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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080][color=cd5c5c]"I bet, and it is fine. I am just getting a feel for this place."[/color] Andy quickly moved her soda into her off hand so that she was able to return the offered handshake. His hold was firm and more formal than she was expecting, but she also couldn’t recall the last time she had to shake a hand either. [color=cd5c5c]"I am Leo, and I remember you from this morning. The maps and stuff, and it is fine. It is not like there were a few of us newcomers today."[/color]

[color=bd1664]"Understandable,"[/color] she reassured him with a nod. [color=bd1664]"Camp has over doubled in size in a handful of hours. To be honest, I’m trying to get my bearings as well. I can’t speak for the new faces, but the seasoned campers are good people."[/color] [i]Most of them,[/i] she wanted to add but opted to keep that piece of information to herself. While there were some she gave a wide berth, like Sylas, it was his first night at camp. She didn’t need to scare him or taint his opinions with her own biases.


[color=cd5c5c]"I have met some people here, one new camper, Sofia, and one of the regulars, Duke."[/color] Andy smiled when she noticed Leo’s own small grin. [color=cd5c5c]"He even showed me around the armory. Which was impressive that he made all of the stuff there. I had half a mind to greet him here, but it seems he is busy talking to people."[/color] He laughed and smiled in that awkward way she was all too familiar. [color=cd5c5c]"Though I was told that a party is a good excuse to talk to strangers. Not her exact words, but I guess I should be more social during this party and not be a stranger."[/color] 

While she rarely struggled in social settings anymore, she used to be like that before camp. Trying to mingle and worm your way into conversations was rarely easy, especially for someone who knew no one. She couldn’t blame him. [color=bd1664]"Duke’s a nice guy,"[/color] Andy confirmed with a soft smile. [color=bd1664]"Just go bug him,"[/color] she added with a laugh and small shrug. [color=bd1664]"Parties are all about just, popping into random conversations and [i]’mingling’[/i]."[/color] She raised her hands and made air quotes. [color=bd1664]"Plus, I highly doubt he’ll be offended about you joining in. He’s pretty laid back."[/color]

Andy took a moment to take a sip from her soda. [color=cd5c5c]"Dr.Pepper..."[/color] Leo said, as her can caught his attention.

She turned the soda around in her hand, looking down at the maroon label for a second before meeting his gaze with furrowed brows. [color=bd1664]"What?"[/color] she asked, confused. Did she do something wrong? Or was he just surprised it wasn’t alcohol?

[color=cd5c5c]"Now I should have gotten that instead of whiskey. This may surprise you, but I am not a big fan of alcohol. For some good reasons and one reason my old man would disagree with,"[/color] Leo explained.

[color=bd1664]"Oh, [i]pfft[/i]."[/color] She waved her hand, nonchalantly brushing off his reasoning. He didn’t need to explain to her why he didn’t like alcohol. It was his business and she was never going to be the type to try and pressure him into drinking. It wasn’t for everyone, Andy would know. [color=bd1664]"I don’t really like it either. I’ve had enough bad experiences while drinking here that I prefer to keep my wits about me. [i]My friend[/i], however, thought I needed to loosen up,"[/color] she added with a lighthearted chuckle. [color=bd1664]"She means well, but I think two shots is more than enough for me tonight."[/color]

Andy’s gaze drifted over to the bar, which looked to be significantly less crowded than when she was there a few moments ago. She nodded her head in that direction and motioned her hand for Leo to follow. [color=bd1664]"Come on, I can show you where they are."[/color] 

She slowly weaved her way through the various demigods, intentionally taking the longer routes if it meant she didn’t have to squeeze between people awkwardly. Andy’s gaze took in the new and familiar faces, smiling and nodding whenever she made eye contact with anyone. As she reached the bar, she noticed Trinity and Mason off toward the outskirts of the party and neither one of them looked particularly happy. She sighed, looking away and focusing on the task at hand. Andy could imagine how that conversation was going and would rather be ignorant than hyperfixate on an argument she wasn’t included in… Even if she was the topic of it. 

[color=bd1664]"Right here,"[/color] she said, directing Leo toward the far left side of the bar, kind of tucked away by the ice. [color=bd1664]"Most people just use them for mixed drinks, but I like breaking the rules."[/color] Andy flashed a mischievous grin. She finished what remained of her soda, then tossed the can in a recycling bin behind the bar. While Leo decided what he wanted, she took a seat on a nearby barstool and crossed one leg over the other. She leaned across the counter and grabbed a bottle of water this time, opting for hydration. 

[color=bd1664]"Hecate, by the way,"[/color] Andy said while pointing to herself, addressing what always seemed to be the elephant in the room… the [i]Gods[/i]. [color=bd1664]"It’s usually one of the first questions ‘what’s your name?’ ‘who’s your parent?’"[/color] She laughed and held up her hands in playful innocence. [color=bd1664]"No pressure. Just figured I’d tick off one thing from the small talk checklist."[/color][/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] leo [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] sylas, sofia, duke, trinity & mason[color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none[/color]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080][color=ffc300]"I might be better suited to a spectator,"[/color] Evelyn said, trying to back out. Yet, she picked up one of the bags, examined it and then managed to sink it right in the hole. [color=ffc300]"Maybe I have the aptitude for it."[/color]

Wes whistled, impressed. He probably would have clapped his hands together in applause if he had a second to spare. [color=667c0c]"I’m on her team."[/color] He pointed at the redhead while taking a step toward her. 

[color=5a6a85]"It might be beginner's luck, but I think you’d do fine playing,"[/color] the dark-haired guy reassured her. He then turned to Wes and held out his hand for a shake. [color=5a6a85]"I’m Elysium and we definitely need a fourth to get this started."[/color]

It might have been a little odd for him to grab Elysium’s right hand with his left in a weird attempt at a handshake. Instead Wes gave it one of those bro `slaps and bumps. [color=667c0c]"Awesome! Count me in,"[/color] he said with an enthusiastic smile and approving nod of his head. [color=667c0c]"Fair warning,"[/color] he added, holding up his hand.. [color=667c0c]"I don’t know if I’ve [i]actually[/i] tried throwing anything left handed. If I miss, I’m blaming the alcohol."[/color] [i]Ya know, the whole one shot.[/i] 

[color=ffc300]"Boys versus girls then?"[/color] Evelyn offered in contradiction to his previous suggestion before retrieving her bag and heading to the opposite end.

His eyes narrowed as he rested his hand on his hip. [color=667c0c]"I see how it is. You don’t want the cripple on your team slowing you down,"[/color] Wes teased with an exaggerated sarcasm so it was very apparent that he was only joking. He honestly didn’t mind whose team he ended up on. Although he did feel bad for his poor partner, up until a year ago he was right handed. He had learned how to master a lot of things with his left hand, but aim was not one of them.

Up until that point, the blonde in their company hadn’t really said anything. Wes thought about asking what her name was, trying to ease the tension or add in more self-deprecating jokes so she wouldn’t be concerned about being bad. But before he could say anything, a dark skinned man approached the group. He had a large walking stick and jewelry that softly chimed as he walked. [color=0d0e20]"I didn’t know people still played this. I always imagined other demigod children threw spears for fun."[/color]

[color=667c0c]"That’s on Tuesdays,"[/color] Wes replied sarcastically. [color=667c0c]"Sounds like you haven’t been to many grill outs,"[/color] he added. The guy had to be familiar with the game to make a comment about it being played. He must not have gotten out often if he hadn’t seen it in awhile. Go to any grill out, outdoor sports bar or tailgate and you couldn’t throw a rock without hitting a cornhole set or beer pong. It was American outdoor party 101.

[color=de9b8f]"And I sort of expected more at a New Year’s party than throwing bean bags, but it’s this or a snowball fight and I am not getting this dress wet."[/color] The blonde that he still hadn’t properly gotten to talk to turned her attention to the newcomer. [color=de9b8f]"We haven’t met. I’m Chariselle, a pleasure."[/color]

Wes laughed, not in amusement but annoyance and took a step back. It didn’t paint a very good first impression when he joined the group with a friendly introduction, yet he was completely disregarded. But this guy was worthy of this [i]Chariselle’s[/i] attention instead. He had her name, at least, for whatever that was worth. 

And then it was like an invisible bubble went up around Chariselle and—Azariah, was it?—and the rest of the party and camp didn’t exist. It was… [i]awkward[/i] standing no more than 20 feet away observing whatever strange mating ritual was going on. Wes noticeably grimaced when the blonde made less than subtle innuendos. He tried to ignore it and zone out the conversation, but while [i]they[/i] might have thought they were in their own little world, they definitely weren’t. By the looks on both Elysium’s and Evelyn’s faces, they all three were equally as stunned, bewildered and… off put. 

[color=0d0e20]"Well, aren’t you just a little [i]firecracker[/i]? You must be one of hers,"[/color] Azariah said. Then with some unseen force, one of the bean bags floated up into the air and flew across the playing area to go straight into the hole of the opposing board. 

[color=667c0c]"Really?"[/color] Wes blurted out, trying to ignore the uncomfortable ick he got from the ‘firecracker’ comment. Unlike those around him, he was unable to keep his discontent contained. [color=667c0c]"Dude, don’t be a prick. If you’re gonna cheat then just… go away."[/color] He rolled his eyes and made a shooing motion with his hand. Whatever kind of narcissistic peacocking this Azariah was doing, he could do it elsewhere. Where he wasn’t fucking with their game or dragging down the mood for everyone else. 

Once again, whatever Wes said fell on deaf ears. [i]Shocker.[/i]

He couldn’t help but stand by and watch with equal parts disbelief and… Confusion? Disgust? Whatever. All the words sufficed well enough. He rested his hand on his hip listening to the condescending tones in both of their voices as they had a fun little ‘I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.’ [i]Their words, not his.[/i] But when Chariselle got the opportunity to flaunt her own bullshit, Wes’s eyes narrowed. He felt the aura around them shift. It became warmer, clinging to the skin like fresh dew and welcoming like the scent of fresh baked cookies drawing you in. He sensed Azariah’s emotions heighten and grow more lustful, while the all knowing tingling prickled along the back of Wes’s neck. 

[color=667c0c]"You’re fucking kidding me,"[/color] he cursed under his breath. Of all people at camp, this girl had to be [i]his[/i] sister. While Wes didn’t know Veronica very well, she seemed more similarly aligned to how he was. But Chariselle used her powers like a party trick to tickle this guy’s—[i]girl’s[/i] fancy? Whatever Azariah was or did was a problem for another time. They presented themselves as an arrogant peacock that looked down their nose at anything that didn’t tickle their fancy. He should be so lucky that his [i]sister’s[/i] allure got their attention rather than his own. 

[color=0d0e20]"This party is awfully boring, don’t you think?"[/color] 

Wes snorted. He would have crossed his arms over his chest if he could. [color=667c0c]"How would you know? You’ve been here 2 seconds and stared at her tits for most of it,"[/color] he said unabashedly, knowing full well they didn’t give a single fuck about whatever he said. 

Rather than listen to their cringey seduction techniques, he walked over to the farthest cornhole board and started gathering the bean bags. Wes had made two stacks of four bags each when he overheard Azariah mention something about leaving. [color=667c0c]"Oh thank the Gods! Please, go."[/color] He sighed, relieved to be free of that uncomfortable conversation… [i]finally.[/i] [color=667c0c]"You have my blessing. I hope it is wildly unsatisfying,"[/color] he said, turning around to shoo and herd them away as fast as possible.

[color=5a6a85]"It seems like we are a trio,"[/color] Elysium spoke up, breaking the silence and smiling between those who remained. [color=5a6a85]"Either we can play, you two against me, or we can go get something to drink?"[/color]

[color=667c0c]"I’m fine to still play… But I [i]do[/i] need a drink after all—"[/color] Wes motioned his hand in the general direction where Azariah and Chariselle once stood, [color=667c0c]"—that. Or a lobotomy. One of you wouldn’t happen to have an ice pick?"[/color] He tried to lighten the mood and maybe get a laugh out of Elysium and Evelyn. He’d be damned if he’d let two horney demigods ruin his night. Wes couldn’t help but wonder if he needed to tone down his own flirting in public after that. Did others feel like he just did whenever he flirted with Trinity openly? He hoped that Andy would tell him to shut up if it got to be too much. Although he was definitely a bit more self conscious about it now. Something he could worry about later.. maybe.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] elysium, evelyn, chariselle & azariah  [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] trinity & andy [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none[/color]
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