[IC] Heroes of Camp Half-Blood: Waking Darkness

[soren]

Hello and welcome to the Camp-Halfblood. We are responsible for training young demigods to become heroes or atleast how to survive in a world where everywhere you look is a monster. Here is the thing, we have defeated titans, giants and even Gaia herself but as Apollo is now human and we are cut off from all prophecy we don't even know that a threat worse than all of those things was waking. Even Tartarus himself can stand in it's way if he even wanted to. Enough of this though and let me introduce myself I am Gavin Redwood and I will be your resident Saytr. If you have any question stop by my office in the big house.

[soren]

It was a bright and breezy morning on Long Island Sound. Camp Half-Blood was a buzz with training, laughing, and yelling as kids of all ages ran and swung swords during an sessions. Chriron and Redwood stood at the top of the hill over looking things.

"So Chiron it seems that this group of demi-gods us doing well. Even without of gift of prophecy it seems that we have evaded every threat and managed to get all of them back safely." Redwood said as he chommped on a foam bar.

Chiron moved back and forth on his hooves still uneasy about the business with Apollo and with no Oracle they would have no way to help or find out if there was another threat. "Redwood I'm glad you are here to keep the spirits up. Otherwise I think camp would have been over after the last incident. Plus the Labyrinth." Chiron sighed and then took a step towards the practice fields. "I'm going to go assist in training today. You're on charge of all other camp matters." He took off down them hill before Redwood could get anythingnelse out. Redwood shrugged and sniffed the air. The scent of fresh grow strawberries hung on the breeze and something else did as well. He couldn't quite put his finger on it until he say it. The mist started to roll in where the statue of Athena now stood. It flowed through the barrier and towards Redwood who backed away suspiciously. Then a figure holding what looked like a staff with a flame atop it began to come toward him after passing through the barrier.

"Chiron!?" The old saytr yelped before losing his footing and falling down the hill and bowling over a couple of campers.

The figure struck his staff on the hill as Chiron turned to see Redwood rolling down the hill like a bowling ball. Once the figure did the mist swirled back into his staff and the flame went out. Once it did it disappeared and the figure collapsed on the ground face first leaving himself open to inspection for anyone around who had seen him come.

[Sedjwick]

Isaac waved goodbye to his dad as he hopped out of the car and began the walk up Half-Blood Hill. He climbed up the hill and past Thalia's Pine, and then he saw the boy lying on the ground. He rushed to the boy's side. "Are you alright?" Isaac asked the boy, kneeling down and taking the boy's arm in an attempt to help him stand.

@soren

[soren]

@Sedjwick

Chiron galloped up the hill to the figure and the boy. It was Isaac, camper of two years and child of Athena. "Isaac my boy run to the house and get a cot ready." Chiron turned as he picked up the figure who turned out to be a boy not much older than sixteen he would have guessed. Odd how he showed up but regardless he was here now and he hasn't hurt anyone. Mist curled in tendrils out of the boy's clothes and Chiron winced. "That's not good. Redwood back to the house on the double. We need nectar and ambrosia!" Redwood had been on his way up the hill when he had been asked to get the food and drink of the gods then changed directions heading towards the house. Chiron galloped off towards the house as well with a look of worry on his face.

[Lightning]

Sunshine "Sunny" Reyes

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Camp Half-Blood: Near the water.

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"Hold on
Hold on to me
Cause I'm a little unsteady
A little unsteady
Mama, come here
Approach, appear
Daddy, I'm alone
Cause this house don't feel like home
If you love me, don't let go
If you love me, don't let go"

The sound of Sunshine's voice and guitar could be heard across the sound of Long Island, she sang as she strummed her old guitar. She made sure no one was around as she hadn't wanted to make anyone feel what she felt. Though, it was hard since her voice carried far. She was sitting near the water and even after her voice came to a stop she continued to pluck cords from her instrument.

Sunny had ditched her morning practice with the rest of the Apollo kids and she knew Will Solace would be on her case but she would apologize and explain that she needed some alone time before the camp filled with the returning demi-gods. She was still reeling from meeting her father for the first time, though he was human, a weak and flawed human. She thought it would be so easy to end is life, just pull the string and watch him fall. But, that boy was not the god she was mad at, that boy was Lester Papadopoulos. She had almost fell for his trick, he pretended to care for his mortal children but she knew as soon as he became a god again he would forget about them again.

As her anger built, thinking about Apollo, her fingers began to glow the color of the sun and she had plucked a string too hard causing a cord of her guitar to snap. The water in front of her rippled from the sound and the rocks on the shore scattered a bit.

"Shit," Sunny let out as she shook her the glow of her fingers away. The teen stood up with a sigh and slung her guitar over her shoulder and held on to its strap tight and began to head back to the practice area.

[Apoalo]

Ashton Caverly

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Location: Camp Half Blood, Hypnos' Cabin

Interacting with: @Lightning Sunshine

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"No... NO, NOOOOOO!!!" Suddenly the area around the cabin of one Ashton Caverly, only currently claimed child of Hypnos shook. A wave of energy hit the tree closest to the cabin and the bark began to wither and shrink away. Inside the cabin itself however 14 year old Ashton awoke with a loud gasp, covered in sweat and instantly grimacing. He was shaking as if he were freezing and through the grimace residual legitimate terror was etched on his face. He could feel his muscles tensed up and the cramping start and he quickly wiped tears from his face before his that could happen. It was becoming more and more rare for a nightmare like this to hit him this hard but it seemed the nerves for the beginning of the new camp season.

For Ashton, Camp Half Blood was home, his family all 'dead' except for the 'extended' family that had lived with on an island near Greece. That had been where his father had taken him to recover after... Well, after. He felt his limbs begin to cramp and the grimace that had slowly taken away the look of panic became a soundless scream as the pain assailed him. It felt as if every muscle spasmed at once and if anyone were there to watch it would seem as if he was having a seizure of some sort. After a few minutes things stopped and other than the occasional twitch, Ashton seemed better. Relief flooded his features, and a small smile could be seen. A much better recovery than usual meant that despite the nightmares, or PTSD as he called them, he was getting better. He still hated going to sleep but progress was good in the long room.

He let himself rest for a few more minutes before standing and pulling off his sheets. He took them outside to a large washing tub and after dipping in some lavender scented soap washed the sweat stained fabric. He put the sheets up to dry and then stepped back into the cabin and peeled off his boxers before going to stand under his shower to get himself clean. It always helped him relax, the warm water pounding against his back. And after hard mornings it was exactly what the Doctor ordered, or at least what counted for Doctors in the Camp. Thinking of doctors sent a pang of hurt into his face for a moment once more and his thoughts turned to his mother who probably still lived in Chicago. He had been told her would never see her again, and while a part of him knew that was probably for the best, another part of him longed to keep in contact...

After showering and dressing in his Camp shirt and some simple khaki shorts he did a half hearted attempt to comb his hair, and counted himself lucky in at least one factor knowing that his darker curls always seemed to find a way to look decent. He stood by his door and took a few deep breaths, his first real day back. His first year had been rough to say the least, he didn't really make a friend and had of course garnered a reputation as the 'weird one'. It was perfectly fine with Ash to be honest but he would be lying if he said he didn't get lonely at times, especially when hearing all the others kids laughing and having an overall good time. He kept to himself, and knew it was mostly his fault he didn't count any of the demi-gods as friends.

Taking another deep breath, he gripped the door knob and before he could start thinking anymore took the plunge and literally jumped out of the doorway, slamming the poor thing shut and wincing as the sun blinded him. He began blinking rapidly and took a few steadying breaths before heading towards the camp center. His cabin was nestled in the woods, a small path and a creek that led to the Long Island sound itself the only indicators that anything was up on the small plateau. Ash loved it and counted it as his own little piece of the world, somewhere he could feel safe and not worry about hurting anyone.

Smiling again, he headed down to the sound itself, enjoying the view of the water and the sound of the shoreline. As he got closer to the camp he heard something that sounded quite good, a girls voice for sure and it was singing a tune that Ash had never heard before. It was faint, which meant that he wasn't exactly to close and when he didn't hear anything else he figured the person had moved on. A shame he though to himself, they were really good. He continued heading for the camp, making a mental note to duck the practice area when he heard the sound of a musical note. Or at least Ash thought it was a note, it sort of sounded like a dying animals last yowl. Suddenly the water 15 feet in front of him rippled and splashed and the rocks in front of the water moved a bit.

"Shit." Came the feminine voice and Ashton could only stare as a red headed girl turned away from the water and slung a guitar across her back. It took the son of Hypnos a few moments to gather himself before he quickened his pace to try and catch up with her.

"Hey! Was that you singing? You're really good." He called from behind her and had to give himself props for actively trying to make conversation. Already this year was shaping up to be better off than the last, or at least he hoped so. He'd see how the girl responded first before jumping to conclusions. He tried to place her face and thought he had seen her with the Apollo kids and the insufferable Will Solace.

[Sedjwick]

Isaac nodded at Chiron and dashed down the hill and into the Big House as quick as he could. He prepared a cot for the unconscious boy and was just about to walk back out when Chiron arrived. "Should I get a healer?" he asked the centaur. He had planned on doing that, but if the boy was just unconscious that was probably unnecessary, so it was probably a good idea to ask first rather than potentially waste someone's time.

[baraquiel]

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Angela was in the sword practice room fighting with a dummy as she followed the teachings and orders of their teacher while her sisters use the reflection on their swords and shields to reapply make-up and check their nails. Her brothers, on the other hand, only attended the session to admire themselves as 'heroic' and handsome heroes. And yes, only one of their two qualities are true. Guess what.

Meanwhile, Angela slashed and hacked away at her practice dummy as she's covered in sweat and grime with her hair in a ponytail. Her peers at Camp Half-Blood would watch her with wonder and interest, especially for a child of Aphrodite not grossed out about being dirty for once. It's as if she was a new species yet to be discovered and studied.

She herself doesn't mind if she gets dirty. She's always like that back at their family barn where she grew up. She loved playing in the mud with the pigs, feeling the wind as she rode on her horse, and hanging out with the sheep and cows. As a result, she always smelled of animal manure yet it didn't matter. Even at a young age, her beauty alone made it possible for people to be near her despite being caked in mud and smelled of animals.

For the people looking at her now, a look of focus and determination on her sweaty face made her even more beautiful for them. Her class teacher finally told them session's over for today and Angela stood straight to wipe her face with a towel and drink water from her bottle. Only when she cooled off and finally notice the people watching her that they immediately stood straight and rushed somewhere to avoid her gaze. Angela gleefully laughed as she get her things. She waved her brothers and sisters good-bye as she went back to their cabin to freshen up.

Moments after, Angela emerged from her cabin with a feeling very refreshed wearing a new camp shirt, denim shorts, and sneakers. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh morning air. She turned to see two brown birds chirping and pecking at the ground near her. She knelt to get closer to them but they quickly flew away. Immediately, Angela turned on her charmspeak. "Wait, little birdies! Don't fly away! I won't hurt you guys so can you please stay?". She didn't mean to speak in riddle but she guessed it worked as the two birds flew back and landed on her open palm while one was at her shoulder. She giggled in delight as she pet and rubbed their soft, feathery heads.

[soren]

Once inside the house Chiron handed the boy over to the Redwood, who took him and laid him on a cot. Taking the nectar he poured a little of it in his mouth just as Chiron, now in his wheelchair, rolled into the room. "The boy will be fine Chiron. I will be here to look after him and it seems Isaac here can help me out for now so go tend to everything else." Chiron nodded hesitantly but rolled backout.

"Isaac my boy you asked Chiron about a healer. I think that would be best because we shouldn't feed this boy too much of the god's libations. Run along and bring us someone will you." Redwood asked to Isaac as a he took out a piece of ambrosia, placing it under the new boy's tongue. @Sedjwick

[Sedjwick]

Isaac once again nodded to the satyr and headed back out of the Big House. He decided to check the archery range since that was the most likely location for the children of Apollo. He found them practicing shooting at the targets while their counselor, Will Solace, helped individuals with aim, trajectory, or anything else they may have been struggling with. "Hey, Will, could I borrow one of your healers for a bit?" Isaac asked as soon as he got close enough. "We have a new camper unconscious in the Big House, and we're not quite sure what's going on with him."
Will looked back at the other campers, then called to one. "Justin! Could you go with Isaac to the Big House? Someone needs your help."
"Sure thing, mister boos man," a lanky teen answered.
Isaac explained what he knew to Justin, which admittedly wasn't much. "I found him unconscious on the top of Half Blood Hill, right next to Thalia's Pine. Chiron and Redwood were there and helped carry him to the Big House while I got a cot ready for him. I think Redwood or Chiron might have actually seen him get there, so they might know more. Redwood gave him some nectar and ambrosia, but last I saw he hadn't woken up yet." As he finished, his explanation, he brought Justin into the room where the unconscious camper was laying.@soren

[soren]

@Sedjwick "Ah good good. Thank you Isaac my boy. Justin is it? Yes well if you could see if there is anything else we can do for the boy or if it's just time that will tell us more then that would be helpful indeed." Justin got close at Redwood's instruction. Examining the boy he drew a breath and jerked back hard as mist began to curl out of his clothes. "Well I never..." Redwood stammered. "...he he can't be a monster we would have seen, right?" He asked the other two in shock.

Just them the boy's eyes fluttered open. His eyes were swirling with gray...mist but then he blinked and it went away. His eyes returning to normal the mist around him vanished as if it had never been there. "I'm certainly not a monster. I am a demigod and my name is Syrus and I am..." before he got to speak the next words a ghost like firey symbol blazed above his head. Twin torches side by side with what looked as if two conjoined human faces in the middle each looking at a torch. Once it vanished he spoke again. "...a son of Hecate." He laid back still feeling the drain on his power from earlier.

[Sedjwick]

"Well, that was weird, even for Camp Half-Blood," Justin said as the boy suddenly woke up. "But he seems to be okay as far as I can tell." He then turned and addressed the boy. "Get some rest, and once you're feeling up to it, Redwood or someone will show you to your cabin and you can get settled."

[RumikoOhara]

@soren

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Lilith’s dad hung out the window of his Limo as it drove away ”I LOVE YOU LILY, DON”T FORGET TO WRITE!" he yelled.

She stood there at the side of the road waving till he was out of sight then pulled out the odd letter she’d received that if she’d not been hearing the whispers of her mom she’d have written off to some wack job crackpot; the fact that she tried out the pendant and grown wings and flew one night helped as well. On the last page was a set of instructions of how to find Camp Half/Blood that bid her to enter the heavy woods and walk towards the river.

It was a lovely place she walked through reminding her that New York wasn’t just the city that bore the same name and had places of natural beauty still left. On her back she carried 47 pounds of clothing, shoes, Ipad, sleeping bag hammock, makeup, and sundries...oh and the over the top guitar (Guild D-55 acoustic). She had asked for one of his 75+ acoustics and he’d blown 6,000 + on the beautiful custom one she now had. She had to talk him out of stuffing two bundles of 100 dollar bills pointing out she still had her cards.

As she walked she felt the first twinge of homesickness mingled with the excitement of the unknown and first breath of being on her own. She wasn’t afraid and knew that whatever happened she was ready for it as she hiked through the pines. Perhaps it was curiosity that made this all seem so interesting or the idea that she’d learn more about herself and how talents that had begun to surface worked and could be used.

It was while deep in thought she felt a slight sensation that was like walking through a spider’s web of something else as intangible not realizing she’d walked through the barrier around the camp. So it was with a bit of surprise she suddenly heard people shouting, laughing and the strange sound of steel on steel as somewhere people were at sword practice.

She was supposed to look for Chriron a name she knew from the myths she’d studied was a centaur of no small renown. He was a teacher in the myths connected to Achilles, Actaeon, Ajax, Heracles, Oileus, Theseus and several other mythical hero of Greece. If it was the same Chriron then that would be impressive because it would make him at least 3, 000 years old give or take a century or two.

So spotting a worn path she decided to take it as the letter had said towards the river which though she couldn’t see she could smell as a sweet scent of water ahead and the shadows of buildings hidden among the trees.

[golani]

retconed

[soren]

Redwood had gotten the other boys to go away and had sat down talking to Syrus. They chatted for a good while about how he had survived all these years and that how it was rare for an Olympian to care for their children. Syrus pointed out that she wasn't the normal Olympian and Redwood agreed on that for sure.

Finally he got up and shook himself. "Well I feel alot better Redwood. I'm going to explore the camp. Don't worry about me finding the cabin. I know I don't have one. I'll find a place to bed down." Before Redwood could say anything else he walked out of the makeshift infirmary, through the big house and out the door. Once outside he looked up the hill seeing the statue. The shimmer around it wasn't visible to anyone but him. The shimmer was magic radiating off of it. The mist gave off nothing as it was a different kind of magic. He started off to the statue and when he reached it he saw a girl approaching. "Hey there need help with those bags?" @RumikoOhara

[RumikoOhara]

@soren

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Lilith had been distracted by the arboreal life around her, the beauty of the forest and how well the structure blended with it all. Then she heard the voice of a young man and turned her gaze on him.

He appeared to be around her age with dark brown shoulder length hair, hazel eyes, and the wisps of a youthful beard; a potential heart breaker. He was obviously from lower middle class judging by his clothing and his smile appeared honest enough so she returned his greeting in a voice that was rich in feminine vocal tone and a gentle tempo.

”Hi, I’m Lilith Morgan daughter of Peitho a pleasure to meet you.
If it's not much trouble would you carry Debbie and direct me to whomever it is I must present myself to?”

She asked as if he were the only person either worthy or capable of taking the guitar case from her and should he then she would grant her everlasting thanks.

Her hair was nightblack silk and fell to the small of her back in waves, her eyes a deep dark blue, her words like poetry flowed from naturally full and lush lips; her beauty like that of the Daughters of Aphrodite even though she’d given the name of another goddess.

Around her throat on a platinum chain hung a powerful magical pendant that was wings forming a circle on her fingers were silver rings with sapphire, amethyst, and blue diamond. Her clothing was fresh and new fitting her so neatly even people who couldn’t tell knew they’d been made to fit her body.

Normally a girl so dressed would have exuded an unapproachable air but not Lilith, she was almost inviting him to move closer without a word.

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The Willow Maiden
Tap to hear

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[soren]

The power of her voice and words hit him all at once as he took the the guitar case from her. Mist spilled out of his hand then wiping it over his face he shook his head. "Wow you have quite the voice. I would have pegged you as Aphrodite or one of Apollo's brood but Peitho, never would have guessed that. I'm Syrus by the way, son of Hecate. Your ability caught me off guard but it's very interesting for sure." He fell in step beside her and smiled as they headed off towards the rest if canp.@RumikoOhara

[RumikoOhara]

@soren

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”Sorry about that, its one of the reasons I must attend Camp Half Blood.
When I get excited it slips into my mouth.” said Lilith just before clearing her throat quietly after handing him her guitar.

Then she continued in a voice that wasn’t her demigoddess talent but was still warm soft and inviting

"I got kicked out of my school for being the center of attention because of my voice; luckily the staff blamed it on my father’s fame so it wasn’t a nasty separation.

My mom whispered to me that my cabin like her shrines could be found secluded behind the cabin of the daughters of Aphrodite who are I guess cousins. But first I must present myself before the Dean, director, headmaster, or whomever is in charge of the camp; I’m sure that they wouldn’t like my just plopping down and claiming space."

She smiles at Syrus her dark blue eyes sparkling with her inner excitement and her newest adventure

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Meet me on the battlefield
Tap to hear

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[soren]

He smiled as she talked and nodded. "Yeah I kinda just plopped down." He chuckled lightly. "Before I was here, I was in Alaska tracking some monsters that my mother set me on. Sadly they ened up killing a couple before I could get to them." He swallowed hard as he remembered the scene. "After that I mist traveled here. Took me a while and used up almost all my magic but I made it. I passed out on top of the hill next to the statue of Athena." He said as they approached it. Coming to the top of the hill he pointed to a big house. "That right there is where you wanna go. I'll walk there with you since it seems we are both new and I don't really know anyone else. Unless you'd rather I go that is." He said as he started walking backwards in front of her still carrying her guitar and smiling. @RumikoOhara

[golani]

Joanne

It had been the weirdest, saddest, happiest morning that Joanne had ever experienced. She was still trying to make sense of it all as she wandered about the camp, trying to get her bearings and a grip on what had happened to her. From Alaska to New York in the blink of an eye, Joanne had never even been to the lower 48 before. The daughter of a Greek goddess…her family killed practically in front of her, gods and goddesses and mythical creatures, all real…where would it end? Joanne would have sworn she was hallucinating if she didn’t see it all right in front of her nose.

They had given her some time and space to “relax and adjust,” Chiron said. And she gladly took it, taking off to see what she could learn of her new “home.” That was another thing she was going to have to get used to…she had no real home, really nothing except the clothes on her back, her bow, and of course, Smoke.

Trailing closely behind her, the female gray wolf could feel her mistress’s confusion, depression, and anxiety…and it made her nervous. Smoke clearly knew something was very, very wrong. The smells, sounds, people…all were different from home. And that a significant part of her mistress’ pack had been killed, that was the worst of it. She wished she could do SOMETHING, but beyond staying close to Joanne to protect and comfort her, there was nothing she could do.

As they continued to explore, Joanne could make out voices in the distance, a male and female. She was always good at that, a gift from her mother she figured. “…in Alaska tracking some monsters that my mother set me on. Sadly they ended up killing a couple before I could get to them.” Joanne’s blood froze. A sudden sense of determination came over her. Finally, here was somebody who could give her some much needed answers.

Joanne climbed up the hill in a few moments, with Smoke right on her heels. They both made no sound, and the few creatures around ignored them. It was as if they were ghosts. Scaring the crap out of people was not the way to introduce oneself, Joanne knew, and she slowed down to a walking pace, deliberately scuffing her feet on the ground so that the two could hear their approach. Joanne timed it so that she would pop out right in the middle of a lull in the conversation, and practically ran right smack into the two.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” Joanne said. “I hope we didn’t scare you or anything, We’re a bit new here and still trying to get our bearings.” She then stuck out her hand, the other still clutching her bow. “I’m Joanne.” Smoke came alongside Joanne and sat down. She looked up at Joanne, silently saying “What about me?” Joanne quickly took the cue, ruffling Smoke’s ears as she added “and this is Smoke.”

(OOC: shorts, hiking shoes, 2018 Iditarod t-shirt, Alaska State Police fleece, Vancouver Canucks baseball cap, and a big female gray wolf :)) @RumikoOhara, @soren