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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]After his run, Sylas spent most of his time silently judging the inadequacies of others aside from the small handful of demigods that drew his attention, specifically Evelyn and the Polish fucker who kept sparing him the stink eye. If he didn’t know better he would have assumed Sloane had loose lips based on the way her newest protector found every opportunity to make a show of his proximity or general smugness. But he [i]did[/i] knew better. His sister was too much of a martyr to drag others into her problems. Liam busted his way in like a bull in a china shop and left her worse for wear. If he was a betting man, she was doing everything in her power to avoid the same kind of familiarity a second time, if only to avoid abandonment… [i]again.[/i] Especially considering the mass exodus of her newest acquaintances. It was a pattern and only a matter of time before tweedledee and tweedledum followed suit. 

Generally his attention lulled from the clock, and the slow progression of time or flitted around taking stock of the various unfamiliar faces. He only looked back toward the course when the raven haired siblings were called. It didn’t take rocket science, but a simple process of elimination, to connect the dots that they were Katryna and Kacper. Apparently their parent had a penchant for alliteration like his own father, [i]ironic.[/i] To no surprise, the girl was utterly useless when it came to the course, similar to his sister. Birds of a feather he supposed. But her general lack of… anything remarkable quickly erased her from his attention as he focused on the brother. He didn’t seem to struggle like his sister, even flowing through most of the obstacles with some degree of finesse, once he stopped worrying over his sister. A weakness, no doubt. Unlike himself, these siblings seemed to be intrinsically linked and [i]that[/i] was exploitable. The only hitch was how Sloane seemed to be their new favored pet, getting any of them alone would not be an easy task… Not with how brazen she has become after Liam’s meddling.

Evelyn’s name was called in the next group, which quieted some of his scrutiny for the others in lieu of stoic intrigue and silent support through his undivided attention. The group as a whole struggled immeasurably. While she didn’t have any big falls or setbacks like some others, her overall speed was slow. Sylas thought, perhaps, she’d pull ahead with Wes’s fall but by the end they both finished at the same time, trailing behind Anissa and the girl with braids who worried herself more with healing others than conserving her energy… And it showed. Still, she finished and didn’t skip the rope climb like he had seen others do, like Anissa. If nothing else, he figured Evelyn should get a boost to her time because she completed it, a failure on River’s part no doubt… Or favoritism. 

Sylas scoffed to himself and rolled his eyes as he leaned back against the bench behind him. Another leader with his own personal pets that would get a pass. The only silver lining is that, from what he gathered, Anissa didn’t have Alex’s murderous tendencies and short temper. So overall that was unlikely to have an effect on everyone else throughout the camp. If it becomes much of a problem he could handle it, one way or another. Not that he was much for authority, but when he has to suffer the consequences of other people’s actions, then it becomes his problem. Whether Glove’s attention would be a good or bad distraction was yet to be seen. But so far it seemed whatever New Year’s dalliances transpired didn’t sway him from a grueling first day of training. 

For the remainder of training he watched the clouds forming and breaking apart overhead with little concern for what everyone else was doing. He only sat up with mild interest when he heard a rough tumble at the log ladder. He looked across the arena to see Daniel getting up like an old man with an injured back. And while that, in general, didn’t garner an ounce of concern on Sylas’s part, watching the humiliated son of Hecate seek out comfort from Evelyn, out of all people, piqued his interest. He watched with a sharp, unwavering gaze like he sought to pierce him straight through with just a look. Something dark and acidic churned in his gut as he watched her hand rest on another man’s chest. He was poised to stand, to intervene when he recalled Evelyn’s reaction to his public display the night before. It was that, and only that, which kept him confined to his seat. [color=0a6d6b][i]She isn’t mine,[/i][/color] he had to remind himself. [color=0a6d6b][i]... Not yet.[/i][/color]

While Sylas remained seated waiting for the results, as much as he tried to pry his gaze away, it inevitably found its way back to that familiar mane of red hair and a hand resting on someone that wasn’t him. When River finally approached to address them all again, a sigh of relief slipped out, involuntary and quickly lost in the wind. The sooner training was over then the sooner Daniel could fuck off… Or he’d—

[color=86a8ad]"Thank you everyone. I know training sucks…"[/color]

[color=0a6d6b][i]Blah, blah, blah. Get to the fucking point.[/i][/color]

A discontented grumble hummed behind his tight lips and clenched jaw at hearing Andy finishing before him. While he was aware how he placed compared to her, it had slipped his mind when more [i]important[/i] developments caught his attention. However, he was the time after her… [i]Good.[/i] At least that meant he was better than everyone else. Better than tweedledee and tweedledum, and definitely better than Daniel. 

When Evelyn’s name came up toward the end of the list, finishing outside the fifteen minute deadline, his gaze briefly found Anissa where she babied Blair. It wasn’t fair that she, and others, were able to skip the rope climb and still pass yet others were penalized for the time it took to struggle up it. He had every intention of leaving the arena promptly, but knowing that failure rarely got off free, he lingered… If only to know what Evelyn would have to do and to see if Daniel waited behind too. 

[color=86a8ad]"For everyone that remains, you will run the course a second time."[/color]

Sylas sucked in a sharp breath. He settled back into his seat, watching as Evelyn readied herself, even sharing a drink from Daniel’s water, before approaching the course for a second time. While there was a genuine part of him that remained behind in hopes that his presence would be some semblance of support because… That’s what people did for someone they cared about… [i]Right?[/i] The darker more envious side of him stayed to prove a point and to observe, not Evelyn, but Daniel. Every obstacle she struggled through he watched and waited for the son of Hecate to leave, but he didn’t. 

As more demigods trudged back toward the course, Sylas’s attention began to split between Evelyn, Daniel—who lingered like a fucking parasite—and Sloane, with her tagalongs that followed her through every obstacle. While generally his sister running through the training was nothing interesting, it was Kacper’s help that went beyond what he offered his own sister that really caught his attention. There was something going on there. Camp went from so dull he thought he’d actually die from boredom to little pieces like breadcrumb trails appearing before him. It was enticing, and of course the one time where there was something worth watching he couldn’t stop focusing on [i]fucking Daniel.[/i]

When Evelyn reached the end and fell to her knees, Sylas stood up like a subconscious part of him was stirred into action before his mind could catch up. He snatched up his coat in his hand and started down the stairs with every intention of going to her. But just as his feet hit the dirt and he looked up… Daniel was already there, offering her a hand and words he didn’t wait around to hear. 

Sylas peeled his gaze away, turning toward the exit with his teeth clenched, the muscle along his jaw flexed and his knuckles white as his grip tightened around his coat. He didn’t bother putting it on. He didn’t care about the cold… He just wanted to be out of that fucking arena. His long strides carried him past others who were too busy being pissed off themselves or wrapped up in each other. A cold breeze slammed into him the second he felt snow crunching underfoot, but that didn’t stop him. He walked through camp unbothered by the cold, or the bite of winter that slipped through the thin cotton of his track jacket. He didn’t have to go far and his flurry of emotions was more than enough to keep him heated. 

It wasn’t long before he reached his cabin. Sylas climbed the stairs two at a time, then disappeared inside with a slam of his door… And no desire to deal with [i]anyone[/i] for the foreseeable future.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]No one besides Wes came up to him with arguments or complaints about having to run the course a second time. River didn’t know if he was thankful for that or secretly dreading the hushed whispers shared when his back was turned. He knew leadership wasn’t going to be easy, but the lingering glares and muffled curses that were meant for him weighed awkwardly and off balance across his shoulders. It was a burden he’d have to learn to bear… If only because he had no other choice. 

His head remained hung deep in thought, hand rubbing the back of his neck when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eyes. River sighed softly, slowly looking up, expecting someone who wanted to bitch about the outcome or running the course twice or perhaps just his general shittiness as a leader. But standing before him was a dark haired woman with a familiarity he couldn’t quite place. 

[color=a9c9eb]"You handled that well, even if it may not feel that way at the moment."[/color] Her words came out plain, simple, like she was stating the facts or reading off of a roster. It was cold in its analytical approach, leaving him unsure how to respond. Should he say thank you? Did a comment like that warrant gratitude? He wasn’t sure. 

River watched her, silent and attentive while her gaze drifted toward the course before eventually returning back to him. [color=a9c9eb]"You made a decision. You upheld it. And you didn’t waver when the pushback came."[/color] There was a silence, a pause that didn’t feel necessarily heavy… but purposeful. [color=a9c9eb]"That matters. And it will matter to [i]him.[/i]"[/color]

He nodded his head slowly, lacing his fingers together as his elbows rested on his knees. The memory of her drying herself after her run came back to the forefront of his mind. Something he made a passing note of, but was quickly erased with everything else he had to keep track of. But now that she stood in front of him with a cold and calculating demeanor like Poseidon himself, it was apparent… Even without the showmanship of her powers. [color=86a8ad]"So, you’re one of [i]his.[/i]"[/color] River ran his tongue along the front of his teeth beneath his lips as he exhaled a deep breath through his nose. [color=86a8ad]"Did he send you here to observe me or do you study everyone with his scrutiny in mind?"[/color]


River drew in a deep breath and ran his hands back through his hair. The idea of someone watching his every movement not from the heavens, but from the same level as everyone else at camp somehow bothered him more than his father’s watchful gaze. There was more separation with a father hidden among the clouds. But her… His… [i]sister?[/i] She was right here staring him in the eyes. A constant reminder of what was expected of him and the role he was expected to fill… Like knowing she was there meant he’d never be able to relax, not really, not with an extension of his father’s judgement following him around like a looming storm cloud.

Whatever gripes festered in his thoughts, River kept his face blank. He slowly extended his right hand toward her. [color=86a8ad]"Knowing our father I’m sure you know everything about me already. But do I, at least, get to know who you are?"[/color][/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]Thirty push ups, no sweat. Well, ok… There was sweat. It was beading along his bare back, dripping from his chest and brows onto the sand and dirt beneath him. But push ups were manageable, doable. It was something a man with one arm could do without the risk of breaking his nose for the second time in one day. Of course he wasn’t the lightest man. He had the benefit of muscles he had built up in the absence of his right arm, but one handed push ups were nothing to bulk at either. It took a fair bit of balance, determination and patience. The most important thing was not burning out too quickly because the last thing he wanted to do was fail at that too and then have to do the course again anyway. That wasn’t an option. So slow and steady he pushed himself up, then lowered himself, breathing in sync… In the nose, out the mouth. 

Halfway through, Wes felt eyes on him. He knew he shouldn’t lose focus and keep his pace. But when he pushed up and locked his elbow, he raised his head and looked around. At first he didn’t notice anything, but then on the far side of the arena he saw her, blonde hair, guilty smile, watching him unabashedly. He couldn’t help the smirk that curved across his face through the exhaustion, bright and mischievous in its warmth. While none of their morning erased everything, he was a simple man… And catching his girl watching him with an unashamed hunger [i]did things.[/i] A single brow rose in a suggestive silence before he winked at her then lowered himself into another push up. 

The last handful were done through gritted teeth and trembling muscles. But once Wes pushed up the last time, he let out a sigh of relief as he rocked backwards to rest on his knees. He sat there for a minute or two, stretching and flexing his arm while focusing on steadying his breaths. Having had his fill of training and the arena, he pushed off the ground and made his way up the stands to where he had left his bloodied t-shirt and jacket. Noticing Trinity still lingering near the exit, he hurried back down the stairs taking two at a time. He used the dirty shirt to wipe sweat from his brow and chest as he approached her with a charming smile that he couldn’t fight.

[color=667c0c]"You’re very distracting… You know that?"[/color] he mused. His voice was deep like a suggestive whisper laced with his desires that always burned for her. There was one thing for certain, no matter if they were fighting or not, he would always… [i]always[/i] yearn for her in ways she could never fathom. Unable to help himself, he gently hooked his index finger beneath her chin and lightly ran the tip of his thumb against her bottom lip before leaning in and stealing a kiss. [color=667c0c]"If I knew it only took push ups to get you to look at me like that, I’d do them every morning."[/color] His smile grew as a quiet chuckle rumbled behind his lips. 

[color=667c0c]"I was thinking about grabbing food before a shower,"[/color] he offered her. Trinity didn’t ask, but even after their night, that didn’t mean he wanted to be rid of her or she had to stay away. He wasn’t the best at being grumpy when the one person who was making him grumpy also made him happy. Wes was a complicated golden retriever. [color=667c0c]"I know you probably want to talk, so we can over lunch if you want? Or… If you want to now, that’s fine."[/color][/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]Tapeesa headed down the arched hallway that led out of the arena. She pulled on her hoodie in a huff, then slipped her arms into the sleeves of her parka just before stepping back into the bitter chill of winter. The cold didn’t really bother her, she was used to it, but she pulled her hood up over her head nevertheless if only to hide her face from anyone she might pass. No longer surrounded by people in the arena she was able to let her guard down and release the tension that tightened across her shoulders. Her shaky breath created a small puff of cloud in front of her as her shoulders rolled forward. The tears she had been desperately trying to hold back… and failing, finally fell freely. She didn’t sob or heave, her tears fell silent like sparkling icicles down her cheeks. 

She didn’t know what she expected from a demigod camp, probably something like The Parent Trap but with Gods. That’s what she had prepared herself for, but the second she stepped through the gates nothing had been what she expected. A New Year’s party? Kissing a boy she just met? Grueling training? Suffering through exhaustion because she made the mistake of healing people? None of it. Never in her wildest daydreams did Tapeesa ever think anything like that would happen. The hardest thing to wrap her mind around though… Was how going out of her way to heal people somehow reared around and bit her in the butt. It didn’t make sense. She didn’t expect preferential treatment because she was helping people but… Maybe she did? It wasn’t like she didn’t try, because she did. She shook her head. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Two seconds…[/i]"[/color]

And while the failure frustrated her, her mind always came back to [i]Nate.[/i] Just the thought of him made her pivot, glancing back over her shoulder to see if he was trailing behind her like a fox in the snow… But no. A defeated sigh filled the silence as she slowly turned back around and continued down the path. She felt bad for snapping at him. She never [i]ever[/i] wanted to hurt someone else’s feelings, especially not his. It was never the easiest for her to stand up for her own feelings and whenever she did it always seemed to come out… [i]wrong.[/i] She should have said what really was bothering her, that his showing off and the way he didn’t quite help her, not like the others, hurt [i]her[/i] feelings… but she didn’t. Now she had messed up whatever [i]may[/i], or may not have been building between them. Or not? Gods she had no idea. Maybe she was being stupid and just crushing on him because he was her first kiss. It’d make sense. 

Tappi stopped dead in her tracks, throwing her head back with a groan. She raised her hands to wipe away the frozen tears that clung to the apples of her cheeks. With a sniffle she looked over and realized she stood at the gate to her tiny little yard that led to her cabin. There was a second where she took a step toward it, then froze when her stomach roared angrily. She had forgotten they talked about getting food… She also wanted a nap but knew she’d never be able to stay asleep if she didn’t eat. So as much as she wanted to disappear from the world for the rest of the day, her feet carried her onward toward the big building further down the path. If there was a cafeteria… it had to be in there. 

She slowly climbed the steps toward the entrance, looking around for any signs of other campers but it seemed like she was either one of the first people out of the arena, or maybe one of the few that was hungry? She had no idea. Tapeesa opened the door and the second she stepped inside she was hit with a gust of warm air and the delectable scents of fresh made food. The smell alone made her stomach lurch with anticipation. She sighed softly as her gaze drifted over toward the buffet spread of nearly any food she could think of. [color=0bbdaf]"Thank the Gods."[/color]

Tapeesa pulled off her parka and tossed it onto the first available chair before making her way over toward the food. She made a heaping plate of anything and everything that sounded good from breakfast foods to a double decker sandwich and a salad. She probably looked a little insane, but she also had never been hungry like that before either. With her hands full, she tucked a bottle of juice under her arm and made her way back to her seat. Finally being off her feet pulled a deep sigh from her. Tappi gave herself a moment to just… sink into her chair and relax. Then, before her stomach decided to start eating itself, she dug into her food like a woman who had been starved for days.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]
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