[hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/EZderYO.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/8m1OV3X.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/D2AB0xz.gif[/img][/center] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/fzj6wr6.png[/img][/center] [center][color=#9370D8][sup][b]Location:[/b] Camp Jupiter to Camp Half-Blood; New York.[/sup] [sup]Interactions:[/sup][/color][/center] [hr] The San Francisco bay was chilly, a salty wind mixing with the industry of a large city. Standing at the door to the barracks, taking in the morning was Seventeen-year-old Aurelius Hale. The Praetor breathing deeply inwards and then out, a soft smile on his face. It would be the last time he would awaken this way for some time, his last day with his men. With a sigh, Relus, as he preferred to be called, brought up a hand and carded through his hair, somewhat styling it but really just making the unkempt sleep tossed strands get even messier. He moved on auto-pilot through his morning routine, showering first and dressing in a rich purple tunic, blue jeans, and a golden cuirass which had a purple cape that fell to just below the knee attached to the back. Finished dressing, the young man left the barracks and began his morning run to Temple Hill. Running in the morning when the world first began to wake up was one of Relus's favorite things to do. No one but Octavia knew it, but watching as the sky gave way to morning, darkness retreating until dusk came again, and the animals waking up all around the hills. It was magical, and Relus never felt closer to the gods than he did at those moments. He made it up to Temple Hill and knelt at the entrance while he caught his breath, a small prayer of thanks to Victoria before standing and making his way to the Temple of Pluto. As with the Temples Jupiter and Neptune, the Temple to Pluto was large and spacious, with plenty of space to pay respects. Aurelius stopped at the entrance and removed his shoes before entering and went to bow before the main statue. [color=#9370D8]"Mighty Pluto, as I have done every morning of my time in Camp Jupiter I come to honor and thank you for your blessing and the honor of being chosen by you. I leave today for Camp Half-Blood where I doubt I will find a temple to your name. As such, I request once more that if you feel I should remain to let me know now. My love for Octavia is strong but I am yours to command in the end."[/color] All was quiet for the ensuing fifteen minutes of prayer, and with a nod, Relus bowed his way out of the Temple and then made his way to another temple, smaller and out of the way the inscribed sigil above the entranceway was a wheel spoke. The Temple of Nemesis was entered as if Aurelius was entering his own home, the young demi-god comfortable and at peace. [color=#9370D8]"Mother, I'm home."[/color] He said with a chuckle. He moved to the statue and bowed his head. [color=#9370D8]"At least I'll be near you Mother. I have to say I'm a bit anxious but also excited to see Octavia again. I also have to break it to the Legion somehow. I pray you'll be with me when I do, I will need the support, even if it's a brief murmur. I love you, and I will see you on the other side of the country huh?"[/color] He smirked and tossed his now dried hair and stepped up to the statue, placing his hand on Nemesis's shin before he headed out and began running back to the barracks. Instead of a sleeping camp though, this time as he neared the barracks activity was all around as campers woke up and began their own morning routines. The garrison on the Praetorian Gate was reinforced and Relus was offered a very brief challenge. Before, the guards would just open if they saw him or Octavia until Relus chewed them out for laziness. Everyone, even the gods themselves were expected to state their identity, it was the one big rule that no one really followed. It had taken years to finally get this practice down but Relus could smile as he gave his salute and held his Imperial Gold sword up into the air as was his signal. The gates opened slowly, and Relus replaced his sword just as he jogged in, instantly met by the Legion's quartermaster. [color=#9370D8]"Ah, no Levinius. All those reports go to Quincy now."[/color] Relus gave a 'you should know that' look to the quartermaster who blinked and at least had the decency to look quite alarmed. "Oh! Jupiter's apologies Praetor, I am just so used to you taking the morning report after your run. I will head off to find Quincy." The boy muttered his words and backed off, moving along and leaving Relus to sigh and shake his head again. This was going to be a long day... And a long day it was, full of drill and wargames on the Field of Mars. Relus stood in the observation area with his chosen replacement, Quincy, a seasoned and strong Centurion. [color=#9370D8]"Now, you see how the groups are off there, annnnd there."[/color] Relus points to two different Cohorts. [color=#9370D8]"We have to make sure that that movement is uniform across the board. They'll try and get away with anything small, your job is to catch it and make them do it until it's right five times in a row. If you need help, MacArthur has your number, and Lupa I'm sure wouldn't mind addressing any trouble-makers. But honestly, I don't think we'll have any problems."[/color] The Centurion, Quincy nodded and placed his hands behind his back, helmet still tucked firmly in the nook of his arm. "I agree with you Praetor Hale, I should have no issues with this task and I will send what troops we can spare from this assignment to assist on one of the fronts." Relus nods and observes one more time. [color=#9370D8]"Alright, call them in for a briefing. My plane leaves in exactly two hours, it is time for me to take my leave. Jupiter guide your mind Centurion."[/color] The other boy gives a brisk salute and then heads up to prepare the camp to be addressed. It was perhaps some twenty minutes later that the camp was prepared and an aide came back to retrieve Relus, put him on the wings of the stage, and then whispered into his mic. "In position." "And now, your Praetor would like a word with you all!" At the introduction, Aurelius took a deep breath and began moving forward until he was standing before the Legion who were standing in perfect formations, all at attention. Relus took the microphone and placed his left hand behind his back while he stops. [color=#9370D8]"Legion, dimitto. Please, relax I stand before you today not only as one of your Praetors but also a friend and fellow Camper. Today, after this assembly I will be making my way into the city and boarding a plane for New York and then to Camp Half-Blood."[/color] He paused as whispering broke out and nodded a few times. [color=#9370D8]"I'm aware this may take some of you off guard but it is what I feel needs to be done. I will be looking to promote more cooperation and chances to grow stronger together with the Greeks. We all have things we can learn from the other, and it is the hope that with mutual understanding Romans and Greeks can even potentially begin quests together. While I am away, Centurion Quintus Aurion will be in command. I will miss every single one of you, you're the best Legionnaires I could ask to serve with, and I go to try and make things better for you. Until I return. Aureole Validas! Stand strong, be perfect."[/color] Aurelius finished speaking and bowed his head forward and then headed off the stage where a deafening clapping could be heard. Such a response invigorated Relus who passed over the torch formally to Quincy and then headed for the tunnel where a car was waiting to take him to the city. The last few steps within the tunnel caused Relus to look back, eyes taking in the sights and sounds once more, breathing in the air as dusk slowly began to retake the territory it lost in the morning. A soft smile was on his face as he got into the car, things would be alright. He managed to once again refrain from texting Octavia, deciding to instead truly surprise her when he showed up. He looked to the drive and gave a nod, he was ready... The blinking of a damaged sign reading 'No Board' is what captivated Relus's attention. When not on duty and in a crowded location, such as a bustling airport with hundreds of potential flyers, Aurelius liked to lose track of the world for a little bit and just relax. A stark contrast to the constant head-turning, crowd checks, and contingency plans when he was responsible for a host of other Legionnaires. With a soft yawn, Relus stood and gave a stretch and smoothed his hair on its left side above the ear. He was a mix of bored, frustrated, and relaxed and all of them were his least favorite emotions more or less. He made his way to his gate and plastered a fake smile onto his face as he greeted the ticket collector who blushed and looked down as she checked his ticket and then gave a wink when she noticed he was in first class. Briefly, Aurelius considered flirting back but the fact that he was even taking this trip to get back to Octavia kept his usual playful personality in check. Truth be told, Relus was lucky he had been allowed first-class. He usually kept things simple, off the grid, but he had managed to get the tickets cheap and so here Relus was, settling into his seat and smirking softly as he brought out his laptop and typed in a coded phrase into a chatbox, 'Passing Herod.' There was a moment of quiet before a gentle ding informing of a message and Kairo glanced down to see a response fly across his screen. 'Welcome Praetor, password accepted.' Relus smirked again and closed the laptop lid before breathing out a sigh and closing his eyes, head leaning back. When he opened them next he found that the trip was already halfway over and that it was pitch-black outside. With a large stretch and a stifled yawn, Relus took stock of his surroundings and decided to stretch his legs and use the little demi-god's room. As he was passing by other sleeping first-class fliers he took note of the time and chuckled a bit, he must have been more tired than he had thought. It didn't really matter, the trip was going to be spent doing nothing anyway so catching up on missed sleep was a blessing really but still, Aurelius didn't like succumbing to any weakness and the need for sleep was one of those. In the end, however, after taking care of other mortal needs such as the bathroom, Relus returned to his seat and once again passed out and didn't wake again until he felt hands gently shaking him. Coming out of his sleep he froze, muscles tensing and eyes dilating as a rush of adrenaline ran through him until he managed to gain control. He had to relax each muscle slowly and let himself wake before opening his eyes and forcing a smile when he noticed the same attractive blonde attendant hovering over him. She seemed hesitant and apologetic for startling him but Relus just poured on the charm and made sure to ease the situation so as to not make a scene. He also quietly cursed his exhaustion and for not waking earlier. He could just hear his old instructor in his head. 'Don't you DARE ever lose focus, at any time!' With a sigh, he gathered his belongings and after the plane touched down and began taxiing to an available gate, Aurelius opened his laptop and opened his e-mail, double-checking his directions to Camp Half-Blood. With the address memorized, Relus disembarked into the nightlife of New York City and managed to catch a taxi right away. The City was impressive, Relus would give it that. The amount of activity during the night was quite insane and as the taxi left the big skyscrapers, and bumper-to-bumper traffic behind for a bit more green Aurelius was actually glad for the change of scenery. Eventually, the taxi made it to the destination, a small farm-house and Aurelius paid the driver and muttered his thanks before making sure he had everything. The most important being his Onyx Ring, and Golden Coin. The two blades were Aurelius's pride and joy, and if anything happened to them he would be quite saddened. He walked around the house and spotted the trail easily, adjusting his bags and moving forward. It was a well-traveled path actually, and not hard to follow at all, and Relus made good timing to get to the boundary. As he entered into the camp proper he noticed that he was morning, and not wanting to miss any of the fun he placed his gear into his cabin and then went about gearing himself up in Greek gear. He spent the entire day messing with and following Octavia around. Sure it was a bit creeper, but he had just flown across the entire country to get back to her, he deserved a biiiiit more for his big reveal. He watched proudly as she performed in the obstacle course, stood against her brother, and then headed for healing. He also chuckled at how quickly he left said Healers and as she headed for the Ares house, Relus figured it was time to say hello. He headed up the stairs and knocked a few times, removing the Greek helmet and tossing his hair out a bit.