[img]https://i.imgur.com/xRJ9X2b.jpeg[/img][hr][center][color=#9966cc]#9966cc[/color] ~ 
[url=https://i.pinimg.com/236x/60/cb/7c/60cb7c667c9d47f2c0afac0386a03591.jpg]Outfit[/url] ~ Arena > Heath's cabin[/center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/2kXbvW7.jpeg[/img][hr][center][color=#808000]#808000[/color] ~ [url=https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1743433789-mhl-wrkout-rhone-438-67eaafe783ec4.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*]Outfit[/url] ~ Arena > Heath's cabin[/center][hr][img]https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/yq9c365gew4.jpg[/img][hr][center][color=#B300B3]#B300B3[/color] ~ [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/be8aada3f828.webp]Outfit[/url] ~ Arena[/center][hr]

Heath considered what his response would be to Sofia's question.  He definitely wasn't the best person to introduce Sofia to Mason.  For one thing, the two never really interacted.  The last time Heath could recall the two had ANY kind of interaction was when Mason deliberately danced with Iliana, probably to get a rise out of Heath.  That was a while ago now.  He did have one idea though.

[color=#808000]"Well, if possible, it might be a good idea to meet him with Andy around.  You remember her right?  She's the one who formally welcomed you new campers to the camp.  She and Mason are close so he's bound to be in a better mood with her around.  If she's not around, just try to be cordial whenever you do meet him.  Did you have any ideas on how you were going to introduce yourself?"[/color]

[color=#9966cc]"Andy eh and yeah I remember her?"[/color] Sofia replied as she took a moment to think. [color=#9966cc]"I had some ideas like meeting him when he was in a good mood or maybe when he is free and at his cabin."[/color] Sofia sounded a bit unconfident with that plan.[color=#9966cc]"I just want to make a good impression and be on good terms with him. "[/color]

It was rare when Heath couldn't think of a full solution to a problem.  Then again this was a social issue and Heath would be the first to admit that social situations were not his forte.  He bet Blair was an expert at it.

[color=#808000]"There is plenty of time for you to meet.  I am sure you'll get your chance.  Let's see how assessments go first."[/color]
Sofia wasn't the only one interested in meeting someone, Heath himself was curious about meeting Pallas and wanted to determine if he was his brother.  Heath's thoughts were interrupted when Veronica showed up.

Veronica smiled wearily as she sank onto the bench next to the pair, slowly rolling her shoulders to try to ease up the stiffness that was already setting in. Pushups had definitely been easier overall, but it felt like it had taken her forever to finish, and she somehow hurt worse now than she had after her earlier run through the course.

[color=B300B3]”Have you two been doing any interesting things while I was having my do-over? Also, how did Iliana’s attempt go?”[/color]

Heath looked and saw his sister was still lying on the ground before pointing in her direction.

[color=#808000]”Iliana is still lying over there.  She was already exhausted when she finished the course the first time and couldn’t even walk back to the bleachers then.  She refused my help this, but did take the ointment sample she gave me.  I wanted to help, but knowing Lia, she would have been even more mad at me for trying.  My sister may not be Scottish like me but she’s just as stubborn as one.  As for what we were talking about, it was personal with Sofia.  You can let her know if you want to, Sofia since it’s not my place to talk about it.”[/color]

[color=B300B3]”Maybe we’re all extra stubborn, with us being demigods, you know?”[/color] Veronica nodded her head in agreement to what Heath had said before turning to listen to Sofia.

[color=#9966cc]"Well…"[/color] Sofia thought for a minute before continuing.  [color=#9966cc]"Since people are going to find out eventually and people here are okay with people like him."[/color] There was some heaviness with her words. Like she was trying to lift a weight off her chest. [color=#9966cc]"Me and Heath were talking about Mason since he is my half-brother and I want to talk to him. Despite how it can be hard to approach him as I am told."[/color]

Since people were comfortable with people being the children of Hades at camp despite what Hades has done. Sofia figured it would be best if she did not hide who her father was. More so since Heath explained how Mason was treated and she can be open to people like she is now.

[color=#9966cc]"Have you met Mason, Veronica?"[/color] Sofia seeing if she could help with the matter.

Veronica thought for a moment, then shook her head, as she couldn’t remember if she had or not, though she’d met a few campers during the night of Pandora’s Box, so she might have. She sat in silence, mulling over what Sofia had said about her parentage and her sibling, though she was a little taken aback at the dismissive tone when she’d referred to Mason. Veronica wasn’t as familiar with events that others at Camp had dealt with before her arrival, though Heath and Iliana had told her a little about the trials. They had also mentioned rumors of what others had gone through at the hands of various gods, but she was struggling to reconcile those against what little she knew of her own mother, let alone any of the others.

[color=B300B3]”No I haven’t. Though I’m pretty sure we saw him knock one of the new campers over on the dance floor last night.”[/color] She voiced her answer to Sofia, just in case it hadn’t been clear before continuing [color=B300B3]”I’m not sure what to think about his dad, and yours, like, is he really as bad as people keep saying? I mean, everyone acts like he’s the same as he was in the Disney movie, or worse!”[/color] She gave Sofia a guilty smile [color=B300B3]”I did love that movie though, and Hades was one of the best characters. But, even if he is what everyone thinks or says he is, even then, what does that make you and Mason? You’re you, and he’s him, and we’re none of us our parents. As for who Mason is, Andy would know better than any of us, Sofia.”[/color]

After she finished her rambling attempt to get the jumble of thoughts out into the air, she thought back over what she’d actually said and gave Sofia a sheepish smile. [color=B300B3]”Sorry, that probably wasn’t helpful… I, um, used to read a lot of comics and, well, fiction about gods, and other things.[/color] Veronica blushed a little and glanced down before continuing, [color=B300B3]”like, I’ve seen a lot of different adaptations of your father in musicals, stories, and art. So it’s that it’s hard to see them as ‘evil’ anymore. Maybe they just romanticised him, and I was drawn to the fairytale of it or something. Sorry, I… I’ll just be quiet now.”[/color]

It seemed that Veronica was struggling to add to the conversation.  She was doing her best though it seemed, at least in Heath’s opinion.  She did mention Andy was the best person to ask, similar to what he mentioned earlier.

[color=#808000]”I never ask my mother if any of the tales written about her were true.  Obviously the only one that’s not true is she’s one one of the Virgin Goddesses,”[/color] he said with a soft chuckle at the end.

The stories were interesting though, that’s for sure.  Still unlike some, his mother was mostly portrayed in a positive light.  But that was something Heath really thought about much.  He just focused on the matter at hand.

[color=#808000]”Anyway, Veronica, I was just about to escort Sofia here to my cabin since I promised her shortbread cookies.  You’re welcome to join us if you have nothing else to do.  Sofia, I’ll let you borrow the container the cookies are in if you promise to return the container back to me.”[/color]

And he would know if she would keep her word or not.  What he saw so far of Sofia was a genuine good person, much more outgoing than Mason.
Sofia listened to what both Veronica and Heath said intently and it seemed to her like the best option to talk to Mason would be to ask Andy about it. But it seems that she should clear up why she has a negative view of her father, Hades. Since it is the main reason she is at camp in the first place.

Starting with Veronica first, [color=#9966cc]"Still, thanks Veronica and Heath you too. I now have a plan in mind and I just need to catch Andy when she is free."[/color] Whenever that would be. [color=#9966cc]"But I promise Heath to return the container, I am not one to steal or break a word. "[/color] Sofia sounded like she meant it. [color=#9966cc]"Plus we live in the same camp, so I cannot really hide where I live."[/color] An unserious and joking tone.  

Then came the serious part and her face and tone reflected it. [color=#9966cc]"But I should say why I have this view of my father and it is from my mother. Who was a medium and yes the kind that talks to ghosts."[/color] That last part sounded like she was used to people asking that question about her mother. [color=#9966cc]”So my mother through one of her sessions, discovered things about Hades. Bad stuff he did and she wanted me to come to camp so I could be safe away from him. That is the reason I am here and I believe my mother but I never actually met Hades."[/color] Could her mother be wrong maybe but in her experience. The dead rarely lie and it was her mother’s spirit that told her this. So she should not be lying about Hades and Sofia trusts her mother’s words. 

[color=#9966cc]"So that is why and how about we go get those cookies now?"[/color] Sofia realizing she kinda ruined the mood can tried to change the subject, her tone quickly shifting to a happier one. But it was the truth and she will not lie about it. [color=#9966cc]"You want to come with Veronica?"[/color]              

[color=B300B3]”Only if you promise to share some of those delicious sounding cookies, I’m famished after this morning.”[/color] Veronica replied teasingly in an attempt to lighten the mood following Sofia’s revelation. Though what exactly the other girl had been told by her Mother about what she’d learned during one of her sessions was still a mystery, so Veronica remained a little skeptical. For all Mason was quiet and slightly volatile when it came to others interacting with Andy she wasn’t in favour of taring him with the same brush as whatever it was Sofia knew but hadn’t shared. But they all had secrets, she knew that well enough from those she kept tightly bound inside.

Veronica got back to her feet, feeling a little wobbling as her stomach grumbled in protest, making her wonder if she ought to go get something more substantial to eat but a snack with friends sounded like a good option right about now. [color=B300B3]”Lead on, Macduff?”[/color] she gave a slight bow and waved her hand to invite the other two to lead the way out of the arena.

Heath continued listening in on what the two said while keeping an eye on Iliana.  It had been around several minutes and she was still flat on the ground.  Heath would be the first to admit it was hard to pay attention to Sofia and Veronica when his brotherly instincts demanded he check on her again.  But his logical mind reminded him of his promise too.  Hearing Sofia having a mom for a medium was interesting for sure.  Then again, a good number of his relatives were practicing Wiccans.  His father never got involved, he told him once he just didn’t ‘feel the need’ and was more interested in more modern stuff.  He still respected Wicca though.

As they stood up though, Veronica quoted, or rather, misquoted a line from MacBeth.  Heath couldn’t help but chuckle and in a gentle tone, corrected her.
[color=#808000]”Um, Veronica, it’s ‘Lay On, MacDuff.’  Nice try though.”[/color]

Veronica straightened up, and looked at Heath quizically, [color=B300B3]”I… er, we only did Shakespeare once at school, but are you sure? I’ve always heard it as ‘lead on’. We did put on a play but it was Midsummer Night’s Dream, so you’re probably right.”[/color]

[color=#808000]”Well one of my private tutors suggested I read Shakespeare when I was old enough, and since MacBeth takes place in my homeland, it was the first one I read when I was 13.  I was already in college, and my university had it.  I memorized the whole book in no time and even learned it in Scottish Gaelic.  Good story, but I personally don’t like it since I don’t like the main character of MacBeth.”[/color]
Picking up his extra stuff, he automatically started putting it on, despite getting warm.  He made sure his sister’s stuff was in one place too whenever she came back for it.

Turning to the two ladies, he said, [color=#808000]”Shall we ladies?”[/color]

Sofia smiled and gathered her things. [color=#9966cc]"Sure Heath,"[/color] putting on her jacket despite it being warm. In preparation for the cold. That went well, she thought about the whole Hades topic. But more to that is for another day, for now it is time for some cookies. [color=#9966cc]"Lead the way,"[/color] she motioned to him and started following him out of the arena.   

After the three of them exited the arena, Veronica glanced back the way they’d come as a thought occurred to her, namely that she’d finished her second round but had just left, and so she was worried if she was supposed to have done that or not.

[color=B300B3]”Oh darn it, I was going to check with River once I was done. Sorry, I’ll catch you guys later.”[/color] She turned and jogged back into the arena, though after a few steps her body screamed out in protest, so the return journey to River was more of an uneasy hobble as she clutched a stitch in her side till it subsided as she reached him.

Heath turned sharply as Veronica turned back around.  River was definitely going to be a busy guy.  He didn’t envy the position that’s for sure.  However if he ever did take up a leadership position, he would handle it the best he could.  He would certainly try to help out River when he could.

[color=#808000]”Well, hopefully she’ll sort things out with River.  Under normal circumstances I’d wait for her, but it’s freezing out here and that recommendation wouldn’t do us much good.  Luckily my cabin isn’t too far from the arena.”[/color] he said, leading them from the arena towards his location.

[color=#9966cc]"Yeah, doing the course and thirty pushups is not easy. But, I hope it does work out for her."[/color] He seems like an okay guy so far, Sofia thought as she followed Heath out of the arena and back into the cold. But how the rest of camp will be like under him will go. Sofia just hopes it is one that she will be fine with.

End of Part 1

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[center]Interactions ~ None ~ Mentions ~ Iliana, River, Mason, Andy, Blair ~ Collabs ~ [@Theyra], [@Fabricator][/center]