Sir Sparky

Camp Athens - Closed

---

^{#851f1f....|....armory > party}

---

"Yeah, I hope so since Ares wants me to be a proper warrior and... disagrees with how I control myself, but I think I am just fine."

Despite the leftover rage when speaking about his father, Duke nodded. He could see how that could get under anyone’s skin. “Well I think it’s admirable. You paving your own path, controlling your emotions and impulses.” Duke had seen Liam’s rage take him into a trance and Trinity’s love of battle. Breaking Ares’s influence was no easy task but Leo chose to.

"Okay, Hephaestus okay. Wait, Hephaestus never met you? Uh, I figured the gods would visit their child. I mean, Ares visited me." Duke’s jaw tensed momentarily. Even Ares visited his kid and if that wasn’t suffering by comparison then he didn’t know what was. But everyone was different and had their motives and at the thought he relaxed. He wasn’t about to have daddy issues now. He didn’t know the guy so he couldn’t resent the guy.

"So, have you wanted to meet with your father? I know it can go south, mine did, but maybe yours won't." While nice and only trying to do him a favor, Duke found the questions and pep talk a little left-field and even projective. "Your father is not the god of war, so maybe he will be more... friendly or welcoming than mine was." Well there was that.

"Maybe," he said, more to be agreeable than his own actual belief. "I think I’m at a stage where I don’t really care whether I meet him or not," he stated carefully with furrowed brows. "You know the important years have been and gone, he’s not going to impact my life now. Hephaestus works behind the scenes and so do I, I guess. Besides, I’d have no idea how to contact him." He added on a lighter note.

"Since your father was Hephaestus, and I know I got some power from Ares. What can you do, and did you make the weapons and armor in the armory?"

Now they were shifting to more comfortable territory, Duke was able to smile and pat the frame of the armory. “I made the armory itself. It’s had a couple demolitions, and we can’t have camp without weapons and armor so…yeah.” Duke eyed all his crafts contently. As for what he could do… “I basically craft things really well and make fire.” Duke summoned a small ball of flame in his palm before smothering it by closing his hand.

He knew what the kids of Ares could do for the most part but in case there were any hidden talents and in order to keep conversation flowing, “What about you?”

Eventually, the men parted, bidding their goodbyes. At least he had met one new camper and it was a son of Ares. Outwardly, that had to be the most intimidating guy to meet and Duke was pretty sure he was on side.

---

The hour for the party came around and even if he wanted to avoid it, he couldn’t. His cabin wasn’t as close as Nelly’s, but he’d hear it and catch the human traffic coming from the east side of camp. Might as well embrace it. Duke walked to the field, seemingly as one of the early to arrive which was not the intention. He smiled a little embarrassedly to the others when they looked towards him.

Usually at parties they'd reach a point where Alex would flirt and claw at him uncomfortably before gliding to someone more reciprocating and he'd exchange a look with Ajax. The boys would grab a few more drinks and talk if he wasn't with Andy and maybe Theo would join but none of the Valises were here and Theo was MIA. It was different. Duke glanced at Andy wondering if she'd feel Ajax's missing presence too. She deserved to move on but the Valises had been such a norm for a long time. It was even oddly quiet and felt tame without Alex...or it could have just been that this was still the early hours and he was one of the top five who arrived first.

Duke drifted to the table with food. Usually he was more carnivorous but those cookies the newer guy had laid out looked especially delicious. There was a brief fight to be modest and let the girls get one first but the oreo treats would be a hot sale and the rest of camp had a lot less restraint. He kind of wished somebody else took one first but the girls chose to be by the drinks and the man with the hair bun chose an activity. Duke picked one up and at first bite, he closed his eyes and moaned. This could convert him to a sweet tooth.

^{interactions ....|.... Leo ............... mentions ....|.... Nelly, Andy, Trinity, Elysium}

Camp Athens - Closed

---

^{B45F06....|.... main hall}

---

He didn’t expect to be met by anyone. Nothing about his aura said I’m open and in a good mood, sit with me so the shift of some movement coming from across him caught his attention. One Wes Preston. Did losing his new arm get to his head or something?

"You looked like you could use some help."

Mason’s already unwelcome gaze got stonier. He was sure the son of Aphrodite was referring to Andy walking off on him which was approximately none of his business. Plus, he wasn’t the one with one less limb. "I need help?" He gave Wes a chance to reevaluate his decisions because boy could Mason bury Trinity’s fuck toy. "Walk on cupid." He gestured with his head to all the other tables to choose from. Mason’s personal affairs and tiffs were his.

Wes sighed. He let his fork fall from his hand and clatter to his plate. If it was possible for him to cross his arms he would have. Instead his arm rested against the table close to his chest. "Yes. You need help." Whatever friendliness that was originally in Wes's voice was now gone as he matched Mason own chilly tone.

"So, we—" he motioned back and forth between the pair of them, "—both know that that girl has been through hell and a piece of shit boyfriend. And she did not sign up for a second one." Wes would have said all this in a much nicer way, but he didn't have patience for his attitude. "We are also both aware you fucked up." He held Mason's gaze for a moment because whether or not he was aware of how bad he messed up, Wes was going to make sure he was aware.

"However I'm also aware of how much you both love each other. It's strong enough I feel like I'm wading through fog when I get near you both. I want you both to work it out." His voice had lost some of its bitterness, even if his words didn't lose their bite. "You've always been a dick to me, so don't think I'm doing this for you. But she's a good person and you make her happy... And I actually think she could be good for you." With that Wes leaned back in his seat waiting to see Mason's reaction with an blank expression.

Mason smiled a bitter kind. He guessed word got around about his fuck up then. But again, he failed to see how it was anyone else’s business. And sure, it should’ve been flattering that their love radiated enough for a child of Aphrodite to sense or whatever but right now, Mason didn’t like anyone talking about him or Andy or the unwelcome life advice. "You’re a little invested for a nobody. Maybe you should worry about your own girl."

Mason leant forward. "Don’t ever tell me about what Andy went through. " Wes wasn’t there when he had to salvage her from the underworld and try to put her back together. He didn’t see Andy’s defeat and heartbreak when Ajax let her down time and time again. Wes didn’t understand losing a sibling. He wasn’t there when she got fried by his favorite slut. He knew nothing about the ‘hell she went through’.

There was no more to say on Mason’s end. He stood up and left. Though without Wes’s dumb face in his way, it was a little assuring someone else could say he made her happy and she loved him just as much. He owned his fuck up and he’d make it up her without any idiots in his ear.

Wes shook his head laughing coldly at being called a nobody. He couldn't care less how much of a somebody he was or wasn't "You should be the one concerned with Trinity, not me. She's the one you'll have to deal with if you break Andy's heart." He picked back up his fork with a sigh as Mason got up to leave. He tried to help but he wasn't going to beg to be heard. If he didn't want Wes's help then so be it. He was free to fuck up on his own then.

^{interactions ....|.... Wes ............... mentions ....|.... Andy, Trinity ............... (mini)collab....|.... Mjolnir}

Camp Athens - Closed

---

^{8e0047....|....wandering > Lochlan's cabin}

---

"Well, after a tornado separated me from Heath and Ethan, I ended up facing a giant. He was huge. I had to rely on my powers to knock him out. It was a close call, I am lucky he only broke my leg. I was bruised up as a result too. I was lucky that was the only thing I faced but I did see the fight with the dragon. I would have helped but I was too far away."

Lochlan waved the care away. She didn’t have to justify anything to him, add any righteousness or tell of some else's battle she idolized. In fact she could’ve said she watched the fight with a dragon and ate popcorn. But that was evidently nowhere in her nature. However, it was pretty cool to face a giant and live to tell the tale. Hard to imagine the smallest one in camp taking one on but cool. “That’s impressive. Did you only knock him out?” He had to push. Even Blair and him had to brutalize some beasts to save their own skin but more importantly was if Iliana was trying to protect her own conscience and reputation. Though standing before her now, lying was probably deemed bad and evil. But what if the most innocent of them all killed? That would be the juiciest vein of drama.

"Yes, I will be going. Trying to socialize more. I'll never be like your sister, but I don't want to be a wallflower, especially now that I can talk again. Having my voice back means the world to me, I want to try to become someone to be proud of, rather than something else."

For that? She was mostly welcome. But for a fleeting second, she might’ve caught that Lochlan widened his eyes not realizing she had the, uh…pleasure to meet Blair or pair that they were siblings. They only shared a sperm donor after all and didn’t look much alike. But imagining Blair be pleasant and give Iliana the time of day was difficult. Maybe he could have fun with it. “Yeah...” he dragged on. “That girl that’s around me sometimes is actually just kinda obsessed with me.” Obviously there was Nick and her on the PA to counter. He nodded his head side to side. “She kinda drowns it out by using other bodies to keep her warm. It’s sad really.” Lochlan pouted towards the distance, as if the thought was a tear-jerker in the making. “I wish someone like you could talk some sense into her. Just give her better coping mechanisms you know? Tell her to move on properly.” Blair obsessed and getting recommended to change in any shape or form was hilarious. Usually Lochlan left her out of his trifling little games but he couldn’t help himself. It would only shift one girl’s opinion anyway.

He dared to ask about her voice and the wind came through attacking any trace of warmth. He pulled up his jacket and tucked his chin to his chest protecting from the extra burst of cold that quickly subsided.

"Sorry, I still have issues controlling the weather." At her confession, Lochlan raised his chin. Ah so that was her doing. "I won't say much but my vocals got destroyed last year and it was only thanks to Apollo that I got them back. But even then, I wasn't able to talk due to what happened to me. It did a number on my emotional, physical, and mental health."

Now they were getting somewhere good. He wondered if he pushed, pushed to know all the dirty details if it would bring back some of that pain and trauma. Maybe she could be turned dark side just for a day. It obviously lived in her head enough since she had summoned her powers unwillingly at the innocent question. "I hope you’re not friends with many gods." He didn’t really want to fall under their wrath. After a beat, the more appropriate response appeared. "Sorry what you went through."

He shuddered. She had a relation with at least two gods but thankfully his actions could be played off as the cold in this weather. Maybe he had pushed enough for now. All in all it wasn’t a bad idea to get out of the cold either. His eyes set on her, a glint of annoyance shining through with his jaw set until he smiled. "Well I better leave you to your day. Make sure your protectors don’t see me hanging around you too much." Lochlan said, sounding amused. He gave her a small raise of his hand as a wave and retreated to his cabin where there was warmth, more predictable outcomes and thinking could be done.

^{interactions ....|.... Iliana ............... mentions ....|....Blair}

Camp Athens - Closed

---

^{8e0047....|....wandering}

---

The small girl had turned beet red at his pet name for her, something which Lochlan would consider a little success and cute even.

"It's good to see you Lochlan. Well, I've been busy." Lochlan sensed a list coming, potentially with a side of gossip.

"I've been focusing making more healing supplies since the last battle. I'll never be able to do the things Apollo can do, but I didn't like seeing others hurt so much either. Speaking of which, have you fully recovered from the fight? I was worried about you. Also I know this is old news, but I am sorry for being so rude to you when we first met. I had been mute for a long time, and for some reason, when you asked for my name, I was able to talk for the first time."

He rubbed the back of his neck. There was no list or gossip but there was almost a call out. Lochlan had no idea she was mute to begin with and what was typically a simple and harmless command could spin this girl’s world. "Don’t worry about it. I tend to have that effect." He winked at her hoping to sweep it all under the rug. Even more helpful, he could shift subjects contextually. "As for the fight…" He looked down at his leg to his most predominant old injury and twisted it side to side. "Good as new. Horses, believe it or not. But it’s sweet you worried. I’m honestly flattered." Though he doubted it was personal as much as she was just a compassionate, worried for everyone camper. "What about you? What’d you face?" he asked more importantly.

"Did you hear Andy's announcements today? There are new campers and there's a New Year's Party tonight."

Lochlan looked around feigning ignorance. "Really? You can hear that voice in your head too?" He chuckled though he did inspire himself. Lochlan had never driven or convinced anyone they were mad before with his powers. Lochlan looked the little sweet thing over. She’d be an easy doll for testing purposes. "Yeah, I saw a few of them earlier. The party should be pretty good grounds to get to know everybody, right? " He picked up with ease.

"You going?" He wasn’t sure parties were exactly her scene but it was always fun to get out of the comfort zone.

He draped an arm around her shoulders. While he hated to shoot himself in the foot and bring up the whole how she was able to talk again topic, he was far too curious. "So why were you mute? Did you take an oath or something?" The thought of his powers overruling devotion to a god made him incredibly happy. Unless it was to his own mother...While a ghostly figure in his upbringing, he didn’t want to step on her feet.

^{interactions ....|.... Iliana ............... mentions ....|.... None}

---

---

^{#851f1f....|....armory}

---

The man before him seemed to turn abashed as he confessed his parentage. Ares and shame usually weren’t paired much together and Duke didn’t expect a male god since Leo mostly spoke about his mother, much less the god of war. It went to show how the demigod brain was wired. The thing that defined you was the godly genes and the only one that could tell you what to do was the gods…What a stigma.

Quickly though, Leo revealed that infamous anger. Duke watched him tense and clench his fists. Apparently Duke had painted a different picture from what Ares had and that irked Leo at the least. More surprising was apparently Duke had more credibility over Ares, the god immediately made the deceiver. "Like I said, not on good terms with my father but, I hope he is not trying to trick me or anything." Leo explained when he calmed down.

“I see that.” Duke placed a hand on his shoulder in friendly gesture. “Let’s hope not.” Though he didn’t think Ares’ strategy would ever be trickery but one could never really know how the gods operated.

Duke smiled as he finally got to show someone his baby. While they headed towards the armory , Leo inquired on Duke’s own godly parent. “Uh, Hephaestus.” It was Duke’s turn to be embarrassed. As a lot of legends went, Hephaestus wasn’t the most flattering of gods, usually depicted as deformed or incredibly unattractive. It wasn’t just his apparent appearance though, it was Hephaestus being hardly recognized on the front lines. Duke generally saw nothing wrong with his parentage or powers but people did have a habit of associating children with their parents and well…it wasn’t the nicest.

Standing before the armory, something in the silence said Leo might’ve awaited more details. Duke scratched his nose with a finger. “Never actually met the guy,” he confessed with a shrug. “Just got a persuasive letter saying come to camp. I did and I try not to look back.”

Duke waved the son of Ares in as an after you gesture. To obtain the approval of the spawn of a war god would be high praise he’d think. Usually Duke didn’t care for validation or anything of the type but lately his talents had slipped under the radar and nursing the armory back to good shape and stock was no easy task.

^{interactions ....|.... Leo ............... mentions ....|.... None}

Camp Athens - Closed

---

^{8e0047....|....hall > roaming}

---

Lochlan cringed far too much at what departed his sister’s mouth. She was right most the time and she knew it. It was another part of Blair being Blair unfortunately. Ever tried to argue with a sibling with wicked smarts? Orgasms and boobs were nice but he didn’t particularly want the image of his sister offering those services even when he knew it’s what she got up to.

Next she offered him demigods of Aphrodite instead of the goddess, including ‘hotdog’ action bringing another grimace. “Even if I swung that way, I wouldn’t, you seen what he’s packing? As in the blonde!” God that was said all wrong. As tales went though, Blair herself tried to hit on Wes and got a knife or some utensil thrown at her in consequence. Lochlan was glad he wasn’t stupidly attracted to the son of Aphrodite because he was like some prized jewel and she was his fierce keeper. Meanwhile, playing Indiana Jones for anybody was overrated.

Then there was a new camper and Sloane walking by. Lochlan looked off to the other side like something of interest was there until they passed to find Blair’s head following them. Except for that noise she made – him. Blair was following him and eye fucking the beat up guy silly with Sloane right there. He shook his head to himself as he kept trekking forward. “You’re insatiable.”

Finally, there was her advising him not to think and referring to a guy as chocolate. He let Blair slip away and watched her walk to her first victim of the day.

All things said and done he didn’t know what head he wanted to listen to. Neither was really predominant. He guessed that’s what happened when a chick put you in a funk. Lochlan clucked his tongue, shoving his hands in his pockets observing people for a moment longer. Good genes must’ve really been the gods’ gift. Some paired up, others found their own way about camp. He’d probably fake being new too only the story could fall apart quickly and the act would have to be long running. He could throw it off like he was a horrible prankster but even then …err.

His eyes were absolutely magnetized to one girl but she was with Sylas by that stage. Those fucking Astors. It went to reinforce another Blair theory right. Don’t think and just go or it would be too late.

Lochlan headed for the hall where at least there was guaranteed warmth and a feed. You know something good for a bit. Rather than his usual serving of a value meal, he picked some cereal, went to a table and people watched as spoon after spoon fell in his mouth. He could’ve had cereal in his cabin but Blair wanted him out and judging, so he was making a point to be out and seen and judging.

He perked up a little in Andy’s disappointed demeanor leaving Mason at the table. He’d be sure to poke that bear later. What else was there...some plant stroking guy that Nelly approached. He hadn’t got to know her much yet but from what he could gather she was a lot.
Blair and her victim. Wes and Trinity…which was a shame because there was something about that fierce keeper that said she was great in the sack. But he probably couldn’t out-charm her in front of the son of Aphrodite. That’d put him to shame. He wondered if he could get Blair to try and work Wes while Lochlan worked Trinity. But that was more a last card play.
A couple other fleeting faces were around he’d come to know later.

Before he knew it his bowl was empty. He gathered his dishes, putting them away and headed out. There were none to torment here. Not yet.

He pinched one of the conjured maps seeing where the collection of newbies had chosen to nest and boy had a few filled with occupancy. Lochlan didn’t get actual figures seeing them earlier but this would be a spoiler if he deducted every face he already knew. If he was more attentive he could’ve paid attention to everyone else’s residence and count that way but he didn’t and besides, as he glanced again, the map updated in front of his eyes. He rolled it up and placed it in his pocket. He’d confer with the map later.

Lochlan walked around camp sort of…aimlessly. Just scoping the new and improved place out and new cabins. Maybe he was expecting a little awe but the walls made him feel more like a prisoner. Thankfully his blind walk led him in the path of the wide-eyed petiteness of Iliana. He was sure to beam at her, giving her all the warmth and gooeyness of a friend and he even took her arms in his hands when she was in range, looking her over. “My fascinating thing,” he greeted. Honestly, since they last encountered, she had come quite the way. Her voice was hoarse and scratchy and frankly terrible but even through that he could tell she was soft spoken. Now, there was a whole new air about her or sound at least. Pandora’s Box must’ve worked a treat screaming and yelling through all that terror.

“Tell me where you've been, what you've been up to.” Because it was so off-handed, for once, Lochlan didn't inject his powers during a statement. He was simply conversing at this stage. But he would love for her to take him back to her Pandora nightmare, give him a good story or something. Lochlan was incredibly bored and it was up to Iliana to entertain him of her own free will or he could make her.

^{interactions ....|.... Iliana ............... mentions ....|.... Blair, Osée, Andy, Sylas, Chariselle, Ace, Sloane, Trinity, Wes, Mason, Andrew, Nelly}

Camp Athens - Closed

**camp

Haha. I'm sure they'll find a way. Duke can make a little fire under them though they have no idea who each other are and they might get a BBQd backside instead...Man I am helpful.

Camp Athens - Closed

First death or severely ill demigod for the season. Let's gooo!

Camp Athens - Closed

---

^{#851f1f....|....wandering}

---

"Oh, I did not realize that things here could get... dangerous." Leo said looking around camp for a moment. "That explains the wall and the fingerprint scanner at the front gate."

Duke gave a confirming nod. It was all part of lowering the odds of getting attacked. Otherwise most the threats just remained in the walls and peeked very rarely. Though Duke would never quote that.

"I am not here to cause trouble, Duke. The only reason I am here is because my mother thought I should be here, to be safe. But from what I do not know, and the last thing I want here is to add to the troubles of this camp."

Duke smiled though it was much tighter than his last. It’s not that he didn’t believe Leo, it was simply he picked the right side and he hoped, when the time came, Leo would be a man of action when dangers and serious threats came into camp. However, he did find it interesting his mother sent him to camp for his own safety. "That’s good to hear. You and your mother on good terms?" He asked, unaware of the man’s heritage. Some demigods despised their parents for sending them to camp while others embraced it for the best with plenty of feelings in between the two extremes.

Duke inhaled deeply expanding on one essential topic since Leo may have been under the illusion camp was safe since his parent sent him for said purpose. "Best to assume camp can always get dangerous." While it sounded awfully tin foil hat, he didn’t want threats catching Leo completely unaware. He smiled to himself sadly. Though some threats there was just no preparing for.

There was one thing that would bring about an end to their doom and gloom subjects but held some relevance still, at least for Duke anyway. "You seen the armory? It's sort of my pride and joy." Duke threw his head in the direction of the weapon storage and armor. Usually, he wouldn't advertise where pointy objects and shields were but Duke oddly liked Leo.

^{interactions ....|.... Leo ............... mentions ....|.... none}

Camp Athens - Closed

---

^{B45F06....|.... main hall}

---

Mason glanced at Andy coming through the main hall and while it looked for a moment like she’d float over to him, she stopped and sat near the entrance. He looked back at his food. Not that he wondered why she didn’t sit with him but it was a bother she took up camp counsellor and de facto leader. For now anyway.

Some time must have passed with different people filing in and out of the hall at different rates with different faces as Mason’s eyes proved bigger than his stomach. Somewhere he must have turned to discreet people watching instead. Everyone seemed fine without Andy’s guidance so far. Before he could approach, Daniel walked through with new company in tow and stopped by her table saying some monologue or another then walked on. A smile tugged at his lips. Idiot

He gave them some buffer time. Everybody. Any stragglers, any change of thought to approach Andy. It was there he caught eyes with a certain minx who flashed a smile and gave a small wave. Mason looked away fighting his own smile at the irony. If there was anyone or anything else in his proximity, even an animal, he was sure it would be for them instead. But now Blair wanted to play ‘I see you’ with him too late. If she was around when Andy had Ajax he’d probably indulge her but now not a chance.

He then sighed to himself and stood up and took his turn approaching the daughter of Hecate. Blair gave him a second look that Mason did his best to ignore but she reminded him of Eve. He dumped his plate down on her table before leaning on it standing over Blair before her elected company joined her. "You’re hot, ok? I see you, you see me, but it can’t happen," he told her lowly between the two of them. Best to tell her now and clear his name from her roulette hat. Mason flashed his own smile and didn’t linger beyond that, taking his dish with him though he had half a mind to leave it.

Why was he even waiting for others with Andy in the first place. He sat across from Andy finally while she stabbed at her meal. Mason rose his brows and shook his head to himself watching the butcher show. "Hello?" he tried, lowering his head to make it in her view.

When he had some form of her attention, he straightened. "Why are you throwing a party?" He put up his hands innocently. "Not attacking, just asking." He was aware he held a notoriously bad attitude towards social gatherings and he was aware Andy knew it too. "Just after the last one… I’m surprised you want another." Not that there were any more psycho Zeus spawns out there.

Mason smirked without meaning to as images of his body pressed against Andy’s in the confines of a closet came to mind "Not that it was all bad," he said aloud. Their almost 7 minutes didn’t outweigh her getting fried by a raging psychotic bitch but it was still nice. Now that she was recovered from it, he could think that anyway.

Mason cleared his throat focusing back on the present. "How are you anyway?" Mason looked at her arm pointedly. They checked on each other now and then but he knew she was distant and mad at him still but, thankfully, regarding anything important a terrible liar. "How are you feeling about the whole leader thing?" he asked lower. It didn't personally matter to him but it was...some sort of deal for her.

^{interactions ....|.... Blair, Andy ............... mentions ....|.... none}

Camp Athens - Closed

Since I'm not a frequent enough discord flyer and messages get drowned quickly, I'll post here too that I'm a little slow and if anyone has itchy trigger fingers for the keyboard you're welcome to throw my characters somewhere with yours or leave them in the wind if you have to. I don't wanna hold peeps up.

Also, yeah, the scent deciphering is great fun. I felt like I was playing a 'what kind of fruit am I' quiz or something for my characters XD