---

---

---

---

Kalinda watched the others on the obstacle course, knowing that if any of them fell, it would be up to her siblings and herself to heal them. It was always a little… boring watching other campers climb the tower- Kalinda never really wanted to try herself, what was the point? Her strengths lay else were, not in physical competition. A fine way to get hurt, that was. And Kalinda didn’t have anything to prove. Watching Imogen tackle the course, however, was interesting. The girl rarely exposed herself to such things, and indeed often seemed a bit of a wall flower. Kalinda wondered if perhaps things were changing in the camp. She supposed it was only logical, they were all growing, maturing, and learning things about themselves here. And yet, sometimes it was all Kalinda could do to hold on, and keep from spiraling herself.

Taking her gaze away from the shy girl, Kalinda caught a very familiar blonde head, and almost dropped her head into her hands. Chaos chittered about, jumping around her feet, demanding attention, but Kalinda couldn’t give it right them. Why, why why was Ariana on the tower? Why, when she hadn’t taken her medications? She just had to hope that Ariana didn’t get hurt… that would make it near impossible to give her her medications- like it wasn’t already. And then, if something happened, it would be Kalinda’s fault- not that she cared about that, she worried what it would do to Ariana.

Watching the girl, Kalinda swallowed around a lump in her throat- was it her heart? That was sure beating fast itself. Ariana just didn’t have a good sense of self… she thought she could do something, and generally she could… but damn it, she hadn’t had her meds yet. When the course was over, after some drama, Kalinda let out a relieved sigh, having lost sight of Ariana, she hoped the girl was climbing back down to safety. As the course came to a close, with Dionysus and Chiron appearing, Kalinda turned to face them, scooping up Chaos, and stroking her with one hand.

A quest? A stolen dove. Why would they blame Alan for it? He was almost as much a wallflower as Imogen was. There was no way he could have stolen anything. Kalinda sighed, resigned to how the gods treated them- oh, her father was okay, and she knew some of the other gods were, but sometimes she thought that they had them in this camp simply because it was easier than actually dealing with them head on. She pushed those thoughts aside, shifting and glancing about her, barely taking in the commotion that was going on. Deon was simply being Deon- an ass. It was relieving to see that others went to Alan’s aid, and gave Kalinda a bit of hope that maybe, they wouldn’t be like their parents.

Shaking her head to get rid of those thoughts, Kalinda looked around for Ariana, knowing she should get the girl to take her meds, before anything happened. Had she gotten down from the course yet? Kalinda looked up the tower, thoughtful.

---

---

---

---

“Lemmie go in his place, Chiron.”

Alan's lips parted as he watched Ky' vie volunteer herself for the mission that was to be his. It was practically imopssible to keep track of everything that was going on all at once; namely, it looked as though Ky' vie might have broken Deon's nose with the winner's ring not just two seconds before she switched gears.

“I’ll find the bird; and I’ll bring it back within the seven day limit… there’s no way in Tartarus that I’m gunna let Alan take the rap for something he didn’t do; it’s just not fair.”

"And I can't let you do likewise, Ky' vie." Alan told her quietly, though firmly. He had only been in camp for a few years, only months at a time. He would hardly consider himself and the daughter of Hephaestus close, but her actions he witnessed not only now, but in times past, spoke volumes about her character. She was definitely someone he wanted on his side, but he could never allow anyone to take the blame for something he did… or… didn’t do... Not even a prick like Deon who probably deserved it.

”I’m pretty sure Percy Jackson was no Percy Jackson in the beginning, Alan. We all have to start somewhere, after all. And Percy Jackson had companions with him- something that you’d assume you’d have as well”

Alan's attention was then brought to Pierre who had spoken out for him, and gave him a gentle smile and a nod. He was right, the gods couldn't expect him to do this alone. He would have companions - stronger demigods than himself to help out with this ridiculous task. If he picked the right people... it might just be possible. He thought back to his motion of help towards Deon, and his stomach soured. The son of Ares could help him out greatly, but he wasn't about to go pushing Deon's buttons. He already made it abundantly clear that he would not help.

"The hell. I've been thieving in this Camp for years, and he gets accused?"

Alan then turned to his half brother, watching as he came down onto the open field.

"I'm not stupid, and neither are you, Chiron. He didn't do it. Boy's not got a thieving bone in his body...bit of a disappointment, really, but you can't win them all. I'll go. Ares has it out for me ole man, doesn't matter which son of his gets the boot, aye?"

Well... that was one way to put it.

"Uh... thanks?

Someone else that offered to take his place. Though he had a slight feeling that Hawley's intentions weren't exactly aligned the same way that Ky' vie's were.

“..in any case; as noble as your intentions might be Ms. Mooney and Mr. Growlithe, that is something of which I cannot allow. This quest is Mr. Carpenter’s burden to bare… should he choose to allow you to go with him, then so be it. The more of you lazy lumps I get rid of, the better; in fact, nothing would please me more.”

Seemingly not even bothered by, and completely choosing to ignore the rather obvious and frustrated look that he was getting from Chiron at his choice of words, Dionysus paused for a good long moment, his eyes taking their time to scan over the large crowd of campers that was spread out all over the stands, his brows furrowing in slight confusion as he continued to search for one of the few figures he couldn’t see before him.

“Wait a moment… alright you blighters, where’s my daughter- what have you done with her?”