[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZRIi89Y.jpeg[/img][/center] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/d4mqe01.jpeg[/img] [sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=0054a6][b]#0054a6[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://img.kwcdn.com/product/fancy/b7fe663e-4249-4529-8251-54f5264f858d.jpg?imageView2/2/w/500/q/60/format/webp][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]By the bonfire[/b][/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center] [color=darkgray] Ocean gave a chuckle and finally turned to face him, her face back to normal and a smile dancing in her eyes. She supposed she couldn’t pretend to ignore him any longer. [color=0054a6]”You were on a roll, why stop now?”[/color] Her tone turned teasing. [color=0054a6]“I was wondering how deep you’d be able to dig that hole of yours.”[/color] A quick exhalation left his nostrils, in relief over how quickly the embarrassment had flushed its way from her system. He quickly tried to regain his balance. [color=daa520]"Well, we're coastal."[/color] He said, pointing in the direction of the beach, as if to illustrate his point. [color=daa520]"Makes sense I'd stop digging when I hit sea level."[/color] He gave a self-aware smirk that showed he was all too aware he'd been caught out, and was in on the joke. [color=0054a6]”Though I’m not sure if you saying I’m ‘likable’ counted as a friendship proposal,”[/color] She mused, crossing her legs in front of her. Pallas had instilled a bit of confidence in her, giving her the courage to call him out a little bit, and he knew it. [color=daa520]"Mmm..."[/color] He mused. [color=daa520]"Willing to play possum to try and go fishing for compliments. Now that just poses more questions... Is it a self esteem thing, or is it that the girl is just incredibly curious in what the interesting new boy thinks?"[/color] She seemed slightly taken aback by the audacity and bluntness of his comment. [color=daa520]"What? You seemed to be all too willing to let me flounder around and splash around, drowning in it, I only thought it fair you'd want to catch a glimpse of that famed Athenian arrogant hyperconfidence."[/color] He winked and laughed, pulling the veil down on his own joke. Ocean felt intrigued by this man. He clearly was more of an introvert and liked to stick to himself, but he wasn’t afraid to banter or accusatory questions. Ocean didn’t hate it, but it was definitely something she wasn’t used to. To an extent. [color=0054a6]”Well played. I know a thing or two about arrogance- my dad [i]is[/i] Poseidon. I feel like most of us demigods have to have some degree of hubris anyways. Though based off what I’ve read and heard from my father, you Athena kids have quite a lot of it,”[/color] Despite talking about the prideful downfalls of Athena children and other demigods, Ocean always found herself leaning more towards loyalty. Betrayals and fickle minded people tended to put a bad taste in her mouth. Perhaps that was one of the reasons Poseidon kept her away from her peers as a kid. [i]True enough. Few things breed hubris like power. And Poseidon, from what he could tell, seemed to hold power in very high esteem.[/i] [color=0054a6]"Call it both. Not only am I terrible at social interaction, but I'm also interested in what you think,"[/color] While Ocean didn't have major self esteem issues, she was terrible at socializing. Yes, she knew she was pretty and yes she knew her personality was somewhat pleasant. She knew she was pretty powerful and that she was amazing at wielding a trident, but was she good at holding conversation? No, she wasn't. Pallas could only imagine how they'd spoken about his mother, but Athena had never taken a backwards step when it came to her opinion or what she wanted. She was the quintessential 'strong minded woman', afterall. And then a thought occurred to him. [right][i][color=daa520]"Mmm..."[/color] [color=daa520]"Willing to play possum to try and go fishing for compliments. Now that just poses more questions... Is it a self esteem thing, or is it that the girl is just incredibly curious in what the interesting new boy thinks?"[/color][/i][/right] It'd hit him with a delay, a few beats after he'd said it, because he wasn't used to socialising. This was about the most he'd spoken to anyone one-to-one who wasn't a teacher or in his own family in about as long as he could remember, in fact. That could have been taken as flirtation. It wasn't though, was it? He'd just meant it as a setup to playing into their idea that Athena and her family would doubtless have some kind of arrogant streak. Playing into the joke about prejudice of their families. She saw it that way, right? She was smiling at him. That... didn't tell him anything one way or the other. But there had been a hesitation. And then she answered it at face value. [right][i][color=0054a6]"...but I'm also interested in what you think,"[/color][/i][/right] He needed to be more careful. He wasn't the most familiar with socialisation, and it held a lot of traps. As he was getting more comfortable, he was getting more loose and careless. She saw it for the joke it was, right? The last thing he needed was her reading too much into it, then him having to navigate that quagmire. And with her brother and father... She didn't seem too-- [i]You've been quiet too long[/i] [color=daa520]"So you've been here longer than me,"[/color] He started, his spine stiffening, [color=daa520]"...have you eaten yet? Should probably start making some kind of effort to meet some of the others here. Or I'll be looking down the barrel of having to introduce myself to forty different people tomorrow as the new guy."[/color] The smirk came back. [color=daa520]"Poseidon's 'scheme' to have the son of Athena kill himself rather than deal with that social nightmare, through his daughter's social graces, hey?"[/color] He was hitting the joke too hard, trying to underline that it was a joke. She got that it was a joke right? It was a joke, sure? Ocean tilted her head to the side, slightly amused by the way Pallas rambled on, clearly flustered. Ocean wasn't entirely sure why he was flustered- perhaps over their banter, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Ocean couldn't help but see part of herself in Pallas's embarrassment. Ocean felt slightly confused over Pallas trying to keep the joke going, but she chalked it up to him just being nervous. [color=0054a6]"Well, I ate breakfast, but took a nap and ended up missing lunch. And I haven't eaten anything since the party started... so no, I haven't eaten yet,"[/color] Ocean looked at Pallas's plate of half eaten food and felt her own stomach grumble for the first time that night. She had been so distracted by Ace and River and other people that she hadn't even thought to eat anything, though after seeing the whole debacle on top of the bar that happened a bit ago (why can't she just forget?), her appetite had vanished. It seems that after talking with Pallas for a little bit, her body felt the need to remind her that she indeed hasn't eaten anything till morning. [color=daa520]"Well, we should probably go and get you fed too, then. You said you haven't had a chance to meet a lot of the other people here either, I probably shouldn't hog all of your attention for the rest of the night by myself. Two people who are terrible at social interaction probably find it half as hard to meet anyone as one."[/color] Pallas wasn't sure of the logic behind that conclusion but it sounded good. He got to his feet, carrying the dregs of his first hand built gyro. Ocean felt slightly disappointed in the fact that Pallas was probably gearing towards going their separate ways for the evening. She wasn't sure whether to tell him she'd rather just be somewhat anti-social for the rest of the night or just go back to her cabin once they parted ways. [color=0054a6]"I won't say no to food,"[/color] Ocean agreed. [color=0054a6]"But I probably won't go looking for interaction elsewhere. I don't mind chillin' with you, Pallas. You're good to talk to and somewhat familiar. Besides, there will be plenty of socialization tomorrow during training. I'm sure a lot of people here like to trash-talk while sparring."[/color] She stood up to follow Pallas to the food table, her stomach grumbling once more, when a red headed man took his seat. The red headed young man sat down on one of the logs surrounding the bonfire, looking self-reflective. It now seemed awkward to leave just as he arrived without saying anything. [i]Hmm...[/i] [color=daa520]"We're just going to go get some food,"[/color] Pallas announced to the newcomer to the fire, [color=daa520]"You can come too, if you want anything."[/color] He had his doubts that he would, since he just came over from the direction of the food. But it just seemed the right thing to ask and avoid any kind of offense at this early stage. [color=0054a6][i]Awkward. Pallas is awkward.[/i][/color] Was the thought bouncing around Ocean's mind as she watched the interaction. She probably wouldn't have said anything to the newcomer, seeing as he had a glass of water and had seemingly come from that direction. Perhaps Pallas was nicer than she was, choosing to involve others whereas she was fine with just sticking to what she knew. He barely even took enough notice to see whether the other young man followed them at first, whilst checking Ocean wasn't too uncomfortable by his sudden gesture. He wore his own coat, and didn't seem like a match for the leather jacket they had left behind, folded in its place. But everybody was still new to him, and he didn't want to blindly upset the wrong person in this place with no information at all. Such an action would not be healthy. He had felt it was a good bet they wouldn't have company, after all he'd just come from the food and only brought back a water. But it did seem like something of a dick move after Ocean had just made her own preferences clear. Still, things were playing at his mind. [right][i][color=0054a6]"...I'm also interested in what you think,"[/color][/i][/right] [right][i][color=0054a6]"...I probably won't go looking for interaction elsewhere. I don't mind chillin' with you, Pallas. You're good to talk to..."[/color][/i][/right] Was she playing to his ego? Is that something she was told by her father? [i]No. She's just a sweet girl. That's just prejudice, P. Like she's actually some agent for her father, bent on your destruction, or playin' you.[/i] Not like it would work anyway. He'd see through that anyway. He did like how his name sounded when she said it though. That was new. Only ever heard two people saying it, and neither made it sound like that. [color=daa520]"I don't mind a bit of talk when I spar. And I've done a bit myself. But not when I don't know anything about those I'm dealing with. And in a Camp full of demi-gods I'm bettin' there's surprises in bunches."[/color] He quietly said to her as they approached the food tables. Ocean nodded along to Pallas's opinions, agreeing to a few. [color=0054a6]"There's nothing wrong with some trash-talk, but it's definitely best to not underestimate anybody in a place like this."[/color] Ocean and Pallas approached the food table and she let her eyes glance over the different kinds of foods that were spread out. There was a little bit of almost everything from food you'd find at a potluck or party (a Greek demigod potluck). A few skewers sat on a big plate and Ocean grabbed a few of those, excited to finally get some food in her body. Even if she had waited too long and the food was a little room temperature, she was sure it'd taste good. Some fruit and veggies found their way onto her plate as well and she made sure she had a cup of water before turning to Pallas and letting her eyes glance over the tables in the field, many of which were occupied.[color=0054a6]"Was the gyro any good?"[/color] Pallas nodded in reply. [color=daa520]"Greek lamb absolutely lived up to the travel brochure so far... More than can be said about the weather. But it's not so bad actually in here. I'm guessing that's been someone's doing."[/color] Ocean nodded in agreement with Pallas. [color=0054a6]”My guess is probably Andy or some demigod that has magic. Or perhaps it’s some sort of magic that’s built into the camp atmosphere. It’s fascinating. I was really surprised when I walked out my front door and I wasn’t freezing.”[/color] [i]Andy... Son of-- no. Mentioned 'her' before. Daughter of... Apollo? No. The sun's not out and the snow still falls. Someone else.[/i] He gradually turned the pieces in his mind to fit. [i]Someone proficient in magic. Possibly in charge of the magic of this place itself. Walked out the door, and it was a surprise. So this place isn't generally climate controlled. Just for the special occasion..?[/i] Pallas found a vacant table, recalling Ocean's request to keep things on the more quiet side, and led the way, his own plate holding fresh skewers and a second attempt at a gyro in what space remained. Lettuce, sliced red onion, olives and a splach of balsamic with cherry tomatoes adding colour to the scene. [color=daa520]"So training first thing tomorrow? It'd seem I'd heard right about this place, then."[/color] Ocean suppressed a wince at the thought of what training what probably going to be like the next day. [color=0054a6]”Yeah. I was told that camp took training seriously, but I guess a few incidents happened and now it’s gotten kind of lax?”[/color] She shrugged and took a bite of her skewer, licking the grease off her lips. [color=0054a6]”At least, that’s what my dad told me. I’m sure River knows more. He’s supposed to be leading training tomorrow.”[/color] Ocean gave Pallas an apologetic smile. [color=0054a6]”He gets pretty serious about training so I’m sorry in advance for whatever insult he throws your way.[/color] [color=daa520]"It's alright. It takes more than words to move me, Ocean."[/color] Pallas replied cryptically. Looking at Pallas’s build, Ocean could tell that he worked out frequently, but she also knew not to judge a book by its cover. Just because he had some bulk didn’t mean he liked to fight. Even so, she was sure he could put up a good fight against anyone here. After all, brains [i]and[/i] brawn together was a dangerous combo. [color=0054a6]”Do you have training in weaponry or combat?”[/color]. [color=daa520]"More than a little."[/color] He smiled wryly. [color=daa520]"I-- may have known about this place and that I'd be coming here for a while."[/color] [color=daa520]"I should be able to hone some things I've not had much opportunity to, though. I'm very proficient with a staff, less so with a sword, but its been mainly to prepare for when I could get here and train further."[/color] He understated his training. His control was immaculate. [color=daa520]"Something tells me, that my weapon of choice when its all said and done will be the spear. I've-- done a little solo, when I can. But there's not much opportunity to train with any intensity with a spear in the outside world. Too dangerous."[/color] Ocean finished off her first skewer by the time Pallas was finished talking about his training. [color=0054a6]“Impressive. I’ve never tried fighting with a spear before, but I do use a trident. I imagine it’s similar… in a way,”[/color] A trident was heavier than a spear, but they both had some comparisons. Ocean had tried various weapons when she first started training. She was decent with a sword and a staff wasn’t too difficult to use, but they weren’t comfortable. Ocean remembered the first day she held a practice trident. It was long before Poseidon gifted her with the actual thing, but even so- it felt perfect in her hands. [color=daa520]“Everyone wants to grab a sword. It’s the lead guitar of the weapon world. But there’s something to be said for something with decent range which you can get your weight behind.”[/color] [color=daa520]“I’ll let other people take ‘cool’. I’ll be the one left standing with ‘effective’.”[/color] He grinned. [color=0054a6]“It’ll be fun to see who’s prepared and who isn’t in terms of combat power tomorrow. Though I am fully aware that it’s not all about strength. The mind can also be a powerful tool. It’s as you said though- it’s difficult to train with specific weapons and abilities in the normal world. I was lucky enough to live on a beach that was pretty remote. We’d get the occasional tourist and visitor, but it wasn’t a hindrance when it came to training.”[/color] [color=daa520]“I can’t complain. I had dojos, gyms and martial arts studios all over, because it’s the city. Just tried to keep my training versatile and diverse, but always with a thought to when I’d be coming here. Hard thing was sparring to perfect technique and placement and not to win. Don’t want to draw the wrong kind of attention. Works on tightening discipline though… having to know when to stow your competitive spirit.”[/color] [color=0054a6]“Yeah, I don’t have any experience in a dojo. Just getting beat up by Poseidon and my brother, but that seemed to work well enough,”[/color] [color=daa520]“I’m not sure how many here have actually had any kind of formal training though… I could be wrong, but I’m not getting the sense from how a lot of people carry themselves. Maybe they’re just able to get loose better than I can.”[/color] He was observing the wider party. [i]Or both.[/i] It's not like Pallas had ever really been one to socialise. [color=daa520]“Growing up by the beach sounds nice. But then home is 'home', I guess. City or beach. At least you've got another beach here to remind you of it in the quiet times. That'll be nice.”[/color] Ocean took another bite of her skewers and watched as Pallas observed the others around them. She smiled when he mentioned the beach, all too happy to talk about her home. [color=0054a6]“The beach definitely has its pros. Also cons. My mom was always worried about natural disasters that naturally occur along the fault line Hawaii resides over, but River and I always made sure she knew that we wouldn’t let anything happen to her. We’d just… part the tsunami if there ever was one. However, the sand was always warm and it helped that I always had access to the ocean for my training.”[/color] [i]Parting tsunamis, the power these Poseidon kids must wield must be extreme.[/i] Ocean glanced to the sky above, noticing the moon reaching its peak in the sky. It must be midnight or close to. She gave thought to traditions that happened on New Years once midnight struck and frowned for a second. No doubt there’d be people kissing and making out once midnight hits. After seeing how everyone acted tonight and especially Ace’s fiasco earlier, she wouldn't put it past anyone not to make out. That wasn’t really something she wanted to be a part of. [color=0054a6]“I actually think I’m gonna head back to my cabin… before all the PDA starts once we reach midnight. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I guess. It’s just not something I’m big on witnessing.”[/color] Pallas gave a nod of understanding as Ocean rose to her feet. If he was even half right about his thoughts earlier regarding the leather jacket that was still by the bonfire, her actions were perfectly understandable. And he suspected they were. Those thoughts also kept him from offering his own jacket to see her return to her cabin. It was probably a similar act that led to it being so neatly folded and discarded, as it was right now. So it would likely still be a raw nerve to do anything similar. Besides, the air temperature was warm, despite the light snowfall. [color=daa520]“Well it was good meeting you, Ocean. Guess I'll see you again in the morning where we can both get beat up by your brother."[/color] He spared her a wry grin, which suggested he didn't genuinely believe that would be the outcome, and for a moment his eyes held all of the hyperconfidence and self-assurance he'd previously put forward only in jest. And with simple farewells they parted ways. Pallas finished the contents of his plate, and ran golden eyes across the full vista of campers. Pallas spared a thought for whether the girl had wanted him to walk her back to her cabin. Which true to form turned into a multitude of thoughts. It seemed a bit confrontational to follow her back to her place. To possibly be 'cornering her', 'learning where she lived' especially in light of her previous fresh experience in trusting the wrong person. The leather jacket. He weighed it against expecting her to walk alone in the snow, no less, regardless of temperature back to some darker isolated corner of this place they were both fairly new to. Her possible feelings of being exposed in that blue dress walking alone, and what if she ran into whoever it was? He felt that was giving her too little credit for her ability to take care of herself, but it still seemed less right. Then there's the thought of her brother seeing only a fraction of what was going on and misreading the situation - he had caught a few glances from his direction whilst they were talking. And she didn't seem to be underselling how protective he was of his younger sister, even if he was giving Ocean her own space to socialize. Did he need to be looking down the barrel of some misunderstanding with the son of Poseidon after his first night. After all... Fates be weird, yo. And it was approaching midnight, how much more could he really do here? Wasn't much time for meeting the other new people. Maybe it would be better to leave things on the best possible note with Ocean, rather than hal-- Pallas realised she was gone. And that he'd probably been giving Ocean much more mind than was probably happening the other way. He chuckled to himself at the realization. [i]There was still much to learn here tonight.[/i] He justified to himself. He looked back to the fire, and made his mind up. At this point it could be conceived as 'rude' for him not to return and exchange proper greetings with the man who had come to the bonfire just before they left, especially with his previous company's sudden departure. This wasn't a place to be seen as 'blowing off' other people, much as he would in the outside world. Particularly without knowing who he was potentially offending, and what they were potentially capable of. Such actions wouldn't be wise. [/color] [center][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Ocean, Leo [@Theyra][color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Leo [@Theyra] [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color][@Palindrome][color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center]