rich. The complete package.

Anyhow, so here she was, driving up to the school in a regular, everyday limo. Well, she might as well make her arrival known to her beloved younger siblings.



She was not that close to Raymond as he was kind of strange and she did not want to deal with that kind of crowd, but she still hesitated whether or not to text him. "Better not," she decided after some thought. "He wouldn't appreciate it that much anyway. Besides, Clarissa could tell him for me."

Speaking of Clarissa, Ashley decided to give her favorite sibling a call. But only after she got herself situated. Her servants carried her many luggages to her room while she waited patiently on her bed. Once everything seemed to be in order, she pulled out her phone, dialed Clarissa''s number and waited for her to pick up.

---

---

Gabe had to admit, adjusting to the college lifestyle was proving to be a bit of a pain. The process of getting back into the habit of taking classes, doing homework, eating in a cafeteria. Made him feel like he was back in high school. And the only things he looked forward to at the end of those days, was being able to go home. He would look forward to that these days, only to realize that he’d just end up seeing the kids from his classes in the town and in his apartment building. So it was like he never left school. Just the thought of that made him groan.

Well, he was a little thankful of his predicament. His one bedroom studio setup meant he wouldn’t be assigned a roommate. And with him being here in Utah, he could ensure the safety of his family. When it came to that, he felt it much easier to shoulder the burden. But, part of him wished he hadn’t left New York so hastily. Or rather, wished he had accumulated some funds before leaving. Living under the tutelage of wood nymphs, he didn’t have too much of a need for money. And even then he really only made enough to afford a one way bus ticket. But here, part of him felt he was missing out on something by being perpetually broke. It must’ve been the new environment he was taking in, all the kids and their carefree purchases. He couldn’t say for sure.

Most of this was being pondered on, as he lounged about the sill of one of his apartment’s wide windows. A potted sapling resided in his lap, doing much to soak in the morning sun. He would pass his fingers over her, and she would curl and sway to his movements. It was always calming to the boy, something to do as he absentmindedly mulled over the happenings of the academy.

The earthquake that took place last evening was indeed weird. And there were rumors of foul play being carried on the whispers of wind-blown canopies, something involving the headmistress or something like that. Interesting events, but nothing serious enough for Gabe to show any real care for. Seemed these past few weeks were full of that: Events that the Demeter-born son just couldn’t find the capacity to care about. But, there were some elements of this new environment that usually managed to get a rise out of him.

tink. tink. Like the individual currently tossing pebbles up to Gabe’s window, snapping him out of his thoughts. Practically pressed up against the glass, it didn’t take too much to look down to ground level, to see who it was. He moved from his perch with the slightest twinge of excitement, grabbing for his backpack and placing his beloved sapling within as carefully as he could. He was sure to the leave the pack open just enough for the sapling to receive slivers of sunlight and oxygen. The girl waiting downstairs was just the motivation he needed to exit his quiet apartment.

As he descended down to the lobby, and out the complex, the pebble-tossing female was quick to greet Gabriel. “You look like a less hairy, less funny, more uncomfortable Eric Andre.” She greeted with a smirk. It wasn't too evident on his face, but he found the comment comforting. He was chuckling internally, if anything.

Her name was Fraxinus Anomala, a spunky, petite wood nymph that made it a personal duty to make Gabe a proper, functioning member of society. The two shared similar fashion habits, though her elements seemed...happier? She wore brighter colors, a denim jacket over a bright yellow sundress, with boots to match. Replace the dress with a t-shirt and hole-filled jeans, and you'd have Gabriel’s current attire. Under the shroud of the academy's barrier, the peculiar green hues of Anomala’s skin and hair took on more typical human shades. Her skin became fair and tan, and her hair auburn and all over the place. Her shimmering verdant eyes usually remained unchanged.

“Mornin’, Mala.” He plainly replied, tussling and picking minute branches and leafy particles from the girl’s hair. Despite her adorably short stature and general disposition, the girl had a good decade or two over the boy. Even then, she was still considered young by tree standards. “Alright, dad.” She sharply shooed him. “Geez, hasn't anyone ever told you not to mess with a girl’s hair?” She replied.

“Nope.” Gabe replied with the smallest smirk humanly possible, already beginning off towards the campus. “Heh, I'm usually rescuing you from class around this time of the day. What's so special about today?” Mala asked, quickly catching up to him. “Changed my schedule. Dropped some classes.” He stated, the adjustment of the semester freeing up a day for him. The comment made the dryad pause. “Sooooo...why’re we going towards the school?” She queried, and with good reason. Gabe was usually one to avoid the academy campus as much as possible, doubly so on off days. But, it was a simple question, answered by the simple reaction of a growing stomach.

“I'm hungry.” Gabriel mentioned. He would cook, if he had the cash to afford ingredients. I mean, he could grow his own fruits and vegetables in no time flat, but meat didn't exactly grow on trees. “Eugh, human food.” Mala turned up her nose at the notion.

---

---

Sammy was expecting a more shocked response from the girls - however, he also expected Clarissa to not be drinking vodka, so there was that too.
Before he could get some half-assed explanation out, Clarissa started spouting drunk babble - except there was some truth in there. Ouch. Poor Jay... sort of.
While Amelia defused the situation, Sammy walked over to his bag and pulled out two glasses - hopefully he wouldn't be accidentally crushing these ones - and the nearly-full bottle of rum. He wasn't entirely sure if Amelia preferred bourbon or not, but damn, this was a fine ass rum.

As the two walked up the stairs - leaving a more than tipsy Clarissa with a stony-faced Jay - Sam darted a quick grin at Amelia.
"Before you say anything - no, he didn't hit me." Sam said as they walked down the corridor - both ignoring the hammering coming from the bathroom. Hm. It seemed Skye was no longer paralyzed in fear. Also, Sammy wasn't really lying with what he had just said - Jay didn't hit him. He pushed him a little, yeah, but didn't hit. There'd probably be more blood if that were the case.

"And you don't need to fuss over me either - I've come home from people's bedrooms in worse states than this." He added with an evil grin - hoping to tease her a little.

Whilst Sam grabbed his bag: Amelia quickly looked through her bag and she found a medical kit. Taking it with her, she followed Sam upstairs. Before the blonde could even open her mouth, it was like he had read her mind and was already speaking. She sighed softly "Then...what did he do Sammy? What happened....?" Amelia breathed out with concern. Her soft eyes taking in his stairs. He did look in a bad shape...but he probably suffered worse than this...but it didn't stop her from worrying. Hearing the banging, she could see the chair that kept Skye trapped in the bathroom.

Looking around, Amelia spotted another bathroom and walked into the room with Sam. She heard his joke and she managed a small smile. "I care about you Sammy...when are you going to get that through that thick skull of yours? You're hurt...so of course I am fussing." she touched his arm softly, looking up into his icy blue eyes. She bit her lip slightly. "You know, you can always tell me what happened...I just need to know you're going to be okay. I can't lose you...not again." she breathed out. Amelia felt her heart clench at the thought...god if he disappeared again or something would happen to him...she'd be lost and in pain. Sam meant more to her, more than she could say.
And he better know that.

Grabbing a towel, she turned on the water tap, wetting the towel a bit before she gently started to clean of Sam's face. Wiping away the dried and current bleeding. The towel helping the bleeding stop after a while.

Sam was quiet as she talked, mind racing to decide on what to do. Did he tell the truth? After what he did after the last vision, just up and leaving for two years without so much as a letter to those he loved.. would he be pushing Amelia away by telling her about this one?
As she began wiping his face softly, he sighed quietly, looking into her sweet, green eyes.
"Shit, Sammy... if you can't trust Lia with this, who can you trust?" He thought to himself.

"Lia..." He began, taking her hands in his and lowering them from his face. "We didn't fight... I - uh... had another vision." He said quietly, now staring quite intently at the bathroom sink, because hell, he didn't want to see any negative expressions on her face right now.

Watching Sam's expression change, it seemed like he was debating with himself for a few moments. Amelia stopped, the wet towel still in her hands as she felt Sam take her hands into his. His touch was soft...gentle and made her heart beat a bit faster. Holding his hands softly, Amelia gave his uninjured hand a soft squeeze. When he confessed about having another vision...she felt herself stiffen slightly. He wouldn't leave her, Rissa and his sister again would he? The thought raced through her mind. The thought hurt.

"Sammy..." Amelia breathed out as she touched his cheek gently, as he turned to look at the bathroom sink. "What was it about?...." she breathed out, not sure if she wanted to know or not. But the thought slipped out anyways. "Please don't push me away because of it again....I want to help you. I don't know how...but maybe there's something we can do. I can't stand the thought of it hurting you and you leaving again.....We'll figure it out somehow...we have to." she leaned against Sam slightly, in attempt to embrace him. But with him facing slightly away from her, it was a slight awkward hug. Her green eyes soft, filled with concern, and the deep affection she felt for Sam.

"I really care about you Sam...I do! I hope you know how much you mean to me....I..." Amelia breathed out, slightly babbling. She could feel her heart race...God...how was she supposed to tell Sam how she felt? Did he even like her...in that way? What was worse...watching him leave for the second time? Or not telling him how she felt and then seeing him go again? Both options made her heart clench in agony at the thought.

"You've always meant a lot to me Sammy...always. You're the best friend anyone could ever ask for me...only....I...I just...I don't just see you as a friend." the words slipped out before she could stop herself. Oh crap....did I just say that? she sounded a bit alarmed in her head...wondering what on earth Sam was thinking about right now. "If...you...I get you might like someone else...there's probably someone...I...I don't really know how you feel......" she was muttering, worried how Sam felt about her. Her words not making much sense...only they were in some aspect. She was freaking out internally....and now that it had slipped out...she felt tense and worried. Biting down on her lip-her cheeks were bright rouge as she was blushing rather profusely.

He had barely listened to her words in the guilt he was feeling - all of those negative emotions had rushed back to him from last time. His vision, seeing it happen... what he did to those men, and then the years that followed... of course Lia was worried about what he would do.

However, as she leaned into a hug, and then uttered those words... Sammy was snapped back to the present, and he looked at her in stunned silence as she babbled.
"Amelia likes me? Me?!" Were his first thoughts as he watched Amelia, he was growing redder and more flustered each second. As she began speculating about someone else, he put up one hand to stop her.
"Lia - " He paused. What words could even begin to describe how he felt? How could he give a speech about his feelings for her when mere sentences wouldn't cover the half of it?

It was at that point, that Sammy decided that actions spoke louder than words.
Cupping her face with his uninjured hand - bandaged one still holding her hand - he softly pressed his lips against hers.

Breaking away after a few blissful seconds, he offered up a sweet smile.
"Surely that answers your question?" He murmured, still cupping her heart shaped face.

In the middle of her confession and worrying about his feelings...his gesture cutting her off. The way her nickname sounded so soft and gentle coming from Sam made her blush even more. Her green eyes, gazing into his. There was a mix of emotions; her affections for Sam...the worry about his situation and how he felt...and just the intensity of the moment. It was all written all over her face.

Feeling his hand softly touch her face, her hand still holding his bandaged one. Her thumb softly brushed over his uncovered wrist. When Sam leaned in, kissing her...Amelia's heart sped up slightly skipping a beat. His lips were soft, and loving against hers. Her heart beating so fast, she thought he could almost hear her heart racing. Amelia savored his lips and the kiss for a few blissful moments. Her soft lips brushing against his, as he pulled back and Amelia smiled up at Sam, with a blush covering her cheeks. Still gazing up into his eyes-getting lost in them.

"Maybe it did." she smiled softly, almost as if she was teasing him. But hoping he had something else to say.

Chuckling softly, Sammy leant back just a bit so she could see him properly.
"Lia, there was never any contest for you. When we met, I knew we were going to be friends - even when I was screwing around with other people, I had this inkling that there was something... more between us. You've always been there for me - even when I acted like a major asshat and disappeared for two years, you took me back in." Sam began, still smiling, any emotions that had previously been felt all but gone now. The vision no longer worried him - nothing really did right now.

"I can't imagine what I would do without you. Those two years, I was just so damn angry... and empty. But when I came back, and saw you, everything just healed up. I hate to sound like some dorky chick-flick with Ryan Gosling in it, but I know I'm not exaggerating when I say that you complete me." He finished up, pale skin regaining some colour now with his own light blush. Jeez.. he'd never poured his heart out like that before. Like, ever. Now here he was, blushing like some Prom Queen getting her first kiss.

Amelia couldn't help but smile hearing his chuckle. The sound always warmed her heart. Listening to Sam speak, she listened intently and with attention to every single tender and heartfelt word. Her eyes never leaving his. She giggled a little bit as he refereed acting like a Ryan Gosling character from a chick-flick. Shaking her head, she just smiled. "You sound just like the Sammy, I always knew, cared about and fell for in the first place. Maybe a little bit more romantic...but to me, you're still the Sammy I love." she smiled softly as she pressed her forehead against his gently. Just gazing into his eyes deeply with affection.

"I am not going anywhere, I promise Sam. You have me and you won't have to be alone. I can't imagine leaving you like that and leaving you behind. I wouldn't do that to you. It's always been you for me and always will be.....you complete me too Sammy....I always felt like something was missing before I met you. There's just no one like you, for me." she whispered with a soft smile, almost like she was scared someone might be listening to them. Blushing along with Sam. He looked rather adorable blushing. "You're so cute when you blush...that was the most wonderful thing I ever heard someone say to me." she commented as she gazed up into his eyes smiling at him.

Wrapping her arms around him, Amelia embraced him a bit more fully. She pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder, snuggling into him and she breathed in his scent. They could figure things out together...as long as they had each other. Things would be okay. Sam always made her feel safe and protected. Now he made her feel even more loved and appreciated than before. She brushed a hand through his dark hair softly, before rubbing the back of his neck gently.

At Amelia's last comment, Sam suppressed a smirk. Man, she loved this romantic stuff.
"Just call me Romeo...actually... better not. That guy was a sap." He said with a chuckle as the two embraced. "He also screwed up like, everyone's life in that damn story. He added silently, smiling as he felt Amelia's hand run through his hair.

"So... want me to sweep you off your feet, then carry you downstairs to alert the not-so-happy-couple of the good news?" He asked with a grin - and then a pause. "That is, if you're interested in doing the whole couple thing ourselves. Dorky movie nights, candle-lit dinners... skinny-dipping..." He added with another laugh, hoping to get more blushes out of her.

Amelia couldn't help but giggle at his comment about Romeo. She smirked looking up at him. "Mhh...I'll have to call you Heathcliff then." she said, poking his chest playfully. Seeing the look on his face, she just giggled smiling at him. "Just kidding. You'll always be Sammy." she smiled, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before another soft peck to his lips.

As she heard his words about sweeping her off the feet, and the more sweet words that followed...she turned bright red at the mention of Skinny Dipping. Amelia looked flushed and blushed, she smiled at him. "Well well...smooth talker, cool...smart...charming....bit of a dare-devil and romantic...who knew? What else don't I know about you Sammy?" she asked with a soft smile, blushing. "If you asking me about couple things...is your way of asking me out. Then yes. Feel free to sweep me off my feet any time you like, handsome." she smiled softly looking up at him.

Athough pulling a face at the mention of Heathcliff - urgh, of all the classic 'gentlemen' to pick from.. he'd prefer Romeo over that guy - Sam grinned as Amelia said yes to his less than obvious question.

"Well - I would take you up on that offer, but I'm afraid that I'm slightly drunk - and my hand hurts." He said with a chuckle, putting out a pet lip in a joking manner as he turned on the puppy-dog eyes. To be fair, the hand did actually hurt like a bitch. It had been easy to ignore in the past few blissful minutes, but he was fairly certain there were still some shards of glass in there. "However, I would be happy to reveal more hidden things about myself. For example, I got a few tattoos on my... lonesome expedition last year -" He paused, upturning his wrists so she could see them. She had probably seen them before, as he preferred wearing short-sleeved stuff, even during the colder months. "These ones are obvious - but there's one on my back that you'd just love." He said with a waggle of his eyebrows.
Well.. big back tattoo meant one would have to take one's shirt off.
The idea of skinny dipping just became more fun.

Amelia watched Sam with gentle eyes and she smiled softly, as she rose a slight eyebrow at the mention of him being drunk. "For a slight drunk person, you're holding up better than most." she smiled and when she saw his puppy dog eyes she felt her heart melt. "Aww, my poor baby." she pouts at him cutely before she gently took his bandaged hand and began to unwrap it so she could examine his hurt hand. "There's some shards in there...I'll be gentle. I promise. You might want to take a drink...or something. Might hurt a little bit." she told him softly, with a warning.

"Thanks for the warning, Doctor Lia." He said with a laugh grabbing the bottle of rum. Sure, he looked like Captain Jack Sparrow swigging straight from it, but hell, it eased the pain.
Also, Captain Jack Sparrow was freaking awesome.

Glancing into her first-aid kit, she pulled out a pair of tweezers and she then gently began to pull out the glass shards from his palm. Some were easily to pull out...some a bit harder. But Amelia had a soft and tender touch.

Listening to Sam speak about tattoo's, she glanced at his wrists. Her finger gently brushing over one of his designs and she then blushed at the mention of him having one on his back. "One on your back you say?...what is it of?" she breathed out, curious to see what he had on his back. Her cheeks rouge at the thought of seeing him take off his shirt. Amelia bit her bottom lip blushing, as she put the tweezers back in her little aid-kit after all of the glass shards were out. She then took the time to clean Sam's hand wounds gently and carefully, before wrapping it up with a fresh and clean bandage.

"Well, that feels much better. Or maybe I'm just drunker." Sammy shrugged, examining the clean and neat bandage on his hand.

Amelia giggled lightly shaking her head, a soft smile on her face. "I should hope that you're feeling better. You had a few too many glass shards in there, so now it's better."

"Oh, it's a cross. Well.. I don't really do it much justice by saying just a cross. It was one of those many doodles we did when we were bored in class - and after binge watching Supernatural. There is some definite tones of SPN in there." He said with a chuckle, then glancing at the ones on his wrists. "These ones are symbols of Hecate. Not sure why I got them, to be honest. I mean, the design is cool and all, but I wasn't feeling too close with my Mom at that point." He said with a roll of his eyes. Man... Freud would have a field day with him.

Looking back up at Amelia, he was pleased to see her cheeks had remained red.
"I say, Miss Johnston... are you blushing at the image of me naked?" He said with a suggestive, yet joking tone in his voice.

As Sam spoke about the tattoo on his back; Amelia couldn't help but smile softly. So it didn't only hold significance to his favorite tv show...but also about them? The thought made her blush and smile a bit more; she knew the doodles he was talking about and the fact he had on his back, meant a lot more than it just being on a piece of paper.

When he looked back at her and commented on her blush; Amelia swallowed slightly feeling bit nervous. "Huh........ what?" she asked, as his words somewhat snapped her out of the day-dream. She flashed him an innocent smile, as she realized what had been asked. "No...don't be silly Sammy." she commented, in attempts to hide the truth about her blushing. But the tone of his voice brought out a more bolder blush across her cheeks. She looked guilty as charged. Pretending to look around the bathroom, she bit her lip slightly. "Wow...is it hot in here...or is it just me?" Amelia breathed out-in attempt to disguise her blush about Sam for just feeling hot due to the temperature of the room. But the bathroom was pleasantly cool.
Okay maybe I am...is that so bad? a voice rung inside of her head, causing her blush to deepen further.

That's when, she could pick up yelling from downstairs-it was mostly coming from Clarissa...some from Jay. Oh dear...it seemed like the love-birds were having their first argument. But Amelia could understand why..and what Clarissa was feeling. She could only hope, they would make up and forget Skye's messing. At first,they seemed to be arguing about what happened with Skye...but then the argument seemed to revolve around Sam and Jay's jealousy of the older male.

Sam chuckled lightly at Amelia's flushed response, but the smile froze on his face as the voices from downstairs made themselves known. Sammy rolled his eyes, sighing lightly.
"And here I thought we'd forgotten about that whole thing." He muttered dryly - then glancing at Amelia with a sheepish smile.

"Okay, I may have been... mistaken when I said we hadn't fought outside. Words were exchanged - pretty much what you're hearing there, actually." He added, listening to them. Naturally, Clarissa was defending him - that probably didn't make things any better. Man, Jay had commitment issues. Or would that be self-esteem issues?

Amelia was feeling flushed at Sam's chuckle and she bit her lip hearing him talk about him and Jay. She rose a slight eyebrow. "So why exactly does he have an issue with you? You didn't do anything wrong...you just defended Rissa from Skye. It's not a crime." Amelia breathed out as she was thinking things through. There was only so much she could hear from Jay's mouth...so she didn't catch almost everything he said about Sammy.

She winced as she heard Clarissa snap: "It's always Sam did this...Sam did that...Urgh! What's your issue with Sam?! He's been a good friend, and tried to be nice to you. At least he defended me when you kept silent, not doing anything. Him being on my side isn't a crime. Can you even hear yourself and what you're saying about one of my friends?"

"Wow...she's really upset with him. Not that I can blame her. She has a right to be upset." Amelia said as she could Clarissa's defense of Sam. It only made sense that Clarissa would be defending Sam...they had been friends for years' and given she was upset with Jay and his accusations of Sam, it was just getting worse.

Sam let out a long sigh, stretching slightly as he ran a hand through his hair.
"He seems to be under the impression that I'm going to steal Clarissa away from him. I mean, yeah, we do the odd flirt now and then, but who don't I flirt with? I flirt with the damn teachers." He said with a chuckle, thinking back to his conversation with Miguel before they had left. "He's just jealous. He'll get over it eventually - he just needs to focus on taming Clarissa's temper for now." He added, then grabbed the two glasses he had brought up with him and the bottle of rum.
"Sooo... I think it would be pretty awkward going downstairs. Mini-party in the bedrooms?" He asked, smiling suggestively.

Listening to Sam, Amelia just sighed shaking her head. "What gave him that idea? You've known Clarissa for years...we know you better than anyone. He should really tone down a little, with the jealousy and accusations, before Clarissa gets even more mad." she spoke, thinking out loud to herself more like than anyone else. She and Clarissa knew, that Sam flirted with anyone...not that it meant anything with most people. It was just Sam.

At the suggestion of a Party, she cracked a smile and another blush at his suggestive smile. "Yeah, very strange indeed......Don't mind if I do...I think that sounds like a grand idea." she commented on the mini-party upstairs, with a slight smirk.But still failing to hide her blush.

Sammy supposed that Jay had some right to feel a bit of jealousy - he didn't know Sam like Clarissa and Amelia did. But still, it should be obvious that he didn't like Clarissa in that way - she was his Platonic Partner in Crime, the little sister from another mister. He once saw Amelia in that way, but not so much now - they were partners in crime in a completely different way.
Which was a refreshing change.

Sam smiled to see her reaction to a party away from the troubled twosome downstairs - Sammy then opened the bathroom door and the pair walked along the corridor, looking for a bedroom or an upstairs lounge.
It didn't long for them to find a big-ass room; similar to the living room downstairs, only with a different colour scheme. Jeez, Demeter really went all out on this place.
"Any preference for music?" He asked Amelia, noticing the sound system and taking his phone from his pocket. The two had similar music tastes - but was she wanting dance, rock, or a slow song?

Following Sam through the corridor; Amelia looked around the new and big entertainment room they stood in. It seemed like the Cabin was full of hidden surprises and different rooms for people's liking. It made her wonder, just how many people could fit here all together...definitely more than 5 that's for sure.

Pursing her lips at the mention of music,she smiled "Mhh...leaving me to pick huh?" she teased with a smile as she walked over to the music selection and began to look through the rock music, finding a suitable CD. she slipped it on, and turned up the volume so it drowned out the arguing from downstairs.
"There we go...how about that?" Amelia asked, beaming at Sammy with a smile, wondering what he thought of the current music choice. Since they both liked Rock, this should have been a good choice.




Sammy laughed as he heard a favourite - now, one couldn't go wrong with AC/DC, but Whole Lotta Rosie was arguably one of their best songs.
"Excellent choice, Lia!" He announced loudly over the music as he handed her a drink, already dancing himself.
In no time at all, Sammy had abandoned the glasses and was drinking straight from the bottle, shirt unbuttoned as he continued dancing with Lia.

Lia just smiled at his approval. "I am glad you approve." she beamed with a smile. Joining in with the drinking, mostly drinking from the bottle of Borboun, sometimes a bit of rum as she danced around with Sammy.
Amelia flipped her hair a few times, her locks brushing against Sam's neck. The pair partying till 1 in the morning...by which time. Both were pretty much drunk, tired and oblivious to the argument that was still taking place downstairs.

The pair passed out on the couch in the entertainment room. Amelia snuggled up against Sam, her arm wrapped around his waist, head on his chest asleep. The music long died down as they were asleep. Amelia feeling exhausted and too drunk to stay awake for the rest of the night.

Staying awake just long enough to pull a blanket over he and Amelia, his arms encircling her as they settled down. Smiling lightly, he was pleased to see what had started out as a majorly crappy night had turned into something so good.
Before long, both were asleep, both alcohol and tiredness catching up with them.

---

---

Unfortunately for Sam, it wasn't the smell of a delicious breakfast that awoke him, but a not-so-nice dream.

He knew it was a dream - but goddamn, it felt real. He could feel the cold air on his skin, hear the buzzing of the electric lights. He was back at the Academy... and someone was being attacked in front of him. He couldn't move, just stand in horror as the girl fell to the ground, neck hitting the curb and a resounding crack filling the night air-

Sam awoke with a start, breathing heavily and heart hammering. Letting his head fall back onto the cushion beneath him, he placed a hand over his eyes, trying to relax. Of course - he'd almost forgotten about the aftershocks a vision brought with it.

Amelia felt Sam squirm and move in his sleep-feeling his heavy breathing and his heart hammering inside of his chest. She woke up with concern. Groaning from the sleepiness, she looked up at Sam, still wrapped around him like she had been through the course of the night. "Sammy?" she asked, her voice sleepy as she touched his hand softly, trying to uncover his face to look into his eyes.
"It was just a dream...you're okay. Everything's fine." Amelia did her best to reassure Sam, guessing it was a bad dream that woke him up and disturbed him greatly. She gently rubbed his side, trying to rub his back as best as she could in their position. Her touch soothing and tender, with reassurance and concern.

She could smell the fresh aroma of breakfast in the air. But she was more concerned about Sam's well being at the moment. "Just take deep breaths..." she told him softly, placing a soft kiss to his cheek as she gave him a tender squeeze of reassurance, just hugging him. Snuggled up with him under the blanket for a few moments longer.

Removing his hand, he looked at Amelia, managing a smile.
"Just a dream... sure." He murmured, calming down almost immediately with her words. Unfortunately, it wasn't just a dream. It was someone dying - and he still couldn't see that person's damn face... if he didn't know who it was, how in the hell was he supposed to help them?

Deciding that he could deal with all of that when he got back to the Academy, he returned Amelia's kiss, only planting his on her lips, pulling her closer with his arm.
He would have been quite happy to stay like that for another few hours, but a grumble from beneath the blankets rearranged his priorities. Stupid stomach.

"Let's hope this breakfast sobers us up - I don't think any of us are fit to drive, but to hell with it." He said with a grin.

As Sam pulled her closer, kissing her. Amelia rested her forehead against his. Kissing Sam for a few moments. Hearing his stomach grumble, she smiled as her nose rubbed against his gently. "I have a feeling, Jay might be the only one that isn't drunk here..." she smiled softly. Pressing a soft kiss to his lips before they both rose up from the couch. Amelia stretched slightly, yawning a bit as she felt her stomach growl...it was empty and breakfast smelled rather delicious. Walking out of the room, she noticed Clarissa walking out of one of the bathrooms.
"Morning...sunshine...feeling better?" she asked, hoping Clarissa was doing better that morning.

Looking pale as a sheet...brown hair a slight mess. Clarissa just groaned-throwing Amelia an irritable look when she got called Sunshine. Clarissa had passed out in the morning..mid argument with Jay and had slept till now...having throw up in the bathroom, Her stomach was twisting, churning and growling. Heard Skye's yelling from the bathroom and winced, holding her hands over her ears...her head and ears were ringing.

Amelia saw the state of Clarissa-clearly still suffering from last's night drinking. She touched her shoulder, tenderly "You okay, Rissa...?" she asked.
Wincing, Clarissa whimpered "Ahh...not so loud, Lia. And someone please let the idiot out of the bathroom....I can't stand the yelling." everything seemed so loud to her right now. Clarissa groaned, looking like she might throw up any moment now...nor was she in any state to argue..nor did she want to. Not after last night...she had enough of the argument. Her head was still spinning from the argument with Jay.

Sammy smiled as he overheard Clarissa and Amelia, gathering up a few things before exiting the room; shirt still unbuttoned, and black hair messier than Clarissa's.
"Damn Rissa - what did I tell you about the vodka?" He said through his laughter upon seeing her, then digging through his bag to hand her some Tylenol.
"Take two of these, eat some breakfast, and I'll make you my famous hangover cure before we leave." He said with a grin, glancing at Amelia with another smile before walking over to the bathroom, removing the chair and opening the door with a flourish.

Inside was a livid looking Skye - the paint was gone from his hair and face, but as he'd been locked in here without any of his bags, he was still in the crumpled and paint-spattered clothes. Naturally, he hadn't even attempted to clean up the paint from the bathroom walls and floor, but he had heaped towels in teh bath, for which had been an undoubtedly uncomfortable night.

"Skye! Glad to see you're awake - you sleep well?" Sam asked sarcastically with a jovial smile on his face. Obviously remembering what had happened last night, Skye didn't dare say anything to him; instead muttering under his breath furiously and pushing past Sam, heading towards his bedroom. Skye paused as soon as he saw Clarissa, giving her a murderous look; but quickly backed down as soon as he saw the look on both her and Sam's faces. Once he stormed into his bedroom, Sam smiled to hear him furiously demanding a cab to pick him up at once.

"Well, that's that out of the way. Let's get some breakfast, ladies." He said with a grin directed back at Clarissa and Amelia.

Hearing Sam, Clarissa groaned at his words and just shook her head. "Yeahh...yeah. Cut the crap....not now Sam!" she whined, not in the mood to be told off for touching a drink she wasn't supposed to. When Sam handed her some Tylenol, she glanced at the bottle but she stopped seeing her twin walk out...the murderous look caused her to stop. Feeling a shiver down her spine.

She then smiled a bit at Sam as he mentioned breakfast. Hearing Skye on the phone, she sighed in relief. At least he wouldn't be going back with them.
Amelia watched Skye storm out and she watched him with careful eyes and she glared behind the blonde male, before she flashed a smile towards Sam. "Sounds good...I am hungry." she said, as they were about to walk downstairs. Seeing Jay was waiting for them...the table all nicely set up.

Clarissa blinked, rubbing her face as she saw Jay had set up the breakfast table for everyone...apart from Skye. "You made, breakfast?" she asked, looking at Jay with a slight surprise and shock, he managed to make breakfast so quick. She grabbed one of her glasses, popping two Tylenol into her mouth, drinking it down with berry juice before she handed the medicine bottle back to Sam.

Hearing her phone ringing, she groaned. "Not know...people just leave me alone." she groaned, annoyed. Whoever was calling her, better have a good explanation. She debated if she should or shouldn't answer...but she couldn't even remember where she left her phone last night. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the phone call for now, rubbing the back of her neck.

That's when Skye stormed down a bit later; fully dressed in clean clothes and his bags ready to go. He glared at everyone...steely eyes and deadly glare. As he pushed past everyone, his bag swung a bit to much. Knocking Clarissa into the nearest wall...Clarissa fell to the floor with a groan, feeling her head hitting the door frame.
Amelia gasped seeing Clarissa land on the floor hurt. She rushed over to help her up. "Are you okay, Riss?" she asked worried and shot Skye a death-glare. "You and your bag of death...went to far this time." she spat him. Some blood dripping down Clarissa's neck, as the back of her head got injured with impact of hitting the door frame.

"Hot damn, Jay! You just made eggs and bacon fancy!" Sam announced with glee as he saw the plates, stomach growling to add to his pleased tone. Breakfast had never looked so good - usually breakfast for Sammy was a very rushed piece of toast, and then about three cheap bacon sandwiches from the café for brunch. Never stuff like this. He either slept too late to completely miss breakfast entirely, or just never have time before classes started. Out of all his excuses that he had for teachers, he doubted that 'a fine ass piece of pig' was going to cut it.

However, before he could make a beeline for the table and to devour the food, Skye stormed back downstairs. He was back to his fabulously perfect and pissed self - and proved the latter by knocking Clarissa down.
And as Clarissa fell, the bang of her head making a dull thudding sound, something clicked in Sam's mind as he remembered the vision fully.
The girl who had fallen, who had broken her neck...
It was Clarissa.

The sudden realisation of this - of one of his best friends dying - and the fact that Skye had actually been ballsy enough to go ahead and hurt her - caused Sam's temper to snap. Before Amelia could even finished her sentence, Sam had powered on over, grabbing Skye by the throat before dragging him towards the front door - slamming it open and throwing the younger kid down the steps of the cabin. It had been a forceful throw, and Skye yelped at each step he landed on - finally coming to a stop at the base and his head smacking straight into one of the wooden fence posts marking the stairs. He let out a howl of pain and Sam watched him sit up, a satisfied smirk on his face as he saw Skye holding his obviously broken nose in pain.

"SAM! YOU BROKE MY FUCKING DOSE!" He screeched, blood pouring from his nose and spilling over his hands. His clothes were no longer quite spotless.
"Gosh, did I?" Sam asked, feigning innocence. "Tell you what, I'll come on down there and break both your cheekbones too - then you'll get these gorgeous black eyes to go with the bloodiness."

"Fuck you Sam! I'll pay you back for this! All of you! Including my dasty whore of a sis-"

Skye's rant cut off as his hair suddenly ignited in flames, and screaming in shock, ran headfirst straight into the lake. Admittedly, Sam felt a little bit bad. But his temper had spiked, and things go boom when that happens.

"Hey, Elmer Fudd! Your cab's here; fuck off back to the Academy, and if I see you anytime in the next week, I'll slam your damn head in my car door. Repeatedly!" Sam called out from the cabin door as Skye resurfaced, spluttering both water and blood. He really looked a mess now - nose wonky, swollen and bloody, a black eye beginning to appear, and what was left of his hair was either severely uneven or just a charred black colour. The taxi driver seemed nonplussed; he was too busy gaping at the size of the cabin.

Walking back in and closing the door, Sammy crouched by Clarissa, some anger still blazing away in his eyes, although there was mostly concern there.
"Ouch... so much for getting rid of the headache." He said, wincing on her behalf as he saw the blood.

---

---

Ray watched as the infused tea began to take effect on the girl. "I might have overdone it." He mumbled to himself. There was still some work to do on finding the right dosage with these things. At least she's more relaxed now.
He flinched slightly when the plate shot at his face. And was relieved when it stopped before hitting him and started floating down. note to self: be careful who you drug
In response to her raving, Ray just nodded and said: "It sure is." Referring to the pie that was jummy.
She did make an interesting observation though. Who was strong enough to be able to kidnap demi-gods? A frightening question.
He made himself some coffee and took out the last piece of applepie from the fridge. He put it on the counter with three small forks. "You girls want some?"

"unlikely" He said to Joey. "Some have been gone for a while now."
Through the windows Ray could see that the sun had just set.
Het turned his head to the drowsy girl. "What's your name by the way?"

Marilee stiffled a giggle unsucessfully. "Marilee....Eee...Laikos..." she mumbled sleepily with a yawn, "...Gone a while...Gone forever..." she wiggled her fingers and liquid tea floated in the air, making shapes as she spoke, "Only... Demi... and Gods... are equal..." She gave a small snort at the idea of Gods or fellow Demis taking the missing kids against their will. Waving the tea shapes away, they snaked through the air in retreat to the sink. The tea was cold now. Dancing around in the air had ruined its perfect temperature. What a waste, what a waste...

"Coulda' run, run, run so far a way," she grinnned at the tune as she took another bite of the floating cookie, "Or monsters....Big meanies...." She scrunched her nose and yawned oncer more, leaning over the counter. Her pale eyes stared up at the two near her and she scoffed. "Cold pie...is butts..." she chuckled.

And then there was an awful shaking. Sitting up as straight as possible and gripping the counter, her eyes glowed red. That color turned an violetly bright as the shaking ground got worse. Light bulbs burst and Marilee let out a growl. She was so tired, but if they were being attacked she had to do something! Thrusting her hands out, her hair floated up around her, her fingertips gleaming with light that seemed to stain the air around it.

Anything knocked from its rightful place simply floated. A terrible ache started in her head, but she blinked blearily, trying to clear her mind. "Back to your positions, you unruly dishes!" It wasn't much of a spell, but with the pounding in her head, she could feel herself letting the magic seap out from her fingertips. Not everything listen to her command. Anything larger than the mixer was too heavy in such a broad range for her to control. But she managed to save somethings. Once the horrid shaking stopped, Marilee relaxed, the red energy fading away.

Her head hurt really bad now. Slumping across the counter of the cafe, she let out a small groan. "Tell the ground to be nice...." And with that surprisingly full sentence on her slurring sleepy tongue, Marilee was out like a light. Such extensive and free use of her magic was just not something that her body was used to.

"woah!"
Ray fell to ground as the sudden shaking of the world caught him by surprise.
"oah!"
He exclaimed as he hit the ground. Some of the cups and dishes fell from the shelf. Afraid that he would be buried under them he put his arms over his head and closed his eyes. When nothing hit him, he opened one of his eyes to see many of the dishes floating in the air and back to their places. Apparently the girl named Marilee was still alert enough to react quickly to the situation. The levitating and glowing of everything was enough indication for him that this was her doing. Though the little rhyme she said made it absolutely clear.
Just when he let down his guard, assured that nothing was going to hit him, a last cup that was spinning on the shelf decided to come down. On his head.
"aaarh!"
The cup broke. And it hurt like hell. With one hand over the bleeding spot on his forehead he slowly got up, hoping there would come no more earthquakes. He leaned on the counter. "oh damn, what was that...?" He breathed heavily as he still was feeling some adrenaline. And pain.
"Thanks, Marilee." He managed to get out. "Without your quick reaction I would've probably be buried under all those cups."
It was then that Ray noticed that she didn't hear him anymore. She was sound asleep. At least she seemed uninjured.
"....yeah, we'll tell the ground to be nice."
He moved over to Joey. A modest stream of blood had formed between the hand that he held over the side of his forehead and his elbow, from where the blood was slowly dripping on the counter.
"Are you okay?"

Johanna didn't answer at first, crouched under the edge of the counter and stroking her snake's tiny scaled head as she hissed sweet nothings at him. "Are you okay, Ouroborous? The Witch did not hurt you, did she?" Snakes – they didn't understand contractions all that well, and English didn't translate well at all into their language.

"Mistressss, I am well!" Oreo licked at her fingers. "But there isss blood in the air! Danger! Danger!"

"Blood?" Johanna mused, tucking her snake into her jacket pocket, their coffee date having been interrupted. She didn't feel too bad about it, given that it had been free. Joey was sure she hadn't been injured save for some hot coffee spilling on her jeans during the quake, and that wasn't any real issue...

The one that her snake liked to call the Witch was unconscious, but unless she was bleeding internally there didn't seem to be any blood, which left...

With eyes wide and startled, she looked up to Ray, who she recalled had asked her a question (one that she had so rudely ignored in favour of her snake's well-being). Almost instantly, Johanna paled drastically, almost as if she was one of the children of Hades who never saw daylight. "I... uh, uhm, I'm fine, but you've got a thing..." She trailed off somewhat weakly, gesturing to the bloody mess that seemed to be his hand. Really, she should have flashed outside as soon as Oreo alerted her to the presence of it, but now having caught sight of it, she wasn't sure she could move her legs fast enough, or control Hermes' gift enough so that she didn't end up running into a wall. Haemophobia was no laughing matter after all.

So she shoved some napkins at Ray, blanching as it soaked up some of the blood on the counter and in an instant saturated it. "I m-may need to... sit down, for a bit." She backed up to the nearest set of chairs and tables that hadn't been upended by the quake. "And... if I ^faint..." She paused, shaking the light-headedness from her mind. "Oreo's prolly venom-y... And thus, Johanna promptly stuck her head into her jacket and started breathing deeply from the warm air inside to try and hold back a panic attack.

---

---

With the spreading of the luring aroma from the bacon, eggs, potatoes, and buttered toast having been released not even five minutes ago, the others started to come down. It started with Amelia and Sam, who seemed to be a little cozier than last night. A lot happened the night before and not just for Sam and Jay, it happened with Jay and Clarissa and now it seemed something happened - in a good way - for Sam and Amelia..

Clarissa, considering how last night ended, seemed to be looking about how Jay expected. Lots of vodka apparently helped with that. They did have a long, exhausting fight. It was something that Jay never wanted to happen again. He made a lot of mistakes yesterday. The first, and probably the worst of them all, was thinking that he would actually lose Clarissa to Sam. She made it clear to him that they are old friends. Hell, Sam made it clear to Jay that they were just old friends. Whether it was Jay’s insecurities of losing the only person that looked at him and didn’t think “that guy looks like a loser”, or perhaps it was, as Sam said, “being intimidating by me”. Whichever it was, one thing was clear. Jay knew he would have to prove to her that his jealousy started — and ended — last night.

“Glad to see you two slept well,” Jay commented, speaking to Amelia and Sam, noting how close they seemed to be.

As Clarissa took a seat and sounded surprised that he made breakfast, Jay gave her a smile, but not just to her; he gave that smile to all three of them. “Yeah, I wanted to do something to at least partially make it up to all of you. Ever since we left the Academy, I’ve been a real jerk.” Jay said, eyes falling to Clarissa, “especially to you, Clarissa. My jealousy got out of control and I know now it was wrongly placed. I know this isn’t going to make up for it all, but I’m hoping this is at least a--” Jay was cut off by the sound of a loud thud. A blue bag — a familiar blue bag — whacked Clarissa hard and sent her to the wall behind her.

Seeing her being against the wall, Jay noticed blood starting to lightly drip from her neck. Fear set in and anger filled his eyes. He was going to rush towards Skye, but then déjà vu set in. This was exactly how it was yesterday. Skye did something to hurt Clarissa and Jay did nothing about it. Sam came to her rescue by going after the blonde bimbo and Jay just sat there. I won’t make that mistake again. Jay rushed to Clarissa’s side. There was only one thought in his head: make sure Clarissa wasn’t hurt — or worse. He had to make sure that, above everything else; above making Skye pay, that Clarissa was all right.

As he examined her neck, eyes filled with worried fear(it would have been noticeable) feeling around the area that hit the wall, he didn’t feel anything out of place. He wasn’t a doctor, but Jay knew enough from the medical dramas his stepmother used to watch what felt broken and what didn’t. Based on what he was feeling on her bare neck, nothing wasn’t broken. He did take notice to the light bleeding on it, though. There also seemed to be a bruise as well. That was to be expected. Still Jay didn’t like it. Not one bit.

As Sam arrived from handling Skye, Jay looked to him. “Sam, Amelia stay by her side. I need to go digging around for herbs. Put a towel on her neck and put pressure. And make sure her head is leveled.” Jay said, getting up and rushed outside. He turned a left from the entrance of the cabin. He went all the way around the cabin and into the back of it. There was a greenhouse there. It was probably one of the most important features of any Demeter Cabin. This one just so happened to be belonged to the blood of Jeremiah Tomers.

“Okay, where is it?” Jay spoke softly, going through each of the five levels of several plants. Each plant seemed to have a tag on them. There were dozens upon dozens of individual plants. Some were meant for healing, some for tea, some for poison, and some for a combination of the three. The ones that Jay was look for was a specific one that closed wounds almost instantaneously. “It’s around here, I know it!” Jay was getting frustrated. He knew it was around the area of the greenhouse he was in. The healing plants were there.

“Top shelf, far right..”

Jay heard an odd whisper in his head. He looked behind him, but saw no one, but he saw a faint aura of green and brown. He smiled. “Thanks Mom..” Jay said, looking to the top shelf and found the plant he was looking for on the far right. “There you are!” He spotted the plant. It was the Lover’s Aloe Vera. Though it looked exactly like the Aloe Vera plant, it had a slight hint of pink and red on the edges. It had mystical properties to its nature. It only worked at its maximum potency when spotted by someone who was desperate to save the person that they truly loved.

Jay grabbed the plant, which wasn’t all that heavy, and rushed back to the cabin. He didn’t know how long he was, maybe a maximum of fifteen minutes, he made sure he would rush back. It wouldn’t take him all that long to get back, seeing Sam and Amelia at Clarissa’s side. He smiled, looking at them comfort her and doing what he asked of. "Hang on Clarissa.." Jay said within earshot of her, rushing over to her side. He knelt down to see how much blood was lost and it didn't seem like a lot. Still, Jay didn't want to risk anything. He stood up. “Sam, I need your help.” Jay said, gesturing Sam to follow him to the kitchen. Jay started to prepare his work station for mashing up the Lovers' Aloe Vera plant. "When I say, I need you to give me a little fire into this pot, got it?" Jay told Sam.

This time around, JAy was the one telling Sam what to do. Talk about a reverse scenario!

---

---

Hearing Jay apologizing, warmed Clarissa's heart and it seemed like the troubles of yesterday left her mind-until his apology trailed off after Skye forcefully hit her, with his blue bag. Hearing the yelling and threats outside, as Sam dealt with Skye...yet again.

Clarissa let out a whimper of pain; her head spinning. Hearing Sam's words, she cracked a slight smile-his humor managing to cheer her up briefly...before the pain started to set in again. "I think, I might need something stronger than medicine and your hang-over remedy." she commented, joking along with Sam. Her brown eyes landing on Jay who rushed over to her. Feeling his hand against her neck, her skin felt bit fragile and she winced slightly in pain. Her blood dripping down her neck...slowly, but surely.

"I am sorry too..." Clarissa breathed out, looking at Jay. Her hand shakily touched his arm for support. Squeezing his arm softly, she was letting him know in silence just how sorry she felt as well...she didn't want to argue either. She couldn't stay mad at Jay for long...nor did she want to. Last night...was hard and exhausting. The drinks spoke for her too....not just the confusion and hurt of his mistakes. A part of her guessed...he had a right to be jealous on some level. But it wasn't necessary...she wasn't leaving him for someone else...nor would she want to. Sam was her best-friend, a brother figure and she knew how he felt about Amelia-she was happy for them two.

Hearing Jay's apology, Amelia flashed him a soft smile. "It's okay...mistakes happen. I know you don't want to lose Rissa..take good care of her. I am sure you will anyways." she told him, patting his back as she saw him examine Clarissa's wounds. Leaving Sam with Clarissa for a few moments-she rushed off to get that towel after Jay left for the green-house.

Helping Clarissa into a more comfortable position, she pressed the towel to the back of her head. The pressure stopping the bleeding, making sure to keep her head leveled. Amelia kept a watch on the time-Jay wasn't gone long, but she wondered what he was looking for. "You'll be fine...just hold on. Keep talking to me and Sam." Amelia told Clarissa softly, trying to keep her alert and awake. She smiled at her softly-she knew that Clarissa and Jay would make up. And she was glad, that they seemed to be doing better than last night.

Amelia kept Clarissa talking, to her and Sam. Seeing Jay rushing into the cabin, she glanced over her shoulder. "How long will this take?" she asked curious, as she kept an eye on Clarissa. She checked her head wound, it seemed like the bleeding had stopped. But she kept the pressure for a few more moments just to be sure. Once the bleeding was completely stopped, she wiped her neck free of blood gently. Amelia checked Clarissa's wounds once again...she would be fine as soon as the healing remedy was done. Maybe just head-ache and some bruising to the neck, a little bump on the head for a while...but luckily, Clarissa didn't have a concussion and seemed to be alert.

Hearing Jay order Sam, Clarissa smiled softly. "Now, who's bossing who around?" she glanced over at both the boys, with a soft yet small smile-still feeling some pain from the incident....which was not accidental. She blinked, feeling a bit disoriented from the slight blood-loss, but not enough to pass out. But she groaned, feeling her head still throbbing.
Amelia too watched Sam and Jay-smiling softly over at Sam. It wasn't her usual smile; it was more of her warm and in love type of smile. Clarissa noticed the smile, causing her to smile in return, at seeing Amelia watching Sam like that. "So...what happened with you and Sam last night?...spill! I want the deets." Clarissa smiled, poking her arm lightly, as best as she managed from her position on the floor..

---

---

Naturally, Sam was somewhat alarmed to see more blood than anticipated - he hadn't expected her to be that hurt. He knew fine well that head wounds generally bled a lot, but she must have hit it hard enough to give herself a concussion or something.
Or maybe that was just the combination with the hangover.
Once with Jay and the weird looking plant, he nodded to Jay's instructions, rubbing his hands together in somewhat nervous preparation. Hopefully he didn't chargrill this flower thing of Jay's - he was usually good with his pyro hands, but sometimes it just did not want to behaviour. Hopefully any playfulness had been used up on Skye's hair - at which point, Sam let out a chuckle, and he looked at Jay.
"Dude, I broke his nose and set his hair on fire." He laughed, remembering the furious look on Skye's face. It was certainly decent payback for the little blond shit had done.

---

---

---

---

By the time the other guy had walked into the café, Peter had been sat at the counter for a good hour or so. Following his brief meeting with Hannah last night, and the earthquake, he'd actually got some practice in with his spear before it started slicing him up by itself. And amazingly, he didn't hurt himself last night. As such, he was in a remarkably good mood considering he was still littered in band-aids and bandages from previous nicks.

"Eh, at least I got some sleep last night." He thought to himself as he downed the remainder of his coffee, then glancing over his shoulder as Harvey entered. He wasn't familiar with the guy, but he knew he was a Son of Artemis. One would assume a spwan of Ares, with the way he acted. Hard to believe he was related to the nice girl he'd met last night.

"Malákas..." Peter muttered the greek insult quietly under his breath, rolling his eyes at the boy's rudeness. As Raymond came back into view, he offered up a smile.

"I'll have another when you're ready, thanks." He asked politely, motioning towards his empty cup. He was currently indulging in a mocha - the perfect blend of coffee and chocolate. In front of him lay a notepad filled with writing, and an old book of spears he'd picked up in the library. It was written entirely in Greek - as would be expected from Greek Demi-Gods. Thankfully he was fluent in the language, although there were some ancient words in there he didn't understand.

---

---

"Mr. Lewison. You don't know me, but you know my employer, and I have a message for you." The man smiled nastily into a camera. "You've been doing things my employer doesn't like. I'm to tell you to cut it out, or the consequences will be the worse for you." He walked with the camera, down the dungeon hall, towards a certain door. "Now, my employer is reasonable. How will you stop doing what my employer doesn't want if you don't know what it is? Simple. Instructions will be mailed to you from D. Johnson; I'm sure I don't have to tell you this is a fake name. Follow the instructions to the letter, and nobody gets hurt. However, if you disobey, or if you go to the police..."

The man pushed open a door and walked inside, moving in a slow circle around the chair holding the room's sole occupant. "Your daughter will pay the price for your insubordination. Be careful, Mr. Lewison. My employer is not the most forgiving of people." Aiming the camera at Serafina's face, the man ended the video and laughed.

"Don't worry, Miss Lewison. I'm sure daddy dearest will do anything to keep you safe." He left the room with a mocking laugh, locking the door behind him and leaving Serafina to her thoughts.

---

"Mr. Lewison, a package has arrived for you." The polite voice buzzed over the intercom to William Lewison's office in northern Chicago.

"Send it up, Miss Fisher." William replied, busying himself with paperwork while he waited for the package to arrive. When it came, he opened the small box to reveal a nondescript tablet and a white envelope. On the front of the envelope, in printed letters, were the words TURN ON THE TABLET. Curious, he did so.

The tablet was completely clean of apps save for one; video player. William opened the app and watched the one video present. By the end of it, he was shaking with fear and anger. His Serafina, his little girl, had been kidnapped again, and there was nothing he could do to help her.

With shaking hands, he opened the envelope to reveal the first set of demands, along with what punishment would be administered to his daughter if he refused any of them. He had no choice. With a heavy heart, he prepared to carry out his instructions.

---

---

One of the first things Gabriel learned to adjust when he arrived in Utah, was his walking speed. He was already long legged, so his natural gait was pretty big. Add to that the mindset of a asocial New Yorker with no time to spare, and you get a guy that casually speed walked all over the place.

But, he was quick to realize how much slower things moved in this town, as well as how small the place seemed to him. It definitely didn't feel as big as the city. He felt he had most of the important places and landmarks mapped out within the first few days of being there. He learned to slow down as he started hanging out with Mala, after noticing how much trouble she would have matching his pace with her short legs. It conjured up a brief memory, of how she used to complain as she scampered to keep up with him. The fragment of thought made him chuckle on the inside.

Even then, he had a tendency to fall back into old habits when he was on campus, mostly due to never wanting to be there long. Doubly so on a off day. “H-hey-!” Mala had to interject as Gabe quietly started speeding off. He couldn't help it. He had to walk all the way across campus to get to the center that sold food. And it was a typical school day, so the grounds were definitely filled with other students and individuals in-between classes and whatnot. So the partial anxiety of being out in public made Gabe eager to get in, get what he needed, and get out. He'd be sure to apologize to his traveling companion after he got some food in his system.

“Don't wait up.” He mumbled, quickly entering the building. Ordering meals took about as long as flashing your student I.D. and picking from the menu. “To go, please.” Gabriel mumbled, not very keen on hanging around. He considered himself lucky he didn't have to stand on any lines. “Thanks.” He quickly grabbed his breakfast burrito and bounced on out of there. Outside, he was greeted by one irritated wood nymph, sporting all the classic telltale signs of a unhappy individual. The crossed arms, the peeved grimace, the tapping foot, Mala pulled out all the stops.

“S-sorry ‘bout that.” Gabe apologized sheepishly, like a puppy who had just been scolded. She slapped the denim of his jacket. “Seriously Gabe, it's really annoying. You know I'm short.” She added, giving him one last disapproving look before the two began making their way off campus.

“Now, what I was gonna say (before I was so rudely interrupted), was that you should put in a application at the nursery.” She suggested like a mother unsatisfied with her unemployed son. It was a quaint little garden center located on a southeast edge of the town, the place he met Mala. “One of the other girls working there took off, said she was moving back to Tulsa. So, now we're short a person.” She added. Gabriel couldn't help but smirk at the coincidence. “I was just thinking about makin’ money a few minutes ago...” He replied, liking the idea.

Mala smiled, liking that he liked the idea. “It'd be good for you, Gabe. It'll keep you busy and out of trouble on days like this, you'll make some coin, and you could tend to all the plants you could want! I can even have you doing stocking work, so you don't have to deal too much with customers. Trust me, you'll be in your element there. I'll be sure to put in a good word for you.” She added with a wink. Mala really dressed it up for him, made the work sound really good. Sounded like there were virtually no downsides to the proposal.

“Yeah, okay.” He complied to her wishes, even if it wasn't too apparent on his face. “Cool! But uh...we’re going the wrong way though.” She piped up quizzically, realizing they were going out of town rather than in. “I know. I wanna eat first.” He replied, blatantly passing his apartment building. The more they walked, they closer they got to the barrier’s edge, and into the thick forests that laid beyond.

It was 6:45 in the morning, and a lone pickup truck was barreling like buckshot down a hauntingly quiet Utah highway. Inside the battered, battle-ready vehicle, Jonas Highwind was driving with a light, diligent touch on the gas and wrist comfortably slung over the wheel. Zaheen and Tara slept beside him. But a fourth demigod was sitting with his back propped against the bed of the truck, chin nestled comfortably on his knee as he stared listlessly ahead. He hadn't slept in fifty one hours, and thirty three of them involved the pleasant autumn sun warming him to the bones. With sleep an impossibility thanks to his power set and mental state, his thoughts had been roiling, bouncing to and fro between two fulcrums: there was a blonde haired girl somewhere in the miles ahead, waiting for him to come and save her while she languished like a dog in a pound.

And if I ever live to see Olympus Academy again, Dallas Relo thought, I'm only buying fucking Gucci.

Not that he had put much thought into what he was wearing if he didn't live to see it again. Truth be told, he couldn't even remember getting in the truck. They had left Olympus Academy at dusk two nights previously, under the illusion of going out for dinner, to follow the trace that Zaheen had cobbled together on his phone call with Vivian. Dallas had spent the two hours before they'd all met up soaking in the shower, trying to remember the feeling of hot water, clean hair, and his own face in the mirror. Little things that made him grin in the morning had been painstakingly branded into his mind. Confronting your own morality type shit. Memento mori.

Before the start of this week, Dallas had thought he'd never die. Even now, he still did his best to thing that way.

But if you've gotta die for someone, Vivian was...

...

...as good as anyone else.

Or the inverse. If you had to kill for someone...

Viv DEFINITELY makes me want to kill someone.

He'd have to make sure he drilled that through her head sometime. After the longest hug he'd ever given someone, after he'd filled her ear with some affectionate and sophisticated cursing, and bought her a bacon cheeseburger, Dallas would tell her that.

The truck's transmission was rattling a little, constantly cutting itself in on an aural arm's race with Dal's iPod, but at this point, if Zaheen's trace was correct, they were minutes away from Vivian at last. Close enough that even if Eva Green had waltzed up to the back of the truck in lingerie wielding a Shake Weight suggestively and asking if he could loan her a fuck, he wouldn't give one. We're so close. Close enough that Dallas could feel the familiar jump in his chest that started occurring whenever he was within reach of a goal. Close enough that he could trick himself into believing he could catch Viv's perfume on the morning breeze. Close enough that even the sun had started to peek out, both to give him something in his corner and to watch its son go to town. We're. So. Close.

The thought had hardly left his head before Jonas stopped the truck and turned it off - they'd been closer than even Dal's internal pep talk had believed. Over the trees, hugging the lake underneath the highway, the barest hints of a cylindrical building peeked out at the four demigods in the truck. There hadn't been a building for miles, excepting old gas stations that had probably shuttered sometime during the Space Race and old houses that were missing a wall or half a roof. This had to be it. Had to be.

Which meant that there was no time to think. No time to ask questions. No time to even chew bubblegum. Just fight until he had too much blood in his eyes to see, or until he could give his sister one of those annoyingly cute pecks on the nose. Whichever came last.

Knocking on the back of the truck twice for good luck, Dallas Relo vaulted over the side of the bed and landed nimbly on his feet. He kicked up a few pebbles on the highway as he walked up to the driver's side of the door and leaned inside to talk to Jonas.

"So, between you and Tara," he asked (flinching as he did so; his voice was hoarse from two days of disuse) tersely, "what are we packing, fam?"

---

---

"Yo Nate, coming right up, my friend." Ray rebounded Harvey's presumptious attitude, while enthousiastically flipping him the finger as though it was a happy and welcoming gesture of their long lasting friendship.

In a way, Ray experienced it like that today. As with all his pent up frustration and anger, it was nice to come by someone every now and then, that he felt deserved to be buried under his unfiltered negativity, so he felt free to unleash it upon them. Because of that, being an asshole, was sometimes perceived as an act of kindness to Ray.
Most people deserved better than that though. But Harvey did not. And under no circumstance ever, was Ray going to bow for any kind of intimidation. Be it as seemingly trifling as a way of ordering coffee, or any other way. No fucker fucked with him.
Under the skin of his forehead, he felt the pricking of two horns that were just waiting for the right moment. If Harvey turned out to be in a bad mood and decided to fight him, Ray would only need two seconds to turn himself into a gigantic black Ram. Almost like a big bull. But bigger. And stronger.
A fight would clear his mind, he was actually looking forward to that. come on.. He eyed Harvey ..make a wrong move.

The events on the night before hadn't allowed him much sleep, which could explain the bad mood that he was in today.
After he had slightly patched up his headwound after the earthquake, Johanna had been able to get herself together and she 'helped' a bit with cleaning up the damage. But soon Ray had decided to leave it for this morning. When Joey had left, Ray had found himself with an unconscious girl he had drugged and of whom he had no idea where her apartment was. So he had decided to take her home. Which became a lot easier when he had shifted into a hybrid form of Ram and man.
Drug the girl, take her home.. I'm glad there was nobody to see that happening.
Once home he had put her on his bed and chose the couch as his own place to sleep for that night. Not wanting to make things any worse, he hadn't dared undress her, so Marilee had been fully clothed. All Ray did was put a blanket over her to keep her warm. Before going to sleep himself he had written her a little note that he had placed next to her on his nightstand.

---

---

She was pissed. And that was putting it delicately. Her head was killing her and she didn't have that itchy feeling she was o used to, which meant she had used a lot of magic yesterday. Or last night. Funny enough she didn't really remember. The thing she last clearly remembered was getting her tea and taking a sip. Which meant one thing. And boy was she aching to make more than a light bulb burst right now.

It took a lot to get her angry, but doing something so reckless and foolish as to drug someone who made things levitated and burst... Someone could of gotten hurt. Someone might of gotten hurt. She couldn't even remember if she had hurt someone or not! A phone call was not the way this guy was going to get a piece of her mind. Without any make up and still in her slept in clothes from yesterday, her boots pounded into the concrete as she marched in the direction of the cafe she had her last memory in. Her eyes had a dangerous red tint to them, but with the unusual use of magic yesterday her hands were spared from the violent blood-colored glow.



It was mockingly cheerful. Waking up in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar man's room at said man's unfamiliar place was not a comforting thing to go through. In fact it was down right terrifying, and if she hadn't been dressed in her own clothes and feeling fitter than ever, she'd of puked right on his bedroom floor. So her anger stemmed from the fear of the unknown. Her headache wasn't helping her mood either. And so now she was going to get answers. Face to face, the old fashion way.

"You!" her voice was a harsh but very clear whisper, a stark contrast from the dreamy honeyed voice from her drugged and relaxed state. The door to the cafe had let the witch in with a squeal and her dark hair was lifting dangerously at the end of every tendril. In her sleep wrinkled clothes and without her impressively dark make up, she still looked fearsome. Any angry and confused woman who could meet the guy who drugged her would.

"You think it's all fine and dandy to drug your customers?" her voice was as cold as ice, though her eyes burned red as she crossed the cafe, right up to the counter. Never mind that there were other people inside. Never mind that she was itching to punch this idiot right between his eyes. Never mind anything at all. She wanted a bloody explanation. Now. Flicking her fingers, the door to the counter lifted and she smoothly walked right up to the dark haired cafe worker. Her face looked so calm on the outside, the raging violence that burned in her eyes was close to that of a feral animal.

"Care to explain," her eyes narrowed, "Ray, was it?"

---

---

"Hey Peter, sure thing." Ray told his friendly customer with a genuine smile this time. Luckily some people were nice in this place. A little later he returned with his and Harvey's order. First giving Harvey his coffee with the three sugars. "Here you go." He said with a normal tone in his voice. The short blaze of anger he had felt a moment before as Harvey had entered was expressed, and that was enough for him to relax again. He definitely was having some moodswings this morning. He went up to Peter and
put his mocha in front of him.

"So what are you racking your brains over, this time?" Ray inquired.

Not long after that, a familiar girl walked up to him. And she was angry. Oh here we go.

He turned to Marilee.

"As it turns out, a lot of my customers pay me for exactly that. You have a tendency to look stressed, and I have the means to calm you down. But don't worry about that, yesterday was on the house."

---

---

God how he hated being called Nate. He hated how nerdy it made him sound. It got so riled up and wanting to beat the living shit out of anyone who called that. And that Aphrodite Black Sheep Bastard, Raymond, knew exactly how much he hated being called it. He knew it and still did it. God, if Harvey weren't among the Son of Athena, he would beat the living shit out of this good-for-nothing, excuse-for-a-demigod, Raymond Jones. Oh just you wait, fucker. Once people are gone, it's going to be you and me. Once these people are gone, you're getting to know real pain, you cocky, little shit.

And that's when Ray brought Harvey his coffee. "Took you long enough." Harvey commented, starting to drink it. The coffee had been as he had asked. Harvey was shocked. Halfway along his coffee, Harvey noticed someone coming barging in. It was some gothic chick. Harvey had to admit it that she was actually really hot. It reminded him of a slightly-less gothic version of Amy Lee. Harvey stood up and walked to the counter. He was leaning against it in a way that his elbow was on the counter itself, and his body tilted somewhat so that his leg could cross the other. He was right next to the woman yelling at Ray and Harvey was looking at the son of Aphrodite.

"Oh, poor Ray-Ray. Having lady problems?" He asked smugly. Harvey heard what Ray said to the woman and though he was laughing a bit on the inside, he did not portray that on the surface. He wanted to make Ray seem even worse in front of everyone. "Damn girl, did you hear that? He drugged you and not even apologizing for it." He faked being shocked, "how can an employee of this fine establishment actually say that they have the right to drug anyone if they feel like they need it? You should totally sue him. Or better yet, go ask his dear-ol momma, Aphrodite how he is," Harvey kept his eyes on Ray. "Go on Ray-Ray, tell her all about how you have serious mommy issues. I mean, god, your dear mommy, Aphrodite, abandoned you and your father when you were so young, right? I mean how could she not. You being the sack of shit you are and her being the cunt of all the goddesses — even more than my own — it's no wonder she wanted nothing to do with you." Harvey wouldn't let up and he was smiling the entire time, "so, I guess it's not a surprise that you are such a pathetic excuse for demigod space."

Jay smiled lightly at Sam’s comment. “Then this should be no problem for you.” Jay commented, placing the Lover’s Aloe Vera plant on the countertop.
Jay was traveling all over the kitchen, probably having Sam glancing back and forth. He was getting all sort of items form all over the kitchen. He got a brick-colored Molcajete, spices that were up in the dozens that no one aside Jay would be able to know exactly what they were, some weird liquid that simply had the tag “Caution: Highly Flammable. Keep away from open flame.” He also got two pairs of fireproof gloves and goggles that were used in cases such as science lab work. He handed a pair of the goggles to Sam. “Here, put this on.” Jay said, not even looking at Sam as the Son of Demeter was in the zone.

Sammy raised on eyebrow at the stuff Jay was getting out - wasn't this all a bit much for a bump on the head? However, it seemed Jay had something to prove.Goddamn.I shoulda just let him throw Skye out himself. Sam thought to himself, then pulling a face at the goggles offered to him."Uh... what's the deal here? We making fertilizer bombs or something?" He asked, glancing at the gloves and goggles. Obviously Jay hadn't worked out that with control of fire, there came an immunity to it. "I'll do without this stuff - just tell me what to fire up." He added, thinking to himself just why Jay had all of this stashed in his kitchen. Was Demeter making meth on the side or something?

It would be almost a full minute until Jay would say anything. He was making sure every item was the right one and that the Molcajete was placed perfectly. When he was done checking, Jay wiped his forehead, and looked at Sam. "No, you'll put the goggles on." Jay said demandingly to Sam. "Of course, if you don't enjoy full-functionality in your retinas, then by all means, leave them off.." He said sarcastically, turning back to the molcajete as he continued to prepare the Lover's Quell(what will help Clarissa).

Hearing the boys in the kitchen; Clarissa rose a slight eyebrow. "Fertilizer Bombs?...no thank you! I have enough of a head-ache, without a bomb going off." . Her comment causing Amelia to laugh.

"Hah! Glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor, Rissa." she teased and she glanced over to where the boys were standing. She rose a slight eyebrow, watching Jay's change of demeanor. "Oi...be nice to each other boys! We can still hear, you know." she spoke, shaking her head slightly at their debate about the goggles. "Just put the goggles on and save yourself trouble Sammy..." she flashed him a warm smile, before looking over at Clarissa who seemed to be curious what was going on.

"Not that I am complaining...but can someone tell me, what the heck you're making?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow. Clearly curious and eager to know what was going on.

"Hell if I know, Rissa." Sam grumbled, darting a scowl at Jay as he put the goggles on. Although he didn't appreciate the orders - he was never one for taking them, let alone who was dishing them out - he was still damn hungry. And breakfast was getting cold.
"It's a special ointment called Lover's Quell. Demeter taught it to me a month or so ago. It can only be made with the intention of — and I don't mean to sound corny here — love." Jay responded sharply at Sam's complaining.

"Is this going to take long or what?" He asked Jay impatiently.
Jay sighed at Sam. "Listen, I get that this isn't exactly what you would call fun, but this is what I do best. I'm not physically strong like you. As much as I would liked to be the one to smash Skye's face in and light his hair on fire, I can't. So, this is the only thing I can do." Jay told Sam as he went back to finishing the preparations.

Hearing Jay say something about a Lover's Quell. Amelia smiled "Awww..." the response, caused Clarissa's cheeks to turn bright pink as she blushed, feeling a bit flustered.

Sam rolled his eyes at Jay's answer, although thanks to the darkened glass of the goggles, he didn't see it."Ah, don't say that Jay. You can obviously cook, so that's something. Fabulous hair, that's there too. You should grow it out and weaponise it, like Rapunzel." Sam said with a teasing grin, chuckling lightly.

"I am not going to grow my hair out only for my evil mother to lock me away in some tower." Jay responded sharply.

Hearing Sam, Clarissa coughed slightly. "Sam...shut it! You know I love you, my best friend ...but I might just kick your ass, the moment I feel better." she warned, somewhat teasing him but flashed him a warning look-before giving him an innocent smile.
Amelia just giggled shaking her head. "Just play nice boys...for Clarissa's sake.." she shook her head, laughing a bit. [color=ligthtblue] "Unless, you all want another argument..." [/color] she slightly warning them-knowing no one wanted to argue yet again.

"Damn, bit harsh calling Demeter evil. And here I thought she was a real sweetheart." He retorted smoothly, waving off Clarissa's playful threat.
Jay acknowledged Clarissa's not-so-subtle threat she made towards Sam and chuckled. He then gave Amelia a quick nod and went back down to his work station. He placed the Lover's Aloe Vera into the molcajete carefully. He didn't want to waste even a single drop of the plant. He had to take it out of the pot it was in. When it was safely and snug into the molcajete, Jay placed his hands over the plant. "Pay attention to the plant. You're about to see something I never do in front of people." Jay gave Sam a smirk.

As Jay held his hands over the plant, his brown own started to gain a golden glow to them. It was slow, but gradually, they became so bright that the goggles would become useful.The light was only dangerous to those within a one foot radius of it. Amelia and Clarissa were safe from the intensity of the light. By the time three minutes had rolled around, Jay's hands no longer had a brown color to them. They were pure gold light and the Lover's Aloe Vera plant had changed from a ripe, meadow green to a romantic pinkish-red.

"Sam, set a spark into the molcajete, but just enough to ignite it lightly." Jay told Sam, holding his golden hands away from the pot so that Sam could do the thing.

Despite the pretty lights show, Sam wasn't particularly impressed, especially with the dramatic set-up by Jay. A few seconds after Jay finished, Sam cocked his head slightly."So that's your superpower? Blooming flowers?" He asked, one eyebrow cocked.

Jay looked at Sam. "For the record, it's not Blooming Flowers." Jay corrected Sam. "I am able to draw the natural energy from all plant life." He continued, "with the amount of energy I got from this plant alone, I would be able to blow this entire cabin to The Underworld. Then again, the Lover's Aloe Vera isn't exactly your ordinary plant. So, this plant here is equal to about twenty redwood trees. " Jay laughed, thinking about what he could possibly do with just the energy in his hands.

"Jeez, and this guy thought he was weaker than me." Sam thought to himself. "Huh. Not bad. You do realize I'm going to be calling you Poison Ivy from here on out, right?" He said with a grin while shooting a gentle spark into the pot thingy.

"That's fine, Oracle." Jay said smirking, trying his own luck at clever nicknames. He had to admit it wasn't all that bad. If President Obama were present, he'd probably say 'Not bad.'

"Oracle didn't have visions, vine boy." He retorted, sticking out his tongue childishly. "Unless you're talking about The Oracle, in which case, sign me up. Lucky chick had one on one contact with God of Hotness himself, Apollo." He added with a teasing grin - this one now aimed at Amelia. Obviously she knew he was joking - when wasn't he? - But he felt the need to show it more with her. They were now hooking up, after all. Jay had opened his mouth, but decided against from speaking mid-thought. He simply shook his head.

Hearing the boys, Amelia just laughed shaking her head "You two boys, are driving me nuts." she watched them both, with a raised eyebrow before flashing them both a smile. But hearing Jay talk about his powers, she looked somewhat impressed, wondering just how potent the energy from his hands actually was. She noticed the bright colors from here...even if it didn't affect her and Clarissa, like it would if they were much closer to the scene.

Clarissa let out a slight groan at their playful bickering. Rolling her eyes into the back of the head. "Fine...no one listens to me and Lia...as usual, you two bicker away." she muttered, teasing them both. Seeing Sam's current reaction, her jaw clenched slightly at the term 'vine boy'. "I really could thump you right now, Sammy." she hissed through clenched teeth, but also from the pain that kept rushing through her head every few moments.

"Feel free to do so, if you can stand up." Was Sam's cool response to Clarissa's threat, ushering forth more eye rolling from himself.

Clarissa shot Sam an annoyed glare at his cool response; lips pursed. "Amelia...?" she just prompted.

Laughing, Amelia shook her head "I am not hitting my boyfriend, on behalf of you. You can deal with Sammy yourself, once your head is better, if you still intend on kicking his butt." she said in a teasing tone.

Hearing the commentary from Amelia and Clarissa, Jay nodded as if giving himself self-confirmation that it was time to get the ointment ready. "Alright, stand back Sam, this might get just a little flameo," Jay said with a smirk.

Giving a moment or two for Sam to step away(if he wanted to), Jay placed both hands over the plant. He then began to transfer the energy back into the plant. However, unlike when Jay absorbed the energy and turned the plant pinkish-red, when the energy from Jay's hands went back into the Lover's Aloe Vera, it only intensified the pinkish-red color to it. Added to that, flames sparked all around. Some sparked up and some to the left and to the right. The weird thing was that, even though the flames sparked all around, they were moving in an odd motion around around the molcajete as if being drawn to it. In truth, it was being drawn to the essence of Demeter that Jay combined with the natural energy from the Lover's Aloe Vera.
With Jay's hands back to their natural brown shade, Jay worked quickly. He started pouring all of the spices, the liquid, the fragments of glass and stone, and all in rapid succession. Those dozens of containers were all empties after one-hundred seconds. After Jay was finished, he turned to Sam again. "Same as before, but up the output of fire by thirty-five percent." Jay told Sam.

Considering Jay's warning about the goggles had been right, Sam took a step back from the pot, still watching on unimpressed at the lights. Now, tree fireworks would be a sight to see. He'd have to ask him about that for Independance Day or something.

"Hey, would a 'please' kill you?" Sam asked irritably at Jay's second order.

"Fine, please up the percentage of the flame to thirty-five percent." Jay said staring at Sam.

"Also, do I look like Tony Stark? There aren't any percentages when it comes to magic, kiddo." He added with a light scoff, then turning his uninjured hand back to the pot and sending slightly more energetic flames into it.

"35 per cent my ass." He grumbled in his head.

Jay raised an eyebrow and then just chuckled. "No, I guess you don't. You look more like a rather accurate, real life version of Itachi Uchiha, but with the Kakashi Hatake coolness." How about that? Jay actually gave Sam a proper compliment. They are warming up to each other— and quite literally given the current happenings with the molcajete.

Sam stared at Jay blankly for a moment wondering what in the whole realm of hell an Itachi was. Deciding that It was likely a name from one of those weird Japanese cartoons, Sam decided to just not mention it.

He would have preferred Tony Stark though - the guy was the perfect combination of badass and sexy. Oh, and rich.

"It's a compliment, Sam." Jay said, sighing. "Anyways, let's finish this up." he said, going to the molcajete. The final step involved a lot of physical strength. He glanced at Sam for a moment, but then decided against from letting Sam do it. Jay needed to do it so that he could gradually add Demeter's Essence into it.

As he gripped the pestle that came with the molcajete, Jay started to ferociously smash the flaming plant. Though it was hot, Jay pushed through the uncomfortable feeling. There was a mot of squishy-like sounds being heard and juices flying everywhere. It was no doubt a puke-inducing sight. And all the while, Jay never let up. He didn't stop until the plant was reduced to a paste-like consistency. It was through that dedication that the ointment was completed. It had a pinkish-red color with a golden glow. Some could argue that this was a combined product of Demeter and Apollo, but it was all Demeter with aid from Hecate. Quite the team indeed.

"All right, it's done. Now, we let it rest for three minutes and we give it to Clarissa." Jay said, taking off his goggles and wiping the sweat from his forehead.
As the two seemed to bicker still, about nicknames and such. Amelia rolled her eyes looking over at the boys. "Would it kill either of you to be nice and not use odd nicknames?" she asked, with a shake of her head. Will the boys ever learn to get along? She couldn't help but wonder...all of the bickering and nicknames were getting on her and Clarissa's nerves.

Watching Jay and Sam over the molcajete, who were finishing the healing ointment up. The odd scents lingered in the air and the squashing sounds caused both Clarissa and Amelia's stomachs to twist and turn. Both girls curious to see the finished product, that would heal up Clarissa's wound. It seemed like the next three minutes, dragged on even worse than the time the boys spent on making the ointment. Clarissa closed her eyes for a few moments, resting her eyes...her head throbbing on occasion.

"Are the three hours up yet?" Clarissa asked, after 1 and half minutes have passed.Amelia laughed "It's three minutes...not three hours Rissa. Still another minute and half to go" she told her.Clarissa pouts and whines "Feels like three hours." she mumbled, groaning at her throbbing head. "Oh...Sam, next time you insinst on blowing up my brother's hair...blow up his bags with it." she suggested, with a smile towards her friend. That just caused Amelia to giggle, shaking her head.
And with the added comments from the peanut gallery, the remaining ninety seconds had passed. The molcajete was shining with a brillant gold to magenta-like red glow. It was almost as it was like some kind of rare, mystical stone that was slowly coming to its maximum purity. Jay's eyes seemed to gleam as he looked at it. This was his first time making the Lover's Quell Ointment. He wasn't sure if it would even come out as Demeter told him. She had told him that, if done correctly, it should have a golden and red glow to it. Jay did as she instructed and though it was more magenta, it did seem to be rather spot on.

"Yeah, thanks mom." Jay said with a gentle smile, his voice loud enough for Sam to hear it.

Removing his goggles, Sam darted a grin at Clarissa at her comment on Skye and his bags. He was tempted, but with the amount of flammable products within them, it probably would have wiped them all of the map.

"Huh. Would you look that - we went and made a mana potion." Sammy said with a low whistle, upon looking at the finished product. For all the weird-ass ingredients that had gone into it, it sure looked pretty. Hearing Jay's thank towards Demeter, Sammy didn't say anything on it - out of all the crappy-ass powers that Gods could potentially give their kids (Hecate, I'm looking at you,), this was a pretty nice one. Of course, from Demeter, that's what anyone would expect.

"Will this make her immune to hangovers? Because if that's the case, we'll need to be changing the rules for any future skinny-dipping contests." He said, then paused, darting a joking scowl at the girls. "Which, by the way, I don't remember either of you finishing. Shameful, ladies." He chuckled.

Jay caught his chuckle. "No, this won't have any effect on alcohol tolerance. Even Demeter isn't that good." Jay laughed. He picked up the molcajete. It wasn't hot. Well, not anymore it wasn't. Back when the fire was put into it, you bet your ass it was hot — it was hotter than lava, but that's the wonders that comes with Demeter's Essence. It's able to work miracles, which Sam, Clarissa, and Amelia would soon find out.

Jay had brought the molcajete to where Amelia and Clarissa was. He was on Clarissa's right side(the side where her head was hit). He was knelt down on one knee. He looked at her sincerely."I know it might look disgusting and might feel even worse, but just bare with me, okay?" Jay smiled sweetly towards Clarissa. It was a smile that would be comforting, as if ailing any doubts or worries she might or might not have.

Clarissa smiled back at Sam and then as she heard his words about skinny dipping. "Yes, because skinny dipping whilst one is asleep upstairs and the other is passed out in another location...is possible." she mocked, giving him a teasing look. Of course, it was not possibly...they all knew that.

Amelia just laughed as the debate about the skinny dipping contest was brought up. Glancing over at Sam, she just smiled. "Well....." Amelia breathed out, standing up once Jay moved over to Clarissa's side. "Seeing, how much mess Clarissa made on her own, last night..." she gestured to the mess off bottles on the floor. "I think, it'd be my best bet...that she won over me, despite the separate parties by the end of the night. Never seen a girl drink 11 tequila's down with ease and live to drink 2 bottles of vodka and other beverages after." she smiled at Clarissa, before looking at Sam. Amelia was not used to loosing bets-but a bet was a bet. And Clarissa had won, despite the change of schedule and things last night...meaning the skinny dipping was postponed for after breakfast.

She then glanced down towards Jay and Clarissa with a smile. "You two, gonna kiss and make up yet?" she teased, with a soft smile. Walking over to Sam, she leaned against his side, giving him a soft squeeze.

"Well, if it means seeing you skinny-dipping..." Sam replied to Amelia, smirking lightly.

Amelia blushed at Sam's comment, giggling a bit. "You wanna see me skinny-dip?" she blushed at the thought and smiled at him. "Mhh...interesting..." she pretends to act surprised, like she didn't see it coming.
When Jay knelt down by her side, Clarissa looked at him and the ointment, she made a slight face. "Is it just me...or does that look digusting?" she said and as he smiled at her. She felt her heart flutter at his soft smile, returning the soft sweet smile, she gave him a slight nod. "I'll try...just tell me when it's over." she told him and just closed her eyes, not wanting to see what he was about to do with it on her head.

Jay smiled and brought his hand, which had a good amount of the Lover's Quell in it. It worked different than usual love ointments. Sure, it had the look of paste and in usual circumstances, it would probably be okay to simply rub it on a surface, but that's not how Demeter told Jay to do it. The Lover's Quell was special. It required a chant — a chant that Jay remembered by heart. He had to, or else this was useless.



Mid-chant, the Lover's Quell started to move on its own accord, floating over Clarissa's head. It had such a bright, golden gleam to it, that Clarissa's body slowly began to have a faint golden aura with a hint of magenta-like red in it. The feeling of warmth would soon consume her.



As Jay finished, the Lover's Quell had dissolved into Clarissa's wound, closing it almost instantaneously. The aura around her would intensify for a moment. It was to the point of near blindness, but it was gone as soon as it came. Though it disappeared, Clarissa would still feel that feeling of warmth that the aura gave her when it started. Added to that, a small mark would appear on her wrist. One could argue that it is the crest of Demeter, or simply something as an after product of the Lover's Quell.

"And done." Jay said, wiping his forehead as he rested on his bottom. He looked at Clarissa. "How do you feel?" He asked her.

As Clarissa had her eyes shut, not wanting to look; she heard Jay start to chant. It felt like something was hovering near her head. Listening to the odd chant, that came along with the Lover's Quell, Clarissa bit her lower lip slightly. Feeling a sudden warmth surround her, she let out a slight gasp, it felt like someone turned up the heat. "Is it just me, or is it baking hot in here all of a sudden?" she breathed out, twisting the edge of her shirt, around her neck as she felt close to sweating.

Wincing slightly, she felt the Ointment on her head and soon enough...the pain was fading away, as she was healed. Clarissa felt some discomfort and pain, but it was mostly gone. Just a little after-shock from the healing. She blinked, as Jay said he was finished. "Umm..A bit hot...and strange. Maybe I might need a skinny dip with Amelia..." she admitted, seeing she was glowing a bit still. But she smiled at him softly, seeing him sitting beside her. "But better...my head is good...I think. Just a little pai...." she trailed off, as she saw a marking forming on her wrist.

Holding her wrist up, Clarissa glanced at the mark. She looked surprised, but then her lips curved up into a soft smile. "Well...I wasn't expecting this, little surprise." she said, holding up her arm with a proud smirk, of her new marking, before she beamed over at Jay with a bright smile.

Amelia watched Jay and Clarissa, biting her lip intently. She winced at the bright light, hiding her face in Sam's arm, before the light faded away and she laughed hearing Clarissa's words about feeling hot. She then smiled seeing the marking. "Aww, that's cool and sweet. you got a mark of Demeter on your wrist." she said smiling. It seemed like Clarissa was proud of the marking-of course, why shouldn't she? After all, it was her boyfriend Jay that healed her and considering how much Clarissa adored and cared for Jay; it was clear, Clarissa was proud of him too.

While Amelia saw the mark as sweet, Sam thought it was kinda... creepy. Even putting aside all feelings for Jay, it simply looked like a brand. Hell, he wouldn't be happy with a brand of a God on him - not one that was placed there involuntarily anyhow.

Looking at Clarissa, Jay took her hand. "You know, there's a reason why it's called Lover's Quell. Demeter told me about it before I came to Olympus Academy. She said that, even though anyone could make it, the effects would be only five percent. It was something that only those who were truly and wholly in love could not only make, but able to bring out its effects one-hundred percent." Jay moved his hand to the Crest of Demeter, "this will protect you, Clarissa. Added to that, it will increase your tolerance for physical pain. This crest has the Essence of Demeter held within." He gave her a smile. "It probably doesn't make up for how I've been acting lately, but this is the best that I could do right now." Jay said somberly.

As Jay took her hand, Clarissa looked into his light green eyes. Getting lost in his hues, as he spoke. As he explained the Lover's Quell to her, she felt her cheeks turn pink...feeling more warm still. Not from the effects of the Quell, but Jay's words. Her brown eyes were soft-she seemed to be lost in Jay's eyes, totally ignorant to Amelia and Sam's presence for a few moments. She then glanced at her wrist, taking in the crest of Demeter more fully. But she smiled softly, glancing at Jay once again. "It might not seem like much, to some people. But it's probably a bigger of an apology and sentiment to me.Thank you...for being the sweet, loving you...and just helping me." she breathed out softly. Wrapping her arms around Jay, she hugged him. Her body moving in closer to his, giving him a squeeze, as she leaned her head against his shoulder.

Deciding that he'd better not get further into Clarissa's bad books, he didn't raise any concerns he had about the mark - instead casting his eyes towards the breakfast table.

Jay smiled as he and Clarissa embraced. "Thank you. You don't know how much that--" Jay was interrupted by Sam.

"Well, if our little health potion has worked, perhaps we can eat? I'd like to get back to the Academy before Skye breaks into our rooms and trashes everything we own." He suggested.

---

---

Oh that was seriously the incorrect answer and the extremely incorrect attitude. Her hair lifted up around her head, eyes blazing deep red, and she grinned. It was a strange thing to do. But since she so rarely got this angry, her Circe-like grin felt just right for the occasion. "Yes, well if you had to control something destructive," a light bulb popped, "and dangerous," the dishes started to clatter amongst themselves, "and violent," the shattered glass rested in a swirling orbit around her head, "you'd be a little tense all the time too."

Another deep male voice mocked her anger from behind herself. Her smile faded and red eyes slid over to the very punk-rock looking guy who stood on the other side of the counter. The glass that orbited around her shot towards the other man, her red eyes seeking any kind of violence towards any male at all, this deep in anger. The unfortunate thing about being a daughter of Hecate? When you got soaked in anger, for some reason it took you over and you started to see red, putting blame on anyone who looked like the one who held the starting seed for said anger. Or maybe that was just her special little gift. The hundreds of sharp shards danced about the other male dangerously, as she listened to him.

"I am not anyone's lady," she tried to level the growl that her voice had turned into. Realizing that this wasn't a friend of 'Ray' the glass returned to its orbit about her comfortably. "And you, whoever the hell you are, can stay out of this," she hissed, not quiet liking his low blows, though she would honestly admit he was a good looking guy. Unfortunately she was still seeing red, so she wasn't exactly focused on possible temptations to indulge in. Though maybe later. "A man wouldn't understand," Marilee scoffed dismissively. She turned her attention back to Ray. "So this is a teaching moment for everyone, isn't it?"

"Lesson one: don't drug a lady without her wanting your talents. Ever."

The clattering dishes all started to float up in the air, an oddly familiar scene for some reason.

"Lesson two: when you've done something bad, apologize. Don't be a d*ck. It pisses girls off even more."

The red hot itching under her hands seemed to drudged up fuzzy memories from the night before. Her eyes narrowed.

"Lesson three: always know who you're messing with," she tilted her head menacingly, "Do you really want to piss off someone who can not only kill you, but call you up from Tartarus and continue to punish you?" She glared at him without humor. "Probably not."

With a big smile she finally realized why this looked familiar. The bandage on his head brought a good piece of the puzzle back. "Ah, I see," she let out an ice cold laugh, "When the ground shook, I made sure most of the cafe's things stayed in their places. Hm. Then this should be a good reminder for the next time you want to drug some girl, cart her back to your place and let her wake up in your bed with some stupid sh*ty note acting all cheerful." Lifting a hand, she felt the magic beneath her skin rise to the surface and snake about her, making everything floating around her violently shiver and spin in anticipation.



With a slam of her hand, red magic shot down into the earth the cafe sat on. Marilee could feel the hex pulse its way through the ground and shoot up through every inch of the building. The dishes all settled themselves back in their shelves, the broken lights all fixed themselves and shone oddly bright, but she crossed her arms and smiled. Standing there, looking a wild wind-blown mess, the dark haired woman smiled and stepped out to the proper side of the counter. She wasn't going to let on how drained and tired she felt from such a big hex, but it would only last till the sun went down, so she just had to make do with getting through her day tired. Easy enough. It would be worth it, to implant some manners in the barista.

"As for you," her voice returned to its normal husky and soft tenor, as she turned her now pale eyes on the punk-rocker instigator, "I do not need anyone's help serving out a bit of justice." She lifted her chin. "Whatever your beef is with this guy, there is no reason to throw such a low jab, though maybe that's just how you Demi-men roll?" her eyes looked over at the third male in the cafe, as she raised a brow. How very sad if all Demi men were dishonorable in their ways like these two were proving them to be.

"We can hate the Gods as much as we like," her soft voice sounded clear, "Lament, cry, scream, threaten... But at the end of the day there is hardly a thing we do that will bother them, now is there?" Marilee rested a hand on her hip. "We all have our grief and sorrow, but we shouldn't gouge each other wounds even deeper. It's pathetic," she turned her mirror like eyes to Ray once more, "You. Ray. My little lesson lasts until the sun goes down. You drugged me, I hexed you. Our issues are done."

Running her finger through her hair, she tried to tame the wild dark locks. "I hate getting angry," she sighed, sitting in a booth. Crossing one leg over the other, she made herself comfortable. Her little hex wasn't deadly, just another irritation for the barista to deal with. Every time he tried to clean something, it would dirty. His little machines would slow him down by malfunctioning in a sputtering sort of way. Every place he touched on the counter would feel sticky and every step he took on the floor would feel slippery. Minor inconveniences, perhaps, but to have to go through an entire day of it? He would certainly remember to ask the next time he tried to drug someone to make them relax.

It was going to be a long day in the cafe for him. Taking out her compact she got to work delicately reapply her makeup. She was actually quiet proud. With the output of magic yesterday, she seemed to be stabilized enough to preform some successful dark magic. Now if only light magic would be a bit easier.

---

---

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

To anyone hearing about this through the grapevine, they would say that. To anyone casually walking in at the time of this shit, they would say that. To those so close that they got minor flesh wounds on their face, arms, and pretty much everywhere else, they would not only fucking say that, but they would bet their own lives that it was the only way to describe the kind of shit that went down.

This bitch — this leather-wearing, hot-as-all-hell — just flipped the handle. Sure, you’re scorned. And yeah, Ray-dumbass-Ray shouldn’t have drugged her. That was just a moronic thing to do. But holy damn on a fucking stick! This bitch completely flipped her shit. Sending glass flying everywhere, plates floating as if the Paranormal Activity producers were filming the real deal. Harvey was all about women expressing their rage at men, especially Ray. Sometimes a girl has to just let loose. Harvey got that. But wow, talk about overdoing it. She definitely showed she wasn’t a woman you want to cross.

And you know what? Harvey, despite his various small, flesh cuts, might have just found a replacement for Raven. She was feisty , probably a bit emotionally unstable, but hell! Who wasn’t in this fucked up school? Plus, she looked really good in red leather. If there was one thing that Harvey Blake liked a woman in, that would be leather.

Harvey wasn’t going to waste any time. He might be bold in this, but what was life without about of risk?

He pulled a seat up next to the crazy, magic chick. “I think we got off to the wrong foot,” Harvey looked to her, “I’m Harvey Blake, the black sheep Son of the Cunt Huntress Goddess, Artemis.” He gave her his usual cocky, arrogant smirk. “And you?” Harvey held his hand out as a sign to mend the bridge that was slightly torn due to their first impression of each other.

---

---

She had seemed nice the day before, but every memory of that faded as Marilee stood before him as everything he despised. He had been expecting more from Harvey than his infant-like ridicule. His mocking comments didn't affect Ray. He knew himself and his relations with his mother and siblings. Nothing Harvey said was going to change that. He really found it unnecessary to go into any of it.

To Marilee he just said: "You seem to be missing quite a few basic concepts to grasp our demigod reality. I'm not going to help you with your fundamental flaws, but I can tell you this, at least:

I don't care about any of your lessons, at all. But since you seem to find them so important, let's take a look at them.
One, I don't want your talents, so take your hexing somewhere else.
Two, don't be a dick, it pisses me off.
As for three, do you even realise that almost everybody in this Academy can do far worse things to their fellow demi's than just killing them? Most of us either have some decency or are aware of the fact that if they go there, they unleash the wrath of others upon themselves."

Ray took the cigarette that had been behind his ear and lit it. Inside the café.
Arrogance and stupidity were things he didn't want to give to much attention too. Marilee posessed both of those to a great extend.
The rhyme Marilee said in combination with what he had learned in this school about the use of different kind of powers, gave him some idea of the effect of the curse. He took a puff.
He could effortlessly have her fall in love with him and have her undo the hex. He could make her do everything he wanted, and she would believe that it was her greatest desire to do so. But he chose not to.

"The only thing that you have achieved today, is that if you ever need help, or are ever in danger, I won't care."

He took his jacket from the coat rack and put it on, before taking another puff from his cigarette.

"And I'll have to ask you to leave, by the way. We are about to close."

He was not going to stay here while this place was hexed.

It was amazing how much food you could find on the Olympus Academy campus. Even with the night's worth of research into restaurants at colleges here, this place seemed designed to contain the sum of not just American decadence, but the grandiosity of their godly parents as well. Seeking out a good burger, she had deigned to skip out on a morning latte and indulge in something called an "X-Large Oreo and Creme Milkshake" (it sounds evil) and a cheeseburger with some of the seasoned fries. This advice came to her on behalf of her brother Jonas...who had promptly disappeared by the time she came to call on him for lunch. Rebekah Cross, as someone she had held a conversation with, was another possibility, but she had seemed just as aloof as Dana herself, and she was unsure if inviting her to lunch would be received positively. The other Japanese demigod had brought a smile to her face yesterday, was kind of cute, and would at least have given her someone from home to talk to.

On the other hand, it would disrupt any opportunity for a quiet lunch. And one such as he did not need his warrior's heart tainted with diner food any more than Dana herself.

Hypocrite that she was.

Harada chewed on the end of her straw and flipped the page idly on the coffee table book she had brought with her. She used an unused utensil in lieu of her fingers (this food was proving messy) and dabbed at a spot of juice from her burger with a remaining scrap of pretzel bun. The view from outside her window seat looked busy as ever. She could see demigods, perhaps even siblings of hers, hustling and bustling through the campus. It looked as busy as any other school, though Jonas had told her last night (after a spirited rendition of "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" that her new brother had forced her to play on Guitar Hero as a test; the son of Ares had told her cheekily that it would prove "memeworthy" ) that in recent weeks the campuses had quieted with the disappearances of demigods, even some close to friends of his. The Headmistress herself was responsible for these acts against her charges. A rogue sensei? Revolting.

If such an attempt on her own person ever came, she would force such a woman to stand and fight her. Harada would determine whether the woman had backbone soon enough. Though the disappearance of Jonas and his smiley friend was more than likely an indication that they were off to do something similar. Dana would have pursued them, if not for the jet lag and the note she'd found on her door saying "don't pursue us. J."

She was only an amateur sleuth, to be sure. But such clues led to a small list of outcomes.

sssssssslurp

The scraping sound of suction. Empty air blown into the bottom of a cup.

...

She pushed the empty glass to the side to join its two doppelgangers, and briefly opined the fact yet again that she would have to wait to have a brother who would buy her such creamy treats after one pouty look.

Soon, though.

---

---

Exiting the barrier was something Mala felt more than Gabriel. It barely garnered a reaction out of the demigod, but to the wood nymph it was something similar to walking through a cold breeze (on an already cool day, no less). She couldn't help but shudder as the two crossed the magical threshold.

“Ugh, I'll probably never get used to that…” She muttered with another shiver. Immediately upon exiting, Gabe could look on as her features began reverting to their natural states. The brown of her skin flushed to a shade of green that would be considered sickly to the uninformed. Her hair changed from the its sun-touched auburn to a slick, darkened verdant. Her round, human-like ears stretched out, pointing into a more mythical, elvish display.

“Ahh, much better.” She sighed and stretched. Gabe couldn't help but smirk at her comment. “Hm. I agree.” He nodded, the two traversing further the thicker treelines. “I think my element’s more out here than at the nursery.” He slowly admitted. Mala shrugged a bit. “Oh yeah, you are the awkward, loner type aren't ya? I almost forgot.” She joked, the sarcasm dripping from her words. “Still, I'd imagine you'd like it more in these forests than the ones in New York, yeah?” As she talked, Gabriel approached the thick trunk of an impressive Fir. “Well yeah. Haven't been attacked since I've been here.” He hadn't seen hair nor feather of any of the sort of monsters he'd encounter daily in New York. It was a little out of the ordinary for him, but he wasn't complaining.

“Hey there, Elder.” Gabe muttered a greeting, placing a careful hand to its bark. With a simple gesture against the wood, there were some branches up in the canopy that seemed to melt and morph at his command. A strong vine formed from the branches, and quickly began slithering down to the surface. “I wonder where your nymph is…” He pondered, as the vine slinked down, the excess coiling at his feet. “You say that to every tree.” Mala piped up. He thought his suspicions were within reason, though.

“Can you blame me?” He quietly compared the situation to the one in Central Park. There was a whole colony he lived amongst there. It was argued to be one living dryad for every available tree in that tiny park. Granted, some started dying as he grew with age, and the attacks against him intensified. In comparison to that, he's only really met Mala in this state. As Gabe thought, he and the wood nymph took hold of the vine.

“Hang on.” Gabe warned calmly. “I know, I know.” Mala quickly shot back, getting a grip around his waist for extra security. “Going up-” With two quick tugs, the vine quickly retracted into the treetops, sturdy enough to bring the two with it. When it slowed, Gabe and Mala were able to sit upon one of the tree’s thicker branches. The dryad had to rest against the thick foundation of the Fir, taking a chance to catch her breath. “Geez. It beats climbing, that's for sure. But still...” Mala groaned, seating herself on the supportive branch. “Heh. Yeah, it took me a few tries to adjust to it. Now it's like second nature to me.” Gabe replied, feet dangling as he sat beside her.

Once he achieved his ideal amount of comfort, he procured the burrito stashed away in one of his inner jacket pockets, still warm. Wrapped in glinting silver foil, and prepared just the way he liked, Gabe gave a silent thanks before beginning to dig in. “Hey,” Mala nudged him, interrupting the late breakfast. “Lemme see ‘er.” She asked. Gabe had to put his food aside for the moment, to reach into his backpack. Carefully, he reached for his potted sapling, and handed the young plant to the wood nymph. To which Mala began to coddle like an aunt seeing her newborn niece for the first time.

“She's gonna get too big for your bag, soon.” Mala mentioned, playing with the plants leaves. Gabe shrugged, going back to his breakfast. “Must've been a lot of trust on Willow’s behalf, for her to give you this sapling.” She began to smirk. “Are you ready to take the full responsibility of raising a child?” She talked of the wood nymph that would surely be born from the sapling’s roots. “Probably wouldn't of took the sapling if I wasn't.” Gabe simply replied, mouth full of food. “That wouldn't be anytime soon, either way.” Even then, he never stopped to think of the future dryad as a daughter. But rather, as a younger sister who would no doubt outlive him for years to come.