[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9ZoT0oh.jpeg[/img] [sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=ffc300][b]#ffc300[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/4ssW6vU][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b] Arena[/b][/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center] [color=808080] Disturbing her deep people scanning, placing them into categories of brain teasers, amusers and otherwise, was Sylas yet again by placing something on her lap as he passed wordlessly. She glanced down at the burrito. Evelyn’s face wore equal parts amusement and confusion. He had ample time to offer her breakfast in his cabin. She could have cooked for both of them if he had permitted her to operate his kitchen, or, accepted his generosity there. Her head half turned to where he took refuge at the back before returning her gaze at breakfast. Now the great debate began: While she was hungry and her stomach churned at the readily available food and the delicious aroma wafted up her nostrils, she didn’t want to risk it coming back up. With training minutes away and especially being something physically demanding, eating seemed unwise. She also considered how turning away the burrito would be perceived to the certain pair of green observant eyes. Slowly, she brought it to her mouth to have the first bite. It was nothing special by appearance, yet, because there had been substantial gap between her last meal, the burrito seemed heavenly. She didn’t even know she was tense until she felt her shoulders noticeably slacken. Evelyn wiped the escaped contents around her mouth with her fingertips and continued to eat contently, keeping herself at a delicate pace while browsing people. There appeared to be a few newer faces than last night’s and simultaneously, missing people. One or two she would put down to a sleep in and lack of punctuality but this many almost made her believe she missed some catastrophic event. She dusted the crumbs from her fingers having finished her spontaneous breakfast and brushed down her pants for good measure. Catching movement in her peripheral, her eyes found Sloane sitting initially alone before being flanked decidedly by two dark-headed demigods as a unit. There was a flicker of surprise. Not that Sloane couldn’t make friends, it was simply since the son of Ares’s disappearance, she seemed to throw herself further into reclusion. It was hard to see her not indulged in a book or with someone when she was out occasionally with her pup. But it was good she was being more open, or they, gently prodding at least. While it was one of the most interesting developments in Evelyn’s eyes, Evelyn forced herself not to get caught staring and continued to pan across the arena crowd. [color=#86a8ad]"Good morning everyone. If it wasn't already obvious, I am River, your new leader… And son of Poseidon, if that matters.”[/color] Evelyn leant forward, elbows on her knees and her thumb tapped her lips as to remain thoughtful, patient and keep herself hushed while River plunged into his leader role. The thing about leaders appearing from the blue was that there was no established trust, no indication of intent, nothing. Which made it challenging to simply take his word and carry out his exercises. Still, she supposed there was no choice but to believe in River’s process, or at least, conform to him in the meantime. He didn’t warrant anything confrontational thus far. Somewhere internally, she was even rooting for him. [color=#86a8ad]“Per my father’s orders I’m here to help get camp back on track. Ajax let camp fall into disarray and my late brother was not around long enough to accomplish much. Andy stepped up when no one else did and helped rebuild… Which isn’t a small feat and her efforts shouldn’t be overlooked.”[/color] Evelyn’s brow quirked slightly. So he knew about the past leaders’ history and received a disclaimer before camp. Still, she had to wonder if he knew the specifics of Nick’s short rule. Leaving versus killed by a monster were universes apart. [color=#86a8ad]“Now that everyone has had time to recover from the horrors of Pandora’s Box, my focus is going to be on training, the original purpose for camp… Not parties every night or the Greek tragedy that was the Valis’s chokehold on this place. No one likes training, but it’s important. The world won’t forget you’re demigods just because you ignore it. We can’t stop things from happening, but I can help prepare you all so [i]if[/i] the time comes, you can defend yourselves.”[/color] He had done his homework indeed. [i]Good, good.[/i] He was hardly after her praise or approval, but Evelyn was impressed. This was a great introduction speech. His social oddities buried under the thick of responsibility, nowhere to be seen. [color=#86a8ad]“Alright.”[/color] He tucked his trusty clipboard away and clapped his hands. [color=#86a8ad]“Because half of us here are new and I don’t know your capabilities, the first three days of training will be assessments. This will help get a baseline for where everyone stands so I can better tailor the training to you specifically. Today’s test is agility.”[/color] Her eyes narrowed into a scrutinizing squint on him. This wasn’t solely training; this was an assessment and not just one but there would be a series of assessments. He was going to judge them alone on assessments with what? Some score system, jotted down notes, all that he dictated? Tapping her lips turned into a defeated rub and sigh, looking at the stone structure by her feet. Nobody liked to showcase their weaknesses. She appreciated that he’d tailor to them specifically at the end, even if she predicted that would overburden him, but in the meantime what a horrible thought running tests in front of your peers. It was very high school. [color=#86a8ad]“There are ten obstacles, starting with the tires and ending with the long jump.”[/color] There was a small silence, but Evelyn had disengaged. [color=#86a8ad]“And while I could [i]try[/i] to explain each one to you, I feel leading by example might be the best approach.”[/color] Evelyn perked up slightly, watching River intently once again, relieved he wasn’t the kind to command them from some mental throne. But be among his peers in a way and earn some respect. With no one to converse with, Evelyn’s eyes travelled with him to Andy then across to his start line. He took off his fitness top in one fluid motion and what was underneath had to be admired. Objectively. But it was clear he made a religion of working out. While Evelyn tried to convince herself she was only admiring professionally, he took on the obstacles with genuine effort, and the more he did the more his muscles became accentuated. Somewhere in the rope climb the fight with herself came to an end via self-admittance that his body was just straight out great and she was half enjoying the show due to how physically attractive he was. The other half was grounded in reality and doom knowing she was expected to do this all next. An assessment she would inevitably struggle at. Potentially fail at. She shivered. Gods, she hated the concept of ‘failing’. River traversed through the water like some merman or fish, gliding along the surface, true to his heritage. She would have thought he shape shifted some gills or a tail and fins if she wasn’t watching him. Two more obstacles then he finished, chest rising and falling rapidly, giving himself a beat to catch his breath. She waited for some verdict or telling remark of how it was that never came. Instead, when he addressed everyone again he said, [color=#86a8ad]“You have 15 minutes to complete the course—”[/color] He broke off to compose himself through breathlessness. [color=#86a8ad]“—Because this is an assessment, there will be no skipping obstacles, no cheating, no powers, and no helping each other. Break any of the rules and it is an automatic failure.”[/color] There he went. Just throwing around the f word like it had no daunting black and white meaning. [i]Unbelievable.[/i] [color=#86a8ad]“Alright then. You’ll run the course in groups of five. First up is Sloane, Sylas, Nate, Maylisse and Andy…”[/color] That gave her more time to digest her food at least. That was the only perk she could find. Somewhat guessing, her eyes drifted to Daniel as the first group set themselves up. She wouldn’t be surprised if the likes of him summoned a betting ring as a sideshow. The thought brought a crooked smile to her lips. If she had to bet on a horse per group, the first one proved challenging enough. Two unknowns that both looked physically capable. Even if one did dress more for tennis than an obstacle course. Though, how they dressed and body proportions didn’t necessarily hold relation to how they performed. Andy had a way of holding her own. Sylas was ambitious and had dexterity. Sloane wasn’t to be underestimated. In general, Evelyn tried to make it a habit not to underestimate anyone. She watched the first group as if she had an investment in them. Being the first, they’d demonstrate how the course was handled in a group setting. How competitive one another got and…well, who was the most agile within that group which frankly she was plain interested in. There was Sylas of course who she was always curious about. And to see what Sloane could do was interesting. But also the red-headed guy, [i]Nate[/i], by process of elimination — [i]thanks, River[/i] — There was a thing about him. Not that the thing would be discovered via an agility course but she still watched them. In fact, she should kill two birds with one 15 minute time frame. Evelyn moved from her spot slowly towards Nelly and Iliana with a smile. [color=ffc300] “Hi girls.”[/color] Her smile brightened, keeping her voice low like it would disturb the people running the course otherwise. She sat down a step below them, keeping her body sideways to track the course and engage with the girls. [color=ffc300]“How are we feeling about this?”[/color] She gestured to obstacles. [color=ffc300]“You shouldn’t have too many issues.”[/color] She nodded at Nelly next, imagining the daughter of Hermes would breeze through most of it, even without powers. She smiled contently, keeping her hands tucked under her legs as she watched the group though naturally a thousand thoughts rushed through her mind at once. [color=ffc300]“Oh, how did your, uh, rectifying regrets go?”[/color] Evelyn asked towards Nelly. [color=ffc300]“What was that even all about?”[/color] She squinted in confusion. [/color] [center][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Iliana & Nelly[color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Sloane, Katryna, Kacper, River, Sylas, Daniel, Nate, Maylisse, Andy[color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none[/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center]