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[color=86a8ad][b]#86a8ad[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/ppFTS1k][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]main hall > his cabin[/b][/color]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]Evelyn’s laugh at his posed question made him raise a brow and look over at her curiously. [color=ffc300]"You don’t give much chances?"[/color] River didn’t respond, but he supposed she was right. First impressions often weighed heaviest with him. What was it Ocean called him? A stubborn unyielding grump? Guess he was living up to that. [color=ffc300]"“A lot of demigods find this place their home. Some even have a sort of trauma bond to the place and each other. As for whether I like the place… I don’t mind it. Structurally speaking I find it spacious and versatile."[/color] That didn’t answer the question. [color=ffc300]"Internally it’s… rarely dull."[/color] Neither did that. River wasn’t going to pry. He wasn’t known to be persuasive anyway. But her answer gave little insight into her own feelings. He wanted the opinion of someone who, at least, didn’t jump down his throat two seconds upon his arrival. He figured he’d have to make his own judgments.

[color=ffc300]"Would my opinion have swayed you either way?"[/color] she asked. 

[color=86a8ad]"I wasn’t looking to be swayed."[/color] River slid his hands into his pockets, leaving his thumbs hanging out just enough to tap his leg. It was subconscious and he rarely noticed he did it. Could have been a tick. [color=86a8ad]"I was assessing,"[/color] he admitted, glancing over at the red head. 

River got lost in his own train of thought, weighing her words, his own observations, and what his father had told him. There wasn’t an end goal in getting her thoughts beyond understanding others’ opinions. But any information was good information… Or relatively. He couldn’t effectively lead a group of people he didn’t know without insight into their thoughts and feelings. He learned Andy’s prerogative rather quickly, but Evelyn was proving to be a bit elusive. Conversing was not one of his strong suits, so there was definitely no way he was going to coax anymore from her. At least she wasn’t yelling at him… [i]Yet.[/i]

A nudge in the arm pulled River out of his head. His gaze fell to the redhead who bumped into him to get his attention. [color=ffc300]"Relax a little and don’t insult camp in front of the locals,"[/color] Evelyn whispered to him while she still stood close. 

Surprisingly, River actually chuckled, just a little, but it was still a laugh. His right hand raised and rubbed the back of his neck. [color=86a8ad]"You sure you haven’t been talking to my sister?"[/color] he asked with a lopsided smile. [color=86a8ad]"She’s always saying I’m too tense or serious… Or grumpy."[/color]

As they neared the Main Hall, he noticed Ocean exiting with another girl, presumably an older camper. River had no intentions of bugging her or anything. She was always the more social one of the two of them. He had no doubt she was going to thrive at camp and make friends significantly easier than himself. He raised a finger and pointed to her. [color=86a8ad]"That’s my sister, Ocean. She’s the more personable one… And better company."[/color] He tried to make a small joke at his own expense. He was under no illusions that he was great company. 

Evelyn led the way inside and held the door open behind her for him. River probably should have gone ahead and got that for her, but it slipped his mind until it was too late. [color=ffc300]"Where’d you get your impression of camp anyway?"[/color]

He followed her around like a lost pup. That’s what you were supposed to do when having a conversation with someone, right? River didn’t have a clue. [color=86a8ad]"Uh, Poseidon… My dad. He painted a pretty vivid picture,"[/color] he replied, watching the small exchange of smiles between Evelyn and Andy. So, they were at least on friendly terms. Noted.

River followed suit, grabbing a plate and packing it full of food without hesitation. It was a long hike to camp and he was famished. He grabbed anything and everything that looked remotely appetizing within an arm's reach. His mountain of sustenance was only rivaled by the one Andy was elbows deep in. He had his opinions about her, but the girl packed food away like a linebacker, which was surprising considering how skinny she was. 

He continued to trail after Evelyn and took a seat opposite her. No sooner did his butt hit the chair, she resumed their conversation. [color=ffc300]"I’m not the greatest guide and I don’t have much exclusive knowledge. But if you want a detailed run down there’s a few I could point you in the direction of."[/color]

[color=86a8ad]"And let me guess, one of those people would be Andy?"[/color] River asked with a knowing smile and a side glance toward the girl in question. [color=86a8ad]"I think she'd rather eat broken glass than talk to me again,"[/color] he mused before taking a bite of his food. For what it was worth, camp might blow but the food was good. Silver linings. [color=86a8ad]"The layout of camp seems pretty straight forward. I think I can manage. And I’ve never been much for gossip. I think knowing camp exploits and drama would only sully my opinion more."[/color]

River let a [i]somewhat[/i] comfortable silence fall between them as they both ate. He was still terrible at socializing, but at least he had something to keep him busy so he didn’t feel the need to fill the silence. Toward the end of his meal, in between bites, he noticed a dark brooding male in the back corner of the hall. If he hadn’t been looking around aimlessly he might have missed him entirely. Otherwise, the cafeteria looked to be empty, at least for the time being. 
He stacked a piece of sausage and pancake onto his fork, then looked across the table at Evelyn. [color=86a8ad]"If there’s somewhere else you’d rather be, I won’t stop you."[/color] River ate the bite of food and swallowed before continuing. [color=86a8ad]"I’ve been made very aware that I have the personality of a rock."[/color] His voice had the faintest hint of sarcasm and he flashed a tightlipped smile. But under the slight self-deprecation there was a sad truth. No one liked being told how boring and uptight they were regularly, especially River. But if he said it first it hurt less and he avoided embarrassment. 

River looked up and met Evelyn’s gaze, even managing a small genuine smile that tugged at one corner of his mouth just slightly. [color=86a8ad]"Thanks for uh… Being decent. It’s been nice having a normal conversation before everyone hates me tomorrow."[/color] He let out a brief defeated chuckle and shook his head. If the rest of the campers were anything like Andy, that day was most likely the first and last day anyone would be nice to him. Perhaps he needed to consider taking advantage of that stupid party later before everyone was against him. 

When he had finished eating, River stood up and took his and Evelyn’s plates. [color=86a8ad]"It was nice meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you at this party [i]thing[/i] tonight."[/color] He rolled his eyes, obviously finding the idea of a party kind of ridiculous. But knowing Ocean, she’d keep nagging him until he agreed to go. Easier to just decide to go now and avoid the argument. He rapped the knuckles of his free hand against the table and nodded his head toward her. He took care of both of their dishes and exited the Main Hall before him and Andy got into another argument. 

With a stomach full of food and his social battery drained, River wanted nothing more than to pass out and be dead to the world. He weaved his way through campers like a zombie. He might have nodded or flashed a brief smile if someone made eye contact with him, but otherwise he didn’t linger. Luckily his cabin wasn’t far. By the time he reached the porch, his legs felt like they were full of lead. He climbed the stairs half stomping, half dragging his feet. He couldn’t be bothered attempting to make his way to his bedroom on the second floor. The couch looked comfortable enough. He collapsed face down with a thud, and within five minutes he was out cold.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] evelyn [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] ocean, andy & mason [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none[/color]
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