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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]A few feet outside the main hall, Andy stopped with a sigh and ran her hands over her face. Gods, what in the hell was she doing? She couldn’t help but feel like she was falling into the same pattern. This time it was just Mason instead of Ajax. They both had said they loved her and she believed them. But what was the saying? Actions speak louder than words? When she was with Ajax, Mason’s actions all but screamed his true feelings, even if he deluded himself into ignoring them. Now that she was his, she felt a dreaded sense of deja vu. Maybe she should have stayed single and focused on herself rather than rushing into another relationship right after the previous one. 

It was too late. They were far beyond the point of no return. Either they would move past this or they wouldn’t. If Andy couldn’t forgive him or trust him again, then their entire relationship would be ruined. She understood why the friendzone existed. People were always scared of admitting feelings and the possibility of destroying a friendship. Andy and Mason were living it. This only had two outcomes… forever or ruin. That was a scary truth. But the burden wasn’t on her shoulders, even if she still felt the weight of it. 

Andy gave herself a moment to calm down and collect her thoughts. As much as she’d love to repress however she felt about the whole Mason thing, she knew it was going to fester in her mind whether she liked it or not. With a sigh, she walked toward the center of the activities field and pulled out the to do list from her pocket. She decided to start with the biggest and work her way down. That way she was less likely to burn out with the most daunting tasks still left to do. 

She extended her arms out beside her and gestured her hands in a circle around her. As she moved, the snow on the various paths surrounding the field began to stir. It spun and swirled into white cyclone and floated across the ground. She guided the snow across the clearing until it collided with the side of the arena and collapsed into the beginning of a large sledding hill. Andy swept her arms beside her, gently guiding a majority of the snow across the field toward the mound. As the white powder settled, the hill was fully formed with a couple sled lanes and two different hill heights. She left just enough snow behind that the field was lightly dusted, but nothing unmanageable to walk through. 

Trinity found Andy primping up the Activity Field likely for the party. For a moment she weighed on whether Andy would prefer space and to bury herself in her tasks but, why not have company as well as do some tasks. Trinity stepped forward and swatted at the little extra flecks of snow that had yet to settle when they came too close to her face.

[color=66356a]"Hi there stranger. Need any help?"[/color] Trinity doubted things couldn’t be managed with witchyness alone but it gave them an excuse to hang out. Not that they needed one. [color=66356a]"A nice vent while you setup for example?"[/color] she offered more to the point. If not, Trinity was equally fine to switch subjects and work beside Andy in distraction.

Andy heard the approaching footsteps before she knew the culprit. Her body tensed in anxious anticipation. When she heard Trinity’s voice she sighed, her body immediately relaxing. She pivoted on her heels, turning slightly to face the blonde.[color=bd1664]"And here I thought we [i]didn’t[/i] cause a scene,"[/color] she said with a halfhearted smile. Did she need to vent? She had no clue. She felt like that’s all she had been doing for the past three months. Rebuild, tend to the injured, bitch about Mason. She imagined there was only so much Trinity could hear before she got tired of it. Andy wouldn’t blame her. 

Her right hand waved lazily toward the arena. A large countdown clock appeared on the wall above the sledding hill, ticking down the time until midnight. She sighed, resting her hands on her hips as she looked over at Trinity. [color=bd1664]"Do you think I’m making the same mistake?"[/color] Andy couldn’t shake the sinking feeling in her gut. Maybe hearing she was, or wasn’t, would help her. Maybe it wouldn’t. In the end there was nothing anyone but Mason could say that would put her at ease. 

Trinity sighed, scratching at her nose. Even that seemed like a heavy question. One she couldn’t rightly answer. [color=66356a]"He’s an idiot,"[/color] she commented seeing her friend at unrest. [color=66356a]"Gorgeous, sure. But an idiot."[/color] Mason wasn’t gorgeous in the way Wes was, but he was a good looking guy who had the capabilities to be a good partner for Andy. But he was busy being guarded and self-sabotaging. Trinity gave a defeated sigh. [color=66356a]"I don’t know, Andy,"[/color] she admitted, giving possibly the worst answer in the universe. Ajax and Mason were both different but… What was it folks said? Both could be [i]‘emotionally unavailable’[/i] and leave Andy with the short rope.

There was silence. Andy didn’t know what to say in response to that. It wasn’t helpful nor did it put her mind at ease. Rather than replying right away, she walked into a large oval like shape while holding her hands out. Slowly an ice floor began taking shape, surrounded by a waist height railing. On either side of the gated entrance were a couple benches and shelves of various sizes of ice skates. [color=bd1664]"That’s not helpful,"[/color] she said, finally speaking up with a depressed laugh. Her gloved fingers fiddled with the edge of her coat before she looked over at Trin with a sad, tight lipped smile. [color=bd1664]"I suppose, in the end, it can only go one of two ways."[/color]

Trinity pursed her lips. Fair enough that it was unhelpful, but Trinity was hardly a love coach or in a position to advise on whether Andy was making the same mistake again or not. That was for her to find out. But, she at least observed it was either going to work out or not and the black and white result would be near. [color=66356a]"We’ll see,"[/color] she muttered.

Her mind was no less conflicted than it had been for the past three months. [i]Fantastic.[/i] Andy sighed before continuing her way around the ice rink. She had to pause for a minute to pull out her little ‘to do list’ to double check what was next. Her feet carried her to the center of the field where she conjured a large bonfire with a simple flick of her wrist. Some things were easier than others. A fire was less complicated than an ice skating rink, especially because she had manifested them before. Her fingers pointed around the large pyre, dotting the ground with various logs and chairs for people to sit on. [color=bd1664]"Should we take bets?"[/color] she mused, half to herself and half to Trinity. It wasn’t the best joke, but in the end there was only so many times she could mull over the same thing. As Mason liked to say, the ball was in his court now, dwelling on it would only make things worse.

As Trinity watched things appear and shift around, she braced a leg on a newly conjured log testing its sturdiness, able to roll it slightly and expose its underside with a push of her leg due to her strength. Well aware of what Andy meant, Trinity took the opportunity to shift gears. [color=66356a]"What? You mean who will turn extra crispy near this bonfire? Fall down the hill? Drunkards and anybody I elect to push in it."[/color] Trinity gave her pal a conspiratorial look. 

Andy rolled her eyes, electing to play along rather than continue dredging up the same bullshit. [color=bd1664]"No point betting there. Someone always makes an ass of themselves at camp parties,"[/color] she replied with a half-ass chuckle.

[color=66356a]"Always,"[/color] Trinity chimed. That, and the habit of brawls and drama breaking out, but she didn’t want to be a damper by bringing it up.

The rest of the setup seemed to pass quickly with Trinity helping to change the subject to literally anything else. They walked and talked, meanwhile Andy continued to conjure and move things around the field until they were exactly where they needed to be… And sometimes munching on a granola bar from her pocket whenever she felt a little drained. By the time she had finished there was a dancefloor with speakers and music ready to start playing at sundown. Nearby was a little pavilion where all the food and bar were stocked and ready, with their own little enchantments to keep everything at the perfect temperature, of course. 

While it didn’t take forever to get the party ready, it wasn’t quick either. By the time Andy was finished, the sun had started dipping behind the trees and painted the sky with colorful happy little accidents. They were already running out of precious time to get ready and sexy-fied, because, [i]Gods damn it[/i], if Andy was going to get drunk or heart broken that night, she wanted to look good while doing it.

[color=bd1664]"One sec,"[/color] she said to Trinity as she held up her index finger. Andy hurried off to the west, jogging past the ice rink and pavilion to get to the main office. She opened the door and stepped inside. Near the P.A. system was a large control board like something you’d see in an air traffic control tower or a spaceship. There were countless buttons, knobs and even a CCTV that was never on. She turned that off the first time she got access to the office. It felt like an invasion of privacy. But otherwise she never really touched anything. Camp magic always seemed to work fine enough. There was food or medical supplies when they needed it and it wasn’t like she was running training exercises while everyone was on bed rest. 

It took a couple minutes of staring at the various controls to find a section that looked like it controlled the weather. There was a small LCD display that showed the current temperature, 15°F -9.4°C, and the weather, snowing. She slowly turned one knob that raised the numbers like a thermostat until it read that it was warming to 75°F 23.9°C. There was another dial for the duration, but the longest she could get the temperature to stay abnormal was midnight. Most of the controls looked like they would reset every night at the turn of the new day. It wasn’t very long, but long enough for everyone to enjoy New Year’s without freezing to death. She made sure to keep the snow on for the whole winter wonderland vibes, then headed back out to Trinity. 

While the daughter of Ares waited, she leant on the rink with her arms crossed on the barrier. She hoped her efforts had sufficed as a good friend. Eyeing the icy field and blades of the skates, she next wondered if she had the capability to ice skate or even go sledding because she had never done any snow related activity before so this could make for a very interesting party and environment. As she observed the heavily modified field, she felt a change in the air, very literally. She blinked and straightened ready for the next bizarre series to attack camp but Andy returned, well at ease. 

[color=bd1664]"Good to go?"[/color]

[color=66356a]"Let’s,"[/color] Trinity assured.

[hr]
[b]Later that evening, shortly after sunset…[/b]
 
Andy’s cabin looked like a warzone. Clothes were exploding out of her dresser and closet, and strewn across her bed or any other surface available. Even though she had her outfit planned for over a week, in typical girl fashion, she had to show Trinity every option she had to make sure she picked the perfect [i]drive Mason crazy[/i] outfit. It then quickly turned into Andy making Trinity try on half of her clothes to help her find something equally as attention grabbing. Even if the daughter of Ares was already in a healthy and committed relationship, wearing jeans and a black t-shirt would not cut it for a New Years Eve party.

When the daughter of Ares wasn’t conned into playing dolls and trying on outfits with Andy, she could be found sitting on the only piece of bed Andy had left, ducking and dodging the next suggestion thrown at her that she’d curl her lip up at. There was apparently a lot to ‘the right outfit’ that ticked both Andy’s and Trinity’s boxes though Andy’s thoroughness and persistence was nearing intimidating.


[color=bd1664]"I know Wes would still find you hot in a potato sack,"[/color] Andy said, standing on her tiptoes in a black spaghetti strap bodysuit. Her back was to the rest of the room as she flipped through hangers trying to find something perfect, if it existed. [color=bd1664]"But you can still seduce him."[/color] She shook her head as she shoved several pieces of clothing to the side and kept looking. [color=bd1664]"Ah!"[/color] Finally, and only 75% through her closet. Andy turned around holding up the top with a little shake. [color=bd1664]"He won’t be able to keep his hands off of you… Well, more than he already does,"[/color] she added with a laugh. [color=bd1664]"And you can even still wear your jeans."[/color]

Trinity rose to her feet for the hundredth time to inspect Andy’s latest choice. Upon getting closer and actually paying it attention, Trinity’s own eyes lit up looking it over. [color=66356a]"Oh, that is cute."[/color] All the while it still kept in her criteria of wanting to wear pants and a comfy shirt. Trinity took it from Andy, almost in a trance to try on, heading to her bathroom. [color=66356a]"I’ve never actually been able to seduce Wes,"[/color] she called from the next room. Nor really tried.  [color=66356a]"Maybe not til tonight anyway."[/color] Trinity traded her current worn t-shirt for the nice dark mesh one with a rose pattern and fussed in front of the mirror. She didn’t even know if she was fussing right. What was pushing and pulling around some clothes and hair really accomplishing? She had to turn her back on her reflection before she frustrated herself. The burst of confidence in maybe she could seduce Wes turned to doubt. Nice clothes always felt odd on her as they were a mismatch to her nature. 

Meanwhile Andy waved her hand, sending all the discarded clothing floating across the room returning to their original home in her dresser or hanging in the closet. [color=bd1664]"To be honest, I don’t have any experience either,"[/color] she admitted with a soft laugh. She padded across the cool floor to where her dress hung on the curtain rod beside her bed. [color=bd1664]"But Wes is like the perfect boyfriend and completely obsessed with you. I don’t think you’ll have to try very hard,"[/color] she reassured Trinity as she pulled the embroidered netted fabric off the hanger and slipped the garment over her head on top of the bodysuit. Her hands ran along the sheer fabric, immediately second guessing her outfit choice. It wasn’t like she didn’t run around camp in shorts and crop tops in the summer. But there was something about the see through dress that made her feel a bit exposed and like she might have been trying too hard.

Exactly. Wes was perfect. While Trinity was told he was head over heels and they had a deep connection, he was far too picturesque. The people around him should have been equally as calm, beautiful and graceful. [color=66356a]"Are you sure about this?"[/color]

Hearing Trinity’s doubt, she scurried across the room and poked her head into the bathroom. She smiled sweetly. [color=bd1664]"You look hot,"[/color] she said as she crossed the room to her. [color=bd1664]"Here. Let me."[/color] Andy picked up a couple bobby pins from the sink and held them between her lips. She grabbed a small cluster of hair near Trinity’s part that framed her face. Andy’s fingers slowly braided her bangs back and out of her face. She pinned the braid down then lightly fluffed and scrunched the blonde waves. 

While she had her there, Andy reached over and grabbed her mascara from the sink. She held up her hands innocently before Trinity could slink away. [color=bd1664]"Just mascara. I promised."[/color] When Trinity didn’t fight her, Andy took a step forward and guided her on where to look and where to blink as she applied the eye makeup for her. [color=bd1664]"I don’t really like makeup either. But a little mascara and lip gloss go a long way."[/color] She took a step back when she finished, giving her a friend a once over with an approving smile and head nod. [color=bd1664]"Wes [i]so[/i] owes me one,"[/color] she playfully complimented her own handy work. 

Trinity wrinkled her nose after Andy’s handiwork was complete. Not in disgust or anything, but it all felt like fighting a big itch. She didn’t usually let people get that close and hold instruments to her eyes without throwing them through some window. It felt foreign on her face and made her look different, but it was a good different, she had to admit. Trinity chuckled at Andy’s self praise. [color=66356a]"You saying I can’t take credit for this one?"[/color] she joked. She, who did nothing and had little fashion sense. 

[color=bd1664]"I’ll give you… 50%,"[/color] Andy teased then slipped in front of the mirror and stared at her own reflection with pursed lips. A little mascara and shimmery lip gloss was plenty when it came to makeup, but her hair just rested on her shoulders in their usual beachy waves. Did she try to do something with it or just leave it? With the dress the rest of her felt… underwhelming. She sighed, furrowing her brows as she ran through the possibilities in her head. In the end she had to do [i]something.[/i] She grabbed a couple more bobby pins and started parting her hair. It took a couple minutes and a couple mess ups, but eventually she managed to put half of her hair up into [url=https://imgur.com/rzDrcKY]small space buns[/url]. It had to be good enough or she’d spend another hour fussing in front of the mirror.

As she exited the bathroom, Andy held her hands out at her side awkwardly. [color=bd1664]"Does this say ‘beg for my forgiveness,’ or is it too much?"[/color] she asked, a bit sarcastic, but mostly in desperate need of honest feedback. The last thing she wanted was to look like an idiot around a bunch of new campers… and Mason.
 
Trinity beamed at her friend because she looked like a beauty queen herself. [color=66356a]"Look out world. Here she comes."[/color]

A small fraction of Andy’s tension faded. She shook her head and laughed as she grabbed her black platform heels and sat on the edge of the bed. She was already regretting her choice in shoes but she couldn’t very well wear converse. It defeated the purpose. It took her a minute to get the ankle strapped buckled but once she was done she stood back up and smoothed out any creases in her dress. She made sure to spray herself with some of her fancier perfume and even offered some to Trinity if she wanted any. [color=bd1664]"I don’t know if we can delay anymore,"[/color] she said with an awkward laugh before heading to the door. [color=bd1664]"Ready?"[/color]

After accepting Andy’s gift of a fairer scent, Trinity nodded staring down the door. [color=66356a]"Ready as we’ll ever be."[/color] After all, she wasn’t the only one that was nervous. She shot Andy an assuring smile.

Stepping outside the air felt warm and crisp like a spring day on the cusp of summer. Andy let out a small sigh of relief seeing that, whatever that crazy control panel was, worked with flying colors. She even managed a little laugh as she held her hand out palm up and caught a few snowflakes. [color=bd1664]"Magic’s weird,"[/color] she admitted with a delighted smile, knowing full well the abilities she possessed fell within that ‘weird’ category.

There wasn’t really any cabin that was exceptionally far from the Activities Field, so it didn’t take long for them to make the brief journey from Andy’s cabin to the party. It might have been a smidge longer due to her own less than practical shoe choice, but overall it wasn’t terrible. Plus, she was going to have sore feet regardless of what she wore on her feet. Some extra blisters were a drop in the bucket. It wasn’t often she got to dress cute, so she was taking full advantage of the opportunity.

As they neared the field, Trinity looped arm with Andy’s and all but dragged her to the drinks, grabbing two shot glasses readily available thanks to some of that handy magic and poured them each a shot of vodka. [color=66356a]“Entry shot.”[/color] She held up her small glass to clink with Andy’s expectantly. Trinity knew the daughter of Hecate couldn’t very well leave her hanging. Trinity figured the more she threw drinks at Andy the less time she had to think or stew on Mason or look for him.

Andy rolled her eyes as she was dragged to the bar and a small glass was shoved into her hand. She grimaced as Trinity tapped her drink against hers. [color=bd1664]"I know what you’re doing,"[/color] she said as she squinted her eyes suspiciously toward the blonde before downing the shot. Her face scrunched. She groaned and shook her shoulders to wiggle off the disgust of drinking straight acetone. [color=bd1664]"Oh Gods, that was horrible,"[/color] she said between coughs. 

Originally, Andy had no plans to get drunk. The last time she did… Well, she didn’t want to think about it. All she did know was that she still wanted to have her wits about her. Things were different and she didn’t [i]think[/i] anyone would take advantage of her, but there was also double the amount of demigods at camp within a handful of hours and she didn’t know a thing about them. 

Like Andy, Trinity pulled a face as the spirit traveled its way down her throat. Shots definitely had some zing to them. She held up a finger letting it settle a moment before grabbing the bottle again and pouring two more swiftly. [color=66356a]"Penalty shot for accusing me of being up to something."[/color] Trinity clinked glasses again and downed it before she could think better of it.

[color=bd1664]"If I get plastered, you’re carrying me home… Or Wes, I don’t care."[/color] Andy waved off the comment with her free hand. She groaned, looking down at the shot before tossing it as far back in her mouth as possible to avoid having to choke it down. She did another little shimmy as the vodka made its way down. 

Trinity chuckled. [color=66356a]"I’m sure we can live with that."[/color][/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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