xNocturnax

Age of Survival: A Supernatural Post-Apocalyptic Survival

Interested as well. I think I might get a better sense of things as other characters appear so I'll just lurk and sit on it until further notice.

Camp Athens - Closed

^{#ffc300 ....|..... outfit .....|..... Evelyn’s Cabin > Arena}

Someone was oncoming and Evelyn did her best to avoid their gaze and keep her head down hoping to pass by without incident.

“Morning.”

The simple greeting caused a jolt of panic. Since invisibility didn’t work for her, she opted for cordial. “Good morning.” Evelyn flashed Daniel a pleasant smile continuing forward deeming it a safety hazard to stop and chat properly. Not to mention escape before she could reach the inevitable verdict and labels in his eyes. But he halted and backed up and fell in step with her walking backward.

She shot a nervous glance at him at the corner of her eyes. “Let me guess —” Those worders alone sent her heart pounding in anxiety. “You were robbed. Now how does one get retribution for that?”

Washed over with relief, she concurred with a reluctant amused smile. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll be sure to let you know when I reach an idea.”

As much as they could joke and tease, thankfully Daniel didn’t elect to escort her all the way back to her cabin. “See you at the arena. And hey, don’t be late.” He pointed as if giving a stern warning.

Another joke, as punctuality had never been an issue for her. She valued it too much. Or was it genuine advice? Had she miscalculated how much time she had?

She envisioned herself stepping inside and hanging Sylas’s coat up on a rack nearby for him to reclaim at his leisure and get changed into more appropriate training attire. Instead, her cabin suffered the night and morning’s cold without her attention giving her reluctance to strip into something new right away. With a chill up her spine, Evelyn sat on a nearby chair and unfastened her heels kicking them off for the last time and rubbed down her legs and feet to encourage circulation and warmth. She considered starting a fire but it would hardly be worthwhile. Especially since time propelled closer and closer to the official training. Perhaps she had been too luxurious with Sylas. In fact she seemed to lose her general smarts around him. He challenged her, invigorated her and satisfied her but she often fell at his mercy due to lack of impulse control and careful thought.

She headed to the bath and ran some warm water, peeling her clothes off as it filled then gathered some clothes for training to sit on the sink. Evelyn lowered herself in the bath where she usually meditated. There was a mental press for time trying to assure her limbs hadn’t gone numb and were ready for training yet all she could do was wait for it to soak for an appropriate length. Though, the cold mightn’t have been the true threat as much as what her body could endure.

As she replayed the events of the night and morning, she bit her lip and her toes curled playfully on the more physical highlights. Gradually her expression faded as her thoughts drifted into their morning discussion. One realization particularly struck her. Did Sylas essentially ban her…them from being intimate? Granted, his logic was sound, but she couldn’t help but be offended. He could get sex anytime he desired. She had seen his seductive games and experienced it for herself and he succeeded with evident flying colors. Whereas she couldn’t make herself as enticing simply because. They had been together previously without any hefty conversation pending. Did that have to change or did he just like to extort things?

On the very mark of her estimation of ten minutes Evelyn sprang out, dried herself and got dressed. She brushed her disarrayed hair, pulling it up into a ponytail and applied some subtle make up to any blemishes, checking herself in different angles until she achieved a clean training-ready look.

It left her very close to 8:30, (closer than she wanted to it be anyway,) that there was no time to make something for breakfast even if she was sold on the idea. She hurried out, grabbing one of her own coats sensibly then headed to arena with a brisk pace. She wasn’t sure how anal River would be as leader but she was hoping not to find out as the guinea pig.

Nearing the destination of choice, she had to acknowledge the arena was intimidating whether for its sheer size, archaic structure or its tendency to hose egregious events. It was hard to pin the exact reason though likely a combination. But she knew she felt the unease.

Nonetheless, she did as was expected stepping in, appearing generally unbothered – aside from a little frazzled for poor time management, eyeing the amphitheater and choosing a spot at random. Evelyn didn’t expect to get comfortable before training would take place though maybe she would benefit from a short distraction. She shrugged out of her winter coat, folding it around her arm and placing it beside her as her eyes sifted through the crowd for someone who would hypothetically provide such a thing. A test subject. A source of amusement. Someone whose brain she could pick. Someone worth observing.

^{interactions ....|.... Daniel............... mentions ....|.... Sylas, River ............... collabs ....|.... none}

Camp Athens - Closed

Power posted for Trinity cause I'll be busy this weekend and the next, so trying to get ahead of the game xD I promise mega bitch isn't her default setting. She'll likely be less foul-tempered after she exerts herself on the course a little.

Evelyn will get to the arena in the next post. Just doing the old walk of shame to her cabin first.

Camp Athens - Closed

^{#66356a ....|..... outfit .....|..... Trinity’s Cabin > Arena}

Looking for an excuse to get up, the announcement couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, nor announce a more perfect thing. Staring at the ceiling and tossing and turning all night was driving her mad. She threw her covers off and retreated from the bed to have a quick shower like it would wash last night’s disorder away and give her new clarity. She got dressed in some basic training gear and tied her hair in a tight bun in the mirror though an inevitable stray always broke free. As long as most of it stayed out of her way, it wasn’t a problem.

Trinity rolled out her neck and shook the jitters away knowing well the cause wasn’t training. It was spending a night alone for the first time in a long time. It was facing Wes and not knowing where his head would be at. She could have very well have given him time to decide he didn’t want to be with her at all anymore. And she’d have to take it on the chin. She closed her eyes and blew out her lips pushing the what if scenarios aside and headed to the kitchen for some breakfast.

Sitting with her bowl of cereal and cut fruits, the main hall wasn’t even a consideration. She had no desire to socialize. To look, hear or be around people at all. None of it. That also introduced the possibility of seeing Wes getting coddled which she knew she wouldn’t be able to handle. A lonely Aphrodite child was bound to attract attention and empathy like flies and the thought made her grimace. She continued to stir her food though it was unneeded.

She had finished her breakfast without appetite, paced around her cabin as if caged, listened to music, stretched and still had time to spare. She couldn’t get there early at risk of being talked to or hearing something generally stupid or frustrating. All she wanted to do was fight, run – whatever it was - like someone had let her off the chain and expel her energy. Trinity only needed the reason.

Almost. Almost there. Trinity continued her pacing then with five minutes to go before 8:30, she snatched a long puffer jacket and hoodie and headed right behind her cabin to the arena.

Briefly, she wondered how people could be stripped from their layers already but quickly found out the temperature had been knocked up a couple degrees exclusively in the arena. As she shrugged off her jacket she had put on a minute ago with mild irritation, she began to eye the set-up planned for them. Trinity saw all the people present but right now she had an iron focus to complete the course. Nothing was going to break her tunnel vision until she reached the finish line and burned her restlessness. If signs were ever needed, her general lack of anyone’s acknowledgement and that she hadn’t uttered a word might’ve told them to stay away. Locked on the obstacles and planning where she might lose the most ground, Trinity’s legs naturally carried her up the stands to sit alone until she could be unleashed.

^{interactions ....|.... none............... mentions ....|.... Wes ............... collabs ....|.... none}

Camp Athens - Closed

^{#ffc300 ....|..... outfit .....|..... #0a6d6b ....|..... naked/half-dressed .....|..... sylas's cabin}

Having made their way eventually to his bed, she lay next to him. Evelyn kept one bare leg hooked over his, her eyes trained on one of the more visible marks of her passion left on his body. She had gripped onto him harder than she had to, kissed him more fervently, biting Sylas’s flesh at times on his shoulder, by his neck, above the collarbone and chest. Something she could have restrained and helped but didn’t. She closed her eyes trying to swallow the thoughts and allowed herself to nuzzle into the crook of his neck. Despite her seeming to get comfortable and get away with whatever the equivalent of murder was for Sylas, she knew the man had limits. While seeing Sylas squirm in discomfort was an amusing thought, she didn’t want to like this. “I can leave if you want,” she murmured, only inviting the opportunity because she knew they had some draw and forsaken patience for each other. However, she never wanted to overstay her welcome. But she was drifting off. The warmth and weight of the blankets combined with Sylas’s body heat and presence was sending her into a quick lull. As for what she preferred, her body always told him what she couldn’t say out loud.

Sylas didn’t say anything. He wasn’t going to tell her to leave, because he didn’t want her to go, but he had already been vulnerable enough for one night, so he couldn’t admit it out loud either. But similar to how Evelyn’s body language spoke the truth she couldn’t voice, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, holding her close as she rested against him. He stared at the ceiling while his other hand idly stroked the soft skin of her forearm. It wasn’t until he felt her body relax and sink as she drifted off that he let his eyes slowly shut and sleep take him.

* * *

"Good morning campers." A foreign voice echoed out from whatever hidden P.A. system Sylas had grown somewhat familiar with in the time that Andy was leading camp. He thought, perhaps, with her no longer running camp he was free from the daily morning announcements but it seemed this River not only had a similar work ethic, he also liked bothering them even earlier in the morning. "This is your new leader, River, speaking. It is currently 7:30 a.m. on January 1st. Your first training will begin in one hour at 8:30 a.m. in the arena. Please arrive promptly and dress accordingly."

He groaned at the thought of training early in the morning immediately after new years. It was a sadistic type of leader who expected a group of hungover young adults would be up for anything physical at eight in the morning. It had been months since Pandora's box and he knew training was inevitable, but he had hoped that they’d get maybe one more day of freedom. Luckily, Sylas hadn’t drank that much so he was fine, relatively, but training meant getting out of bed and watching Evelyn slip from his arms… again. His arm that wasn’t pinned beneath her draped across his eyes to try and block out the sun as he yawned. "Hope you’re not hungover," he muttered under his breath, assuming Evelyn had woken up with the announcement, similar to himself.

The abrupt announcement made her wince and turn into the space between the pillow and Sylas like it would dull the sound. It wasn’t unexpected, however waking up to a P.A system was never the most kind of circumstances. “Mmm. I’m okay.” She stayed for a moment longer than she should have, hand hesitantly coming to rest on his stomach and drawing stray patterns. She narrowly avoided the urge to kiss along his jaw as if it would be a sweet start to an otherwise harsh wake up call and planned, brutal morning. But she stopped herself. Evelyn doubted Sylas was the kind to enjoy being smothered in affection, whether it was as a thank you for letting her stay or trying to make a bad morning slightly better. Perhaps something to consider in the bargain of having him all to herself.

“How are you feeling?” She did mean in terms of readiness for training but the question was a little painfully open ended.

Sylas was a little surprised at the way she lingered, remaining close and touching him rather than pulling away in the light of day. He revelled in the closeness even if his face was unreadable like it always was. But even in his stoicism, his fingers idly ran through her long crimson hair, gently detangling the knots and falling into an effortless, self soothing rhythm. He sighed softly at her question as he stared up at the ceiling. "Tired," he confessed. It was a late night and he would have much rather preferred staying in bed for a few more hours sleeping… or otherwise, compared to training. He knew the moment they set foot out of his cabin it’d be like every other time, where they acted more like strangers than lovers. Evelyn wouldn’t give him an answer that day and he knew clinging to that tenuous limbo would only make things worse for himself. He didn’t say it but he knew… that had to be the last time until she said otherwise. For his sanity and her own.

A lazy smile graced her lips at his short, simple, honest answer. That they could agree on. And she might’ve seen the hour through lounging in bed with him comfortably if there wasn’t such an overhanging subject waiting to be addressed. She didn’t forget and she knew Sylas wouldn’t either. In part that’s likely why she soaked up a few extra peaceful minutes with him.

"Training was to be expected," he added, answering her intended question more directly. "Three months of lazing around camp had to bite us in the ass eventually."

She gave a neutral hum. "I wonder how bad it’s going to be. If it's an active punishment for having three easy months or compensating for them or if River’s just the messenger or the one calling the shots." Evelyn was mostly thinking out loud, letting her mind wander, sure Sylas would either indulge a theory or dismiss it altogether.

She reluctantly shifted to prop herself up on an arm looking him over. “You don’t look overly concerned about a new person taking over.” Handing over leader privileges was no small task. In fact something to be typically earned among the group but with the gods backing River, it was dangerous. And depending on how he ruled… Then again, a lot of people had more reason to be concerned with Sylas and what he had the potential to do.

"Because I’m not," he replied casually as he sat up in bed slightly, resting his back against the headboard. "The only leaders I care about are ones that become my problem. I don’t think Ajax or Nick even knew who I was. And Andy?... Well," Sylas shrugged his shoulders, letting his gaze drift over to Evelyn, "She doesn’t like me." While he allowed himself to share a small glimpse into something like Andy’s disdain for him, he wouldn’t divulge too much information. He would tell her if she asked, but he found himself keeping his cards close to his chest until she opened up equally. "Until this River proves to be a pain in my ass, him being leader is of little consequence to me."

Evelyn looked at him in disbelief, her brows pulling together only slightly for a moment to give away visible confusion. Nick’s leadership lasted days before his untimely demise and it was probably better to be off Ajax’s radar altogether. But for Andy to be the only potentially problematic one for him was a twist. And any leader simply not being cared about sounded naive. “Anyone in power should be of consequence to you. They have the camp’s resources, the blessings of the gods…” She stopped her list short and sighed gently unsure why she was bothering. She could imagine with the powers of Eris everything was small and insignificant to him until proven otherwise.

“It’s just scary for someone to say jump and we’re expected to respond ‘how high’,” she muttered, casting her gaze away. Not unlike himself. And while she had nothing against River and he seemed decent in their brief encounter, he was a stranger who could currently command what he wished. Though, maybe that really wasn’t so far from the gods themselves ordering their children around.

"Do you really think the Gods would give a mortal that much power?" Sylas asked, turning his head slowly so that he could look down into her eyes. Out of everyone at camp, Evelyn was the last person he expected to have her feathers ruffled at the prospect of a new leader. From what he had seen, the leader’s only real purpose was training them to become warriors for the Gods. Nothing more. He highly doubted there was much power behind the role. It was likely a farce, some smoke and mirrors to scare them into submission. While he wasn’t going to bow or kiss boots, training wasn’t the worst thing. After all, they were born with special gifts. It’d be a waste not to wield them to their fullest potential.

"You know as well as I do that if the Gods want to send a message they’d do it themselves, not send a lap dog to do their bidding."

He was right. To a degree. Evelyn pushed herself to sit upright, leaning against the headboard too for a moment mulling it over, staring at a space in the wall. "You’re not bothered about them using some of us as pawns in the meantime?" Her eyes shot back to him.

"That’s... A complicated question," Sylas’s voice dragged out as he tried to find a more solidified answer. He was never someone who allowed himself to be a pawn but there was also the part of him that sought Eris’s favor with a relentless fervor. He didn’t want to be a tool to the Gods, but he wanted to be his mother’s chosen. It was complicated and not easy to put into words. There might have been a part of him, somewhere deep inside, that yearned to share some of those dark thoughts with Evelyn, but no matter how much he warned her about his true nature… He would always be apprehensive about sharing his authentic self with her. She didn’t handle his trial well. He could only imagine how much worse it’d be when other pieces of himself were revealed. Maybe that’s why he needed her to choose him… because maybe then she could accept all of him?... Doubtful.

Her brow quirked patiently waiting for Sylas to find his footing around the question. She rarely asked the simple ones. But for a man that wished to be no one’s puppet, Evelyn was surprised he couldn’t provide a more firm answer. Or at least arrogantly disqualify himself from ever being anyone’s pawn. But nothing more came. And that’s where she let it sit. ‘That’s a complicated question.’ Something to be pried cautiously later.

There was an unfortunate reality that struck her as she caught the clock in the peripheral vision. She had to find her clothes strewn about in his cabin and do the walk of shame to the opposite side of camp to get appropriate attire for training yet. She shuffled to the edge of the bed, keeping an arm across her chest to maintain some modesty as she rose to her feet retrieving her underwear, dress and heels that she wriggled back into. Thankfully, all of which were in his room because they were too impatient for each other downstairs. She didn’t think herself a jewel but while Sylas had seen it and her all before and he was unapologetic and confident in himself, Evelyn was…well, she had to be more cautious. She didn’t want to carry herself with the arrogance of thinking she could strut around his cabin naked.

Initially Sylas’s gaze drifted over to her with no intention of looking away or hiding his enjoyment in seeing her body, but the way she covered herself like he no longer had a right to look struck a cord in him. He had seen every inch of her body, touched it… tasted it. So why was she bashful? Was he only allowed to enjoy her in the hidden darkness of the night? His jaw tensed as he looked down at his hands resting in his lap.

She looked at Sylas, half bent over tying the last of her shoe straps. "Are you eating before training?" She offered as something more innocently curious and easy chit chat.

"Don’t know if I can handle being social with a bunch of new faces first thing in the morning… before training. I’ll probably just make something here," Sylas admitted, his voice a bit more quiet and pensive, not thinking much on his temporary lapse into authenticity.

To hear he couldn’t be bothered to conjure the energy with new people at a certain time was awfully human of him and humorous to Evelyn. She smiled amusedly to herself and kept any comments locked away. After all, it likely worked in the new people’s favor to avoid Sylas when he wasn’t up for it and she couldn’t poke fun at him for being multi beneficial. "Sounds wise." Providing whatever he elected to eat wasn’t too heavy.

Neither of them were particular fans of idle chatter, she knew that. It was likely a method to keep avoiding the elephant a little longer and ease things over but completely ineffective with him. She sighed gently and walked around the bed where he occupied. "Later," she promised quietly as her hands came to rest on his shoulders. "I’ll tell you later what I want." Despite knowing that she shouldn’t touch him so liberally she also believed that this was as close as she’d get to him for a while. Having thought that, against better judgement, a hand cupped his cheek while she leant in and kissed the other side gently.

Sylas pulled the blanket off of his lap as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He rested his elbows on his bent knees and rubbed the back of his neck with one of his hands. With his gaze fixated on the ground and thoughts focused elsewhere, he didn’t notice Evelyn approach until her hands rested on his shoulders. A soft sigh slipped from his lips as he looked up into her eyes, not concerned with her seeing him naked unlike she had been. The sensation of her fingertips lightly caressing his cheek made his chest tighten. He waited with bated breath for her answer only to be disappointed with more waiting. He swallowed and closed his eyes as she gave him a gentle kiss to the cheek. It felt unfair that she sought more closeness and comfort without giving him the one answer he sought, but he didn’t pull away or stop her. He too was selfish and relished in the lingering touches while they lasted, knowing deep down that she wouldn’t choose him. Why would she? He didn’t say anything, just nodded his head in silent acknowledgement.

Her hand slid to the nape of his neck, playing her fingers through his hair not used to seeing Sylas in this sort of downtrodden state. “Sylas.” She wanted his eyes again, even if she was met with something cold or frightening. It shouldn’t have been her concern, he managed his own reputation and he excelled at managing his own emotions in public but she didn’t want other people seeing him distracted. Nor did she like seeing him this way. “You know how addictive I find you.” Her voice softened. She leaned in again, kissing the corner of his lips. “How hard it is to break away when I’m near you.” Evelyn’s lips glided to his ear and carefully enclosed around his earlobe. Gods if only he knew the self-control it took to break away. That’s partly why she couldn’t fathom why he was acting powerless. He had plenty of power over her. Now it was a matter of whether her reminder triggered his ego, a lash out or other. Hopefully through either course Sylas could figure that’s exactly why she had to make her decision away from him.

When she said his name, every muscle in Sylas’s body tensed as he slowly looked up into her eyes. There was no coldness or anger in his gaze, just exhaustion at being woken up prematurely and confusion at the mixed signals Evelyn was giving him. Whether or not he wanted to be so easily swayed, her words and touch ignited something in him that he couldn’t easily hide sitting naked before her. Instinctually, his right hand raised to caress her bare thigh, the tip of his thumb teasingly along the hem of her dress. There was a fleeting moment where he contemplated pulling her back down onto the bed with him and getting lost beneath the sheets. Every fiber of his being wanted nothing more, but feeding her addiction wouldn’t get him answers.

His hand gently guided her back a step as he moved to his feet, letting his chest brush against hers as he stood up. Sylas’s hand trailed up her leg and rested on her waist as he looked down at her. "And that’s why we must refrain until you know what you want." The amount of control it took to pry his hand from her side took more willpower than he could recall ever exerting before. He knew what he wanted. It wasn’t his plan to come to camp and get so wrapped up in a single person, but he had tried several times, and failed, to disentangle himself. Sylas had accepted the fucked up predicament it put him in and how latching himself to just Evelyn would make everything more complicated, but he needed clarity. Without knowing where he stood, he felt like he was trapped in a vise between the person he wanted to be and the person he should be. He couldn’t choose a path without knowing what path of destruction to follow and the fallout that would inevitably follow.

Under his prompt, she stepped away watching him rise to full height in all his unabashed glory, making a conscious effort for her eyes to stay trained on his. There were no tells of hostility, confusion or bolstered confidence in his eyes nor words, instead, calculation and level-headedness had returned. That would do. With a breath in and confirming nod, Evelyn let her palms slide down his torso, feeling the contours of his muscles to indulge one last time. In the meantime, dangerous impulsive words threatened to surge to the surface. Perhaps triggered by the proximity. Triggered by leaping at the chance to prove him wrong. She knew what she wanted. She just wasn’t sure she should have it to herself.

She drew away granting him space again, reluctant but conceding and turned her back to him. Evelyn never made decisions lightly, hence it was best to go. She wandered out of his room and downstairs, scooping up his shirt with a finger and setting it on the head of the couch instead. She reached his door before pausing, afraid to say anything else. Much more a favor. But his glass frame showed winter had returned. “I hate to ask but…”

Seeing her head out of his room and presumably for the exit, Sylas stood up and followed behind her, only after detouring past his closet. He opened the door and slipped a knee length wool coat off its hanger. Still naked as he trailed after her, not giving it much of a thought considering she had seen it all before and it was his cabin, he didn’t bother covering himself. He slowly came up behind her and held up the jacket for her to slip her arms through the sleeves. He didn’t say anything as he pulled it up on her shoulders and gently brushed her red hair out from under the collar.

As she slipped into one of his coats, she gave a brief but appreciative smile already feeling the snug embrace of the material. “Thank you. You’re welcome to get it back from my cabin whenever you like.” It wasn’t meant suggestively or like she’d hold onto it until further notice, and before she could get in a fluster, she caught herself and simply had to trust he knew what she meant. Even if he didn’t, some misguided thoughts were fine. People could think she was a tease or forgetful. She didn’t have to be perceived perfectly.

Sylas hummed softly to himself while taking in the sight of her in his clothing. His hands lingered on her shoulders for a moment, then slowly ran down her arms and fell to his sides. He took a step back and nodded his head. "I’ll see you at training." Before she slipped outside, he disappeared deeper into his cabin, not desiring to be caught nude by any prying eyes that could be lingering outside.

That was merely the beginning of her self-talk. As she made her exit narrowly out his door, she gave a last glance over her shoulder into his cabin and conveniently him. She sucked in her bottom lip with a smile then slinked into the unpredictable elements outside. She had to remind herself it didn’t matter what people deduced. Even when it was likely entirely accurate. Hugging her arms to her sides to ensure she trapped what warmth she could, Evelyn began the trek across camp though the cold unrelentingly flitted up her exposed legs and consumed her feet.

Along in the dark and quiet silence of his cabin, Sylas found some boxers to put on to save some modesty as he passed any windows. He then wandered to his kitchen and started making himself a simple breakfast.

^{interactions ....|.... none ............... mentions ....|.... River ............... collabs ....|.... Mjolnir}

Camp Athens - Closed

I'll get a collab header later for Lochlan and Evelyn. But right now, I'm buggered xD

Camp Athens - Closed

^{#ffc300 ....|..... outfit .....|..... Party ........................................ 8e0047....|.... outfit ....|....Party}

Blair went ahead grabbing some salt shakers and limes as Lochlan grinned and watched excitedly as Blair set it all up for them. Ideas always looked better coming from a half-dressed female. When they were all lined up with the accessories ready, Lochlan snatched one and did the motions at his countdown. “3, 2, 1…” He licked the salt along his hand, downed the drink in one hit and quickly absorbed the lime.

He immediately went to serve more when Blair dropped her focus , pushing the small glasses in reach of others, challenging who dared to outpace him before opting to leave the bottle on the countertop and people could pour at their own rate or figure it out themselves. Curiously and regrettably, he did search for his sister whose interest seemed to falter in bar tending. She shot him a wink and he watched her long enough to catch that stride of seduction she did. Lochlan rolled his eyes and focused back on the bar.

However, for all the commotion and company that was there, it wasn’t distracting enough. Lochlan checked his sister again who was suddenly hoisted on the bar top and once he saw the salt placement, and some blonde curls lower, he was out. He could imagine how the rest went and he didn’t want to be anywhere near it. Lochlan snatched two drinks before fleeing the scene but he was in such a panic and the bar in such disarray that he ended up with some glass of random concoction and water.

Once he deemed himself a safe distance away, he sighed. The only problem now was most people were tangled up at the bar or safe in pairs or groups except vibrant red hair, white dress with slits, showing her figure tastefully but temptingly.

Evelyn was content left to her own thoughts for a moment. Looking around the party she dared to think there were too many demigods, leading to them becoming more expendable even though there was no logic to that. But more didn’t necessarily mean merrier or more protection either. Looking at this festivity, one could forget camp’s intended purpose and the gods’ intentions for sending them all here. Even Evelyn didn’t rightly know what made Nemesis enroll her, much more everyone else’s parent.

Lochlan prowled towards Evelyn. The girl kept her cards exceptionally close, he should’ve counted himself lucky to even get her name in the kitchen that one day. But otherwise he knew nothing about her, her allegiance or whether she was harmless or deceivingly dangerous like many campers could be. “Cinderella,” he greeted from behind. Lochlan looked her over in her cocktail attire with a sparkle in his eyes. “You finally made it to the ball.”

He slipped beside her, standing shoulder to shoulder. “Tell me about yourself..” Lochlan was used to getting what he wanted that while it may have lacked tact, he saw no need to skirt around the details he wanted. He had already used up his nice and decent patient chats.

Pulling her out of her endless pondering was Lochlan who for some reason she was surprised to see. She took a moment before offering a smile. While nice to be admired, something felt more predatory in Lochlan. His shoulders all but rolled in anticipation of a meal while those striking blue eyes distracted people of such fate. Having no desire to be a gazelle, Evelyn gently pried the clear glass from him, promptingly. She brought it to her lips but before she could have a sip, he requested she share something. Evelyn‘s brows shot up as she poorly hid an amused smile behind her glass. He had come right out the gate with conversation. “Truly?”

More than happy to play amused with her and let her take his spare drink, he smiled, his eyes still studying her intently. “Anything. Your favorite color, where you’re from…” But seeing as she wasn’t very open Lochlan encouraged her along, brushing his arm against her as he set his drink down on a nearby surface. “Your parentage.” The thought prodded gently, before implanting then sprouting needing a release until that’s exactly what she told him. “Star sign…” he rattled on like it was another mediocre fact, pushing his influence along. It helped to give a verbal command but he didn’t need to. He had been running his influential powers long enough.

“Nemesis,” she found herself saying. Her brows pulled together in brief confusion. She didn’t want to surrender her godly descent. Not really. Not her real one, not to him at least. But rather than it appear from the blue, she cleared her throat. “My godly parent is Nemesis,” she restated.

That’s a good girl, let go. “What can they do?”

Something in her said this went beyond innocent curiosity, in fact felt increasingly like some sort of trap. There were right answers and wrong answers and if she was too vulnerable or careless, it would be sprung. Considering she already spilled her parentage, she had ground to make up for. “Anything you can dream of.”

He looked her over with a smirk and shifted his whole body to face her. Lochlan could always make her fess up again but there was something about rising to this challenge the old fashioned way that spoke to him. “Oh yeah?”

Evelyn should’ve known better than to try bluff someone like him out, but mirrored him regardless, turning to him and placing her drink down. “Mhm. Want me to show you?” If she was going to speak confident she might as well acted it. Borrow some technique from the encounter she had witnessed earlier.

Even Lochlan had the sense to hesitate for a moment on that. But what the hell? When playing with fire…“Go for it.” He looked her over with uttermost interest, keen to see what she could do to combine with her fine stature.

Since he had been sure, she smiled, admittedly, smally delighted to showcase what she could do to someone unsuspecting but willing. She plucked Lochlan’s drink up, had a sip, gave her best effort for her face not to contort at the taste then offered it towards Lochlan. With a twist. He’d find the liquor have all the same properties, taste, texture, color, but it’d become a drink of lapse, turn him weak and have some brain fog.

Lochlan naturally accepted, cheersing the air and took what remained of the drink figuring the worse thing she could do was poison it, which was his domain. He’d be fine. But it snuck up on him as a dizzy spell. He felt light headed and tried to focus on the red head in the middle rather than the questionable other two that spawned on the sides. Lochlan felt heavy and fatigued and could barely hold himself up. He wanted to sit but didn’t let himself ask for such a thing before his legs buckled under him and head drooped making the decision instead.

It hit quick. Too quick. She tried to brace and catch Lochlan, staggering under his weight momentarily. “I got you.” She didn’t intend to mess him up or cause physical harm. Now she was struggling to hold him upright, her shoulder lodged under his arm with her hands braced on his chest and back so she didn’t lose him either way. Until he crashed straight down on his knees. Evelyn slipped out from his arm but kept him upright. When she could focus on not solely supporting his full weight, she relieved him of the curse just as quick and smiled, bending down so her face was in his field of vision, red cascade of hair following. “Bit of a light weight, huh?”

No sooner had the spell come it was gone. Lochlan’s clarity and functioning limbs slowly returned to normal. He blinked a couple times and his fingers twitched. His low hung head saw Evelyn was there with a taunting comment. He had to smile. “Touche.” Lochlan glanced around and shifted one knee up. He was back but he took a minute to collect himself for good measure. He finally made the last move to get to his feet straightening up, skimming his fingers up her ankle and heel laces as he went. He meant to implement something but his focus wasn’t sharp enough so instead his touch played as something unpredictable and unknown of what his contact could do and when it was friend or foe.

At least there was one revelation out of this. She wasn’t afraid to use her powers, she only hid them. “What about me?”

It was seamless and fleeting contact but Evelyn became hyper vigilant of his movement and words. She would have stepped back only that was too much of a tell. Instead, the odd but tantalizing sensation lingered as he returned to full height, seemingly standing taller and closer. Alarm bells quickly rang at his question. “What about you?”

“Do you want to see what I can do?”

His want to test abilities struck as an excuse to rebut hers or show his in a larger fashion. She couldn’t very well hand over the green light without having an inkling of what his powers could be. His duel was short-lived and during the box, they never crossed paths, otherwise, they never showcased their abilities. “Maybe. On one condition. You tell me who you belong to.” She was sure she didn’t have to announce god-wise but perhaps to clear any ridiculous comments she should have. Like she should have made that drink a truth serum to ensure valuable answers.

Wow. She was a player. A lie laid at the tip of his tongue as always but it felt against the game. Not to mention with enough cross-referencing that too could catch up to him and his credibility could be gone. She gave her parent with some discomfort. He had paused for too long now, it would be an evident lie . He pressed his tongue to his cheek before conceding. “Hera.”

She inclined her head in silent understanding. “Hera. That might explain it. And how do I know you haven’t already used your powers then? With how…” notoriously manipulative, deceiving, neither word seemed wise to use in the face of the descendant of Hera. “Persuasive you can be.”

Lochlan admired her measurement, deliberation and smarts that he smirked. “A bright girl like yourself, you’d surely know right? You’d probably even get a symptom or something.” Lochlan walked past her, stopping behind her expecting she’d retaliate or further interrogate for a more satisfying answer. Then, an inspiring solution struck for them both. “But I guess there is one thing I can show you for sure.” He spun on his heel and held out his hand. “Destiny.”

Empty flattery was a painful avoidance technique, almost insulting. Before she could correct him, she turned facing destiny in his palm. She had been in this situation before and while she knew it reeked of trouble, there was a pushing curiosity within. To see one’s destiny was a huge opportunity and it could serve as an advantage. Didn’t everyone want a small peek into the future, even if it was one of many potential outcomes. Evelyn’s hand gravitated to his. Was it only Sylas that stopped her last time with Eve or did Lochlan present something more compelling?

She knew it would toll her mind and question every action and decision to a new severity. She drew back before his hand could enclose around her own with an inward sigh. “I don’t doubt your power, Lochlan. What you can do is extraordinary.” Her eyes, previously stuck on his hand representing the offer she declined, flickered up to his eyes. “I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Lochlan kept his hand out for her for a moment longer, seeing a small battle stir within. When it became apparent she had voted against a glimpse of destiny, he withdrew his hand and tucked it away in his pants pockets. He narrowed his eyes scrutinizing her, sure to keep a smile dancing on his lips to keep things light. “Of course. Being, uh, hesitant in facing your fate is natural. I can’t fault you for it. But, for the record, I can’t shape it. I can’t make it anything else other than it is. It’s all you.” He disclaimed letting it stew on her mind a little longer. Which was the real issue. That over evaluating little mind and the destiny she’d see.

Evelyn was pleased to hear he couldn’t influence whatever would be shown, but on the other hand, it almost made the potential vision more frightening and raw. Meanwhile, Lochlan seemed unsated, a pry in his words. Her eyes scanned the party catching River by the bonfire. Intense training. “Well, you might want to reserve some tricks up your sleeve for tomorrow.”

He may have been pretty but it wasn’t at the total expense of brains. “Don’t you worry about that,” he assured. “But I appreciate it.” He shot her a wink.

It became evident she was not about to consent to a demonstration of his powers, all of it far too risky for the hair on her head. Which was wise. But, irking and showed double standards. He thought of goading her, provoking her, even doing it anyway but she had some points and he had to play carefully with other demigods.

^{interactions ....|....none............... mentions ....|.... Blair, Sylas, River ............... collabs ....|.... Sir Sparky}

Camp Athens - Closed

^{#66356a ....|..... outfit .....|..... bar}

“Not the most glowing recommendation.” The camper noted aloud causing her to cringe slightly at her inevitable error. It was why she tended to avoid orientation days, official or otherwise, but maybe the alcohol was finally catching up.

“You’re not wrong.” He paused. “My dad had a saying… a philosophy, if you will.” Oh boy. She wasn’t sure she was equipped for deep philosophies, but she heard him out nonetheless. “You see… all of us are playing the same game, sitting at different tables with the same dealer. We get dealt our own cards. Some hands are good, some are bad, but you can’t change them out. But the game always ends the same. You can play it safe, keep from taking risks. Bet the minimum, don’t get greedy. You might outlast a lot of players that way. But that’s not how the game was meant to be played.”

Trinity stared a little bemused before shifting her gaze into space to be bemused there instead. She wanted to find the relevant meaning and how it turned into a gambling metaphor but…she had only commented on his cigarette right? She drank her drink to fill a silence she couldn’t.

The guy looked at her with such seriousness she paused still as stone. “The game is won by enjoying the ride. Taking the big risks, playing your hands as best you can. Even if it means drying up sooner. Cause what’s the point of a long game if you aren’t willing to take some risks?” Finally, he cracked a grin. Trinity took a relieved swig, rolling her eyes at herself. “But it also helps to play the odds… and I’ve got someone who helps me stack the deck, so I’m not too worried about the smoking. I'm more worried about messing with the wrong folks here, or giving off the wrong impression. Just looking to enjoy my night without ruffling any more feathers.”

She nodded. A wise choice on his half. But then Trinity frowned. “Any more feathers? How many feathers you ruffled already?” She laughed lightly, finding it hard to believe. Maybe she was looking at a long lost brother except he was too together, sensible and his philosophy speech was something else.

“Yeah... Reasonable, I think,” They agreed with his wisdom. “I remember being... seventeen, scared of the world and not knowing which way was up. You'd think having a god hanging over your shoulder makes taking risks easier, turns out they don't really help much when they just want you to figure that stuff out yourself.”

“Hey now, God coddling’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” Though saying it out loud, she realized it was more hope than fact. Maybe those close to their parents or whoever else did have it on easy street. It just meant they didn't ever earn much for themselves.

"But..." the company continued. "How many people just got here, and are doing... That?" They gestured to Blair and Trinity frowned, confused, having missed the earlier spectacle. How many people had done Blair? That was an intense and personal question. How the hell was she supposed to know!? "I mean, Apollo sure never told me we were getting up to that on night number one. I was just telling some stiff fellow how I didn't know there were this many of us on the whole planet. You'd think they're trying to do something about that up on the mountain."

In a timely manner, Baxter’s voice cut through. “...or a Sit on My Face, Honey depending on where you're from, I guess...” He didn’t raise his voice but it seemed to cut through the surrounding conversation enough. Enough to warrant a spit of drink, enough to widen Trinity’s eyes and enough to warrant a reply from Blair herself.

“Say please.”

She certainly never was the unabashed type. But it did help Trinity pull Marlen’s question together. How many people were getting frisky openly? “It's not like we're in a crazy sex cult or anything, are we? That'd be pretty weird... Anyway, no hangovers for me, thank you very much. Name's Marlen, cool to meet you both.”

“Welp, shoulda read the fine print. You gotta embrace all the weird and culty things now.” She cheers'ed the air towards the wall as if they were locked in. Sarcasm and encouraging speeches aside, she nodded to them as they introduced themselves. “Trinity.”

“Did you taste enough of that to tell me if you liked it..?”

Trinity glanced at her half empty glass. “No, yeah, you hit the nail on the head. It's great.” Though it did make her relook at the busy tender who fetched approval. “Would it be really bad if I said I didn't? Hypothetically ” she added for emphasis, even clutching her drink harder so no one pinched it from her thinking she was unappreciative of the 'Honey Baby Hammer' bestowed upon her or feelings got hurt.

Although she was mildly concerned about Baxter, as he had introduced himself, living behind the bar. He looked at home and in his own world and even rhythm but while everyone was still out and about and active before midnight. “You wanna tap out for a bit? Join the festivities?” Blair and co who hit on you and Nate collectively? It was rare and weird that Trinity ever thought somebody deserved a break but the rest of the camp year would make up for it.

Let the newbies enjoy themselves for now. Maybe they'd get a smooch out of it. Unlike her odds of kissing her own partner. Trinity might've left them both too sour tonight and no amount of alcohol would fix it. Nonetheless, she downed her drink, knowing a...an apology would.

Gods give her strength.

^{interactions ....|.... Baxter, Nate, Marlen ............... mentions ....|.... Blair, Anissa, Wes ............... collabs ....|.... none}

Camp Athens - Closed

^{#66356a ....|..... outfit .....|..... bar}

“You, I’m gonna make you something special. Tell me if I got you wrong, but I think this will hit right…”

Mixed with his excitement, the promise almost seemed foreboding but she had asked so she should’ve expected delivery.

Trinity was torn between watching the bartender effortlessly multitask and take in requests, oblige said requests, juggle all his ingredients and make conversation, and the guy next to her offering cigarettes then popping out another one for his own benefit. The glass slid in her hand in a matter of…she wasn’t counting but quick. Trinity blinked a little stunned.

“The cocktail mix was mostly a Hawaiian hammer, but layered into a baby… and it should work with the straight mead from that guy over there as a foundation.” The tender explained.

“Call it a… Honey Baby Hammer. Tell me how that goes for you.”

She gave him a wink and two finger salute while the man next to her praised the bar man again and seemed taken with her drink. He came up with his own request. Trinity lifted the glass to her lips for the first swig.

“Say.... is this a regular thing? Big parties like this?”

She paused with half a mind to ignore him. Not for anything he’d done personally but because she didn’t advertise camp in the finest light and at least a dozen campers were new around her. Handy bar tender included. But what the hell? “Sort –”

“This is a party?” the water kid asked instead. “Thought this was just a bar. Do people drink like this every day, here? I wouldn't know, since I just showed up.”

“Damn, what do your parties look like then?” Her brows pulled together in brief confusion. Between the thrumming music and large crowd and drinks, bonfire and little drink games to the side, that surely still sufficed as a party. But some people were animals. “I guess it depends what’s qualified as regular? And I don’t really monitor everyone’s drinking to know. But the bar doesn’t live here sadly.” She pat the trusty bar top that seemed to play the main attraction of the night.

It might’ve sounded more rhetorical and rude coming from her, so she tried again with a breath in. “I’d say they come as needed or via whoever wants to host one, I suppose? Supposed to help us unwind and not just feel like crash test dummies.” She nodded her affirmation and finally got to have a taste of her personalized cocktail. Then another. Then another.

She set the glass down a little harder than intended, not to warrant any cracks but generate a louder sound. “Wow. Yeah. That um...that's got a little punch to it.” Trinity leant back as if the scent of it alone could affect her. It wasn't bad by any means, just a surprise and explosion to her uncultured senses.

But something else was niggling at her. The faint amber light and smoke wafting around. Trinity turned to look at her company properly for the first time. She noticed it was the guy dancing with Andy earlier. Friend of a friend. He looked like he looked after himself for the most part. Except...She pointed to his cigarette. “You know they say that stuff kills, right?” She raised her brows and smiled, amused at her own irony. What couldn't kill you at camp?

She looked at the smaller figure with dark wavy hair, almost for backup to her fun fact.

^{interactions ....|.... Baxter, Nate, Marlen ............... mentions ....|.... none ............... collabs ....|.... none}

Noct's Junkyard

Potential Descendants:

Lilith Isley

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Lilith Isley...

.................................................... __________________________________________ D A U G H T E R . O F . P O I S O N . I V Y ________________________________________________________ 26 | female | pansexual __________________________________________ ▹ hair color | red ▹ eye color | blue ▹ height | 5' 6" ▹ build | slender/toned ▹ oddities | none ▹ origin | gotham city

. A B I L I T I E S 🌷Chlorokinesis - More commonly known as plant manipulation, Lilith has the ability to control plant life as she sees fit and animate it. 🌷Toxikinesis - The ability to create, shape, bend poisons and toxins and venom. Her body is such an example of this, for poison is in her very being allowing her to have a deadly touch. Much like her mother, Lilith conceals this in her lips and executes it via a kiss. This also gives her immunity to toxins, bacteria and viruses. 🌷Pheromone Control - Lilith can manipulate pheromones, typically that which drive desire and infatuation. It gives her a degree of control and compliance in her victims. 🌷Regeneration - Since she too is one with the green, like limbs of trees, Lilith can also regenerate, albeit a slow process improved in the right conditions. S T R E N G T H S 🌻Botany - Her knowledge of plants is vast and with Pamela giving her exclusive and further intimate knowledge, it helps a great deal with her powers and producing toxins from plants. The power of chlorkinesis and science combined gives way for mutant hybrid creations but Lilith believes they should stay separate. 🌻Adaptful - Lilith is able to put on a dedicated and master performance, playing victim, hero, etc. She morphs into anything she needs to be. 🌻"In Tune" - Gifted in reading a room mentally, she also excels at reading shifts in the air and earth's vibrations. It allows her to climb efficiently, leap higher, move quicker, swim faster, and, on occasion, predict attacks. W E A K N E S S E S 🥀Muscle Mass - Hardly one with a sturdy build, Lilith is easily physically overpowered or outshone when it comes to close-quarter combat and matters of brute strength. 🥀Plant Empathy - When Lilith connects with a plant, it also makes her susceptible to its pain. Additionally, she too is a secret sympathizer with plant life and wild life. 🥀Untrusting - Ironically, Lilith has seen the power of enticing promises, and when one surrenders control and falls in "love" or trust, they are left weak, vulnerable and often heartbroken. Lilith likes to maintain a good arms distance on everyone unsure if she is protecting herself or others from herself. __________________________________________________________________________________ P E R S O N A L I T Y 🌹Confident .... | .... Flirty .... | .... Passionate.... | ....Deliberate 🌹 H I S T O R Y Almost certainly, she was born like everyone else, the normal way, but Pamela refuses to indulge that Lilith ever had a father. For all she knows her father may not even know about her existence. A one night stand gone wrong, Pamela left as the scorned lover, Lilith will never know because Pamela refuses to tell the tale. Lilith is her sole "precious seed", right next to her plants. No man was important. Nature and Pamela was. Lilith herself doesn't know if she's a sproutling with Hazel, Thorn and Rose or real human, but the tension between the two suggests something different. Ivy only grew a love and proper maternal bone for her when her red hair grew strong, bouncy and vibrant, and found Lilith had potential and gifts like hers. As such, Pamela took her on a few outings. A taste for her mission and "allies for the most part": the Sirens, other villains and sometimes even heroes if they had a temporary goal in common or it prevented a greater evil. Being a turncoat came as natural as breathing, as long as nature and Ivy came out number one. Most of the time, it was all in fun with that ambitious drive in both of them wanting to be victorious and have their way and gain the self-appointed title of Queen Bee. That was about their only means of bonding since Lilith didn't entirely hold Pamela's obsession with turning everything green, why it should rule and using people excessively. Though over the years, the more patience she grew and the more she learned, the more connected she grew with nature and therefore her powers. However, Pamela was always keen to remind Lilith that she wasn't the ruler of Gotham's hearts and nature, and only second-rate, assuring Lilith's ego wouldn't be quite so bolstered. She tried to find her own wings after a while, separating from her mother's side, doing her own thing, though they never parted for more than a few months at a time. **PEND APPROVAL** On a solo adventure, Lilith dealt with a bunch of arsonists to preserve Gotham's plant life, in doing so capturing Batman's attention. The intelligent and persistent man had a few questions for young Lilith, like how she managed to track and knock out the gang of arsonists single-handedly then inquired on her parentage, detecting something extraordinary about the girl before him. Lilith layered the sarcastic and diffusing answers and became quite dismissive but this only prompted further investigation from the Batman. Once he found out she was daughter to the lovely Pamela Isley, he confronted her again before daughter and mother could reunite and find trouble and before Pamela could "corrupt her mind and potential," along with a few conserving nature pitches for good and "I know your mother". Batman stated that he was aware of past crimes, but that could be pardoned and be made right, if she joined the right side. The Academy. __________________________________________________________________________________ hexcode . | . #00CE00 ........ faceclaim . | . Deborah Ann Woll ........ creator . | . xNocturnax

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.....................................................	“Things have been awful quiet regarding the Batman. I’m starting to wonder If something’s happened. But I have to be sure,” Ivy said in her sing song voice but the way she stared into the distance said she was pensive. “Sure for what?” Lilith queried knowing her mother better than to believe it as idle thought. One of her plants snapped at Lilith, tied to Pamela’s own frustration, not that her mother let her perfect composure falter or so much as show a crease on her head. “Bold to let the destruction rage on this long,” Pamela mused instead. “Why don’t you find where our favorite caped crusader and his family of bats is?” It was then something on her being buzzed. Lilith frisked herself, pulling out a pager that Batman had given her a time ago. Somehow, she couldn’t bring herself to throw it away. Her eyes widened at the alert that flashed over some coordinates and she gnawed her lip nervously. “I do wonder whose pet you are sometimes.” Lilith’s head snapped back to her mother, who hadn’t turned her head or so much moved a fraction. “Don’t keep your friends waiting.”