Camp Half-Blood *Join!*

~Daemond~


They wanted me to ride a Pegasus. Ther was no way in the world I was riding one of thse things. I still had a small bruise on my leg from when I'd rode a regular, non - magical horse. There was no way I'd ever get on a horse again, much less a flying one. Not like I was gonna let them know that.

"I'm good," I say quickly, shaking my head.


Katherine laughs and shoots a mile at Ani. " Great idea."

I groan visibley. I know we were about to get out of the water soon anyway- it can only be entertaining for so long after all. Yet horse riding? No frickin' way. Looking into Katherine's hopeful eyes and Ani's happy, maybe sly, grin I feel myself give in. If I'd admit it (Which, again, I won't) it was mainly Katherine.

"Fine." I sulk.

We begin to swim towards the shore, drying off quickly. I rush into my cabin, look aroung for Diego, who was, thankfully, not there. I slip into my cotton T-shirt and get outside before Ani and Katherine do. Tapping my foot, with semi- impatience (time alone means time to think, after all.) In fact, they were taking a rather long time. Just as I think it Katherine and Ani head towards me. I feel both disapointment and relief when I see Katherine isno longer wearing her bikini.

"Ready?"

"To die." I answer grimly.

I don't know How I got distracted, but can someone bring me in again?

T.J

Posting will be getting harder. The school took our computers so I have to use my slower-than-death home computer.

Spirit takes off with the ball in her hands. I take off after her at full speed. She heads in the woods and I follow after her. She wind is in her hair, blowing it back. We weave through trees and around boulders. This may have been tiring, but it was actually pretty fun. I start to catch up to her, but I'm tiring. Luckily she seems to be too. I see the stream up ahead. We would have to jump it. By the time we get here my legs are on fire. But I'm right behind her. She jumps and we both make it. Almost, we almost make it. Spirit lands in the knee high water and I can't stop and I crash into her. We both fall down and land in the water. I fall and go under. I pop back up. I look at her, she looks at me and we both just start laughing. "So much for staying dry." I say, spitting out water in my mouth. She gets out and gives me a hand up.

"Are you okay?" she asks with a smile on her face. I walk towards her and snatch the ball out of her hands.

"Yeah, now I am." I burst out laughing, I don't know why. It was, if you may call it that, un-needed happiness. "C'mon, let's head back." I slowly start set my arm on her shoulder and then ask. "If this is okay with you."

"It's fine." I sigh and finally rest my arm on her shoulder, and we start to head back to the court.

"We can teach Daemond how to really ride a Pegasis?" she suggested, a sly smile on her face.

Pegasis is a flying horse, am I correct? Yeah...Ani shall be teaching that from the sidelines...she's absolutely terrified of being in the air.

Ani:

Taking our time, Katherine and I changed. Okay, so I took my time, Katherine rushed, but I kept making her go back and change into something better.

As Katherine changed into the latest outfit I had sent her into the bathroom with, I changed into dark skinny jeans, a blue cami with a green army jacket, and a pair of combat boots. Sure, it would be warm, but it would be easier to ride a horse in while teaching Daemond to ride a Pegasis.

Sitting on my bed, I thought about my fear of being suspended in the air. Why is it that I fear this? What happened in my childhood that was so scaring?

When Katherine came out, I smiled brightly and exclaimed "Perfect! Now let's go out and meet Daemond!"

I laid Savannah down on the cot in the Big House. Argus walked in and asked what happened.

"I was teaching her how to swim, and all of a sudden she went under and stayed there. I think some animal or something touched her." I glanced over at her pale face. That must've been really exausting for her, so I can see why she would be sound asleep.

"Has she inhaled any water?" He asked in his deep grumbly voice.

"Yeah, but I got it out of her." He nodded.

"Well, I don't think she needs anything except rest. She might be able to participate in today's activities, but it's her choice."

"I can just bring her back to her cabin then." I suggested. I picked up her sleeping form and walked outside.

The bright sunlight shone in her eyes, and they shot open. Her face relaxed instantly when she saw me.

"Where are we going?"

"Your cabin." I replied." Argus said you need to get some rest.

"I am kinda tired." She admitted. "But I don't need to sleep the day away! I need to beat you at something other than sword fighting!"

"Okay, but first you need to get a lot of rest if you're planning on beating me!" We arrived at the Zeus cabin and I pushed open the door. Inside was all polished marble with little statues and sculptures everywhere. I whistled.

"Impressive. Now which bunk's yours?" I pointed towards all of the messy beds.

"That one." She pointed over in the corner to a top bunk. The light blue sheets were unmade, and there was a magazine on top. I set her down and she climbed up and into the covers. I noticed she still had my towel, and I hadn't really had a chance to dry off, though I was mostly dry.

"Are you gonna keep my towel?" I asked.

"Yeah. It's like a token for when you saved my life." She winked and closed her eyes. As soon as I was outside and she couldn't see me, I jumped up in the air and screamed, "YES!" I quickly smoothed out my shorts and headed towards my cabin.

Katherine

"Ready?" I'd asked, smiling at him.

"To die." he answers glumly but I suspected he'd been kidding.

My outfit that Ani had decided to pick out was nice, I wore tight black skinny jeans and a red sequined tabk top that hugged my curves.

I had also, decidedly, aplied some black eyeliner to accent my grey blue eyes. Otherwise, my tangled mass of hair remained the same.

We started on our way to the stables, my runners squeaking from a puddle I'd stepped into inside our cabin.

I didn't necessarily like the way Ani had declared me fit for Daemond and I couldn't help but feel like I was disguised.

The sound of hooves stomping on dirt made me look up to spot the stables a few feet away.

"We're here!" I sang laughingly.

I raced to enter the stables, leaving the other two to walk.

"Trojin!" I hollered in the horse smelling place.

Ohh, are you here to give me a sugar cube? Katarine?

I felt a pang of sadness, only Trojin new my foster mother's name for me.

I marched up to his stall, and patted his sleek black nose.

"Yes, I have. I also need you to let my friend here ride you." I told hin, and the horse whinnied softly.

He snorted as I offered him the sugar cube, licking his lips once he'd eaten it and looked over at Daemond who'd entered and stood at my side.

"Daemond, this is Trojin. He's agreed to let you ride him."

Both males looked as though I'd just stuck a knife in their bellies.

Spirit

T.J. sets his arm on top of my shoulder and I smile as we walk slowly toward the basketball court, each of us dripping water. We reach the court in no time at all, and when I look back I see a path of water following us.

"Well, what now?" T.J. asks, looking down at our cloths.

"I say this calls for a game of sopping wet basketball."

"You mean just play anyway?"

"Noooo," I say, taking the ball away from him," There are rules."

He rolls his eyes playfully. Nick taught me this game years ago, when I'd first come to camp. We'd also played it while on fire, but the water versions a little less dangerous. I put my arm on T.J's and bring them up above his head.

"It's a lot like normal basketball, except for there are no rules besides that you can't leave the court."

"Well that knocks out your plan now, doesn't it?"

I laugh giving him a playful shove. "Well it's really not that complicated."

'Ok then, when do we start?"

I pause for a second waiting, "Now!"

I rush around T.J, dribbling the ball in one circle. He lunges for it and I back track, but he steals it from me. I shake my head, water flying everywhere.

"Hey!" He laughs.

I grab the ball from him while he is momentarily frustrated when I hear him creeping up- shocks go through my sides. Jumper cables. I drop the ball and he grabs it, going in for a layup. He turns to me and grins, "I think I like this game."

I shake my head. "Your not getting away with that so quickly. I call a re-match."

~Daemond~

I take my time walking into the stables. Ani and Katherine were already in there, Katherine murmering happily to her horse. I walk into the Stable and Katherine turns to me, smiling.

"Daemond, this is Trojin. He's agreed to let you ride him." Katherine said.

I'll admit, the horse was beautiful. Sleek, black, with wide wings. He was muscular so he wouldn't have a hard time holding me up. He met my eyes with the same look weary look Ani had when she told me she'd break my face if I hurt Katherine. Great. He also looked at me like I was a piece of rotten cheese. I look at Katherine, stricken.

"Uh-Katherine? I don't think your horse likes me."

She laughs, petting Trojin. I didn't think my possible death was that funny.

"Don't worry about him Trojin, he'll get over it."

Don't worry about me? I would think I should be the one who should be worried. Anyway, why did Katherine keep talking to the horse like it would answer back? Then I remembered. Pegasi owners, especially children of Posiedon: their father had made the blasted creatures after all, could speak with their Pegasus. Great. Just great. I hear muffled laughter and turn to see Ani petting a white Pegasi. I frown at her and she nodds her head in Katherine's direction. I follow her gaze and then, for the first time, notice what Katherine was wearing. Her tight sequined top hugged curves I didn't even know she had. Her tight skinny jeans, fit her just right. Like. Just. Right. I could see her pretty gray-blue eyes from where I stood, thanks to mascara I'd never even knew she owned. Kill me now Gods. Damn, did she want me to go insane? I swear a bit of drool escaped my mouth and I wiped it away, just in case. Katherine is turned away from me, putting a sattle Trojin and I turn breifly back to Ani, who gives me a small smile. Could this day get any more confusing? Katherine nudges me and gestures to Trojin.

"Are you gonna get on or not?"

I was really thinking not right now, but I didn't want to look like a wimp who's never rode a Pegasus before, so I swing my leg around more Trojin, who whinie's. Katherine mutters something to him.

"Ok so I'm on now..."

katherine gives me a wink and a smile." Hold on tight!"

With a swing, we are rushed out of the stable and into a bright and sunny sky. I am so going to die.

Umm... I'm totally lost. I've been grounded and I'm not completly sure whats going on. Help? could someone bring Kassie back in please?

Ani:

I pet my pegasis, running my fingers over his white body and through his white wings. He reached his head around and nuzzled me with his nose in a greeting.

"Hello Yoko" I whispered to him, feeling guilty that he never really gets flown and is only ever ridden on the ground because I don't like being suspended in air. But of course, I still love him to death.

Yoko, meaning Ocean Child, got his name because when I was twelve I was out on the beach way early in the morning to watch the sunrise splay colors across the water. Yoko was just standing there in the water, staring at me. Of course, my mom then told me who my dad was and she let me keep him. I've always thought that Yoko was sent there by my dad as a sign to me.

Daemond tuned to me, and I gave him a soft smile.

The next thing I knew, Katherine was cheering "Hold on tight!"

With a smile, I swung onto Yoko, deciding to ride him bareback as usual, and said to him "Take it easy Yoko, no flying. Just follow Trogin" And with that, Yoko took off tunning as I held onto his white mane, revealing his black ears.

Katherine

I watched them go, Trojin didn't like leaving me alone but I'd assured him I'd be fine.

My eyes roaned the stables when I spotted Trojin's girlfriend.

"Hi there Alkalin." I murmur as I walked over and pet the beautiful horse.

It's sleek grey and white body rippled with sinew as she moved and her green eyes were bright under a mane of black. Her legs were ringed with black and she was new to the stables. Her black wings stretched as she looled at me.


Trojin is flying? her question is hesitant, unsure.

"Yes, would you like to join him?" I asked her abd Alkaline whinnied enthusiasticly.

I smiled, "This will be a tad strange." I inform her as I climb the edge of the stall and swing a leg over her back and settle there. I grip her mane, and apply some pressure to her middle.

Alkaline snorts and shakes out her head efore giving in to the chance of flying next to Trojin. She breaks into a run out of the stables and lunges to the air and spreada large black wings.

I laugh in the freedom of it but we stay low. Zeus wasn't fond of his brother's children invading his sky.

I search for Daemond abd spot him smiling ontop of Trojin and I swing Alkaline in close, before looking down. "Ani! What are you doing?" I ask her from the sky.

I walk over to the far wall and study the silly string. Whoever did this was going to be seriously punished. By Cassandra. I ponder how I'm going to get it off the wall, and I just decide to use my fingernails.

"So,do you have any siblings? Hades siblings or mortal family siblings?" There was silence for a second before she spoke.

"Um, no. I don't have any family anymore? No siblings-" She hesitated. "And no Mom. And Dad isn't the most supportive parent. I don't have any half-siblings. That I know of anyway." It took me a minute for this to sink in. She had no mother, no brothers or sister, and her dad was Hades. At least my Dad called up every now and then to check in. Every now and then was not very often, but at least he remembered I existed.

"Oh." Was all I could say. I felt like I wanted to give her a hug, to let her know she's not alone, but I thought about it, and that might be really awkward. Especially considering how much older she was than me. I resumed scraping the walls until it was mostly gone.

"Is that all they did?" I asked.

"I don't know, I haven't really inspected everything very closely yet. But you can go now if you want to. You've been a big help." I nodded in the semi-darkness. I started towards the door. I opened it a bright ray of light came in. I was about to keep going, but I stopped for a moment.

"Hey Cassie?"

"Uh huh?" She responded.

"If you, um. I mean, if you ever want to, you know, like hang out or something, or if you want to talk, to me, um, I'll be around." It came out more awkward than expected, but I think she got the message.

"Oh yeah. Hey, thanks Chase." She smiled in my direction and kept scraping her wall. I walked out, feeling really good. I mean, me offering that to her was nice, right? I was lost in my thoughts and nearly walked into Bella. I immediately blushed and met her gaze. She smiled at me and kept walking.

"Bella, wait!" She stopped and looked at me with a confused look on her face.

"Yeah?"

"Hey, um, I heard people talking about a Chariot Race later, and how we needed partners, and I was wondering-"

"Sure!" She cut me off cheerily.

"I'm just saying, we might not do good. I mean, it's my first day."

"I know. But trust me, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." She winked and strode away

~Daemond~

I steady myself as we fly through the air, feeling rather good about myself, just as Trojin jacks up and speeds over the lake. I grab on to the saddle, terrified. My heart speeds up. It's a rush, but one that made my life flash behind my eyes. He slows down suddenly, jerking to a stop and turns around.

"Jeez horse, try and kill me will you?"

Oh, I haven't gotten anywhere yet.

"Really?"

I back-track, suddenly realizing something about the conversation I'd just had seemed strange.

"Wait- how are you talking to me?"

The horse snorts. Hoof me if I know.

I laugh, but the sound get's stuck in my throat. I was talking to a horse. The world really had gone crazy. I hear flapping behind me and I turn my stiff neck over to see katherine on yet another flying horse. Relief surged through me- she hadn't forgotten I was up here about to die after all. She looked exactly the way she had in the water- free and happy, truly in her element. The same way she looked when I'd tried to kiss her. I gulp, wondering what Katherine thought of this whole mess. In that moment I relized something else. It wasn't the clothes. Gods, I wasn't that shallow. The clothes, helped me notice everything I'd missed before. The curves, the smile, the eyes. I was in serious trouble. Thankfully, Katherine was yelling down to Ani, who had remained faithfully on the ground. Lucky. I sit up straighter in my sattle, hoping that Trojin won't buck me off.

"You promise not to flip me off?"

Trojin snorts, as though he found my perdicament funny. He probaly did, actually.

Your Katherine's friend. Of course I won't.

I sit up straighter, trying to choke down the last fear of horses that lingered in my throat.

"Take me to Katherine?"

He nodds his head, his mane flying all over the place.

Of course! Akaline to!

Akaline? I inspect the horse Katherine was riding. She was sleek gray, black, and white in the perfect mix. They fit together well. I remember the enthusiastic voice of Trojin and smile.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

Trojin shakes his head, snorting. As much as Katherine is yours.He defends, sounding dreamy.

"Right." I say, sighing.

I run my hair through my black curly hair, keeping one hand firmly on the saddle. As soon as my other hand is back on the saddle, Trojin takes off for his master-and his girlfriend, no matter what he says.

Ani:

A few times, Yoko almost took to the air, but I grabbed him firmly by his mane and asked to to stay down, feeling guilty again.

Daemond started to come back, and I smiled. There is no way Trojin is the least bit pleased with giving Daemond a ride, but he seemed really excited to come back to Katherine and his girlfriend.

Trojin came back to the ground and Yoko took us both over towards the four of them.

*Sorry I'm no help, I'm just a little sleepy*