[hr] [Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZRIi89Y.jpeg[/img][/center] [hr] [color=darkgray] He watched as the second man approached. [color=goldenrod]“So, how about you? Looking forward to this training tomorrow, or nervous?”[/color] He had returned conversation to Leo. It was a calculated response. The man making his approach was one of a half dozen that Pallas had earmarked as 'possible' for the new leader position, he'd overheard mumblings of. Let him overhear conversation and give him an opportunity to speak up himself if it were true. Or possibly leave a visual cue through his body language. [color=cd5c5c]"I got here this morning and have been enjoying the party."[/color] Leo asked after finishing off his water. [color=cd5c5c]"To be honest about it, I do not know how I feel about training tomorrow."[/color] Leo looked, uncertain, and this reflected in his tone. [color=cd5c5c]"Apparently, we are getting a new leader and I have no idea who that is or how they operate."[/color] Leo sighed, [color=cd5c5c]"I am just not sure what to expect here and if this party is going to be the last one for a long time."[/color] He chuckled to himself, [color=cd5c5c]"I will probably be fine given how strong I am and how I work out."[/color] Pallas smiled to Leo, before turning those eyes onto the newcomer. He was slightly worried that the reference to the new leader may have been laying it on too thick. If he were the leader himself, he might stay silent and wait to see what others had to say about him. But then maybe he'd respond to the confident comment on his strength. [color=cd5c5c]"What about you?"[/color] Leo now asking the questions. [color=cd5c5c]"How do you feel about the new leader and training tomorrow?"[/color] Leo had a curious look on his face as he studied Pallas. A direct question. Too much now. He turned from watching the newcomer with his mostly open shirt, even in the snow, and gave full due respect to Leo and his response. [color=goldenrod]"Only just got here. I'm in no position to have any opinion on the leadership here; past, present or future."[/color] Then he ran an eye over the entire camp, taking everyone on into his consideration, in full view of the pair of men at the campfire. [color=goldenrod]"I'm stone cold sober, and have no intention of changing that. I think I might be the last one here I'd be concerned about."[/color] He smiled a wry grin. He suspected there might be a few people puking their guts up tomorrow from the effort, if they don't finish their night doing that first. Who knows though, maybe they had a divine ability to hold their liquor. Pallas wouldn't know in his own case. He'd never touched a drop. And his comments on his own sobriety didn't even begin to cover just how much he intended to stay that way. He knew his own strengths. Mental acuity. That which rested between his ears. He had no intention of ever doing anything to disrupt the one thing he had going for him in this place. The bar, the vine and the goddess of love's kids. Anything that could addle the mental. Frankly the thought of them scared the Hell out of him. He spent his first few passes trying to take note of potential candidates for those legacies. As well as possibles for the children of his mother's rival - Poseidon. One such candidate was sitting at this very bonfire. Pallas himself didn't hold grudges like that, but he'd be remiss to not consider the possibility that they might come bringing baggage from their parents. As if on cue, Leo addressed the elephant in the room. [color=cd5c5c]"Oh yeah, one thing. I should ask, since we are both going to be asked this, since we are both new here. Who is your godly parent? Mine is Ares,"[/color] Leo saying it with a bit of anger, as if Pallas needed the further emphasis. [color=cd5c5c]"Who is yours?"[/color] [color=goldenrod]"Oh. Athena. My Mom's Athena."[/color] He couldn't find a way to turn and face the unspoken third seated on the other side of them without it looking weird. Possibly even confrontational - which would be the worst possible thing. So he rocked back in his chair enough that he'd have an angle to see him coming if he [b]did[/b] make any kind of move. He had his doubts. But he also knew enough to have his head on a swivel. And without confirmation, and with his own suspicions, he couldn't say for certain what would happen. [color=goldenrod]"So I guess in our own way we're both a couple of kids of war gods."[/color] He shrugged, a smirk on his face that saw the humour in the connection. [color=goldenrod]"How 'bout chu?"[/color] He addressed the unspoken third, feeling the conversation had opened up enough to common ground that he could bring him in and get [b]SOME KIND[/b] of answer out of him. He suspected he was someone of a similar mindset to socialising. The sands of Pallas' social hourglass were rapidly draining, he wasn't accustomed to putting himself out there and being sociable in a setting like this. He generally skipped parties back home, and cut out early if he was forced to make an appearance. So his patience for getting these answers was wearing thin. [color=goldenrod]"What's your story?"[/color] Turning to wait for his response, Pallas immediately saw where he had erred. [color=86a8ad]"Hmm..? Uh, Poseidon."[/color] He hadn't been paying attention at all. [i]Well... ask a stupid question.[/i] This was not a person plotting the downfall of the son of Athena. This was a person who was... not all there right now. That mind was miles away. [color=goldenrod]"Right."[/color] [i]This is why I'm steering clear of the bar, the vine and the kids of the goddess of love...[/i] Pallas tried to gather himself and get what little juice remained from his social battery. And turned back to Leo. [color=goldenrod]"So... you sound none too pleased about being the son of Ares. Anything particular happen there, or should I not ask?"[/color] [/color] [center][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Leo, River [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Nil [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center]