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[color=bd1664][b]#bd1664[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/AO4jQCK][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=b45f06][b]#b45f06[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]main hall[/b][/color]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]Somewhere in the middle of nursing her already stuffed belly, Andy heard voices as the door opened to the hall. She looked over and saw Evelyn who flashed her a friendly smile. She was taken aback seeing River as the redhead’s dining companion. She returned the smile with her own, paying no mind to the son of Poseidon. She was far too stuffed and drained from their first conversation that she had no intentions of opening back up that can of worms. [i]Gross, a can of worms.[/i] Her stomach gurgled unhappily at the thought. 

It really was horrible having to eat that much food. It always made Andy feel lethargic and uncomfortable. She would have stopped over half a plate ago, but knowing how much magic she’d need to use to prepare for the party, there weren’t many options. Hell, she wouldn’t be surprised if halfway through she needed more food. It was still better than the alternative, exhaustion or passing out. She recalled, early in the rebuilding process, being found by a random camper unconscious on the ground because she overexerted herself. She was lucky  that Trinity and Mason never found out. She didn’t need to test her luck a second time.

Andy leaned back in her chair, rubbing her belly and puffing out her lips like a dad on Thanksgiving. All she needed to do was unbutton her pants and she’d paint the perfect picture. A [i]very[/i] dramatic sigh startled her, unaware that there was anyone lingering around her. She rolled her eyes knowing full well who’s melodramatic antics it was. [color=47815a]"Boy it’s too bad I don’t have any mystery to my parentage anymore. Too bad if I didn’t want people to know I could conjure stuff."[/color] She mocked him playfully as he monologued. 

[color=bd1664]"You obviously need a whole new sister. Throw the old one out. Useless,"[/color] she teased, calling after him as he left her to go sit with Evelyn. Somewhere in her misery, Andy must have missed River leaving. [i]Shucks.[/i] While it took all of five minutes for the new leader to piss her off, it was never her intention to be on bad terms with anyone. Maybe if he wasn’t a jerk the next time they talked, she’d apologize… [i]Maybe.[/i]

The Main Hall was getting busier as more demigods wandered inside to get something to eat or in tow of whichever tour guide took them under their wing. Andy was a little surprised she hadn’t been bugged with questions, but she wasn’t mad about it either. There were plenty of people around camp able to give the exact same answers she would have. Then she wouldn’t have to try to pleasantly remove herself from a conversation to go work on her to do list. By that point it was nearly ten in the morning and she still hadn’t achieved anything. [i]No, give yourself some credit,[/i] she told herself. She showered and ate, that was something. 

She’d allow herself a little more time to relax before getting to work. Andy let her mind wonder as she absently pushed food around her plate. Somehow she managed to miss Blair entering the Hall, surprising considering that girl demanded attention everywhere she went. But the vixen caught her attention when she started waving and making eyes at Mason. When Blair’s gaze drifted over to her, Andy’s brows furrowed as she stabbed a piece of food with her fork. Ok, it probably was a little more aggressive than it needed to be, but between Eve and now Blair, she was getting tired of girls getting too familiar with what was hers. She watched intently as Mason walked over to her table and exchanged a few words. Since when did he become such a slut magnet? Sure, he was hot. She was [i]very[/i] aware of that but—

[color=b45f06]"Hello?"[/color] She snapped her attention away from Blair to see Mason was now seated across from her, his head dipped to meet her gaze.

She laughed awkwardly and dropped her fork onto her plate. [color=bd1664]"What was that about?"[/color] she asked, nodding her head in Blair’s direction. Andy was not good at subtlety, and given the bullshit Eve pulled when she was still at camp, he couldn’t blame her for asking. 

[color=b45f06]"Asked for her number,"[/color] he said dismissively with a frown. What did she think [i]that[/i] was about? But given Andy’s history… Mason gave a more genuine answer. [color=b45f06]"I told her she’s barking up the wrong tree and nothing will happen."[/color] He studied Andy’s reaction intently. Mason wanted to assure her he wasn’t a total screw up in whatever they had or [i]could[/i] have.

[color=bd1664]"Ha. Ha. You’re a real comedian."[/color] While Andy brushed his first comment off as a joke, it still made her chest tighten until he confirmed otherwise. She exhaled softly in relief. While it seemed like a small gesture, it meant a lot to her. [color=bd1664]"Thank you,"[/color] she whispered with a slight smile. She trusted Mason with her life, which he had been a guardian of multiple times. But Blair? Andy didn’t trust her within a mile of anything with a penis.

[color=b45f06]"Why are you throwing a party?"[/color] he asked, pulling her back out of her thoughts. He held up his hands innocently. She wasn’t surprised that was the question that lingered on his mind. It was no secret he detested social gatherings, although she imagined they were a bit better without the Valises lingering around. [color=b45f06]"Not attacking, just asking. Just after the last one… I’m surprised you want another."[/color] 

Mason’s point was well founded. It was unlikely she’d ever forget what happened during the last party and she knew he hated them. Andy wouldn’t have been surprised if he elected to stay back at his cabin. After all, it was usually her who had to drag him out in the first place. She inhaled, preparing to reply, when she noticed him smirk unknowingly. [color=b45f06]"Not that it was all bad,"[/color] he admitted aloud. 

Andy’s cheeks flushed as a bashful smile crossed her lips. So much of what they had together had been private that hearing him admit it openly was surprising… In a good way. [color=bd1664]"There were some good parts,"[/color] she agreed while holding his gaze. Thinking back on their time together in that closet made her pulse quicken and her breath catch in her chest. She cleared her throat and adjusted in her seat. [color=bd1664]"Well, luckily for you, with Alex gone, the chances of me being murdered are significantly lower,"[/color] she joked. 

She pushed her plate to the side with a grimace. The site of the remaining food was enough to make her nauseous, let alone the smell of it. She sighed, lacing her fingers together and resting her hands on the table in front of her. [color=bd1664]"It’s a holiday. And I thought… After everything that happened, it might be nice to pretend we’re normal for one night."[/color] Andy shrugged her shoulders. [color=bd1664]"If I had known the Gods were going to dump over a dozen demigods in our laps I might have waited, but… Camp has been pretty depressing and we deserve to have fun."[/color]

Mason barely suppressed an eye roll. He could admit the original campers stuck healing and trying to put camp together deserved ‘fun,’ but this new batch arriving on NYE seemed like the Gods had a knack for irony… and it meant more people and drunks.

Her thumbs twirled around one another as she studied his face. [color=bd1664]"Do you plan on going?"[/color] Andy asked hesitantly. Even mad at him, she still missed Mason like mad. Just sitting across from him took more self control than she cared to admit to keep from reaching out and taking his hand. So, of course she wanted him to go. Hell, she spent over a week finding the perfect outfit that she hoped would drive him crazy, knowing full well that there was a chance he wouldn’t attend. They hadn’t really had the opportunity to do anything together as a couple… If that’s even what they were. It was hard telling those days. 

Mason wriggled in his seat uncomfortably. Why was it suddenly hard to say ‘no’? [color=b45f06]"I…"[/color] he began.


[color=bd1664]"Trinity and I talked about getting ready together,"[/color] Andy cut him off with her usual nervous babble, hoping to stop him from saying no. [color=bd1664]"We thought we could try and look cute—For New Year’s,"[/color] she quickly added, blushing. That was a lie, if it wasn't blatantly obvious at that point. [i]Christ, what are you doing? Just spell it out, why don’t you?[/i] 

A brow shot up before he formed a full fledged smile. Girls had a thing for looking cute at outings but between Trinity and Andy, there were a couple of flags. He tried not to smile right at her and give her some credit for a terrible outright excuse, but it was hard. [color=b45f06]"Well, I wouldn’t want to miss that."[/color] Mason looked her over, doubting she’d have to try very hard.

She smiled, a little mischievousness—maybe even flirtation—behind her eyes. [color=bd1664]"Good."[/color]

Mason cleared his throat, changing the subject. [color=b45f06]"How are you anyway?"[/color] He looked down at her arm.

Out of reflex, Andy’s right hand went to hold her left forearm. [color=bd1664]"I’m healed. It’s ugly as hell. Looks like I shoved my arm in a garbage disposal."[/color] She laughed weakly, her thumb subconsciously stroking her arm. [color=bd1664]"I haven’t been sleeping well. If it’s not nightmares about the box, then it’s nightmares about the Underworld."[/color] She shrugged her shoulders and sighed. At that point it was part of her daily life. [color=bd1664]"I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since… [i]Hmm,[/i]"[/color] she mused. Her voice trailed off, not finishing her thought. She knew exactly when the last time was. She hesitantly let her gaze meet his... It was the last night she spent with him.

As usual, Andy’s nightmares made sense and he found himself nodding along. All of it checked out. Until she trailed off. Mason thought it might have been the company of a certain Valis that warranted her last good night’s sleep but something in the way she looked at him said it might’ve been him. [color=b45f06]"You could’ve come over whenever you liked."[/color] [color=b45f06][i]And stayed.[/i][/color] But she probably knew that already. She was just too mad at him.

[color=bd1664]"... I know,"[/color] she whispered. Sadness and regret clung to her words as her gaze fell to her hands. They both held grudges and were stubborn as hell. It wasn’t a secret to either of them. And honestly, Andy forgave him when he apologized… She always forgave him. But that time Mason’s words stung more than they ever had before. Maybe that’s because he said it not a day after telling her he loved her. She knew her distance and coldness hurt him as much as it hurt her. In the end it just showed how scared she was of being hurt again. She had always been open and vulnerable with him. But now Mason held the pieces to shatter her completely. He had all of her.

She held his gaze for a long moment in silence. She looked over to his torso, sizing up his posture and how he moved. If Andy didn’t know any better she never would have known he had been broken as badly as he was. [color=bd1664]"How are you? Last I checked your bruises were gone."[/color]

[color=b45f06]"Ha."[/color] He rubbed over his ribs self consciously. [color=b45f06]"I’m less blue and purple if that’s what you mean. Slower than I want to be still. Otherwise, I’m great."[/color] Mason tilted his head side to side. [color=b45f06]"Still tentative."[/color] He tried to twist side to side testing his own mobility but grimaced. He left out he was only doing so well because he may have threatened and demanded some healers help out.

Andy’s brows knit together concerned over his well being. [color=bd1664]"Maybe…"[/color] She sighed, not wanting to admit what she was about to suggest. [color=bd1664]"Maybe you should skip the party and rest"[/color] His health was more important than a party he [i]didn’t[/i] want to go to and a dumb outfit she put together. Sure, she might have picked it out with him in mind, but she could always shelf it for another time.

He was a little surprised the one usually forcing him to parties was now backtracking in the name of rest. Still, he mulled it over because she had a point. [color=b45f06]"Maybe,"[/color] was all he said with a small shrug.

[color=b45f06]"How are you feeling about the whole leader thing?"[/color] he asked, changing topics.

Andy snorted and rolled her eyes. [color=bd1664]"Oh, him?"[/color] She tapped her fingers on the table. [color=bd1664]"He arrived with his sister shortly after the announcements. Looks like Poseidon fucked around enough that when two of his kids die he can easily replace them."[/color] She raised her brows and flashed an annoyed smile. [color=bd1664]"He’s kind of a dick,"[/color] she added with a sigh. [color=bd1664]"Wants to train us to death and tried to cancel the party in lieu of training. I told him no."[/color] She laughed mischievously at her own stubbornness. Something Mason was very familiar with.

Didn’t Andy grow some opinions. Mason was a bit taken back but at least she was informed. [color=b45f06]"A. All Gods are dicks. B. None of that surprises me. C. I asked how you were [i]feeling.[/i]"[/color]

She shrugged her shoulders. [color=bd1664]"Not sure why we really needed one,"[/color] she admitted. [color=bd1664]"But we know I’m not favorable among the Gods."[/color]

Mason shoved their plates further aside and grabbed her hands as she went on about the Gods still and leadership and this dick character. [color=b45f06]"Andy. One more time. Don’t make me say it again. How are [i]you feeling[/i] about it?"[/color] He hated emotions and touchy feely shit. He was trying to do the right thing to gauge her stance on being replaced. Mason was under the impression, that while it wasn’t a big deal, it was a role she had come into. People trusted her overall, she was a people person, had the camp’s interest at heart, blah blah. All the right ingredients of a leader since they needed one so direly. 

Her gaze fell to their hands when he took hers into his grasp. Andy’s breath caught in her chest as she tried to swallow the growing lump in her throat. Whether intentional or not, her hands clung to his like he was her lifeline and she was drowning. She knew he asked her a question, but it fell on deaf ears. Her mind rushed with a wave of emotions, aching, and the pounding of her own pulse. Whatever cold and callous shell remained around her shattered with his touch. Tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. She tried to blink them away, but a single bead escaped and ran down her cheek. 

Mason’s eyes widened as she sat quiet and began to notice her eyes well up. Now what on earth had he done? 


Andy slowly looked up until she met his gaze. [color=bd1664]"... I miss you,"[/color] she admitted with a cracked voice, barely louder than a whisper.

He flicked up a small smile immediately relieved he hadn’t hurt her feelings and to hear she missed him.  [color=b45f06]"I miss you too. But I’m right here. And you know where my cabin is."[/color] Mason squeezed her hands before withdrawing slowly. [color=b45f06]"You can call on me anytime. Whether you’re mad or sad, whatever."[/color] He may not have been the best vent buddy but Mason was always there for her. As long as she knew that.

She inhaled sharply when he withdrew his hands. [color=bd1664]"Yeah, well…"[/color] Andy started as she wiped the single tear from her cheek. [color=bd1664]"You don’t always make it easy to be emotional, Mason."[/color] Case and point. When she got sad and emotional he gave halfhearted sympathies and pulled away. She didn’t want to keep being mad at him. She did, truly, miss him more than words could explain. But there were also times when she wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake some sense into him. He could be so sweet, yet also so infuriating. [i]Why were guys like that?[/i]

He sighed out at her honest feedback, fair as it may have been. Mason shook his head to himself slowly at a loss for words. He tried but he just wasn’t very good evidently. There were things he wanted to do, hold her, kiss her, tell her everything was going to be okay but there was a bigger barrier in place. He just hoped Andy could bear with him. She knew he wasn’t open like that yet. She got what he could give.

[color=b45f06]"I’ll go to this party,"[/color] Mason said instead. It was the least he could do and another form of supporting Andy, since she was the host. While she definitely didn’t need him there, it would still be nice to attend, for her, and he wasn’t that hurt.

[color=bd1664]"Don’t sound too excited,"[/color] she said, trying to bring some levity back to the conversation. Andy glanced over her shoulder at the clock that hung on the wall by the entrance. [i]10:17 a.m.[/i] She sighed and gathered her dishes. [color=bd1664]"Well, this party isn’t going to set itself up."[/color] She scooted her chair out and stood up. [color=bd1664]"I guess I’ll see you tonight."[/color] She flashed him a sad smile, collected her dishes, then left the table. 

That could have gone better. But it also could have gone worse. Mason blew out his lips before resting his forehead on his knuckles.


Andy had discarded her plate and was nearly to the door when she realized she never answered his question. For a moment she considered going back. But whatever part of her that wanted to talk about how she felt had shut down. She wanted nothing more than to be alone, so engrossed in tasks that she didn’t have time to think about anything other than what she was doing. She glanced over at Mason from the corner of her eyes one last time before she opened the door and went back outside. 
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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] daniel [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] evelyn, river & blair [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [@Sir Sparky][/color]
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