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[h1][center][u][color=8493ca]~Azura Nova Parker~[/color][/u][/center][/h1]
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[color=7bcdc8][i]"Open up your mind and let me step inside,
Rest your weary head and let your heart decide,
It's so easy,
When you know the rules
It's so easy,
All you have to do
Is fall in love
Play the game..."[/i][/color]

The under-appreciated song [i]Play the Game[/i] by [i]Queen[/i] echoed from a pair of over-sized headphones. It was an old pair, about 7 years old, it still had a few star stickers on one of the ears from when Azura was a child. She smiled fondly at the memory. Remembering that she had placed them there when she first listened to [i]Vincent[/i] by [i]Don McLean.[/i]
She walked down the sidewalk casually, unaware or just not caring that she was running late. It was a beautiful day, and she would be damned if she spent most of it inside. After the tragic death of her father Azuras world turned upside-down. The crushing event in her life caused her to see no use in following someone elses rules. The only happiness that mattered was her own. The demigoddess looked up to see sunlight reflecting through the leaves like stained glass.
Colorado had been very different from the small town in Michigan where she grew up. She loved the splendor of Colorado. Having always been a fan of nature, she really appreciated how the residents put forth the effort to preserve its lands habitat. In her hometown she would often sneak into the middle of the forest at night to stargaze. Trees definitely helped when practicing spell-casting. In fact, if you really listen you can hear them speak to you. [i]Pocahontas[/i] and other Native Americans definitely knew what they were talking about. Since her mother was goddess of a lot of things, that which included partial rule over Earth, a gift Hecate had received from her parents. It was assumed that because of that nature was used to enhance magical ability.

Hecate seemed okay enough... Azura barely saw her since her father died but she did send her to school in a limousine. The Goddess had wanted her only daughter to feel welcome at the institution that she had assisted in protecting. Apparently she built a magical barrier that helped protect the important students that lay inside. Even though the demigoddess was appreciative, being the Wallflower she was she definitely did not want to bring any attention to herself. Ever since she could remember Azura had been somewhat of a loner, an introvert. She must have gotten that from her fathers side because her mother seemed to be very confident and sure of herself. 
Michael was kind enough to pull over just a little ways from the Academy's front driveway. After thanking her chauffeur Azura climbed out of the expensive luxury vehicle figuring the walk would ease her nerves and calm her down.

Her father had taught her a lot about reincarnation and how death is inevitable. That if anything were to happen to him she shouldn't take it too hard. That it was in his belief that he would come back for another adventure in his next life.
Keeping her chin up was one of the hardest things she has had to do... but she had to go on. She could not mope around forever in the middle of nowhere. James stressed on the importance of positivity. Reminding her that life is not worth living unless you make it grand.

Her emerald green gaze flicked up as she neared the building. 
[color=6ecff6]"woah..."[/color] She gasped, startled enough to almost drop her bags.

She had expected a red brick building, possibly a location made of marble, but nothing like this. Olympus Academy was a freaking castle. Her head tilted back as she whistled. This place put Buckingham Palace to shame. As she meandered around the village area she noticed a town within the city gates. Various shops, cafe's, townsfolk, etc. busied themselves as they carried on with their day to day lives. 

A crumpled piece of paper had suddenly appeared in her palm. As if by...
[color=6ecff6]"...magic."[/color] She whispered finishing her though aloud.
In haste she straightened out the lined document, placing it against the side of a nearby bookstore so she could read it clearer:

[color=00a651]Azura,

You are late.
They have called every student to the Ares Colleseum, I assume since you are a new student you will need to attend. 
Ask for Hector.
You are in my thoughts.

Love, 
Your Mother~[/color]

Azura thinned her lips, unsure how to handle the unexpected affection. How had the note gotten to her in the first place? She folded the letter carefully and put it in her back pocket. Today she wore her long auburn hair in a braid that hung over her right shoulder. Loose tendrils of wavy hair framed her face. A long sleeved black v-neck clung deliciously to her hourglass figure. Even though it was after Labor Day she wore comfortable white skinny jeans with strategically placed tears. Followed by a pair of old brown combat boots with white and yellow daisies painted on its side. 
She carried with her three bags; a canvas messenger bag for all of her textbooks, her toiletries, and a rather large purple suitcase containing her entire wardrobe and important treasures that reminded her of home.

[color=6ecff6]"Now the real question is, how do I find the arena?"[/color] Upon speaking those words a black cat with yellow eyes appeared by her ankle. The feline purred rubbing its side against her leg. She crouched over to pet him and read the turquoise collar that hung around his neck. [i]Figaro[/i] After walking around her legs a few times the cat leaped forward before looking back for just a moment. As if beckoning her forward the cat met her gaze once more. Azura followed close behind once the animal resumed its sure stride. 
Remembering a quote from her Book of Shadows:
[i]Animals are our familiars. When nature speaks to you, listen.[/i]

After a few twists and turns she saw it, a large sign that clearly stated in big bold letters: "Welcome to the Ares Colosseum!"
The demigoddess turned to thank the cat that had showed her the way, but just like he had mysteriously appeared, the cat had also strangely vanished.

Azura shrugged her shoulders assuming he went to chase a mouse or something and entered the arena. A group of students had already gathered. A few of them have obviously studied here before due to the fact that they all seemed to know each other. This being her first year Zu-Zu felt her stomach churn as her nerves threatened her emotional state once more. At the front of the arena was a large platform where a few adults stood. Seeing them as the authority figure for this assembly she approached the middle aged man standing in the center with a slight tan and dark goatee. His aura seemed friendly, engaging even. 

[color=6ecff6]"Excuse me?"[/color] She spoke before clearing her throat.
[color=6ecff6]"This is my first year and I was told to speak to... Hector?"[/color]