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Wes had more than his fill of food... for the morning at least. He pushed back his chair and spared a glance around the hall. There were a fair bit of people there, but no one he was really itching to sit down with. Part of him wanted to seek out Trinity. But knowing her, she needed some time to digest everything that happened. The trials... and everything else. He knew better than to hover around her or make her talk about something she isn't ready to talk about. With a sigh, he stood up, cleaned up his dishes, and exited the main hall.
He really had no destination in mind. Alex hadn't been seen around camp for a couple days now and before he really noticed, his feet were carrying him in the direction of the Valis cabin. It didn't take him too long to get there and as he climbed the stairs he was met by dark windows. Wes knew the chances of anyone being there was slim, but he still knocked on the door and waited probably longer than he should have.
As he waited, Wes looked around the surrounding area, which is when he saw someone with caramel skin and curly brown hair. They didn't look familiar. Were new campers coming today? He remembered Poseidon mentioning the arrival of his son, but nothing was said about other demigods, but it wouldn't be unlikely.
Wes sighed, looking down at his feet. Without Alex there, he started to realize how he was lacking in the friend department. Another female friend probably wasn't the best route when things got a bit more serious with Trinity, but he always seemed to get along with women better. Maybe it was the Aphrodite allure bullshit. He didn't know. But it had been a long time since Wes had a close male friend. But in his opinion, a friend is a friend. And he remembered, vaguely, what it was like being the new kid at camp.
Fine. Fine. He told himself before heading back down the steps to the Valis cabin. He turned down the path in the direction he saw the stranger wonder. She wasn't too terribly far in front of him, but he wasn't going to chase after her or anything. He had enough people run up to him randomly and bug him over the past couple days. He didn't want to be that guy. So he took his time trailing behind, slipping his hands into his pockets and kicking any small rocks that laid in the path in front of him.
Eventually the girl found her way to an empty cabin and let herself in. Wes waited a bit before slowly walking up the steps. He lingered on the porch for a moment, then took a step forward and lightly knocked on the open door. "Um... Hello?" He wasn't going to let himself into someone's cabin, especially someone he didn't know. So he waited a moment or two before calling out again. "Sorry. I just happened to notice you were new and thought I'd offer my help if you need it... Or not. Just... ya know." His face scrunched up as he tried to think of what to say. "Hi. I'm Wes," he said, awkwardly, as he waved his bionic arm at the empty room.
Wes had more than his fill of food... for the morning at least. He pushed back his chair and spared a glance around the hall. There were a fair bit of people there, but no one he was really itching to sit down with. Part of him wanted to seek out Trinity. But knowing her, she needed some time to digest everything that happened. The trials... and everything else. He knew better than to hover around her or make her talk about something she isn't ready to talk about. With a sigh, he stood up, cleaned up his dishes, and exited the main hall.
He really had no destination in mind. Alex hadn't been seen around camp for a couple days now and before he really noticed, his feet were carrying him in the direction of the Valis cabin. It didn't take him too long to get there and as he climbed the stairs he was met by dark windows. Wes knew the chances of anyone being there was slim, but he still knocked on the door and waited probably longer than he should have.
As he waited, Wes looked around the surrounding area, which is when he saw someone with caramel skin and curly brown hair. They didn't look familiar. Were new campers coming today? He remembered Poseidon mentioning the arrival of his son, but nothing was said about other demigods, but it wouldn't be unlikely.
Wes sighed, looking down at his feet. Without Alex there, he started to realize how he was lacking in the friend department. Another female friend probably wasn't the best route when things got a bit more serious with Trinity, but he always seemed to get along with women better. Maybe it was the Aphrodite allure bullshit. He didn't know. But it had been a long time since Wes had a close male friend. But in his opinion, a friend is a friend. And he remembered, vaguely, what it was like being the new kid at camp.
Fine. Fine. He told himself before heading back down the steps to the Valis cabin. He turned down the path in the direction he saw the stranger wonder. She wasn't too terribly far in front of him, but he wasn't going to chase after her or anything. He had enough people run up to him randomly and bug him over the past couple days. He didn't want to be that guy. So he took his time trailing behind, slipping his hands into his pockets and kicking any small rocks that laid in the path in front of him.
Eventually the girl found her way to an empty cabin and let herself in. Wes waited a bit before slowly walking up the steps. He lingered on the porch for a moment, then took a step forward and lightly knocked on the open door. "Um... Hello?" He wasn't going to let himself into someone's cabin, especially someone he didn't know. So he waited a moment or two before calling out again. "Sorry. I just happened to notice you were new and thought I'd offer my help if you need it... Or not. Just... ya know." His face scrunched up as he tried to think of what to say. "Hi. I'm Wes," he said, awkwardly, as he waved his bionic arm at the empty room.
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"Actually these look pretty rustic," Veera commented while taking a few steps back to get a better view. Sloane's gaze followed hers. Perhaps they were. Her own knowledge of rustic was limited. She grew up around wealthy politicians so if something wasn't expensive or brand new then she knew nothing about it. Everything was about looking expensive and keeping up with trends. Her own experience with camp has been quite humbling. Sloane tried her best not to be the snobby rich type.
"But, I believe there is nothing wrong with some change in your life once in a while. Good or bad."
Sloane gave a faint smile and nod of her head. "You're probably right." Her life has been no short of change since she came to camp. For better or worse.
Veera accepted her offered hand and gave it a shake, half bowing as well. The girl hid a small chuckle which confused Sloane a bit, but she said nothing. "A pleasure. The name really fits you," she commented. Sloane's brows pulled together in contemplation. She couldn't say she knew what her name meant. Something she'd have to look up later. "But to answer your question from earlier..." Veera raised her hand and in a flash she conjured a flame the danced along the tips of her fingers. "I am a demigod, it’s called a bàn shén where I’m from, but yeah. My father is hephaestus."
Sloane took a slight step back at the produced flames. She wasn't scared of fire, but flames appearing out of thin air was enough to startle anyone. It was a bit of a showy way of answering a simple question, not that she would have said anything regardless. "Then I'd say you're in the right place." She gave another small smile before stepping into her cabin. Sloane wasn't ignoring the girl, she left the door open for her to follow or continue talking or whatever else. Part of her was hoping to avoid the question about who her parent was. Plus, the inside of the small cabin smelled musty and she wanted to open the windows. It was something to keep her busy so she didn't look like a deer in headlights around new people. Introvert problems.
"Hey, uhm, if you don’t mind I could help you out with the cab-" Veera began to say but another distant voice called out, cutting her off.
"Hey there neighbors!" The loud voice made Sloane jump as she opened the second window. She wasn't used to being the popular person by any standards. To be honest, she thought she was quite invisible... At least until the trials yesterday. She slowly emerged from her cabin, seeing a slender, chipper person clad in beige. "Welcome to Camp Athens."
"Thanks, I’m just glad I made it to the right place and not some occult worshipers community."
Sloane was going to speak up, but Veera beat her to it. So while the two conversed, she busied herself by carrying her bag into the cabin and setting it on the bed. She also opened the last window before sheepishly stepping back out onto her porch. "I'm not new. I've been here for a couple weeks," she began but realized how harsh that might have sounded. "I uh..." Her words fumbled out of her mouth for a moment. "Sorry. Thank you."
Over the past few days Sloane has had more social encounters than she knew what do with, between Liam trying to train her with his sister, and now the strangers at her doorstep... If she could call it her doorstep considering she claimed it all but a few moments ago. Hoping to move the conversation on from her own awkward attempts at socializing, Sloane pointed her finger at their beige jacket. "I used to have that jacket. Looks nice." Ok. That was a little more normal.
"Actually these look pretty rustic," Veera commented while taking a few steps back to get a better view. Sloane's gaze followed hers. Perhaps they were. Her own knowledge of rustic was limited. She grew up around wealthy politicians so if something wasn't expensive or brand new then she knew nothing about it. Everything was about looking expensive and keeping up with trends. Her own experience with camp has been quite humbling. Sloane tried her best not to be the snobby rich type.
"But, I believe there is nothing wrong with some change in your life once in a while. Good or bad."
Sloane gave a faint smile and nod of her head. "You're probably right." Her life has been no short of change since she came to camp. For better or worse.
Veera accepted her offered hand and gave it a shake, half bowing as well. The girl hid a small chuckle which confused Sloane a bit, but she said nothing. "A pleasure. The name really fits you," she commented. Sloane's brows pulled together in contemplation. She couldn't say she knew what her name meant. Something she'd have to look up later. "But to answer your question from earlier..." Veera raised her hand and in a flash she conjured a flame the danced along the tips of her fingers. "I am a demigod, it’s called a bàn shén where I’m from, but yeah. My father is hephaestus."
Sloane took a slight step back at the produced flames. She wasn't scared of fire, but flames appearing out of thin air was enough to startle anyone. It was a bit of a showy way of answering a simple question, not that she would have said anything regardless. "Then I'd say you're in the right place." She gave another small smile before stepping into her cabin. Sloane wasn't ignoring the girl, she left the door open for her to follow or continue talking or whatever else. Part of her was hoping to avoid the question about who her parent was. Plus, the inside of the small cabin smelled musty and she wanted to open the windows. It was something to keep her busy so she didn't look like a deer in headlights around new people. Introvert problems.
"Hey, uhm, if you don’t mind I could help you out with the cab-" Veera began to say but another distant voice called out, cutting her off.
"Hey there neighbors!" The loud voice made Sloane jump as she opened the second window. She wasn't used to being the popular person by any standards. To be honest, she thought she was quite invisible... At least until the trials yesterday. She slowly emerged from her cabin, seeing a slender, chipper person clad in beige. "Welcome to Camp Athens."
"Thanks, I’m just glad I made it to the right place and not some occult worshipers community."
Sloane was going to speak up, but Veera beat her to it. So while the two conversed, she busied herself by carrying her bag into the cabin and setting it on the bed. She also opened the last window before sheepishly stepping back out onto her porch. "I'm not new. I've been here for a couple weeks," she began but realized how harsh that might have sounded. "I uh..." Her words fumbled out of her mouth for a moment. "Sorry. Thank you."
Over the past few days Sloane has had more social encounters than she knew what do with, between Liam trying to train her with his sister, and now the strangers at her doorstep... If she could call it her doorstep considering she claimed it all but a few moments ago. Hoping to move the conversation on from her own awkward attempts at socializing, Sloane pointed her finger at their beige jacket. "I used to have that jacket. Looks nice." Ok. That was a little more normal.
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Andy jumped a little when Trinity spun around and held the blade to her throat, but she expected it. She didn't get mad or angry. She let her friend take her time coming down and getting calm. Everyone, or nearly everyone anyway, was on edge after the trials. It's not easy facing your deepest darkest fears. No one walks away from that unscathed. And everyone handles it differently. It was no surprise that Trinity wanted to fight it all away, because that's what she knew.
She waited patiently for Trinity to talk. They were in no rush and Andy felt like the both of them could do with a little venting in the safety of each others' company. The one place they could speak their minds judgement free.
"I can’t get yesterday out of my head. It scared the shit out of me. Then we had to watch the people we love go through their own torture."
Andy nodded her head as Trinity motioned to her. "I guess we should be thankful we didn't show up in each other's trials," she joked half-heartedly. It was a shitty attempt at trying to lighten the mood, but not entirely wrong. Her trial was hard enough having to choose between Mason and Ajax... The last thing she needed was tossing Daniel and Trinity in there for good measure. Just the thought of it churned her stomach. All of it hurt. The hardest part was seeing some alternate version of herself hurting those she cared about. She couldn't help but be terrified of doing that for real.
"Then..." She could sense the hesitation in Trinity as she seemed to search for what to say. "Wes and I spent the night together." Andy's eyes instantly widened as a small smile crept across her lips. "Which was great," Trinity quickly added, making sure she didn't get the wrong idea. "And I don’t have self-esteem issues but you know – child of Aphrodite, been around and done it all. And Wes isn’t the type to compare but…"
Andy's smile faded slightly. "Was he still there in the morning? Did he seem happy?" She asked. Two questions that Trinity might not have thought to ask herself. Whether or not Wes had a darker past didn't change how he felt about her. "Because from what I've seen, he's crazy about you. He arrived at camp around when I did... And I haven't seen him flirt with or look at a girl that wasn't you." Yes, of course he looked at other girls. He had to. But not in the way Andy meant, and Trinity knew that. Sure, he seemed to get along with women better than men, but not once did she ever think it was anything beyond friendship.
"You shouldn't compare yourself to the 'has beens' of Wes's life. There's a reason he wants you." Andy lightly bumped Trinity's shoulder with her own. "Have you ever thought that it's because you're not like the other girls?" She raised an inquisitive brow as she held her friend's gaze.
She let Trinity wave off the conversation. While they were best friends, both of the girls only allowed themselves to groan about girly things for so long. Neither of them were the sleepover and gossip about boys type. Perhaps that's why their friendship worked so well. They could talk about the serious things when they needed to, but they would also spar and fight alongside one another. By all definitions they were more bros than besties. If it was possible for two women to have a bromance, they did.
As they walked arm in arm, Trinity turned the conversation on her. "So what about you anyway? Are you all good?"
Andy sighed as her gaze fell to her feet. Her pace slowed with Trinity's until it inevitably came to a complete halt. They were alone in the woods and whatever she was or wasn't going to spit out, she wanted it out of the way before prying ears could overhear. "Not really," she admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. "Watching everyone's trials was hard. I hated that I couldn't do anything but..." her voice trailed off as she kicked a small rock. "My trial scared the shit out of me."
Her expression saddened and showed all the worry and pain she felt inside. "Yes, the Underworld and Hades are scary, but..." Andy's voice trailed off as she tried to find the words. "I never want to have to choose who deserves to live or die. I have been stuck in the middle of their feud for so long, refusing to choose a side, only for it all to unravel... in front of everyone."
At this point the flood gates were open. Everything had been boiling up inside her that now once it was started, she couldn't stop. "And I feel terrible. I'm disgusted with myself." Andy's voice wavered as tears filled her eyes. But she refused to cry. "I spent a year with Ajax and I couldn't save him. I wouldn't. Because I knew if the tables were turned... He wouldn't save me." She paused a second. "And that pain... Mason has been feeling that every day for a year." While she sounded angry, the only person she was scolding was herself.
Andy sighed, taking a deep breath. "And seeing him die." Her voice cracked. "Was the hardest thing I've ever experienced." She held Trinity's gaze knowing full well that the girl knew exactly what she felt. Both of them killed people they cared deeply for in their trials. "I was so scared that he was actually dead that I waited for him at his cabin afterwards... Just to be sure."
That was it. All of it, laid out for Trinity. It was probably more than she wanted to hear but if Andy didn't vent to her then who knows who she would have unloaded that all on. She smiled weakly feeling like she could breathe a little easier. She hooked her arm around Trinity's once again and started back in the direction of the main hall. They were just about to step out from the tree line when she realized she left out a key detail. Andy's free hand pinched the bridge of her nose trying to search for the most delicate way to say it. But inevitably, she ended up just blurting it out. "And... I slept with Mason."
She spared a brief glance over to Trinity with a nervous, slightly guilty smile. That was it. There was nothing else to say. All her secrets were out in the open, just like Trinity's. And while they both shared similar nights, neither of them were the type to compare notes. So before either one of them wanted to unpack all of that, Andy guided them towards the main hall.
Andy looked over all the food, realizing that the previous day's events still left her stomach in knots. And while she was hungry, she didn't know how much she'd be able to keep down. So she settled for an apple. Once Trinity had grabbed her food, she made her way over to Mason's table as Cherise spoke to him. "How are Andy's injuries?"
"Still a little sore. But mostly just bruises," she replied as she took the seat to Mason's right. "Thanks again for your help. I'm sure Daniel is grateful I'm not dead." Andy's gaze briefly drifted over to Mason. She knew he was glad too, but she wasn't going to put him on the spot like that. "I'm glad he has you for a friend." Meaning, Andy was glad that her brother wasn't crushing over Alex anymore and moved onto someone who wasn't a self centered bitch. But her comment was still genuine. Cherise seemed like a nice girl.
Andy jumped a little when Trinity spun around and held the blade to her throat, but she expected it. She didn't get mad or angry. She let her friend take her time coming down and getting calm. Everyone, or nearly everyone anyway, was on edge after the trials. It's not easy facing your deepest darkest fears. No one walks away from that unscathed. And everyone handles it differently. It was no surprise that Trinity wanted to fight it all away, because that's what she knew.
She waited patiently for Trinity to talk. They were in no rush and Andy felt like the both of them could do with a little venting in the safety of each others' company. The one place they could speak their minds judgement free.
"I can’t get yesterday out of my head. It scared the shit out of me. Then we had to watch the people we love go through their own torture."
Andy nodded her head as Trinity motioned to her. "I guess we should be thankful we didn't show up in each other's trials," she joked half-heartedly. It was a shitty attempt at trying to lighten the mood, but not entirely wrong. Her trial was hard enough having to choose between Mason and Ajax... The last thing she needed was tossing Daniel and Trinity in there for good measure. Just the thought of it churned her stomach. All of it hurt. The hardest part was seeing some alternate version of herself hurting those she cared about. She couldn't help but be terrified of doing that for real.
"Then..." She could sense the hesitation in Trinity as she seemed to search for what to say. "Wes and I spent the night together." Andy's eyes instantly widened as a small smile crept across her lips. "Which was great," Trinity quickly added, making sure she didn't get the wrong idea. "And I don’t have self-esteem issues but you know – child of Aphrodite, been around and done it all. And Wes isn’t the type to compare but…"
Andy's smile faded slightly. "Was he still there in the morning? Did he seem happy?" She asked. Two questions that Trinity might not have thought to ask herself. Whether or not Wes had a darker past didn't change how he felt about her. "Because from what I've seen, he's crazy about you. He arrived at camp around when I did... And I haven't seen him flirt with or look at a girl that wasn't you." Yes, of course he looked at other girls. He had to. But not in the way Andy meant, and Trinity knew that. Sure, he seemed to get along with women better than men, but not once did she ever think it was anything beyond friendship.
"You shouldn't compare yourself to the 'has beens' of Wes's life. There's a reason he wants you." Andy lightly bumped Trinity's shoulder with her own. "Have you ever thought that it's because you're not like the other girls?" She raised an inquisitive brow as she held her friend's gaze.
She let Trinity wave off the conversation. While they were best friends, both of the girls only allowed themselves to groan about girly things for so long. Neither of them were the sleepover and gossip about boys type. Perhaps that's why their friendship worked so well. They could talk about the serious things when they needed to, but they would also spar and fight alongside one another. By all definitions they were more bros than besties. If it was possible for two women to have a bromance, they did.
As they walked arm in arm, Trinity turned the conversation on her. "So what about you anyway? Are you all good?"
Andy sighed as her gaze fell to her feet. Her pace slowed with Trinity's until it inevitably came to a complete halt. They were alone in the woods and whatever she was or wasn't going to spit out, she wanted it out of the way before prying ears could overhear. "Not really," she admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. "Watching everyone's trials was hard. I hated that I couldn't do anything but..." her voice trailed off as she kicked a small rock. "My trial scared the shit out of me."
Her expression saddened and showed all the worry and pain she felt inside. "Yes, the Underworld and Hades are scary, but..." Andy's voice trailed off as she tried to find the words. "I never want to have to choose who deserves to live or die. I have been stuck in the middle of their feud for so long, refusing to choose a side, only for it all to unravel... in front of everyone."
At this point the flood gates were open. Everything had been boiling up inside her that now once it was started, she couldn't stop. "And I feel terrible. I'm disgusted with myself." Andy's voice wavered as tears filled her eyes. But she refused to cry. "I spent a year with Ajax and I couldn't save him. I wouldn't. Because I knew if the tables were turned... He wouldn't save me." She paused a second. "And that pain... Mason has been feeling that every day for a year." While she sounded angry, the only person she was scolding was herself.
Andy sighed, taking a deep breath. "And seeing him die." Her voice cracked. "Was the hardest thing I've ever experienced." She held Trinity's gaze knowing full well that the girl knew exactly what she felt. Both of them killed people they cared deeply for in their trials. "I was so scared that he was actually dead that I waited for him at his cabin afterwards... Just to be sure."
That was it. All of it, laid out for Trinity. It was probably more than she wanted to hear but if Andy didn't vent to her then who knows who she would have unloaded that all on. She smiled weakly feeling like she could breathe a little easier. She hooked her arm around Trinity's once again and started back in the direction of the main hall. They were just about to step out from the tree line when she realized she left out a key detail. Andy's free hand pinched the bridge of her nose trying to search for the most delicate way to say it. But inevitably, she ended up just blurting it out. "And... I slept with Mason."
She spared a brief glance over to Trinity with a nervous, slightly guilty smile. That was it. There was nothing else to say. All her secrets were out in the open, just like Trinity's. And while they both shared similar nights, neither of them were the type to compare notes. So before either one of them wanted to unpack all of that, Andy guided them towards the main hall.
Andy looked over all the food, realizing that the previous day's events still left her stomach in knots. And while she was hungry, she didn't know how much she'd be able to keep down. So she settled for an apple. Once Trinity had grabbed her food, she made her way over to Mason's table as Cherise spoke to him. "How are Andy's injuries?"
"Still a little sore. But mostly just bruises," she replied as she took the seat to Mason's right. "Thanks again for your help. I'm sure Daniel is grateful I'm not dead." Andy's gaze briefly drifted over to Mason. She knew he was glad too, but she wasn't going to put him on the spot like that. "I'm glad he has you for a friend." Meaning, Andy was glad that her brother wasn't crushing over Alex anymore and moved onto someone who wasn't a self centered bitch. But her comment was still genuine. Cherise seemed like a nice girl.
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"I'll take Nosy Nelly over my brother any day of the week. She's much easier to force submission with."
"Hmm," Sylas hummed as he looked over at the tipped over chair. "True. But at least my sister knows when to shut the hell up." He shrugged his shoulders and took a big swig of his coffee. It was far too early in the morning to have to deal with a chatty Nelly. And to be honest, he didn't know if he'd every be in the right mindset for that. At this point, everyone in camp thought he was some murderer, so who was he really trying to impress anymore?
After a moment or so, Liv scooted her chair in, leaning closer to him. "You know, I wouldn't mind helping you with this... Liam issue."
Sylas was in the middle of stabbing his fork into a piece of food when the comment sunk in. He froze. Only his eyes moved to meet Liv's gaze. There was no way that word of anything going on had made its way to her ears. From what he had seen, she was in a similar boat to himself... No friends and an unlikeable disposition. So she had to gather that he was an issue purely from the trials. Smart. "I'm listening."
Liv tilted her head to the side, gauging his response. "I do have a brother issue. Well, it's more along the line of deeply traditional values that severely impact my ability to claim what's more rightfully mine. I.E. my father's seat. What does my brother know of the sea anyhow? I just happen to have two X chromosomes."
So a partnership? He scratches her back and she scratches his? Liv did seem more likely to help him. Sure, he had offered his partnership to Mason as well. But from what he had seen the Valises haven't been around for a few days. Plus, the Zeus duo looked to be digging their own graves quite well. And while Mason could help him with this little kerfuffle... He was friends with Trinity, and Liam is her brother. He'd imagine that wouldn't go over well. Not to mention his own desire to get a little payback against the Hecate girl he loved so dearly after what went down in capture the flag. That would almost certainly put Sylas on Mason's kill list.
The brunette started glancing around the hall, sizing up the other campers. "So many new faces. You can't tell me that your handsome looks can't charm a few unsuspecting newbies?"
He chuckled, taking a sip from his coffee. "Who am I seducing? Them?" He motioned his hand in a general sense as if signifying the rest of camp. "Or your brother?" Sylas smirked slightly. It was a joke, although not that he would be opposed to bedding an attractive Poseidon son. But at the current moment he was far more interested in the woman seated opposite him.
"A little more division between demigods would mean less attention on us. You should think about it. Hmm?" Liv commented with a wink. "You never know. Nervous Nelly might be a good asset. She certainly floats around and talks enough."
Sylas's smile turned into a slight sneer at the comment. That's all he needed was a manipulated Nelly being clinging and annoying. Not that Liv was entirely wrong. Regardless, he was not bridging that today... Maybe not even tomorrow. His gaze floated around the room. Who would even be good to manipulate? Mason? No. Sure he was useful, but if Sylas was going to get him to help him with Liam, then it'd need to be of his own volition. Trinity? Maybe. She is Liam's sister after all. But sadly, the real person who could ruin the son of Ares in a blink was Sloane... And as he unfortunately found out, she's strong enough to control him. Not the other way around.
Lost in his own thoughts, he almost didn't notice Evelyn walk into the main hall... With another guy, no less. Sylas didn't know the face, nor did he really care. And, whether he liked it or not, the red head was not his. They slept together once. That does not mean commitment on any level. But something about him was drawn to her. With Evelyn is was the mystery, but with Liv it was the danger. Both strong women that tugged at different parts of him. But, even though he'd never say it out loud, seeing her move to sit beside Sloane during the trials... hurt. She didn't owe him anything, neither him to her. Yet, his gaze was still fixed on her as she lingered before disappearing into the kitchen.
Once she disappeared out of sight, Sylas moved to his feet and exited the main hall before he saw her again. At first he began to wander aimlessly, letting his feet carry him wherever about the camp. But eventually he managed to find his way to Liv's cabin. He contemplated moving on, but instead he slowly ascended the steps of her porch. He hesitated for a moment, staring at the door before he knocked. His tall frame filled most of the doorframe as he rested his hands on either side of the opening. When she opened the door, a small smirk crossed his lips as he looked down at her. "So... What kind of partnership did you have in mind?"
"I'll take Nosy Nelly over my brother any day of the week. She's much easier to force submission with."
"Hmm," Sylas hummed as he looked over at the tipped over chair. "True. But at least my sister knows when to shut the hell up." He shrugged his shoulders and took a big swig of his coffee. It was far too early in the morning to have to deal with a chatty Nelly. And to be honest, he didn't know if he'd every be in the right mindset for that. At this point, everyone in camp thought he was some murderer, so who was he really trying to impress anymore?
After a moment or so, Liv scooted her chair in, leaning closer to him. "You know, I wouldn't mind helping you with this... Liam issue."
Sylas was in the middle of stabbing his fork into a piece of food when the comment sunk in. He froze. Only his eyes moved to meet Liv's gaze. There was no way that word of anything going on had made its way to her ears. From what he had seen, she was in a similar boat to himself... No friends and an unlikeable disposition. So she had to gather that he was an issue purely from the trials. Smart. "I'm listening."
Liv tilted her head to the side, gauging his response. "I do have a brother issue. Well, it's more along the line of deeply traditional values that severely impact my ability to claim what's more rightfully mine. I.E. my father's seat. What does my brother know of the sea anyhow? I just happen to have two X chromosomes."
So a partnership? He scratches her back and she scratches his? Liv did seem more likely to help him. Sure, he had offered his partnership to Mason as well. But from what he had seen the Valises haven't been around for a few days. Plus, the Zeus duo looked to be digging their own graves quite well. And while Mason could help him with this little kerfuffle... He was friends with Trinity, and Liam is her brother. He'd imagine that wouldn't go over well. Not to mention his own desire to get a little payback against the Hecate girl he loved so dearly after what went down in capture the flag. That would almost certainly put Sylas on Mason's kill list.
The brunette started glancing around the hall, sizing up the other campers. "So many new faces. You can't tell me that your handsome looks can't charm a few unsuspecting newbies?"
He chuckled, taking a sip from his coffee. "Who am I seducing? Them?" He motioned his hand in a general sense as if signifying the rest of camp. "Or your brother?" Sylas smirked slightly. It was a joke, although not that he would be opposed to bedding an attractive Poseidon son. But at the current moment he was far more interested in the woman seated opposite him.
"A little more division between demigods would mean less attention on us. You should think about it. Hmm?" Liv commented with a wink. "You never know. Nervous Nelly might be a good asset. She certainly floats around and talks enough."
Sylas's smile turned into a slight sneer at the comment. That's all he needed was a manipulated Nelly being clinging and annoying. Not that Liv was entirely wrong. Regardless, he was not bridging that today... Maybe not even tomorrow. His gaze floated around the room. Who would even be good to manipulate? Mason? No. Sure he was useful, but if Sylas was going to get him to help him with Liam, then it'd need to be of his own volition. Trinity? Maybe. She is Liam's sister after all. But sadly, the real person who could ruin the son of Ares in a blink was Sloane... And as he unfortunately found out, she's strong enough to control him. Not the other way around.
Lost in his own thoughts, he almost didn't notice Evelyn walk into the main hall... With another guy, no less. Sylas didn't know the face, nor did he really care. And, whether he liked it or not, the red head was not his. They slept together once. That does not mean commitment on any level. But something about him was drawn to her. With Evelyn is was the mystery, but with Liv it was the danger. Both strong women that tugged at different parts of him. But, even though he'd never say it out loud, seeing her move to sit beside Sloane during the trials... hurt. She didn't owe him anything, neither him to her. Yet, his gaze was still fixed on her as she lingered before disappearing into the kitchen.
Once she disappeared out of sight, Sylas moved to his feet and exited the main hall before he saw her again. At first he began to wander aimlessly, letting his feet carry him wherever about the camp. But eventually he managed to find his way to Liv's cabin. He contemplated moving on, but instead he slowly ascended the steps of her porch. He hesitated for a moment, staring at the door before he knocked. His tall frame filled most of the doorframe as he rested his hands on either side of the opening. When she opened the door, a small smirk crossed his lips as he looked down at her. "So... What kind of partnership did you have in mind?"