[center][h1][color=f7941d]Ace Hendrix[/color] | [color=0054a6]Ocean Sullivan[/color][/h1]
[indent][sub][color=gray]An[/color] [color=f7941d]Expllo[/color] [color=gray]&[/color] [color=0054a6]@Palindrome[/color] [color=gray]production![/color][/sub][/indent]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3xIADK-Sjw[/youtube]
[indent][sub][color=f7941d]Show me why you're always smiling[/color]
[color=0054a6]Laugh again and...[/color][/sub][/indent][/center]

Ace released a hiss of breath as he pressed against his tender nose. The bridge was still slightly misshapen, with violet and blotched red from healing capillaries. The bruising radiated outward, a harsh mask of pain and slow recovery. It would definitely be a while before he was one hundred percent, but the new revelation of his father being a God opened his eyes as to why he could always bounce back from injury faster than others. He met his own reflection, eyes still slightly red from an hour–or two–of crying. Now that the flood was over, there was nothing left—no anger, no sadness, no relief. His body felt disconnected, like he was floating just outside of himself. Muscles slack, shoulders hunched, breath shallow but even. It wasn’t peace. It wasn’t calm. It was just [I]empty[/I]. [I]Numbness[/I]. An emotional exhaustion had taken its place, like his heart had simply gone quiet from overuse.

Ace had showered to get the remaining dried blood and dirt off of him. His knuckles were clean, but still bruised from pounding someone’s face into the ground. His hair, once stiff with dirt and dried blood, hung wet and loose around his face, the blond returning to its usual light hue. His clothes were still damp from the snow, but he pulled them on anyway—shirt clinging slightly, jeans stiff with cold. Ace threw on his hoodie last. The fabric chilled, smelling faintly of wet fabric and the outside air. He had to find a new change of clothes, and fast. Sloane had recommended the main hall for a spare coat, but hopefully they had more.

Ace hesitated at the door of the small cabin. Warmth pulsed behind him—thick, wood-heated air that clung to his skin and made his bones feel like they might finally thaw. He couldn’t allow himself to be comfortable yet. He was here to stay, and if the cold came with it then he would have to learn how to adapt. The moment he stepped outside, the cold slammed into him like a wall—brutal and sharp, hitting the wet spots on his clothes first. His hoodie grew colder instantly, stiffening at the shoulders. The snow crunched beneath his feet, loud in the silence. His breath came out in quick, visible bursts. Ace kept his head down as he walked, not from shame or fear of people seeing him, rather just to keep the wind off his face. The walk didn’t seem far at first, but he had Sloane to talk to and Rocco to play with. Alone, with his thoughts in the cold, the walk seemed to stretch forever to the point he almost felt lost. Was this the long way or… ? Once he was warm enough, he would have to take a walk around the entire camp to memorize the best shortcuts.

Then, as he looked up, spotted a woman not too far away. Ace recognized her when everyone was pouring in, but didn’t pay too much attention at the time. Now that he was closer, he was able to fully take her in. She was gorgeous. Her dark hair fell in loose waves from beneath a knit hat, a few strands brushing her cheeks, flushed gently from the cold. Her eyes were deep, but warm, holding a light that seemed to see more than just the surface, like they carried entire… oceans behind them. He caught her gaze, and quickly looked away. Was this another, cruel, joke Hermes was pulling on him? To send him here in a hoodie was one thing. Throwing him in the jungle surrounded by [I]wolves[/I] was another. 

He sighed as he passed her, before stopping and turning. [color=f7941d]“Uh, ‘scuse me miss?”[/color] He asked softly, voice strained and raspy still from the crying session. He cleared the tightness out his throat, before pointing his finger forward. [color=f7941d]“You seem pretty comfortable around here… Main Hall is this way, right? Lost and found?”[/color] It was a genuine question. Ace was so laser focused on getting to warmth that he didn’t bother to actually look at any signs on the passing buildings.

Ocean had made it halfway down the path when a person crossed her path. She slowed her steps for a moment and looked up to see who had stepped onto the path and her eyebrows raised in recognition. It was the man she had spied while on her way to the main hall earlier that morning. His face was still covered in bruises and his pants and hoodie had dark spots, wet from the cold snow. She met his eyes for a second and found herself unable to look away. They were dark, almost void of light- even in the daytime. Embarrassment curled in her stomach as she realized she stared a little longer than she should have and she wrenched her eyes away to continue on the path back to her cabin. 

She wondered what kind of guy he had to be to be covered in bruises like that. Ocean had had her fair share of bruises growing up and training with River and Poseidon, but those didn’t look like training bruises. He had definitely been in an actual fight. She thought to Iliana and her medical salves. Maybe she had something that would help? 

She’d made it a few steps past him before she was stopped by his rough voice calling out to her. She paused and turned slightly so she could glance at him. [color=0054a6]“...Yes?”[/color] Ocean raised her eyebrows and faced him fully when he stated his observation and asked his question about the lost and found. She was new like him and most certainly did not know the ins and outs of camp quite yet, but she supposed the way she carried herself betrayed her lack of information. 

[color=0054a6]“I don’t know about the lost and found, but yeah the Main Hall is that way. Might be faster to cut across the activities field though or go the other way around…”[/color] Ocean noticed the way he tensed every now and then and she pursed her lips, once again acknowledging her earlier thoughts of him being cold and miserable. The thought to help him crossed her mind and she opened her mouth to offer help, only to hesitate. 

[I]“Don’t trust anyone. You’re not there to make friends, Ocean.”[/I] Her father’s voice echoed in her head. 

She didn’t usually disobey her father, but Ocean wasn’t jaded like he was and she couldn’t ignore the guy in front of her. [color=0054a6]“I can take you there. If you want?”[/color] She willed the cold water that had accumulated in his clothes towards her before letting it drop to the ground. [color=0054a6]“Why aren’t you wearing proper clothes?”[/color] She voiced her original thoughts, baffled that somebody would come so unprepared, though embarrassment followed soon after once she realized how blunt and judgemental she sounded.

Ace felt it first in his sleeves - a pull, a soft tug, as the wetness lifted from the fabric like steam. The sensation could only be described as… [i]impossible[/i] as the cold didn’t leave him, but was drawn out of him. His hoodie, once soggy and dark with moisture, now faded dark grey to its original color. His jeans no longer clinged to his legs. Even his socks felt dry and warm in his boots, like he’d just pulled them on straight from the cabin heater. Maybe that one was an exaggeration - but he never felt warmer out in the snow. His widened eyes watched as the orb of water separating them collapsed in the snow with a soft [i]plop[/i]. There was an air of silence as the second, casual, demonstration of godly power was performed right in front of him. The third in the span of twenty-four hours, and he was still barely processing the first.

He allowed a light smile to crawl across his face, though as genuine as it looked, it was obviously forced. [color=f7941d]“Hell of a trick. When I first saw you I thought maybe you’d be the daughter of some kind of beauty god,”[/color] [i]or whatever the fuck her name was[/i], [color=f7941d]“I’m happy that it’s the fuckin’ water guy.”[/color] [i]Or girl?[/i] Ace wasn’t too knowledgeable on the subject. High school drop out that barely paid attention in the class, though he could put two and two together. His statement was genuine, however. Ace was prepared to suffer through the cold until he got to the hall, but was happy it was no longer a problem.

[color=f7941d]“But to answer ya’ question… I think it’s Hermes' idea of a sick joke? Or maybe he just doesn’t give a fuck?”[/color] Ace shrugged. [color=f7941d]“One moment I’m in Arizona, the next I’m here. And we don’t particularly dress for this weather where I’m from.”[/color]

He chuckled. [color=f7941d]“So that brings me here… looking for [i]proper[/i] clothes, as you put it.”[/color] His smirk became genuine as he nudged his head towards the activities field with a raised brow. [color=f7941d]“Lead the way?”[/color]

Ocean raised an eyebrow and lightly glanced to the heavens for a second when her new companion related her to a child of a beauty god. She didn’t know about other Greek beauty gods (she couldn’t be bothered with anyone except the main ones), but she did know about Aphrodite. She knew there were stories of women being cursed because of being compared to Aphrodite herself and she sincerely hoped that being compared to one of her children (or another beauty god's child) wasn’t considered an insult. Nevertheless, Ocean felt slightly flustered by the unexpected compliment. 

[color=0054a6]“Thanks, I think,”[/color] she replied when he said he was glad her dad was ‘the water guy’. 

Ocean felt her lips tilt upward in a small, genuine smile. He was kind of funny, she mused. Ocean felt drawn to his brash language and lack of Greek god knowledge. It was almost like a breath of fresh air, away from the high expectations her father and her brother had. [color=0054a6]“While water manipulation is convenient, I’m afraid I don’t have the power to make you nice and warm. That would require… fire, probably.”[/color]

Ocean found that she could relate a little to him when it came to warm weather. [color=0054a6]“I understand. I’m from Hawai’i. While it’s not dry like Arizona, we don’t get snow or freezing temperatures.”[/color] Ocean realized that she was glad her dad was Poseidon and not Hermes in this instance. She knew the gods were a piece of work, but Hermes seemed to be the icing on the cake.

He gestured towards the activities field with an invite for her to lead the way and Ocean complied with a small nod. She held out her hand once they began walking. [color=0054a6]“I’m Ocean.”[/color]

Ace’s breath caught in his throat slightly as he watched her smile. His face warmed with red, betraying thoughts he couldn’t hide as he blushed. His eyes were drawn helplessly to the small dimples that appeared on either side of her mouth. They gave her an effortless charm, a sweetness that tugged at him. Ace barely noticed anything else in the hum of conversation. He wasn’t sure if he was smiling too, or just staring like an idiot caught in a dazzled awe. Ace shook Ocean’s hand, gingerly. [color=f7941d]“Ace.”[/color] He simply stated, blinking before his eyes hesitantly trailed elsewhere.

Ace allowed his hands to slip back into his pockets as he matched her pace, no longer speed walking thanks to the ever-so-convenient run in with Poseidon’s daughter. So far everyone he’d run into seemed to have an understanding, or knowledge, of what came with being the child of a God. That ‘Andy’ chick from earlier seemed to have some power relating to magical conjurations, if his memory served him correct. Which it always did. Ocean clearly had powers relating to water. While Sloane didn’t show him anything, it seemed she had a clear understanding of this life. An unknowing sigh escaped his lips. He clearly had some catching up to do, as he had no idea what he was capable of. Clearly some form of speed, and small-range teleportation? But he was lost, and so far no sign of any other Hermes kid to study.

The wind hitting his nose made him wince and break out of his trance. They were halfway through the field now, with that air of silence falling between them once more. That pink flush rose from his neck again, realizing he was spacing out. Ace just hoped Ocean hadn’t attempted to speak to him during his episode, but he wasn’t even sure why he cared. He glanced over to break the silence, or rather, his perceived silence.

[color=f7941d]”So, Ocean from Hawai’i…”[/color] Ace began, but figured he probably shouldn’t push too far asking about her abilities. Something told him while this girl was nice, she likely wasn’t [I]that[/I] open. He was quick-thinking in changing his topic.  [color=f7941d]”Given all the snow… ya’ miss home already?”[/color] Ace smirked once again. [color=f7941d]”What’s it like growing up there?[/color]

The start of their walk to the main hall was quiet, but not awkwardly so. Ocean wasn’t much of a talker and Ace seemed lost in his thoughts, so Ocean just let him be, only perking up when he asked her about her home. She wondered how much she wanted to reveal to this man, but realized that if she wanted to make at least a couple of friends, she’d have to be somewhat forthcoming with information about herself. He seemed trustworthy enough- at least, Ocean didn’t get any big red flags from him. Though she wouldn’t trust herself to be the voice of reason when it came to red flags. She never had friends.

[color=0054a6]“This is my first time seeing snow in person, so it was a big change from the beach weather I’m always so used to,”[/color] Ocean fixed her eyes on a spot ahead of them as she talked and remembered what she loved about her home. 

[color=0054a6]“I wouldn’t say I miss Hawai’i itself, but I miss being so close to the ocean. And my mom.”[/color] Ocean turned to look at Ace, making eye contact. [color=0054a6]“Don’t get me wrong, I love Hawai’i. The weather was always perfect and the rain was warm… but if I didn’t have family there, I probably wouldn’t have much reason to go back.”[/color]

Hawai’i and home had a lot of memories for Ocean- good and bad. It was her paradise as much as it was her prison of isolation. She didn’t have friends and most of her time was spent surfing or training with Poseidon and River- which was hell 90% of the time. If something ever happened to her mom and Ocean didn’t have to go back to Hawai’i, she probably wouldn’t. [color=0054a6]“It helps that I kind of brought a part of home with me, though. My brother is here too,”[/color] she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. [color=0054a6]“What about you? Do you miss home?”[/color]

Ocean was curious what Ace’s home life was like. She could tell the bruises on his face weren’t from that day, which means he must’ve gotten them at home or during transport to Greece. She hoped she didn’t hit a nerve and if she did, that he’d be understanding, but there was also a part of her that was excited to hear about how he got the bruises. He definitely seemed to live a life that was more exciting than hers- at least, judging by his appearance.

Ace listens intently as she speaks of home, not taking his eyes off her even as she looks away momentarily. From what he could gather it seemed she came from a decent home. Unlike Sloane, the mention of her brother seemed to hold more… affection, and openness. A laugh escaped his lips once she asked of his home, more bitter than he would have initially liked. His eyes finally dropped, as his hand ran across the beaded bracelet around his wrist.

[color=f7941d]”I guess you could say I miss what it used to be…”[/color] Ace shrugged. [color=f7941d]”Anything, rather anyone, worth missing is gone now…”[/color] [I]save for one[/i] but Jordan wasn’t a box Ace was willing to open right now, if ever.

[color=f7941d]”And I guess it is nice to not be sellin’ vicodin anymore, or cocaine, or robbing gas stations, or be worried about fuckin’ police shootouts…”[/color] As he spoke his hand moved instinctively, fingers ticking off each point like a metronome. [color=f7941d]”Or getting hit in the face with a crowbar for that matter.”[/color] Ace met her eyes, and despite the subject matter, his bruised face flashed a grin. Ace wasn’t sure why he felt comfortable telling her all of this. The poor girl probably couldn’t even spell Vicodin, let alone know what it really was.

[color=f7941d]”So take it from someone like me when I say anything can happen, at any moment. Keep that brother of yours close, he may be the only person you truly have here in the end.”[/color] He shrugged again. [color=f7941d]”So let me guess, his name is Pond? Lake? What’s he like?”[/color]

Despite the somewhat depressing explanation he gave her, Ocean let out a small laugh when Ace started listing water names for her brother. [color=0054a6]“River, actually, but you were close.”[/color] Ocean surprised herself further when she realized she enjoyed Ace’s company. She didn’t feel like she needed to close herself off as much as she was and Ace didn’t seem to think she was a weird, lonely water woman like her peers had back at home. After all, he seemed kind of weird too. Now that she thought about it, Iliana was weird too. Ocean wondered if ‘weird’ was a common demigod trait.

[color=0054a6]“River is… kind. In his own way. He’s hard on me and my training, but he wants what’s best for our family. He’s more of a ‘tough-love’ kinda guy. He can be an ass, though. He and Andy already hate each other’s guts and he’s not very adept in social situations,”[/color] It was difficult to talk about what her brother was like to other people. She loved her brother very much and she was very close to him, but others had a harder time seeing him for who he really was- mainly because he didn’t let them. 

[color=0054a6]“I’m sorry you’re alone now, but look at the upside- you probably won’t be hit in the face with any crowbars here. Or be chased by cops,”[/color] Ocean mused. [color=0054a6]“Might be hit in the face with a sword. Or a trident- which sucks, by the way. Not sure if it hurts more than a crowbar though since I’ve never experienced pain from the latter.”[/color] 

Ocean turned away from Ace to look at the main hall that was steadily approaching. She felt her face heat up slightly, embarrassed over her pointless rambling over crowbars and face injuries. Her father would be disappointed.

Tough-love kind of guy huh? The description of River reminded Ace of the old man. He was the definition of being an ass, but he never turned his back on Ace regardless of how much he screwed up. It was nice that Ocean had someone like that backing her. Ace didn’t know much about the situation with Andy, but from his perspective she seemed like the leader of this place. At least, as close to a leader that a glorified summer camp had. It didn’t seem very organized in everyone’s arrival, and her introduction was beyond spontaneous. Ace wondered if that was the reason they were already butting heads, or if it were from something bigger. Regardless, Ace knew the troubles that came with not being socially adept. It took him years to build the rigorous routine of approaching people with manners and a smile, even if he didn’t care most of the time.

Ace allowed himself to laugh at Ocean’s last comment. Something he realized he hadn’t done in… a long time. It had been a while since he let anything other than a chuckle escape. It was nice, if only for a fleeting moment. [color=f7941d]”Well shit, if the alternative is a sword or a [I]trident[/I] I think I’ll consider myself lucky for now.”[/color] Reality would settle back in when he followed her gaze towards the Main Hall. 

Ace quickened his pace a few meters, before standing in front of Ocean and turning to face her. His eyes unapologetically traced every detail of her face – every curve, every subtle nuance of her expression. His eyes lingered on the soft line of her jaw, the delicate slope of her nose, the way light danced across her cheekbones. The gentle parting of her lips, the way a single strand of hair defied gravity near her temple from when she pulled her hair behind her ear. The quiet awe silenced thoughts and pulled him into the moment. In that silence, his eyes, obsidian and still, reflected nothing but her. Finally, he spoke with a hand to his heart and a warm smile.

[color=f7941d]”I’ll also consider myself lucky for you helping me… more than once. But I don’t want to be rude and take up all ya’ time. I think I’ve got a good idea of where to go from here.”[/color] He nudged his head back towards the main hall.

[color=f7941d]”But hopefully I’ll see you and Pond-I mean, River, at the party tonight?”[/color] He asked. [color=f7941d]”I mean, even if he is an asshole, I’m sure it’ll still be a good time.”[/color]

Ocean paused in her strides when Ace sped up to stand in front of her near the entrance of the main hall. He seemed to study her for a second, before telling her he could manage the rest of the way on his own. She felt slightly disappointed in his dismissal, but she nodded nonetheless. She had been heading back to her cabin before Ace ran into her and she desperately wanted to do some unpacking and maybe get a nap in before the party tonight- even if it was only late morning. [color=0054a6]”It was no problem,”[/color] she responded in kind. [color=0054a6]“We’ll be there. Hope you find what you’re looking for.”[/color]

She gave Ace a small wave with her gloved hand and turned to head back the way she came.

[hider=TL;DR]Ace runs into Ocean and asks for direction. They have a small conversation.

Note: Don't think too deep into the song. It's a vibe :dreamy [@Palindrome][/hider]