[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240327/2d1d696541be028e1de6256c93ae5c11.png[/img]
[/center]
[table]
[row]
[sup][h3][b][color=2e2c2c]
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅
[right]▅▅▅▅▅▅[/right]
[/color][/b][/h3][/sup]
[/row][row]
[cell]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/v0wN8To.jpg[/img][/center]
[center][color=ab9d90] ___________________________________[/color][/center]
[color=#F0C75E][sub]C A M P E R S   I N C L U D E D[/sub][/color]
[color=Silver][indent][sub]∞ Richelle Riordan | [@Vicier]
∞ Chandler Griffin Sumpter | [@Apoalo][/sub][/indent][/color]
[color=#F0C75E][sub]L O C A T I O N[/sub][/color]
[color=Silver][indent][sub]∞ Camp Half-Blood | Athena Cabin (Briefly)
∞ Camp Half-Blood | Infirmary[/sub][/indent][/color]
[color=#F0C75E][sub]A C T I V I T Y[/sub][/color]
[color=Silver][indent][sub]∞ Anxiety Attack | Book Release Routine (Rickie)
∞ Morning Duties | Infirmary Set-Up (Chandler)[/sub][/indent][/color]
[center][color=ab9d90] ___________________________________[/color][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZqyoWh8.gif[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XmRglHB.gif[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/iT7woir.gif[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/IPcBv1L.gif[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Qd2B3wC.gif[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NGqmV6n.gif[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/2XZLMbb.gif[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ogIwZsF.gif[/img][/center]
[center][color=ab9d90] ___________________________________[/color][/center]
[color=#F0C75E][sub]I N T E R A C T I N G   W I T H[/sub][/color]
[color=Silver][indent][sub]∞ Each Other[/sub][/indent][/color]
[color=#F0C75E][sub]S P E C I A L   M E N T I O N S[/sub][/color]
[color=Silver][indent][sub]∞ Bronwyn Knowles | [@Sapphic Pigeon][/sub][/indent][/color]
[color=#F0C75E][sub]T R A N S L A T I O N S[/sub][/color]
[color=Silver][indent][sub]∞ None[/sub][/indent][/color]
[center][color=ab9d90] ___________________________________[/color][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WwQn84D.jpg[/img][/center]
[/cell][cell]
[color=ab9d90]____________________________________________________________________________[/color]
[color=#F0C75E][sub]C A M P   H A L F - B L O O D   |   F I R S T   D A Y   O F   S U M M E R[/sub][/color]

[color=Silver][indent][sub]

This was it.. It was finally here..

A soft part forming at the seam of her lips, Richelle’s dark gaze lingered on the package sat neatly on her desk. Resting over her closed laptop. Unopened, and delivered bright and early that morning. Gods, lord Hermes worked quickly. Part of her was thankful for that, another part of her was nervous. Immensely so. But there was nothing new about that. In fact, it was a regular occurrence; especially in moments like these..

She knew what it was.. She didn’t need to open it to know that it was the first six copies of her latest book - not that she could even bring herself to cut open the package. Did that make her pathetic..? Probably.. Okay, yeah.. It was most definitely pathetic. The book was published. The release date for the public was in two days. There was no going back; and besides, it wasn’t like this was her first book. Hell, it wasn’t even her first series. No.. she’d been around this block a few times, and yet, her post-publishing routine was always the same.

Wake up. Brush teeth. Stare at the package. Psych herself out to the point of feeling sick. Go running to Brynn or Chandler for help.

Tradition. Who was she to break it..?

Closing her eyes, Rickie sucked in a deep breath. Fingers nervously twisting around one another before she eventually let the breath out with a heavy heave. Her shoulders slumping. Right. That meant it was time for stage five: Go running to Brynn of Chandler for help. Only issue was.. she had no idea where the hell to find Brynn.

[color=#F0C75E]“.. well.. [i]fuck[/i].”[/color]

But.. she did know where she could find her favorite cousin. One that wasn’t in the habit of accidentally shooting arrows towards her face. Now [i]that[/i] was an experience she never wanted to repeat.

Snatching up the package as she moved; Richelle held it against her chest. Feet carrying her down from the solace of her bedroom in the attic of the Athena cabin, it wasn’t long before she was lifting her hand to shield her face from the blinding morning sun. And blinking, she took a few moments to adjust to the light of the day. Well.. she had to hand it to him.. There was no one she knew, deity or otherwise, who could shine brighter than her uncle Apollo. Not that she would ever utter the words out loud. Though.. even if she did; like everyone else she crossed paths with, he probably wouldn’t even know who she was.

Shoving that thought to the side, not wanting to dwell on it at that precise moment, she instead started off through the camp. Leaving the cabins behind as her path led her towards her cousin's familiar haunt. The infirmary. If he wasn’t there, then-.. Well, he was never [i]not[/i] there.

Hugging the box closer against her chest, it was with a light bump of her hip that she was pushing open the door. And stepping into the infirmary, Richelle cast a glance around. Taking in the empty beds, as well as the ones that were currently in use; she made sure to keep as quiet as possible as she made her way further into the building. Her voice soft as she called out, [color=#F0C75E]”.. Chan..? Please tell me you’re here.. and that you have coffee..”[/color]

Early morning was Chandler’s favorite time of the day, and while it could be considered slightly strange for a son of Apollo to enjoy any time when the sun didn't shine, early morning meant that the child of the Sun could see what came after. It never failed to bring a smile to his face. The world would begin to come to life with a few chirps from the waking birds and the occasional hoot from an owl as if Athena was watching as well and approved. The sun would slowly begin to manifest itself, burning away the last vestiges of the darkness that had claimed superiority for the short amount of time that it was granted dominion. It was truly glorious and that was why Chandler had turned into a morning person. Sure enough, while Chandler made his way to the infirmary the sun brightly made itself known and Chandler closed his eyes, stretched out his arms and took in the light. [color=DBA901]”Morning dad,”[/color] he said softly.

While Chandler could stand in the sun all day, he knew he had work to do and so the blonde downed his orange juice and finished his walk to the Infirmary. He entered and made a quick round on the few tenants there, and checked in with the healer who took the night shift. He thanked them and let them go to grab some sleep and while he made his way back into his office which had the words ‘Head Healer’ on it. As he entered a smile would cross his face and he’d walk over to the wall and press the play button on a device which would start playing ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by Katrina and the Waves. Dancing to the beat Chandler would begin tidying up and then get to the annoying part of his day. Paperwork. 

Paperwork was the single thing that Chandler despised about being the Head Healer and the head of the Infirmary. It. Was. Endless, and the information had to be sealed in case other campers tried to come and sneak a peek at trying to find some weakness to exploit in their fellow camper. So, Chandler had suggested the files would be sealed in a ‘burn pouch’ which was a pouch specifically attuned to a person, usually a child of Apollo and anyone else that would attempt to open the pouch with magic or physical means would get a nasty burn on their face which would then let staff know exactly who attempted to get into personal records. And so, while still dancing, Chandler performed the opening movements to the pouch and retrieved patient files and then began going methodically through every interaction the Infirmary and individual Healer had with campers.

After an hour, and a few cups of coffee, he was more or less finished and he massaged his temples a bit as he felt a headache coming along. He would sigh, and then sing a bit along with the current song playing, a nice acoustic song called Brother. As he sang his skin would glow a bit and the headache would dissipate. Giggling a bit at the idea of writing in his file about the healing, Chandler instead replaced the files into the pouch, replaced it in a secure place, and then stood with a large stretch. He was just finishing when he heard a soft voice call out to him. He smiled brightly when he registered who it was and opened his office door wide. [color=DBA901]”Morning Rickie! Yeah, I have some coffee. I can make you a new pot if you'd like. This has been here for an hour or so.”[/color] He headed towards the pot and twisted his head to look at his friend.

The sound of her cousin’s voice having caught her ear; Richelle was quick to turn herself in the direction of his office. Of course. [i]Duh[/i]. Why it wasn’t the first place she’d thought to look, she’d never know, and part of her was embarrassed at that thought. Shaking it off though, it was with another step of two closer that the young daughter of Athena was holding up the box in her arms. A nervous glint sparkling behind her Earthen hues.

[color=#F0C75E]“.. it came.”[/color]

Drawing her lip into her mouth, she chewed on it. Hesitating a spell before, closing the gap slightly, she instead diverted to put the package down on top of his desk. Hands drawing back like they’d been burnt by flames as she brought them together in front of her stomach. Fingers once again playing nervously with one another, [color=#F0C75E]“.. I couldn’t open it..”[/color]

With his face turned back to the coffee machine and now brewing a new pot for Rickie, Chandler didn't see the box at first. But with the two words he would spin quickly and eye the package even as it was placed on top of his desk where he had been working. This wouldn't have been the first time that Chandler would help his cousin and best friend through the traditional anxiety but he had to say, he was quite surprised it was already release time again. 

[color=DBA901]OK. OK, deep breaths. You, take this.”[/color] And Chandler would hand over a mug with coffee. [color=DBA901]“Then I'll take this.”[/color] He went to his desk and patted the box. Not too far away was a shelf with all of Rickie's other books in a large row. He placed a hand on the box and then peered at his cousin and grinned widely. [color=DBA901]“Ready?”[/color] He didn't give her time to respond and instead ripped the whole left side open and giggled. 

Richelle had barely finished curling her fingers around the mug of hot coffee before the sound of ripping cardboard hit her ears. And eyes widening, she stared in her cousin’s direction. Her mouth hanging open slightly, though for once, words seemed to be eluding her.

[color=#F0C75E]“.. I-..”[/color]

[i]Brain. Work. Connect damnit..![/i]

Unable to make little more than a soft squeak in her attempt to speak; Rickie instead let one of her hands fall away from her coffee. Lifting up to instead smack against her forehead in slight frustration. Though not aimed towards her cousin. No. Never. But rather, it was aimed towards herself.

Gaze dropping from his as her hand fell back to the mug; she shifted as she managed to catch a glimpse of the smallest bit of the cover. Shit. It felt like her heart was doing flips in her chest. That was it- well.. If she was being technical, that was the top left-hand corner of it. But still.. [i]that was it[/i]. The very latest addition to her [i]’Worlds Between’[/i] series.

.. the series she wrote about the demigods of Camp Half-Blood..

[color=DBA901]”Better and easier to rip the band-aid off so to speak.”[/color] The medical pun was painful, even to Chandler. His eyes remained fixed on Rickie even as his hands moved to finish opening the box and reveal the books inside. He left it open and moved to stand beside his cousin and gently nudged her. [color=DBA901]”Hey. It's OK, no need to smack yourself. I've been on the receiving end of some of those and I've got to keep my strength up for the countless injured campers that'll be flocking to me now that summer is starting.”[/color] 

He pulled the box over and removed the other flaps and picked up a single copy, and then placed it in front of Rickie. He pulled her inside a side hug then and peered towards her. [color=DBA901]”You're so awesome, you know that right?”[/color]

[color=#F0C75E]“.. [i]please[/i].. you’re just saying that. There’s nothing special about me..”[/color]

Fingers curling slightly; Richelle’s hold over her coffee tightened. Her dark eyes lingering on the now fully exposed book lain before her. It was.. so much better than she could have ever imagined. But then again, she felt the exact same way when she saw each of her books covers for the first time.

Reaching out, a little tentative as her fingers lightly brushed the cover, she eventually slid the book back over the desk. Stopping only once it had come to a rest in front of her cousin, rather than sitting in front of herself. Her head turning slightly as she looked up at him, [color=#F0C75E]“.. this one’s yours..”[/color]

With an eye roll, Chandler stuck out his tongue at her and shook his head, making some of his hair get into his eyes. He moved it and then moved to where he could directly look at his cousin and then made his face as serious as he could. [color=DBA901]”I'm not just saying it. I know you don't believe me but I'm telling the truth. To me, you're awesome. You're creative, kind, intelligent. And yeah, sure I'm your friend but still. Believe me.”[/color]

He watched as she took in the cover and as she slid the book over to him he smiled again, the smile that he was told lit up the room like the sun. He took the book and placed it right at the front of all the others and then chuckled. [color=DBA901]”I'm sure I'll get plenty of time to read this today and tonight. The start of summer is always super busy.”[/color] With another gentle nudge, Chandler would sit and eye Rickie to make sure she was truly ok.

Allowing her gaze to fall away from him, Rickie instead stared at the rich tones of her coffee. Her thumb brushing gently against the side of the warm mug. He was right- she didn’t believe him. Or, at least, part of her didn’t believe him. The other part of her, though, wanted it so desperately to be true. But how could it be..? If it was the truth- if she was as awesome as he claimed.. then why was she so forgettable..?

[i]The forgotten child of Athena.[/i]

The words ringing in Richelle’s mind, she let her gaze wander. [color=#F0C75E][i]’.. that.. would make a pretty good title..’[/i][/color] Filing that stray thought away for later when she had more time to think on it, and the possible story to follow; she instead shifted. Her body moving absentmindedly over to one of the seats by his desk. Lowering herself until she was perched on the edge of it.

[color=#F0C75E]“.. do you think that.. if anyone here ever actually realized I existed.. that they’d be angry knowing that my characters are all based on them..?”[/color]

With a thoughtful expression on his face, Chandler considers and leans back in his chair. [color=DBA901]”First of all, not everyone thinks you're invisible. Me and you though, that's our lot in camp. People need us and don't realize it until we're gone. Without you who takes the time to actually teach the younger kids things other than swinging a sword or murdering things. And without me who patches up all the innumerable injuries that happen every second. We're givers, and don't need constant acknowledgement. Though, I won't lie, slight recognition wouldn't be the worst.”[/color] He chuckled again, his smile growing wider and the pretty boy look that was so hard to get annoyed at showed up. 

[color=DBA901]”But no, I don't think so. Probably would be intrigued. Though with the best character already taken that might make em a bit annoyed. But hey, they can't all be me.”[/color] he gives a wink and instead of giggling Chandler's full melodic laugh sounds.

The soft sound of her chuckle fell into the air, and shifting slightly in her seat, Richelle folded her legs up underneath her body. A lightly playful glint sparkling behind her eyes as she let them flick over to where her cousin was lounging. The mug lifting to rest in front of her lips, [color=#F0C75E]”.. Heh.. careful now, Chandler. Your father’s ego is showing.”[/color]

Head shaking lightly, she closed the gap between the mug and her lips. Finally sealing them against the rim as, finally, she took a drink. Allowing the caffeine to start working its way through her system now that her nerves and anxious feelings had melted away.

As the warning was given Chandler seemed to glow a bit as his smile widened and he nodded a few times as if accepting her words. [color=DBA901]”Gotta make him proud sometimes. I am my father's son after all.”[/color] He knew many campers didn't have the best relationship with their Godly parents but Chandler and Apollo got along quite well. After all, the god of the Sun did save him from juvenile hall and had always been there when he needed, which wasn't a lot, as Chandler did his best not to rely on said God to always be prepared to console him. 

But, other than feeling pride in himself and his parentage, Chandler was also glad to see Rickie relaxing and laughing. He was pretty good at cheering her up and there weren't many people in camp who could fully resist a child of Apollo when they turned on full charm mode, but it still made him feel good to help.

[color=#F0C75E]”.. well, at least one of us does.”[/color] Shaking her head lightly, another soft chuckle falling lightly from between her lips, Rickie couldn’t help but roll her eyes. A small, though genuine smile dancing over her features as she lowered her mug back down. Letting it rest in her lap.

[color=#F0C75E]”.. I swear because of him, I’m like the dumbest smart person around.”[/color]
[/sub][/indent][/color]
[/cell]
[/row]
[/table]