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[color=808080][color=a9c9eb][b]#a9c9eb[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/9e/d6/ba/9ed6ba913739602155ea7b1ec41975d3.jpg][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=86a8ad][b]#86a8ad[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/eVkcqfX][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=A8516E][b]#a8516e[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [b]arena[/b][/color]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080][color=#86a8ad]"You really like the sound of your own voice, don’t you?"[/color]

River’s question cut through the arena’s residual sounds, a blunt instrument after her surgical analysis. It was as rhetorical as her own question to him, and he promptly answered it himself before Maylisse could muster a reply. [color=#86a8ad]"Can’t deny you’re his."[/color] He shook his head and ran his palms along his thighs until they gripped the caps of his knees, leveraging himself into a more upright position on the bench. [color=#86a8ad]"He also talks too much."[/color]

He drew a deep breath, the air hissing between his teeth. [color=#86a8ad]"You toss around a lot of words that mean nothing."[/color] He held her gaze, his own expression largely emotionless save for the faint furrowing of his brow, a tell of simmering frustration. [color=#86a8ad]"If you’re wanting your barbs to cut, then you’ll have to dumb it down for the simpleton. But frankly… [i]love[/i], I don’t give a shit about your opinions of me. It’s not my job to please you. He chose me to lead, not you. I don’t know why. Maybe you didn’t cut it, or maybe our father is a misogynistic piece of shit. I don’t really care. Judge and observe me all you want. I can’t stop you… But I also don’t answer to you."[/color]

For a moment, Maylisse said nothing, though it would be incorrect to categorize her silence as surprise. It was interesting, she thought, to see how River’s pent-up irritation had finally found a desired point, abandoning its earlier, nervous containment for this direct frontal assault. Then, softly, she exhaled through her nose in a manner that, for her, might generously be construed as a laugh—a short, dry puff of air.

[color=#a9c9eb]"Yes, you’re right,"[/color] she replied at last, her voice even faintly pleasant. [color=#a9c9eb]"Our father does talk quite a bit, doesn’t he? It’s one of his more… exhausting habits."[/color] There was no mockery in the observation. If anything, it carried the bone-deep familiarity of someone who had endured that thunderous, instructive voice often and at excruciatingly close range. She respected its power, understood its hegemonic weight. But reverence, in her mind, did not require illusion. She had learned that Poseidon often spoke at length precisely because he expected complete obedience. And who was she, a girl of twelve when first summoned to his presence, to do otherwise?

[color=#a9c9eb]"I do feel the need to correct you on one thing, however,"[/color] Maylisse continued, her eyes following as River motioned vaguely to another camper across the arena. [color=#a9c9eb]"I’m not here to undermine you nor to replace you. And despite how it may feel, I do respect your authority as it currently stands, even if our father’s reasoning remains… opaque to me."[/color]

She turned her head back to him, her gaze direct. [color=#a9c9eb]"My observations aren’t meant as barbs. They are meant to understand. To identify patterns before they calcify into habits. So, if I’ve been blunt, it’s because I was taught to be direct, especially when the truth is unpalatable. Especially then."[/color]

She leaned back slightly, hands folding in her lap once more.

[color=#a9c9eb]"And if that clarity makes me disagreeable,"[/color] Maylisse concluded, the words delivered with almost polite regret, [color=#a9c9eb]" so be it. I’ve rarely found agreeableness to be a useful trait in matters of survival. And isn’t that, ultimately, what you said this place was for? Training for the fight to come for those like us?"[/color]

River almost found it laughable that her judgments, or [i]observations[/i] as she called them, were supposed to bring some kind of understanding. Because so far the only thing that he [i]did[/i] understand was that she was studying him and talked a lot. There wasn’t much understanding on his part, but perhaps that’s the simpleton in him not grasping at her… whatever. He wasn’t sure if he had another sharp response or just preferred the opportunity to ignore her, but their resident eavesdropper didn’t look like she was going anywhere until he addressed her, and this wasn’t a conversation he was particularly thrilled to continue with an audience. So, it could be put to bed for now… or forever. That would be nice.

[color=#86a8ad]"Need something?"[/color] he asked the girl. 

Rosalia had found it difficult to maintain a neutral expression as the conversation continued. In some measure, her curiosity had been sated by this Maylisse character’s inquisition of River. Even so, there were plenty of practical matters that she wouldn’t waste the opportunity to go over. When addressed, she smiled warmly, and tried her best to approach diplomatically—paying special mind to the fact that River seemed to be losing the inclination to take questions with every further prod from his sister.

[color=#a8516e]“Sorry to edge in here like this,”[/color] she responded, [color=#a8516e]“But I just had a couple quick questions if you’ve got a moment.”[/color]

River sighed, his patience obviously not what it was at the beginning of training. He pinched the bridge of his nose, leaning his elbow into his knee before replying. [color=#86a8ad]"Well… Yeah, obviously."[/color] He ran his fingers along his cheeks and traced the edge of his jaw as he looked over at the raven haired girl. [color=#86a8ad]"Go on. Shoot."[/color] At that point he was more in the [i]rip the bandaid off[/i] frame of mind anyway. He’d prefer she just ask her questions rather than beat around the bush.

Rosalia gave a curt nod and responded. [color=#a8516e]“Cool. Thanks.”[/color] She clicked her tongue. Best to get the logistics out of the way. [color=#a8516e]“So first thing—you were, uh, talkin’ about assessments. What are the other criteria you were lookin’ to evaluate—if you don’ mind sharin’ of course. Jus’ hopin’ to get ‘n idea of what to expect, y’know?”[/color]

[color=#86a8ad]"I…"[/color] River started as he sat back up straight and reached over to grab his shirt that was resting on the bench beside him. [color=#86a8ad]"Appreciate your interest."[/color] His words were genuine, [i]enough.[/i] It was far better than the alternative of someone coming over to bitch at him or tell him he’s a shit leader after one day. He slipped both arms through the sleeves, pushing the shirt up to his shoulders while bunching up the fabric in his hands. [color=#86a8ad]"But that information would give you an unfair advantage over the other campers. So you’ll have to wait and see over the next two days."[/color] With that, he pulled his shirt over his head and tugged the hem down to his waist, having felt a [i]little[/i] too exposed being shirtless while cornered by two women… Regardless if one is technically his sister.

Rosalia shrugged. [color=#a8516e]“Fair enough,”[/color] she conceded. Hopefully, proactivity would be appreciated, even if it wasn’t on the table in this specific circumstance. As long as he had something of a plan, there was still potential. Rosalia didn’t want Maylisse to have any more of a point than she had to. Without a further thought, Rosalia moved on to her next question. [color=#a8516e]“I’ll look at the now, then. I know I did well ‘n’ all, but le’s be honest. [i]Well[/i] prolly ain’t gonna cut it for whatever we’re needin’ to do fo’ the gods. Got any suggestions for improvement on my end? Or, like, stuff I should get crackin’ on?”[/color]

River’s eyes squinted as she studied the girl, trying to recall anything about her run or even her name. He couldn’t. It was listed somewhere on his clipboard in his notes, but he also wasn’t in the mood to go flipping through pages to give her a blow by blow of his thoughts. [color=#86a8ad]"I don’t… Even know who you are."[/color] His filtered failed, letting the thought slip right off his tongue, unchallenged and blunt. But it was true. The least she could of done was properly introduce herself before requesting information. Sure he could ask but his mind was already five more steps down the pipeline. 

[color=#86a8ad]"I don’t know."[/color] A wry laugh followed his words, forced and a little awkward. [color=#86a8ad]"Training isn’t even over. I haven’t had time to take my chicken scratch and make sense of it yet. That takes time."[/color] His gaze drifted over to the course, taking note of the handful of campers who were still finishing their second run, some determined to be finished quickly while others took their time, in no rush to get hurt or further exhausted. [color=#86a8ad]"Don’t get worse… [i]I guess?[/i]"[/color] He shrugged his shoulders with an expression as unconvincing as his tone.

Rosalia’s friendly expression wavered. Her eyes darted to Maylisse, as if to silently affirm to her that she was seeing the concern over River. [color=#a8516e]“So you’re goin’ into this pretty blind, huh?”[/color] she blurted out. She fumbled and quickly drifted into an apology. [color=#a8516e]“I’m sorry. I mistook your tallyin’ of our performances for familiarity. There’s a lot of names and faces anyway, so that’s fair. That’s on me. My name’s Rosalia. Rosalia Brancaccio. I was with group two. Just trying to get my bearings here. I’m guessin’ the big guys up on Olympus didn’t give ya’ much notice or direction either?”[/color]

Maylisse had remained silent until then, listening with the preternatural patience of someone who had learned long ago that people revealed their deepest intentions when they believed themselves unopposed, if not supported. But at Rosalia’s last question, something changed, and her gaze slid toward the raven-haired girl.

[color=#a9c9eb]"That,"[/color] she said, her voice a model of mildness that somehow sharpened the words, [color=#a9c9eb]"is an awfully familiar question. What business is it of yours to know how prepared your leader is?"[/color]

Ok, so… River was going to answer but then Maylisse stepped in and he didn’t know if he should have been grateful or surprised or unsettled at the way she almost, kind of defended him? He shook his head. Not something he wanted to dwell on. His brows furrowed, eyes squinting as he looked up at Rosalia. Now two people weighing and measuring him? For fuck’s sake. [color=#86a8ad]"Olympus has nothing to do with this,"[/color] he clarified, not that he owed either of them an explanation. [color=#86a8ad]"There are 3 days of assessments…"[/color] He held up three fingers. [color=#86a8ad]"Feedback follows. It’s pretty self explanatory."[/color]

Rosalia held up her hands defensively and nodded. [color=#a8516e]"Alright. I get the picture."[/color] She sighed and looked between Maylisse and River, though spoke primarily to the latter. [color=#a8516e]"Look, here’s the deal. I’m a daughter of Zeus. Famously involved parent, yada yada. I’m not so good with words. Usually prefer actions ‘n’ all. But the deal is, I was hoping you had more information than me, because I ain’t even [i]met[/i] my quote-unquote parent. This sort of [i]ineffable ways[/i] shtick has been drivin’ me nuts since the firs’ call I got to come up here, ‘n’ now that I’m here—"[/color] Rosalia clenched her fist and then gestured around, [color=#a8516e]"I’m gettin’ this sinkin’ feelin’ that maybe we’re here to be babysat, not to do somethin’ important. So…in less…bi—accusatory words, what I’m wonderin’ is, as our leader, d’you have any instructions for folks who wanna work? Like, any jobs that need doin’? And it ain’t normal that we have, like, afternoons off, is it?"[/color]

[color=#86a8ad]"[i]Work…[/i]"[/color] River echoed like saying it again would somehow get the words to stick better than the first time. His face contorted for a second as he started counting silently on his fingers as a way to try and keep his thoughts straight, and be sure he touched on everything. [color=#86a8ad]"Yeah I’m definitely [i]not[/i] a babysitter. Everyone is free to come and go as they want. This isn't a prison."[/color] He put down one finger and continued, unable to hide the small chuckle that rumbled in his chest at the thought of demigods running around doing chores.  [color=#86a8ad]"It’s a magic camp. The only [i]job[/i] is mine."[/color]

Another finger down, leaving him with one. [color=#86a8ad]"And… I’m sorry, are you complaining about down time?"[/color] He laughed a second time, more bewildered and confused than anything. [color=#86a8ad]"It can’t be all training all of the time. People need time to rest."[/color] River laced his fingers together, letting his hands hang in the space between his legs. [color=#86a8ad]"Personal bonds are just as important as training. If you have nothing you care about then there’s nothing to fight for."[/color]

This time, Maylisse’s consideration of River’s words held a different quality, less the didactic dissection of a subject under glass and more just a simple, if reluctant, acknowledgment of the sensibility behind them.

[color=#a9c9eb]"He’s quite right,"[/color] she conceded. [color=#a9c9eb]"It [i]is[/i] possible to overdo things."[/color] She glanced down at her own hands, as if the admission were a tangible object she was examining for flaws. Her agreement, delivered in a tone that had shed its characteristic cutting edge, was a bit of a surprise even to herself. Still, she continued, her pace slowing as she deliberately thinned the usual pleonastic density of her language. Whether this linguistic simplification was for the seemingly distraught girl’s benefit or a concession to River’s earlier criticism, she did not dwell on it.   

[color=#a9c9eb]"Being the daughter of a powerful god like Zeus does not make you one. It merely makes you a participant in a far more demanding game."[/color] Maylisse’s gaze settled on Rosalia once more, but this time with a calm precision rather than open challenge.  [color=#a9c9eb]"So yes, taking the afternoon to recover is for the best. Training will inevitably intensify, I’m sure, and there’s no advantage in breaking you all before you’ve had the opportunity to learn where your true limits are."[/color] 

Rosalia’s expression teetered between concession and frustration as she took in the responses from the two Poseidon-children. She looked away and ran her tongue along her teeth as she wrestled with her response. On one hand, the truth of the matter was that rest was all but a foreign word to her. And a part of her was inclined to think it ought to have been for all of the demigods. After all, what point was there to being superhuman if not to behave as such? Did the great heroes of old take afternoons off? On the other hand, the Olympians famously did like their leisure time. While Rosalia’s first impulse was to deprecate the habit, she quickly reminded herself that there was a significant gulf between how things [i]should[/i] be and how things actually were. With a heavy blink and a sigh, she responded. She gripped the bridge of her nose and spoke haltingly, trying her best to avoid mincing words. [color=#a8516e]"I don’…I dunno…what to do with all’at."[/color] She looked back up and gave River an earnest expression. [color=#a8516e]"Last time I took more’n a day off was…was…hell, I dunno. Never needed more’n three hours of sleep…an’ I used to do school, work, studyin’, ‘n’ what have you…from wakin’ up till goin’ to bed. But…you’re in charge, so I’ll, uh…"[/color] She looked past River, then shook her head. [color=#a8516e]"I dunno—I’m jus’ used to doin’ stuff ‘cause it’s gotta get done. Tha’s what I thought was supposed’a happen here too. So…this is real strange to me. But you’re in charge, ‘n’ I’m sure it’s for a good reason. How’m I—no, tha’s not reasonable to as’—You’ve been here a while, yeah? Where do folks usually hang out ‘n’ all, then?"[/color]

River blew out a heavy breath, puffing up his lips as he listened. This girl was wound like a top that refused to let herself unravel. He couldn’t even begin to understand or grasp how someone functioned like that. [color=#86a8ad]"That sounds fucking terrible."[/color] The words came out a little too blunt and honest than he had intended. But he genuinely couldn’t understand why someone would willingly [i]choose[/i] to put themselves through that. He found himself secretly thankful that Poseidon took the initiative to send him to camp as the leader rather than Zeus sending her. With someone like Rosalia in charge there would have been a mass exodus in less than a week. 

[color=#86a8ad]"I arrived yesterday,"[/color] he admitted plainly, a fact that didn’t change things one way or the other. [color=#86a8ad]"I imagine they’re just… [i]around?[/i]"[/color] River shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t overly concern himself regarding where people busied themselves. Since all he really saw was the main hall, a party and training, he didn’t have much direction when it came to socializing.

Rosalia’s expression hardened at the admission. She nodded softly. [color=#a8516e]"I see."[/color] She tightened her lips. [color=#a8516e]"Well…I’ve always lived by the sayin’: [i]Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.[/i]"[/color] She sighed. [color=#a8516e]"But, uh…you’re the boss."[/color] She threw her hands up in concession, though her expression still suggested she remained unconvinced. [color=#a8516e]"I’ll, uh, give it a shot."[/color] 

[color=#86a8ad]"Socializing is not my strong suit,"[/color] River confessed, as if that wasn’t already obvious. He wasn’t going to be much help in that regard, but if he could manage to make a single friend in a day then—[i]in theory[/i]—so should Rosalia. [color=#86a8ad]"Or maybe you need a hobby,"[/color] he added, although that was probably meant to be more of a thought than an actual suggestion… Oh well.

Maylisse regarded Rosalia with the detached curiosity one might reserve for a mechanism under unfamiliar strain.

[color=#a9c9eb]"You’ll adjust, I’m sure,"[/color] she managed. The words constituted the closest approximation to reassurance she could muster. With that, she rose smoothly from the bench, gathering her coat in one precise sweep. [color=#a9c9eb]"I’ll leave you to it, then?"[/color]

River’s brows rose in his best semblance of a good bye, along with a small nod. [color=#86a8ad]"Uh… Yep, sure."[/color]

Rosalia gave a final, stiff nod. [color=#a8516e]"Anyway, thanks. Sure it’s gotta be tough being in your positon. Thanks for the direction."[/color] Without explaining further, she started away, intent on finding her own way to fill the day.

He nodded his head and gave a weak two finger salute. [color=#86a8ad]"Yeah, uh… no problem."[/color] Once River was alone and both of his inquisitors were out of sight, he groaned and ran his hands over his face. His muscles ached from the tension that had permanently resided across his shoulders and fought him when he tried to relax. [color=#86a8ad]"Fuck me,"[/color] he grumbled into his palms. This leading thing was the worst.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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