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wesley preston
aphroditex|xoutfitx|x#667C0Cx|xtrojan
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Wes found it hard not to stare at this... Keith. Who was he? Obviously, he was no Daniel. Everything about him, from what he could tell, was the opposite of what Daniel was. Wes didn't know him as well as some of the others, but he knew enough to know something was off. He shifted uncomfortably where he stood, pursing his lips in thought. He could only hope this interesting development reached Andy at a more opportune moment. Maybe she'd be lucky enough to first hear it from Trinity's lips, instead of discovering it on her own.
And speaking of Trinity. “He would have mentioned something if he had a twin, right?”
Wes rubbed the back of his neck, then sighed. "I think you should warn her," he cleared his throat before continuing. "Andy... That's if she doesn't run into him on the battlefield."
He remained quiet and attentive listening to the rest of the battle plan. It all seemed like sound logic in his opinion, but he doesn't particular have a mind for battle strategy. Hopefully, Wes could just hold his ground with whomever... Or, whatever crossed his path. There might be a small handful of people at the camp that he could take on, but that wasn't promising. Part of him wished he could be the one to capture the other teams flag. It definitely put him under a new light, instead of the Aphrodite kid that lost his arm in the war last year. Not that Wes was ever a force to be reckoned with in the first place, but he liked the idea... Even if he knew it wouldn't happen.
“Where do you want it?”
Wes' attention was brought back to the blonde beside him. He then glanced about himself trying to figure out the best place to put those. With one hand, his wrist wouldn't be the most practical place. His hand grabbed the hem of his shirt, while his index finger tapped his belt loop. Once she fastened it for him, he smiled slightly. "Thanks."
“Seriously though, Wes, use your powers and be an ass because people won't give you the same mercy.” He looked around at the other members of their team as Trinity tried to give Wes a pep talk. He knew this all was practice to prepare them all for real battle, but these were all their friends, companions and comrades. He exhaled deeply through his nose. “If they're in red, they're the enemy,” she added.
He sighed, with a slight smirk and a roll of his eyes. "I'm battle inept, not color blind."
Trin then grabbed his chin, forcing him to look down at her. “Don't make me have to give you rage,” she teased.
Wes subconsciously leaned his head into her touch, just a little. He gave her a final nod. "Yes ma'am," he replied before she walked away to talk to Ajax.
He stood there for a minute, his hand mindlessly tugging and adjusting his colors that were attached to his belt loop. Finally, Wes walked over to the bag of weapons Alaric left on the table for them. He stared down at what was left, trying to decide what to grab. He only had one arm, after all, which limited what he could carry and accomplish. Wes wasn't much of a fighter, so defense was always the best strategy but he still needed something incase he came upon one of the monsters out there. He sifted through the bag until he found a shield with a strap, that allowed him to wear it over his back similar to a backpack. With his hand free, he snatched up a spear, remembering he was somewhat decent with one against the Hydra last year.
With no more time to waste, Wes took a deep breath and headed out into the thick of things. He started out through the woods, making sure to branch out from the others. He moved in a forward direction, in what he could only hope was toward the other team's flag. After a minute or so of walking, he found himself in the thicket of the woods. Of course, he couldn't stay out in the open. Someone like Andy or Alex would be on him in the blink of the eye if he was openly visible. So he needed to be somewhere that he could see everything, where he could be mildly camouflaged.
He found a large evergreen tree, and slowly walked up to its truck. From only a few feet away the stalk of the tree is hidden behind the pine needles, but once under it you could see all the way up to the top. Wes sighed, slipping the spear between his back and the shield. "You can climb a tree with one hand," he muttered quietly to himself reassuringly as he wiped his palm off on his jeans.
It wasn't the most graceful thing ever, but Wes managed to ascend the tree. It took a couple slips and broken branches to fully get the swing of something so simple, that usually called for all four appendages. Once he was high enough up, he could see far enough back to their own flag, and forward to what he could presume was either the middle, or just beyond. He adjusted himself on the branch until he was steady enough to allow movement without throwing off his balance. His fingers then snapped a couple small twigs to allow for better visibility without removing his camouflage.
Then he waited. At least up high, Wes was out of reach of most monsters. He was at a good height to where he could jump down to help a team mate, or stop an opponent... Or try at least.
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andromeda bolton
hecatex|xoutfitx|x#990856x|xspartan
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As Theo talked, assigning a plan of attack and defense for them, Andy did her best to make her rounds to her fellow teammates. Each one she gave a gentle tap on the shoulder, giving them some basic, light weight leather armor and such. It wasn't so much for going against the other campers, but for the monsters. She wasn't exactly sure what they would come across in the wounds, but a little extra protection never hurt any body.
She returned to Mason's side just as Theo finished. To no surprise, herself and Mason would be attackers. It made sense, and honestly, Andy would probably go crazy if she was told to stand around and play defense. She wasn't, by any means, a defensive player. Her mind was hard wired to attack, attack, attack. Luckily as well, Theo's mind was where hers was in the scheme of partnering up. That always seemed to be a strong strategy, especially when the two had varying abilities and skills which made them strong compliments.
"Couldn't have said it any better," Alex chimed in, catching Andy's attention. "I just want to add. No doubt others will want to take out the beasts, but we could use them couldn't we? Mason." Andy shifted uncomfortably where she stood, but only slightly. Something about actually hearing Alex say his name heightened her senses. Ever since everything that happened last year, she could't help but get tense whenever whenever Ajax or Alex mention Mason, or vice versa. "He could tame the beasts, or would that be considered as cheating? I mean, Alaric did say we can use our powers."
"Let's not pretend cheating matters to you," Mason replied coldly.
Andy parted her lips to reply, but thankfully Kalani chimed in in her own chipper way that quickly changed the tone. "I mean, I could always help with that? Since I'm pretty sure my abilities would come in handy to get them onside. Just a thought."
"And I can try. We can try," Mason added.
Andy nodded her head in acknowledgement. "I think that's a good idea. I can conjure up cages and help distract or corral them. I'd rather not kill them unless absolutely necessary. Mason was able to calm a minotaur last year," she added while motioning her hand toward him. "And Wes was able to make giants chase after their own kind of out obsession. Your powers could be really useful, Kalani." Andy smiled toward her.
"I could help Dominick and Finn, I can help heal wounds if they need, or blind enemies if they need that advantage....but if you need me to help follow the others and keep their wounds clear I can help," Nik offered.
Andy looked over toward Theo who was already partnering up and planning his strategy with Elias. And Alex was gone almost instantly. So, she took a step toward Nik with a smile. "I think defense is perfect. If anyone gets hurt, we'll have them retreat back to the flag. If things get... Intense, I'll shoot up a flare or something." She smiled, giving him a pat on the shoulder before she returned back to Mason.
"Let's go." Mason gestured toward her and she hurried to his side. As they started into the wood, her right hand hovered around her throwing knives while her left was slightly extended before her, ready to use magic at a moment's notice. They hadn't been walking for long when Mason spoke up. "So what happened last night huh?" His words took her by surprise, causing Andy to nearly trip over her own feet. This was probably the worst time for small talk, especially about that. Her heart began to pound in her chest as she swallowed hard, looking over at him.
"You know, I actually had a little more faith in you. What’s worse is you’re supposed to be better than that. You know what he’s done, where he’s been but you act like a little teen girl with no self control. I mean what’d he do? Blow in your ear, tell you he loves you? If I wanted to conquer someone in the sac, I’d do that too, Andy!"
Andy froze where she stood, her mouth a gape as the true sting of his words hit her like a knife in the gut. Part of her wanted to just walk away and not humor whatever Mason decided to be mad at her about this time. Part of her wanted to defend herself. And another part wanted to punch him. She could feel the anger boiling up in her, the anger and the pain. Her emotions have been so raw and unfiltered since the new year and camp. She found it more and more difficult to sensor herself or suppress her anger.
But she couldn't stop herself before the words fell from her lips like poison. "Conquer me? Is that what I am? A conquest?" Andy could feel the tears stinging her eyes when she finally spoke. "Well, which is it Mason? Am I supposed to be a virgin saint or a conquest?" She stepped in front of him, making direct and unwavering eye contact. "What fucking right do you have to judge me?" Andy jabbed her index finger in the air toward him with each word.
She took a deep breath as a silent tear ran down her cheek as she searched his face for an answer. Mason was supposed to be her best friend, yet he judged her and got mad at her every turn she made. There was no way to win. "Where in the hell is this coming from!? Why do you even—" Then Andy froze, the realization hitting her over the head like a baseball bat. Jealousy. She exhaled a sharp breath and sniffled back the tears. "Gods, do you know how hard it is to tell how you feel about me? If you hate or love me? You are always mad at me. Nothing I do is good enough for you. You don't trust me. And you talk down to me as if it's only a matter of time before I turn against you and leave you!"
Andy took a step toward him, trying to lower her voice to not give away their location. But, in the same breath the deeper in anger she fell, the more vulnerable she became and the more truths came out. "I have never betrayed you and I won't. I care so much about you, Mason. I love you. You are one of the most important people to me... and you don't even care." Her hands fell to her sides as she shrugged, exasperated. "I guess you have your answer then, don't you? Maybe if you learned to trust me and open up to me..." her voice trailed off. It'd be you, not Ajax. Her eyes fell. She didn't need to say it.
"You know what, fuck this." He put his hand in the air out of frustration, then turned and left in a cloud of smoke.
Andy nodded her head, tucking her lips between her teeth as she nodded her head. She took in a shaky breath, raising her hands to wipe her eyes, but they froze as they covered her face. She just wanted to melt where she stood. Right then and there, she had half a mind to rip off her colors and storm off. She could get pretty far away before anyone noticed she left. Her fingers pinched the fabric of her colors as she looked down at it. Just as she was about to tear it free she heard footsteps approaching from behind and a deep guttural growl rumble in the foliage to her left.
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sylas astor
erisx|xoutfitx|x#064C4Bx|xtrojan
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"I'll hang back, just in case any stragglers get through."
Sylas quirked a brow at the comment. He didn't have to know Ajax well to know that it was out of character. From the stories he'd heard about Mr. Perfect-pants, he was always one of the first people to charge into battle right alongside his warrior woman that Mason was secretly lusting after. Yet, here stood the mighty Ajax himself, opting to stay back to take care of stragglers? Pathetic. This was the guy that all these campers looked up to? A man who out of no where loses his courage and pusses out? Of course, now this meant Sylas wouldn't be fighting alongside him during capture the flag. But, with the right about of leverage it could be the pinnacle catalyst to cause a turning point in power at this retched camp. Small moments like these cause a snow ball effect.
"Can we join hands for a moment or touch? It’s not to pray, I promise you.” He glanced over at the redhead, and at first he was apprehensive. But, regardless if he desired to or not, he had to keep up the pretenses. So, he extended his right hand and placed it on the shoulder of the person closest to him. Then like a wave that washed over him, his senses were heightened almost like a drug but without the crash.
Sylas went over to the provided weapons, glancing over the options. Unlike most of the others, he went for a more subtle, underestimated piece. A sword that looked similar to a pirate's or a fencing sword. Small, thin but light weight. It didn't look like it could do much damage, but a cut in the right place is always deadly. Unlike more common swords, one like this is light which makes for quicker and more agile movements. Speed is always crucial in battle.
With weapon in hand, Sylas walked over to Duke and Ajax just as Trinity headed off in one direction. "I guess I'll take the left side," he said while pointing his hand in the direction he intended on traveling. His gaze drifted over toward Ajax. "If you change your mind, just follow the West side of the forest. I'm going to try and flank." He gave them both a pat on the shoulder before he disappeared into the thick of the woods.
It seemed, so far, luck was on Sylas' side as he traveled through the trees with haste. He hadn't come across any of the beasts, although he heard a couple in the distance as they broke twigs under foot or started their pursuit of another camper. On occasion, he'd see a brief glimpse of a Spartan zipping through the tree line, heading in the opposite direction toward his team's flag. But he ignored it. Ajax was there to take care of stragglers after all. And if he failed? Well, wouldn't that be an interesting development.
Sylas' footsteps slowed when he heard two voices in the direction he approached. He came up behind a boulder, slowly and cautiously leaning his head around the large object. His gaze was met by the sight of Mason and the back of a brunette's head. Due to the fact Mason wasn't trying to kill the girl, he could only assume it was Andy. Making sure he was out of sight, he held his hand in Andy's direction and closed his eyes. Instead of feelings of anger, he let despair, worthlessness and dread flow from himself and into the woman. He didn't wish to aid her anger at Mason, but make herself worth fade. Like planting a seed, he placed feelings of hopelessness, and longing... Longing for Mason's approval and fear of losing him.
Giving it a moment or two after Mason left, Sylas held his sword at the ready and came out in the opening. He stopped a few feet behind her, holding the tip of his blade toward the back of her neck. His body tensed slightly, when he too heard the growl that came from the left. "Sounds like we're not alone," he replied with a smugness. "I give it... 30 seconds before whatever that is decides to join us. So, how about you hand over your colors now and make it easier on the both of us."
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