#Friend's OC: Festus

[liviacardew]

time travelling kiddos fcs

(in order; left to right)

seneca crane, aelia ravinstill, achilles crane-cardew

plutarch heavensbee, albert canville, athena creed

marcella friend, sol moss-ring, antonia anderson-ring

(albert isn't really a time travelling kiddo- but he created the time travelling machine so)

[felixravinstills]

what if i begged for an au where persephone is friends the three of them in not just a festus dates her briefly sort of way 🙏 let pippa and artemisia bond over childhood trauma or something pleaseeee

conclusion of pelops' shoulder! what happens after you write your oc eating her own dad? persephone finds a fellow cannibal friend! yay! I think I concentrate very much on the bonding over trauma. anyway, my version of persephone sure is militantly optimistic and positive, and that was fun to try to get across. lots of repetition which i hope comes across as on purpose...

thank you, lily, for this request! I am officially done with all the AU requests, yay!

[whitegoldtower]

I have a new character to pair up with Cicero! All these altmer romances I’ve done, I’ve neglected my favourite imperial!!

Time to give him a bit of lovin’.

So. The new guy. What can be said about him?

🩸

His name is Morveth ‘Matty’ Groves; a folk-hero to the poor and needful, and a thorn in the side of the wealthy and powerful. An odd sort of vampire, he plays into the ‘Robin Hood’ trope, robbing the rich blind and sucking them dry, before redistributing his loot amongst those who need it more. Certain Argonians in Riften frequently find their pockets lined. The Khajiit caravans find themselves better off because of the arcane trickster. The Dunmer in Windhelm leave their windows open so that Ol’ Matty Groves might pay them a visit.

The rich, however, lock their windows, hide their wives and coin-purses, and hope for the best.

Appearance-wise, Matty Groves is a rather tall and muscular Dunmer, with lavender-grey skin, dusky and pale mauve eyes (with one dilated pupil that causes one eye to appear black), and a head of dust-white, intensely wavy hair. He’s more on the handsome side, and is known to be distracted by beauty. His appearance is generally pleasing, if a little off-putting; his pupils (one being massively dilated and the other being pin-prick small) giving him a rather feral look, and his twelve-fanged grin being considerably scarier (six fangs on the top row, and six on the bottom, teeth stained slightly from years of drinking blood and smoking canis root, which provides a disturbing contrast to his tongue and gums, which are a deep black-purple).

He’s a freaky rogue with what should be an illegal level of charisma, and the Thieves Guild rack up tens all across the board because this guy is GOOD at his trade - high sneak, high speech, high lockpicking and pickpocketing, double daggers, a bag full of poisons and an expert level of illusion magic.

It’s out of pure curiosity that he happens upon the tiny jester at the Loreius Farm, having heard Uthgerd mention him whilst conducting his business in Whiterun late one night. He does, of course, lend his aid, weirdly charmed by the little guy.

…And then he lends aid to Aventus Aretino (“Hey kids, wanna see a dead body?”), which lands him in the Dark Brotherhood.

Matty Groves has it out for Astrid from the beginning, seeing her as the ultimate target - a stupidly wealthy woman with ‘bad vibes’. He smells treachery, deceit and greed. The corners of his mouth begin to twitch.

Naturally, he’s going to side with sweet Cicero.

[multivcrse]

Hunger For All — c. snow | chapter one !

❝ chapter one : reap the young ! ❞

next chapter | previous chapter

pairing : academy! coriolanus snow x fem! academy! oc

warnings : rich capitol kids

summary : reaping day.

navigation | masterlist | series masterlist | wattpad

SITTING ON THE chair of her vanity, Cassandra brushed her hair, untangling the slightest strands of hair that got entangled. Her black dress shirt had small patches of white roses scattered all over it, draping perfectly over her torso.

Being a student at the Academy required uniforms for daily use, but for today's ceremony, the students are expected to be dressed formally in their own way. Of course, it was no problem for Cassandra. Whatever's inside of her wardrobe was something most girls wished for.

Turning her head from the mirror, Cassandra heard a knock from the other side of the door. Must be an avox. "I'll be there in a minute." Her pointer finger met the touch of her lips, smoothing out the natural shade of lipstick she applied on.

The whole family had been sitting on the dining chairs by the time she made it downstairs. The smell of warm bread pudding hit the air. Coriolanus' Favorite. Cassandra slightly shook her head at the thought. Why'd she have to remember?

The girl took a seat next to her younger brother who was in uniform unlike her. Alexandr was two grades lower than Cassandra, which is why he was in that hideous red skirt.

The maid brought up the pan of pudding, cutting a nice and warm slice, sliding it onto Cassandra's plate. The maid then took the glass water jug, pouring the clear liquid onto her glass.

Cassandra silently thanked the older woman who hasn't had her tongue cut off. "Excited for reaping day?” Her father, Theoden spoke up, looking up from his food, still holding the spoon and chewing on the pudding.

As if everyone hadn't known already. Cassandra ignored his statement, knowing exactly where this was going. She took a spoon and started to scrape off the corn syrup that was drizzled on top of the square slice of pudding.

Hell, that was a stupid question. Who would even be excited about watching kids get reaped from their homes to kill one another?

"Cassandra." Father spoke up once again, causing the girl to look up. "Yes?" She raised her eyebrows, making her spoon go through the edge of the pudding.

"What? The Plinth prize? There’s no need to worry, father i guarantee you that i will be the one who wins it." She spoke before eating the piece of pudding. She wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. "Good." Father chuckled. Truly, she wasn't too sure about winning, especially when she had Coriolanus on her tail.

As Cassandra arrived at the Academy building with her brother, they parted ways immediately. Alexandr went to his group of friends in uniform, whilst Cassandra walked up the stairs into the building.

It seems that the other students were waiting for her appearance. She was well aware that she was the prettiest in her grade. Everybody aspired to be her and she was glad. "There she is, Coriolanus' little birdie." Cassandra despised that nickname. Coriolanus wouldn't stop teasing her with it whenever they argued. It used to be sweet and adorable when they were little kids.

Cassandra stood between Festus and Felix, right across Arachne. "Ready to compete with Snow?" Festus chimed in. "Compete with Snow?" Cassandra ironically furrowed her eyebrows, repeating his statement.

"Oh, don't worry birdie. I won't go easy on you." The familiar quiet voice behind Cassandra caused her to roll her eyes. Coriolanus' mouth was just a few inches away from her ear as she could feel his breath. Ugh.

She turned around, glaring at him. A hand was placed on his chest, slightly shoving Coriolanus away from herself. "Finally. The star pupil." Arachne greeted Coriolanus in a not-so friendly way.

"That's a snazzy shirt, what are those buttons, tesserae?" The Crane girl leaned forward to take a closer look at Coriolanus' probably filthy dress shirt. "Huh. That's why they remind me of the maid's bathroom." Cassandra was trying her best to hold her laughter in as he spoke.

As if his family could even afford to hire a maid. "I'll be congratulating you today, Mr. Snow." Festus cleared his throat as Felix was eating with his bare hands. Cassandra swore she couldn't believe he was the president's son.

"Oh, please. I'll make sure you walk out empty handed, Coryo." Cassandra was practically mocking his dumb little nickname. He took it quite seriously as to who was calling him by that name. Well, she used call him that genuinely.

"That's funny, cause i could've sworn i heard you say you didn't care about the prize awhile back." Coriolanus spat back. Whatever. "Someone's been paying attention." Festus teases with a smug smile on his face.

It was true. The only logical thing to do was not care about the stupid prize. Her family was rich anyway, why would she need it? "Yeah, i don't." Cassandra scoffed, glaring at the group of classmates, seeing that Lysistrata had just approached the group.

She was a nice girl, to say the least. Everything about her was... neat. Cassandra could call her a friend although they interacted at least only 5 times in one semester.

"I just wanted to know if you, needed the prize." Cassandra spoke quiet enough for only Coriolanus to hear. She left him looking at her in slight fear and pure disgust.

She was on the verge of wanting the truth to be everywhere, out and about although, it was killing him. He needed to be careful. He even thought about making amends with her. All for the sake of his own self and family.

Cassandra walked towards the tables and took a glass of water. She walked over to the other side and smoothly swapped the glass of water with a glass of posca. Cassandra walked away, but only to run into her favorite professor.

"Cassandra! Come here." Satyria called out, looking away from the people she was speaking to. Cassandra smiled before approaching the older woman. Satyria was everyone's favorite. She was almost likely to be considered as a friend.

Standing next to Satyria, Cassandra looked up at the people that were speaking to Satyria just a few moments ago. She recognized them to be professors from the Capitol University. "This is the Cassandra i was talking about." The professors nodded and smiled at the girl.

"She's Theoden Sparrow's daughter actually." Satyria added. Cassandra's father a was a well known wealthy man who owned the coal minings at district twelve. Sometimes, he goes to district twelve to help his business run. "It's nice to meet you." Cassandra smiled as she shook the professors' hands.

"She's a top student alongside Crassus Snow's boy." Cassandra tried her best to hide her smile as Satyria mentioned. This was good. Contact with professors from the University was needed. "Good luck with the Plinth prize, Ms. Sparrow." One of the professors spoke up, motioning his glass of posca forward.

Cassandra nodded and took a sip of her water. "Thank you very much." A little while after, the commotion around her gave a signal that it was time for the reaping ceremony to begin.

She made her way towards the seats and saw that the last ones available was next to Clemensia. And Coriolanus. Cassandra sighed before taking off the book bag off of her shoulder.

"Good luck." Clemensia whispered as the two sat down. Coriolanus stayed quiet, trying his best to avoid Cassandra's presence.

The hall went quiet as Dr. Gaul entered the place. She was nothing but a terrifying woman. Cassandra went to her laboratory once, and it was nothing anyone wanted to see. Full of mutated creatures and even humans (avoxes).

Dr. Gaul introduced herself before letting Dean Casca Highbottom take the lead. No one liked that man. He was the creator of the Hunger Games itself after all. The man was attached to morphling.

"There's no prize today. Not anymore." Cassandra overheard Sejanus speak to Coriolanus and she wished she hadn't. What did that even mean? Will 10 years of trying to be the best student mean nothing?

Cassandra's breath hitched as she tried not to turn to Sejanus and react. Dean Highbottom's annoying voice kept going on and on until his words made Cassandra pay attention again.

"The Plinth Prize will no longer be determined by who has the best grades, but by who is the best mentor in the Hunger Games."

It was no need to act surprised. Of course he'd pull some shit like this. She wasn't sure on how she was going to win this. What if she was chosen to mentor a tribute from a poor district or something?

"As the reaping progresses live, i will allocate each District tribute a Capitol mentor." Great. Another competition against Snow. She could only hope for the best. "Also, two lucky students will partner up and mentor one tribute. Together." That was unfair! Some students, including Arachne protested.

But then again, she'd rather work alone than to have a tribute from a poor and weak district. The dean sat himself down, looking up at the television, ready to announce which district each mentors get. "Let the reaping ceremony begin." The dean mutters, pulling out some cards that contained names from his pocket.

"District one, boy, Livia Cardew." The girl couldn't contain her excitement. Cassandra didn’t like her as much. That girl acts like she hates Coriolanus Snow as much as Cassandra does. Cassandra was the only one who could ever hate his guts, why'd she have to intervene?

Well, actually that doesn’t matter at all.

As the dean continued to read out the names, Cassandra felt the desperation rush in. She could only hope for a decent tribute. She did not need a tribute who could barely survive the districts, let alone the Hunger Games.

Cassandra gulped as she didn't get a tribute from neither district one or two like she had hoped for. What was this? There was no way her father didn't know about the changes. She thought he'd at least bribe Highbottom so she could get someone from a higher district.

The boy from district two was assigned to Sejanus. This was no doubt, Strabo Plinth's request. Cassandra couldn't help but think her father did the same thing and decided to give her a tribute from twelve. Please, no. Anything but that, anything!

Two other districts passed. Cassandra's name hasn't been called out yet. The only thing she was relieved about was that Coriolanus hasn't been assigned a tribute yet either. She hoped he'd get the tribute from twelve and not her.

The last hope with a boy from eleven went to Clemensia. No students have been paired up together so far. The only ones left were Cassandra, Coriolanus, Felix and Lysistrata.

Cassandra would rather partner up with the president's not-so bright son than to have Coriolanus as a partner. At least Lysistrata.

Though, it passed. Felix's tribute was a girl from eleven and finally, Lysistrata's tribute was a boy from twelve. Cassandra turned to look at Coriolanus as she felt the sense of fury rush into her mind.

"You'll be happy about this one, Ms. Crane." The dean stood up, walking closer to the televisions. Coriolanus shared a glance with Cassandra. That's it. If Cassandra could, she would storm out of the hall right this second. "District Twelve girl ... Ah, she belongs to the mentors who are chosen to partner up. Coriolanus Snow… and Cassandra Sparrow."

© multivcrse, 2024

GUYS HI SO IM LIKE NEW TO TS SOO PLS FOLLLOWWWW AND DONT BE SHY TO TALK TO MEEEE !!! my requests r very much open btw also ty very much for the notes on my last post<33

[dontspillthefrijoles43]

Leo’s birthday 🥳🥳🥳

(A/N: I know it’s a Fanon birthday, probably, but I could not do a post about our favorite Hammer brain without my oc— cause they’re my sillies, and I’ve been dead for awhile. So here’s my head canons for Leo’s birthday. Btw I hc him as 18 cause that’s the same age I am (🥳) and experiences I have had so far from turning 18)

Warning: Drinking mention, weed mentioned, teenagers being teenagers, etc

Leo has never had a real birthday party since he was 7, and when Breisa hears this she throws him the most nostalgia fueling Mexican/latino birthday party

She buys those ugly ass piñtas with balloons in one and candy in the other. Also party favors and hats (which he wears two of—like cat ears)

It’s either SpongeBob or TMNT theme, she even goes to the local pañería to buy him a cake

She will wake his ass up with the Vicente Fernández song, las mañanitas with his had made speaker that he made her and it sounds loud and booming

She also finds Texas barbeque recipes mixed with Mexican Texan authentic food. Has Will and Annabeth help her cook it.

While the seven distract him for his surprise party by buying new clothes. They also buy him a cowboy hat with flames on it.

When the party finally comes down too, Leo is surprise by party with homemade food, decorations,and jumper + a mechanical bull

You bet ur ass he rides the bull at full speed

He is having the time of his life and he even isn’t drinking— not that he’s much of a drinker anyway. He had his first shot and it tasted like battery acid and orange juice

He dances with everyone to all his favorite songs. He might’ve dance to old school Spanish/tejano songs with Breisa— maybe sharing a kiss under his cowboy hat😉😉

When it finally comes down to the birthday cake, he lights his own candles, everyone sings happy birthday. And he bows out his candles, only to get his face smashed into it by Breisa

Which scares the shit out of her because she thinks she goes too far, but then he pops up laughing hard, frosting all over his face. (Thank god she bought two cakes)

Gifts for the seven include: chuck of Ruby rock from Hazel, weed (trust me I had a vision) and cassettes + Polaroids of the trio from Piper, Lions Paw seashell necklace from Percy, a festus Chinese dragon style bracelet from Frank , power tools + car stickers from Annabeth, and Game disk of all the Mario party games + new controller from Jason

Now you may be wondering if Breisa threw him this big ass party and brought all his friends together, it would be it for birthday gifts. But nah, she loves him too much to leave something out— a hand-made love letter with purple lipstick stains cheesy asf, a restored painting of him + Esperanza, and matching necklace with the sun on it (hers has the moon).

You best believe she covers his face with lipstick stains until he is dizzy and lovestick

Leo: Best birthday ever 🥰

Breisa: Best birthday so far, Amorcito

[twoidiotwriters1]

Almighty (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: I might pause the posting a moment to write the rest because I'm falling behind sorry! -Danny Words: 2,589 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Four' -by The Wrecks

XX: This Is Not Very Yeehaw of You

Percy and Lily knock on her bedroom door while she's packing. "Oh, cool," Ara mumbles. "I'm totally not worried that you two want to talk to me in private..."

Percy leaves the door ajar. "You got time?"

"Well, Leo is taking a nap in his cabin, Calypso is down the hall, also sleeping, and Lester is packing his stuff, so..."

Both teens come closer. Lily folds clothes into rolls and squares and hands them over to Percy, who tries to pack them neatly in Ara's bag. While they're at it, Lily starts talking. "We just came to ask what our instructions are this time..."

The way things happen is never ideal, but Lily is starting to realize planning does not warrant an easy journey, unexpected events are going to thwart their lives on the regular and she's come to terms with it. Ara not so much, she was hoping that getting Leo back would equal some peace of mind, but now they're packing up for another world-changing quest.

"Percy has no instructions other than to mind his business, I'm sure Annabeth will get him through. As for camp... You and Malcolm can work with Nyssa to rebuild the Pavilion and the docks. If we're lucky I'll be back before summer."

Percy and Lily share a look. "What about Calypso?" Lily asks.

"She's coming with us, so no need to worry about her," Ara sighs. "Personally, I don't think she'll help much, but I understand why she wants to stick by Leo's side. He's the only friend she's had in a while, so to be on a quest with him is better than alone with strangers."

"And you're okay with that?" 

"I think it's time we let her do whatever she wants."

Percy hums, staring at the hoodie in his hands. "It wasn't cool that she tossed out a curse at Annabeth, but I swore I would get her out and then I never saw it through. Frustration can mess with your mind. And arai are just ill-thoughts tossed out to the open, I don't think she was expecting it to reach Annabeth like that..."

"I don't know, Percy. I can't figure her out," Ara makes a face. "She's human, but her emotions are still so godly, and gods don't think like we do. Perhaps she meant it but thought it a lesser evil—as in, we're just human, so why care about us... At least that's how Apollo feels."

Lily scoffs. "And you still want to help him?"

"I'll be helping us in the process. And what else am I good for, really? Hestia tried to tell me before, a soldier always finds ways to stay on their feet. I think that's not how it should be worded, more like, a soldier is always more comfortable while on their feet."

Percy shrugs. "But it doesn't have to go hand in hand with war."

"Maybe the gods wouldn't care if you decided to sit this one out, Queen B," Lily tries. "It's not like you don't have things to do around here."

"And trust Apollo will do what's right?" She raises a brow. "Plus, Leo can't sit this one out, Lester needs Festus. And I'm not letting Leo get away from me if I can help it."

"That, I can totally relate to," Percy sighs, leaving the hoodie on the bed. "No offense to Leo, but sometimes I wish you hadn't ever gotten a boyfriend."

"Same," Lily mutters grumpily.

"Hey, you'll go away with Annabeth come the summer," Ara reminds him. "So we're parting ways no matter what. And you, Lily, have Connor."

Lily stares at the board near the dresser with a scowl, probably going through all the multiple ways this is bound to go wrong. "Everyone is going places..."

Percy rubs the back of his neck, getting a little defensive. "Just for a while, but you'll be coming to New Rome for college too, once you're eighteen. It'll be fine."

"True," Lily sighs. "If we get through this."

Ara lowers her eyes to keep on packing. "I guess... Yeah."

"You've got a lot to get done all around the country, the future is a blur," Lily pulls out the Aphrodite figurine from her pocket and hands it to her. "For my peace of mind."

"Is it blessed?" The girl takes it.

"Please," Lily rolls her eyes. "Like you need more of those. No, that's... so you remember you've got people here that want to see you come home in one piece. Even if things don't go as planned."

Ara hugs her tightly. "I know you have this urgent need to get out... Just now I'm realizing that you've been in camp for so long... staying was your way of showing faith in what I do. I can't thank you enough."

Lily buries her face on Ara's shoulder. "I wish you would've realized that sooner."

"Me too." Ara sniffs, holding the girl by the shoulders. "I can't promise it'll be you and me until the end, but laurel wreaths and godly blessings hold no candles to the honor of being your best friend."

Lily hugs her again. "Shut up. I love you too."

Percy takes a moment to talk to Ara by the seashore. "So... I talked to Calypso."

"How'd that go?" Ara hums, scratching Mrs O'Leary's ear. 

"There were apologies, some awkward laughs... Leo was there to make sure no one would get strangled," He says sarcastically, scratching Pollo's chin.

"And you feel better now?"

"Better isn't the right word," Percy makes a face. "I don't think we'll ever be friends, not like Leo and her, but... only time will tell."

"Did she say anything about me?"

Her brother raises a brow. "About what?"

The girl shrugs, avoiding his eyes. "Dunno. Anything..."

"Anything about... you and Leo?" He asks knowingly.

"Did she say anything about that?"

"Even if she wanted to, Leo was there, and she's already looking bad for cursing one girlfriend, I don't think she's interested in trying her luck with Leo. He's deeply radical about his way of handling the people who hate you."

Ara snorts. "You don't know him enough to say that."

"I know him," Percy states with utter certainty. "He's just like you."

"This feels too personal so I'm pressing skip," Ara pokes his shoulder. "Skip."

Percy smiles, then changes the subject. "Do you wanna go home to tell Mom and Dad what's gonna happen?"

"We don't do that," Ara pauses. "Unless you think I should?"

"I know you'll come back," Percy brushes it aside. "It's just... All your winter clothes are home—"

"Percy."

"You could take some snacks too, blue cookies, gummy sharks..."

"Tell me the truth."

"I... wanted you to see me graduate, and be there for Estelle's birth," Percy gives in. "And we both know this quest isn't going to solve itself over one weekend. The Triumvirate is the source of literally all of our past issues, it could take years to bring them down."

"Everyone keeps listing all the bad things I already know about this journey," Ara reaches for his hand. "I would like my brother to find something else to say so I don't leave completely bummed out."

Percy looks a bit ashamed. "Well... this quest might be the quest, you know? Every child of Olympus has a story of when they were at the peak of success, power, and youth. That's going to be you this time, so... go make history."

"Now that's more like it," Ara smiles. "If it makes you feel better, Nemo, I'm certain this is what I must do. There was only one path to follow on this, and that means it's going to work out no matter what."

It's hard to part ways with Percy, not just for the life-threatening quest, but knowing that if she can't come back before June, they'll never be together again. He'll be there at every holiday and birthday, but it won't be the same. It'll never be as it was at thirteen and eleven years old.

"I'm going to miss you," she whispers, leaving out 'the rest of my life', but Percy hears it in the quivering of her voice anyway.

"Only at times," he retorts, hugging her tightly.

Since the Pavilion got smashed to bits, she's allowed to eat with the rest of the campers for the first time in forever. Ara, Leo, Calypso, and Apollo share a blanket, Ara is trying to get used to this combination of people because it's the only company she'll have for a while.

Festus walks around the cabins hiccuping balls of fire at random times—the reason why Leo doesn't allow her to hug the dragon yet. "He got a little dinged up in Corsica," Leo explains while they eat. "Sometimes he spews randomly like that."

"He hasn't blowtorched anyone important yet," Calypso eyes Apollo. "We'll see how he likes you." 

"I had planned to go alone," Apollo says miserably. "The prophecy from Dodona speaks of the bronze fire-eater, but... it feels wrong for me to ask you to risk your lives. You have been through so much just to get here."

Calypso seems surprised by his statement. "Perhaps you have changed. That does not sound like the Apollo I remember. You definitely are not as handsome."

"I am still quite handsome. I just need to clear up this acne." He argues, his cheeks flushing.

"So you haven't completely lost your big head."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Guys," Leo sighs, "if we're going to travel together, let's try to keep it friendly." He reaches for Ara's hand. I'm talking to you too. "Besides, we were planning to head west anyway. I got to find my peeps Jason and Piper and Frank and Hazel and... well, pretty much everybody at Camp Jupiter, I guess. It'll be fun."

"Fun?" Apollo sounds exasperated. "The Oracle of Trophonius will supposedly swallow me in death and madness. Even if I survive that, my other trials will no doubt be long, harrowing, and quite possibly fatal."

"Exactly," Leo flashes him a crooked smile. "Fun. I don't know about calling the whole quest thing Apollo's trials, though. I think we should call it Leo Valdez's Victory Lap World Tour."

"Actually," Ara says. "Percy said this is my time to shine, and I'm calling pretty privilege on this thing."

"Hey, that's not—!"

"—What does that even mean?" The boys demand grumpily.

Calypso's laugh blurts out before she can stop it and she covers her mouth, looking embarrassed. Of what? Ara has no clue. Perhaps she thinks she isn't allowed to enjoy Ara's jokes because she's acted a little crazy in the past. Ara can't blame her, she's currently going crazy every month or so.

"You know, Calypso," she starts politely. "If you're coming with us, I'll make sure you're prepared."

"What do you mean?"

"You need weapons," Ara explains. "You look like a dagger girl—but also a bag with bombs and grenades has never hurt nobody... er, you know what I meant. I can train you."

"Okay," Calypso nods, slightly taken aback. "Am I... part of your army now?"

Ara tilts her head. "Great question. I suppose that depends on you. Lester is under my command because he's the son of Zeus. You, on the other hand..."

"My father was a titan, so not exactly part of Olympus..." Calypso nods pensively.

Ara shrugs. "I've got enough people to look after as it is—I'll look after you all the same as long as we're on this quest together, but uhm... it's your choice, really. Everything from now on is."

Calypso glows pink. "Oh. In that case, I... I'll be part of your army."

Ara isn't expecting that answer at all. "What? Why?"

"I want to be strong again, and if I don't have my powers, then I'll train and get better."

"Good idea, Cal," Leo smiles. "Ara's the best fighter there is, you'll learn a lot from her."

There is nothing Ara respects more than a demigod willing to take the punches just to come out stronger. She reaches for Calypso's hand and holds it firmly. "I know how it feels to be vulnerable. If you want my assistance, you'll have it."

Calypso shakes her hand with certainty. Next to them, Apollo visibly deflates, staring at their hands like it's the saddest view on earth. "Hey, man," Leo speaks, guessing as to what he's thinking. "Don't look so glum. We'll find her."

"What?" Apollo blinks.

"Your friend Meg. We'll find her. Don't worry."

The boy runs a hand over his tired expression. "Meg knows the prophecy. If she tells Nero, he will know our plans as well."

"I missed the whole Roman Empire," Calypso leans back while biting on an apple. "How bad can one emperor be?"

"Bad," Lester huffs. "And he is allied with two others. We don't know which ones, but it's safe to assume they are equally cutthroat. They've had centuries to amass fortunes, acquire property, build armies... Who knows what they are capable of?"

"Eh... We took down Gaea in, like, forty seconds. This'll be easy squeezy."

"No, Leo," Ara insists. "Gaea was a primal force that was bound to her nature, there were things she could not overcome. These guys... they haven't been sleeping, they know the world far and wide, made themselves gods, and don't have rules, nor respect for honor. It won't be a fair fight."

Leo frowns. "Nothing about me dying was exactly fair, though."

"No, but..." Ara thinks about the best way to phrase this for him. "At least Gaea tried to buy the car, these guys will break a window, try to get it to run, and if that doesn't work they'll tow it to their parking lot just to get money from reselling the radio."

Calypso and Apollo look extremely confused at her metaphor, but Leo's face shifts into full understanding. "Dang, those guys are monsters..."

"Beasts," she corrects bitterly. "It's not them we're fighting, it's their armies, and maybe, just maybe, at some point, we'll reach them."

"Ah, damn," Leo says, his southern accent gets stronger when he's stressed. "Now it don't sound as fun..."

"We'll succeed," Calypso pipes in making an effort to be optimistic. "We must. So we will. I have been trapped on an island for thousands of years. I don't know how long this mortal life will be, but I intend to live fully and without fear."

"Perhaps to ensure we can at least survive the journey, we should do a full checkup on Festus first thing tomorrow morning," Ara replies, watching as the dragon stumbles over its own paws.

"Sure thing, General," Leo smiles, happy to work with her. "As soon as Festus gets a tune-up and an oil change, we'll be good to go."

"I've got us all packed, so you two focus on resting," Ara tells Calypso and Lester.

Will Solace gets up and speaks. "Hey, everybody! We've started a bonfire in the amphitheater! Sing-along time. Come on!"

Ara and Leo make the same face. "Aw, man." He whines. "I'm terrible at sing-alongs. I always clap and do the 'Old MacDonald' sounds at the wrong time. Can we skip this?"

"I second that. I like singing, but right now I'm yearning for some peace and quiet..." Ara nods, feeling completely drained after the rollercoaster of a day she's had.

"Oh, no." Apollo declines the offer. "Singing is good for the spirits. You should never miss an opportunity to sing."

"He says that as self-promo," Ara jokes, holding Leo's hands as they get up.

Calypso grins. "Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but for once I agree with Apollo. Though you two can er... rest, if you like." The girl glances at Leo as if communicating something in silence. 

"Yeah, have a good night, guys," Leo waves with his free hand. He takes a moment to enjoy Ara's proximity before talking. "Rest sounds real nice, but I'd like to talk to you in private for a sec. Can we?" He points at the beach and Ara smiles, a bunch of fond memories coming back to her.

"Lead the way."

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled @thepixiechicksh @ebony-reine-vibes

[persephoneprice]

Pippa: 22 and 24?

thank you my friend 😌

for this ask game that i slightly deviated from so i could talk about persephone more

22.) What character alignment would you consider your OC to be?

lawful good and this is probably the most insane thing to admit but i determined this by taking an online quiz and answering it with how i think she would answer. i might actually be a crazy person.

24.) What is an alternative life path your OC might have gone down? How different would their life be if they'd made those decisions?

this is an interesting question! i think an alternative life path that she could have (and maybe should have?) gone down is to not accept doing what was expected of her. instead of settling down and marring festus, who she was clearly the second choice for, and continuing to engage with the elite capitol circles- she could have chosen to put herself first.

she could have found someone who loves her. she could have escaped the societal obligations that have plagued her since she was a child. she could have lived a life where she was genuinely happy (not that she was unhappy, but it wasn’t her ideal life).

[rubix-cube06]

Unpleasant Memories

Penelope Lewis is the daughter of Poseidon she is my oc and she originally came to camp with Annabeth, Thalia, Luke and Grover.

It all started when Chiron asked Penelope to go on a quick errand for him. Chiron asked her to get a specific flower in Montana to help Will with the rapidly growing number of injuries in camp. While this wasn't exactly a quest Penelope invited her boyfriend Leo and her two Satyr friends Coach Hedge and Grover Underwood to accompany her. "So not that I mind but why are you bringing my boss on a quest with us?" Coach Hedge asks. "Technically this isn't a quest, I didn't have to talk to Rachel and get a prophecy, this is an errand, and besides, I think Grover's empathy is a good contrast to you," Penelope hums. "My what?" Coach inquires. "Your lack of?" Grover shrugs. "Also, Grover is really busy being the awesome Lord of The Wild and I wanted to be able to catch up with him," Penelope adds as Grover ruffles her hair. "I still don't know why you wanted two satyrs," Coach Hedge replies. "As I recall Nell invited me, and you found out and invited yourself," Leo says. "Sounds about right, although, I don't mind the help anyways," Penelope laughs.

The group travels all day, they get on a bus, and then get back into a forest. Leo starts a fire while the others collect firewood. The group starts cooking their food and then give Hedge and Grover their tin cans. Penelope leans forward and a half gold and steel sword falls out of her sword holster. "Woah, this is awesome who made this Nell, cause I know I didn't," Leo says picking up the sword. "Penelope is that backbiter?" Grover asks. "Yeah, I'm so sorry, I would've told you but-" Penelope starts. "That's awesome how'd you find it?" Grover asks. "Oh um Conner found it under Luke's bed, it apparently had a sticky note on it with my name on it," Penelope explains. "I think I'm missing something," Coach Hedge says looking at Leo. "Don't look at me," Leo says as he slips the sword back in the holster. "That was Luke Castellans', it was his favorite sword," Grover says. "Isn't that the guy who merged with Kronos?" Leo asks. "Among other things," Penelope says. "So why's it matter if he left something in his will to you?" Leo asks. "Well, lets see, if Annabeth found out I had this she'd have a fit, but get over it, same with Percy, but Thalia, would never let it go, because she didn't have to spend six years with the guy at camp because she was a tree, so she would have a major fit and I don't want to deal with it," Penelope explains. "Yeah, I'd have to be the peacekeeper as always," Grover teases. "I mean those two are the biggest instigators in the world for each other," Grover chuckles. "I remember one time she tried to get me to practice fishing, it was before I was claimed but I wouldn't, and Thalia tried to shove the fish down my throat so I'd eat," Penelope smiles. "You remember that fondly?" Coach Hedge says. "Well sure, mainly because I remember her death in perfect detail, now knowing that if I had told the Cyclopes to stop they probably would have listened," Penelope says. "Well in comparison that is a good memory," Leo teases.

The group ends up falling asleep after setting up two tents. One for Grover and Coach Hedge the other for Penelope and Leo. During the night Penelope doesn't fall asleep she just lays awake next to Leo. Penelope eventually decides to leave the tent and take a walk. As Penelope sneaks away from the campsite Festus whines at her. "It's alright Festus, I'll be right back," Penelope says as she pets the robotic dragon. Penelope ends up walking to a small river and she sits in front of it watching the water. "Hey, what're you doing over here?" Grover asks. "I couldn't sleep," Penelope shrugs. "Does it have anything to do with our conversation from earlier?" Grover asks. "I don't know, I guess," Penelope says. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I make you feel as if you shouldn't have kept backbiter because I don't actually care," Grover says. "No, it's not you, I got to thinking about Thalia, how she hasn't really done anything for me lately," Penelope sighs. "Here, let's go back to our campsite and talk about it alright," Grover suggests helping Penelope stand up.

When they get back to the campsite Leo was sitting down petting Festus. "Are you alright? Festus woke me up when you left," Leo says hugging Penelope. "I couldn't sleep," Penelope shrugs. "Sit, and talk please," Grover suggests. Penelope and Leo sit down and Grover sits across from them while Leo lights another fire. "Thalia hasn't done anything for me lately, pur relationship isn't as strong as it used to be," Penelope shrugs. "She's also a liar," Penelope adds. "Elaborate," Leo says. "One of the first things Thalia assured me after the fleece saved her, is that she'd still protect me from anything and everything," Penelope says. "And she ran away from the thing that scared me most," Penelope sighs. "Yeah, she did," Grover says. "Huh," Leo mumbles. "A prophecy regarding a child of one of the big three Gods," Grover says. "A half-blood of the eldest gods Shall reach sixteen against all odds And see the world in endless sleep The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap A single choice shall end his days Olympus to preserve or raze," Penelope recites. "Didn't Percy fulfill it?" Leo asks. "He did, and I am incredibly grateful because if he didn't I was next, he did everything he could have too ensure Nico and I were safe, Thalia stopped physically aging and ran away from it," Penelope shrugs. "She also hasn't talked to me in like four years," Penelope says. "Family, yeah right," Penelope rolls her eyes. Leo kisses Penelope's Temple. "What is your most unpleasant memory of any of us?" Grover asks. "What?" Penelope asks. "Do it, trust me," Grover replies. "I guess it's when Luke first heard the prophecy, he made me train with him for like nine hours everyday," Penelope starts. "I would beg him to let me stop but he wouldn't let me, one day he screamed at me and said if I wanted to die that I could but not only could I not blame him nor would he be around to watch, I think I was around six at the time," Penelope explains. "Do you remember what happened next?" Grover asks. "I locked myself in my cabin. Luke didn't try to find me for hours but I guess Travis and Conner, Silena, Charles and Jake heard so Travis and Conner helped me move one of the empty bunks in front of the door so that nobody could come in, especially Luke after he picked the lock, then Jake and Charles came in through my floor because they made one of the tunnels into my cabin so that everyone could come in and out, and bring me food and stuff," Penelope smiles.

"Luke got really frustrated because he knew people were going in an out from my cabin but he didn't know how," Penelope chuckles. "He even interrogated Annabeth who refused to tell," Grover says. "See, without the unpleasant memories you can't have the good ones,"Grover says. "See do another one," Grover says. "After Leo died was pretty unpleasant," Penelope says. "Well when he came back you were relived weren't you?" Grover asks. "So relieved we had the best makeout sesh of my life," Leo says. "Leo! Quit telling people that," Penelope says playfully slapping his shoulder as Leo laughs and places a kiss to her shoulder. "Anyways, you see the bad memories are what makes the good memories even more special alright, just remember that," Grover says standing up and ruffling Penelope's hair and heading to his tent. "Are you tired at all?" Leo asks softly. "No, not at all, you can go to bed I'll be there in a while," Penelope says. "I don't mind waiting, I'll make you coffee," Leo offers. "No, I'm okay," Penelope says. "Maybe you'll feel more tired if you lie down," Leo suggests. "I'll try I guess," Penelope mumbles as Leo very gently leads her to the tent. Leo was very tired and fell asleep quickly Penelope laid awake the entire night. Penelope decided instead of just staring at the sky she would read.

"Good morning amour," Leo says as he stretches and wakes up. "Oh is it morning already?" Penelope mumbles as Leo crawls over to her and takes her book away. "Did you stay up read all night?" Leo asks. "Sure did," Penelope nods. "Can I have my book back please?" Penelope asks. "Carina, I wanted you to get some sleep you you would be well rested for our errand," Leo says gently. "I only started reading so that I wasn't just staring at the sky for nine hours," Penelope explains. "Breakfast!" Coach Hedge yells. "Come on," Penelope says coming out of the tent with Leo. "Somebody stayed up all night reading," Leo announces. "I thought you felt better after we talked," Grover says. "I did, I just wasn't remotely tired so I just read instead of staring at Leo while he sleeps, because I'm not creepy," Penelope replies as she eats the fruit that Coach Hedge and Grover brought. "You know what always made her sleep?" Grover says. "What's that?" Leo asks. "She always fell asleep when one of us would carry her on our backs and we walked to wherever we were going," Grover explains. "I'm not five anymore G, I don't know if I'll be able to as easily," Penelope says. "Well since I don't mind carrying you we should try," Leo says. "I agree cupcake, we don't know what kind of monsters will be in Montana," Coach Hedge says as they finish breakfast and start taking down the tents. "Alright, but if it doesn't work I'll walk, I'm more than capable of walking by the way," Penelope says. "I suppose that's fair," Leo says. "Okay Cupcakes we should get going," Hedge orders. Penelope sits on a picnic table as Leo adjusts so that Penelope can ride on his back. He picks up Penelope by her thighs and she rests her arms on his shoulders. "Comfortable?" Leo asks. "Yeah," Penelope nods kissing the top of Leo's head.

Within five minutes Penelope was asleep. "Told you it always works," Grover chuckles. "Just be careful, because if she has a nightmare she'll use her Earth Quake thing," Grover says. "Why do I have to be careful? She's a demi it's likely to happen," Leo asks. "Well, don't drop more like," Grover says. The group walks put of the Forrest and they get onto a bus. Leo sits next to Penelope as he gently sits her in the seat. "Leo, where are we?" Penelope mumbles. "A bus," Leo says kissing her forehead as she rubs the sleep from her eyes. "Did you have a nice nap?" Leo adds. "Mhm," Penelope nods. Penelope gently rests her head against his chest for a moment. "Hairtie?" Leo offers noticing Penelope was struggling with her hair. "Please," She sighs as Leo takes a blue hairtie off of his wrist and gives to Penelope. She quickly puts her hair in a bun. "Thank you," Penelope smiles as she kisses Leo's lips for a long time. When Penelope pulls away her face is slightly flush. "Aww did making out with me make you all hot and bothered?" Leo teases as he gently kisses her cheek. "Shut up, Leo," Penelope says as she rolls her eyes playfully and chuckles lightly. "Uh guys, something found us, we've gotta go," Grover whispers. "How urgently, on the bus?" Penelope asks. "No, but it's chasing us," Grover replies. "Right, what is it?" Leo asks. "Manticore, we've gotta kill it before it kills everyone else," Grover says. "Right but we should lore it away from everyone which means.." Penelope says.

"Leaving the bus, come on Hedge will open a window," Grover says leading them to the back of the bus. "Okay, we jump from the window at the next stop and run like hell," Grover says. "Ah, lovely," Leo mumbles. "You'll be fine, we just have to be faster than the satyrs," Penelope winks. The bus stops and Penelope jumps out of the bus and falls on one of her knees before Leo, Grover and Coach Hedge jump out as well. "That's a Manticore," Penelope nods as it starts chasing them. They keep running and the Manticore is only a few feet behind them. Penelope stops running and stomps a few times causing an Earthquake in the direction of the Manticore making it stumble before Penelope continues running and catches up with the group. "Good thinking kid," Coach Hedge compliments. "Thanks," Penelope pants. They finally make it to the forest and Penelope and Leo both draw their swords. The manticore charges at Penelope and she causes another earthquake before it gets to her and then easily beheaded it. Penelope turns around to see Leo staring at her. "What, you all hot and bothered because I killed a manticore?" Penelope teases in a soft tone of voice. "I mean kinda," Leo smiles. "Good job Nell!" Grover says from the top of a tree. "Did you hide in a tree?" Coach Hedge asks as Grover starts climbing down. Penelope suddenly drops to the floor. "Woah! You alright Amour?" Leo asks sitting next to her and helping her sit up. "Y-y-yeah, I'm fine," Penelope says as Grover and Hedge look at her. "What happened to your knee, your bleeding through your jeans?" Grover asks. Penelope simply shrugs as Leo takes his sword and starts cutting through her jeans to see a huge gash on her knee. "We should stop for now, so we can fix her," Grover says. "We don't need to, I'm alright, just a bit lightheaded," Penelope says trying to get up but Leo sits her on his lap. "Here have some ambrosia and nectar," Coach Hedge says. "Thanks," Penelope mumbles. "We should sew up your knee so you don't lose anymore blood, unless there's any water anywhere," Grover says.

Penelope shakes her head. "Didn't think so, I'll get the stuff and start cleaning it," Grover says. "I'll help coach start setting up camp for the night," Leo offers. "No, you're gonna want to stay here," Grover says as he cleans Penelope's knee. "He's sewing up a wound with no pain meds, no numbing anything," Penelope says with a wince. "You want me to stay here?" Leo says. "She could pass out, or move, or several other things, you're going to need to keep her still," Grover says. Grover starts putting the stitches in her knee as she winces and cries.

"Don't look at him, look at me Yeah, think about how much you want to do that to me," Leo teases as Penelope sobs while squeezing Leo's hand. Grover continues sewing up the wound suddenly Penelope starts sobbing. "No! No more! I'm done! I'm done! Please! Let me die!" Penelope sobs. "Hey, it's alright amour, you're almost done, just a little more, you're doing so well, mami, okay, just keep breathing alright," Leo coos. As Penelope squirms Leo gently tightens his grip around her waist. Penelope continues sobbing for several more minutes until Grover finally stands up. "You're all done, Nell, you did great kid," Grover says as Penelope looks down at her knee which was covered in bandages. "W-w-why b-bandages?" Penelope mumbles as she leans against Leo's chest. "You were still bleeding a little when I was finishing your stitches and I didn't want you to get an infection. "I'm going to the campsite, you should too," Grover says. "Soon, yeah we will," Penelope nods as Leo rubs her back. When Grover walks away Penelope carefully straddles Leo's lap. "You did it, I'm so proud of you," Leo smiles as he wipes away Penelope's tears. "My nerves are shot," Penelope mumbles. "That's okay, you won't have to do it again for a while," Leo says kissing her forehead. "Can you help me change into something less cut up?" Penelope asks. "Yeah, of course, I bet all of your stuff is at the campsite though," Leo says. "Yeah," Penelope nods as she carefully scoots off of Leo's lap. "I can't bend my knee, you're gonna have to help me up," Penelope says as Leo stands up. "Yeah, I gathered that," Leo says as Leo picks Penelope up bridal style and then sets her on her good foot. Penelope continues balancing using Leo's shoulders and Leo keeps his arm around her waist as they make their way to camp.

When they get to their campsite they quickly explain that Penelope wants to change and Leo helps her change into one of Leo's camp halfblood shirts and a pair of her black shorts. Leo also gently places his jacket on her shoulders as she eats. "I don't think that we're close to any water," Grover says as Leo helps Penelope sit down. "I'll be fine until we get back to camp," Penelope says. "Regular care until further notice, change bandages, clean wound, etcetera," Penelope adds as she leans against Leo's shoulder. "You alright?" Coach Hedge asks. "Tired," Penelope says. "In the feelings corner over here, Leo I don't really know much about you, if you don't mind sharing," Grover says. "Sure, my moms dead, she died in a fire I started, then I was in foster care I left nine homes, six of them were physically abusive, but all of them thought I was a monster but anyways I ran away I should say," Leo explains. "I'm really tired, Leo can you help me up?" Penelope asks. "Of course," Leo says as Penelope rests her arm on his shoulder as Leo stands up. "I'll walk you to the tent," Leo says. "No, I'm alright, I can walk," Penelope says. "No, you can't, it's alright, I don't mind," Leo says as Penelope limps to the tent. "I think we'll just all go to bed," Grover says.

As Leo opens the tent and Penelope goes in and carefully sits down. Penelope starts tearing up as she hugs a pillow. "Mi amour what's wrong?" Leo asks sitting next to her. "How can someone so wonderful go through all of that?" Penelope mumbles. "What? Penelope, I'm okay, it's alright, that stuff doesn't bother me anymore," Leo says as Leo wipes her tears away. "But you were hurt, a lot of people hurt you," Penelope says. "Yeah, but, Carina I wouldn't change anything about what I've been through," Leo says. "R-really?" Penelope asks. "Of course not, If I changed something I don't think I would've met the sweetest, kindest, most caring and empathetic person I know," Leo says as Penelope lets go of the pillow. "I wouldn't change anything either," Penelope says. "Good, now don't cry, I don't want you to cry," Leo says leaning towards Penelope and kisses her lips. "And I want you," Penelope says. "What?" Leo asks. "That's not a full sentence, what do you want me to do?" Leo adds. Penelope turns to Leo and raises an eyebrow. "Oh, right now?" Leo asks. "Mhm," Penelope nods. "What about your knee?" Leo asks. "Well you'll just have to be careful, won't you?" Penelope says as she slips her hand up Leo's shirt and runs her hand up his chest. "Lie down, if you want to do this," Leo chuckles as Penelope practically falls over. "Here," Leo chuckles as he places a pillow behind her head. Leo sits in between Penelope's legs and leans over her and starts kissing her neck and lips. Leo slips his hands under Penelope's shirt and pinches her nipples. "Oh Leo," Penelope whines. "You might want to stay quiet, you don't want Grover to hear you," Leo says as he starts sucking on her neck. Leo pulls up Penelope's shirt to play with her tits more. Penelope moves her hands up to take her shirt off and Leo touches her wrists. "Leave it on?" Leo asks softly. "S-s-sure, " Penelope replies. Penelope reaches up and takes Leo's shirt off of him and tosses it aside. Penelope starts trying to take Leo's pants off but struggles with the button. "Impatient are we?" Leo chuckles as Penelope whines underneath him. "Just fuck me already," Penelope says. Leo starts gently rubbing her slit through her shorts. "L-leo," Penelope says. "If you say please I'll take them off," Leo chuckles. "N-no you won't," Penelope says. "No, why wouldn't I?" Leo asks. "Because you're mean," Penelope says. "I could be meaner," Leo chuckles. Leo gently moves her shorts and underwear aside and starts gently rubbing her clit. "You're so wet already, I've barely touched you," Leo says Penelope as she lets out a quiet whine. "If you say please I'll make you feel really good," Leo says. "F-f-fuck you," Penelope replies. "Well, I'm trying to," Leo says. "All you have to do is say please," Leo adds. "Fucking, fuck me please!" Penelope yells. "Buena nina," Leo says as he takes off his pants. "I need help," Penelope mumbles. "Oh here," Leo says as he quickly takes off Penelope's shorts and underwear. Leo gently puts his cock into Penelope's aching cunt. "Are you okay?" Leo asks. "Yeah, I'm good," Penelope says. Leo bottoms put in her making Penelope's eyes roll back in her head. Leo continues Thrusting into her as Penelope rests her hands on Leo's back. "Fuck me, you feel so good," Leo whines. "Be quiet you d-dont want Hedge to hear," Penelope replies. Leo starts Thrusting very quickly and Penelope starts scratching his back. They both reach their high and Leo carefully pulls put of her. "You alright?" Leo asks as Penelope starts panting. "Y-yeah," Penelope nods as Leo quickly gets himself dressed before putting Penelope's shorts and underwear back on her. "How's that for bad memories?" Leo teases as she gently taps his chest and starts laughing.

The next morning Grover does not take his eyes off of the large hickey on Penelope's neck. "I'm telling Percy," Grover says. "I told you we shouldn't have let them share a tent," Coach Hedge says. "Relax, it'll go away," Penelope says from on top of Leo's back. "I hope it does pr Percy will kill me," Leo says. "And I'm pretty sure he is capable of it," Leo adds.

Fortunately for Leo they found a river for Penelope to heal her knee and her her neck and Percy did not kill Leo once they returned back to camp.

[songbirds-ocs-snakes]

Meet Tallulah Finch. OC created by me.

Portrayed by Tess Holloway.

-

Tallulah Finch is a Capitol born young woman, intelligent, and at the top of her class alongside Coriolanus Snow. She is emotional, often thinking with a mixture of her emotions and facts, but can sometimes become carried away and can be highly volatile, causing lashing out, screaming, and arguments.

Otherwise, she is very gentle and giving, and always willing to help out people and give them gifts, as her family is very wealthy, however this makes her a target for people who'd like to use that for their own good. Such as Arachne Crane and Festus Creed.

-

Funfacts

-

Her favorite colors are light blue and pink.

Her favorite flower is an iris.

She loves reading romance novels.

She has a younger brother named Lester Finch.

She used to be in Academy Rouge's choir class until they cancelled it to fund other projects.

She considers everyone a friend until proven otherwise.

She is neutral on District people, and doesn't understand why they get so much hate.

She is a good cook and an excellent baker.

Her first kiss was Pup Harrington.

-

Pairings

-

Clemensia x Tallulah

Snowjanus x Tallulah

Coriolanus x Tallulah

Sejanus x Tallulah

Reaper x Tallulah

-

Pairs that are more rare

-

Treech x Tallulah

Festus x Tallulah

Pup x Tallulah

-

If you have any questions about her, please ask! Share ideas with me as well whether it be blurbs for her pairings or anything else.

[riddlerosehearts]

🐍 same, there were many things i did not enjoy about HoO but leo is one of the highlights i will always treasure from it. in fact I made my OC just so I could make them be friends with him bc it's like an old childhood dream of mine 😭 it's several years late but i will do it anyway. have u ever made any pjo ocs?

I read your post and i agree with you so much!! EN did jamil so dirty and just the few changes they made to his lines flipped the entire dynamic between him and kalim and basically completely erased how tragic and difficult their situation is, and portrayed jamil as basically just someone throwing a fit over something easily changeable when it isn't. I play on JP so I was so surprised to see the changes EN made, it sucked seeing so many ppl hate my fav

oh nooo yeah if both riddle and jamil are in the athena cabin i have no clue who'd become the head counselor... this is so hard, if only we could have more than one :(. Kalim'd def be in a different cabin at least, but just him being around camp would make it so much harder for jamil to be himself, it hurts my heart. there are so many ways you can write this and it all has so much angst potential. on the other hand you're so right abt the missed leo nico friendship bc i always intuitively felt they could've be good friends without knowing why, but your analysis puts everything into words and makes me even sadder we had such a missed opportunity... like cmon rick....

idia labwear groovy but nico is actually so funny - nico ominously approaching cats with his hands out like the grabbing emoji when nobody is looking and completely unaware how scared the cats feel, meanwhile all he wants is to spend some time with kitty before the chain sneezing sets in

I love your ideas abt the outfits I think they fit super well!! if i get around to doodling the characters in a twst au i'd like to reference your ideas if that's okay with you! They'd both probably attempt to wear the uniforms as a full set in the beginning then decide it's way too much of a hassle/feels too stiff (totally not an excuse to want to draw them in the full outfit), then begin modifying things so it felt more like themselves, though at least I think they both would like the ignihyde uniforms better than the other dorms, igni's seems more casual and practical than the other ones imo. for some reason i feel like the savanaclaw colours would look good on leo, i just picture yellow being a nice colour on him - but leo in savanaclaw would just be like him stuck with a ton of jocks feeling confused why he's even there lool

also imagine leo meeting ortho, he'd be so fascinated that something like ortho was possible and be inspired to make a robot of his own (twst festus origin story?) idk if there's a robotics club but i could see that being leo's club of choice, nico maybe board games... which means he'd meet idia and azul omg, what do you think?

sorry it took me a bit a longer to answer this time. i haven't!! i don't make OCs super often in general, i don't even really have one for twst haha, but i love seeing all the creativity other people put into their OCs.

yeah exactly!! i do keep up with the JP main story updates and have read most of the JP events through fan translations, but i started by playing on EN. and i feel really lucky that i recognized the words for master and servant and could tell they were mistranslating some things, because i can imagine that otherwise i would've come out of it hating jamil for "betraying" kalim too. instead i loved him and was a little annoyed with kalim until book 5 showed more of his growth. i don't ship jamil and kalim but i do love both of them and it's sad that the complexity of their dynamic got watered down so much... i will note, though, that the app is rated E10+ on the google play store and 4+ on the iOS app store, so my guess is that higher-ups at disney thought the actual story wasn't kid-friendly enough.

something else to keep in mind with athena kids that i actually sort of forgot about until recently, is that they're all claimed from birth and therefore are pursued by monsters from birth :( and then also the fact that athena is a virgin goddess who just sort of gives babies to people who might not have been prepared to have one... i bet that would make things so much rougher for riddle and jamil. some other ideas i had are that if jamil's parent was a minor god, it could be nemesis (goddess of revenge) or terpsichore (muse of dance). and for kalim, if his parent was an olympian it would be either dionysus or apollo and if it was a minor god it'd be tyche (goddess of luck and fortune). like you said, there's so many different ways i could see their story going in an AU like this and they'd all be so angsty.

if you wanna see more analysis on how nico and leo fit together there's some stuff i've reblogged from others in my valdangelo tag! not all of it is necessarily romantic, i just basically use that for anything about the two of them--and a lot of the reasons why people like the ship are reasons why they'd work platonically as well. but yeah one of my biggest criticisms of HoO is how even though i like all the new characters for the most part, i feel like their relationships to each other were largely defined by romance (and i don't just mean the actual couples, but also the frank-hazel-leo love triangle for example) and a lot of potential was missed because of that!

oh yeah go for it!! feel free to use pretty much any of these ideas we've been brainstorming as basis for your own headcanons and stuff, i don't mind at all. and like i've been saying, if you did draw anything for this AU i'd love to see it. i can definitely see that about leo and nico both trying on the full uniform and then quickly deciding not to bother with it anymore lol. i imagined them both not wearing the tie because i just think nico wouldn't really want to and that leo might not even know how to tie one AFSKJGHDF. do you think leo would add any other accessories or personalization to his school uniform? also, i was thinking, i totally agree that they'd both like the ignihyde uniform, especially nico because it resembles the bulky jackets he normally likes to wear! but i wonder what nico would wear for a dorm uniform if he transferred to ramshackle... according to one of silver's voice lines at least, they canonically don't have one, so maybe he'd just wear, like, a my chemical romance shirt and call that a uniform lol. or keep his ignihyde uniform and confuse everyone.

omg, i love the thought of leo meeting ortho and being inspired to make festus because of him. he'd definitely be so fascinated by everything ortho could do. as for the clubs, i saved this excellent post about NRC's clubs for reference a while back, and since no other existing clubs were mentioned in either of the camp vargas events, i assume that that's all of them. but afaik there's nothing that says leo couldn't start a robotics club, and i'm sure there'd be people willing to join! out of the existing clubs i can totally see nico being in the board game club, i think that'd be a lot of fun for him.

[liviacardew]

my list of the mentors' children!

Hello everyone! FYI, this list is all solely based off of my headcanons and they're all around the same age, but if I write '____ years apart', it means the second name mentioned is younger.

Aelia Ravinstill - Clemensia Dovecote and Felix Ravinstill's daughter

Athena and Flavius Creed, three years apart - Festus Creed and Persephone Price's children

Plutarch Heavensbee - Hilarius Heavensbee and Vipsania Sickle's son

Achilles Crane-Cardew - Livia Cardew and Arachne Crane's son

June Ruby Snow - Lucy Gray and Coriolanus Snow's daughter

Albert Canville - Io Jasper and Urban Canville's son

Rufus Vickers - Lysistrata Vickers and unnamed husband's son

Solasta 'Sol' Moss-Ring - Iphigenia Moss and Diana Ring's daughter

Antonia Ring-Anderson - Apollo Ring and Androcles Anderson's daughter

Marcella Friend - Florus Friend and Palmyra Monty's daughter

Tanner and Bobbin Phipps-Whimsiwick, two years apart - Juno Phipps and Domitia Whimsiwick's sons

Stay tuned for a special post about them!!

[felixravinstills]

In the most insane plot twist of the century, attempting to write a Felix Ravinstill x OC story has revealed to me the allure of Felix x Festus (at least in the ways that I've characterized them) and therefore prompts me to consider writing them as a throuple (a move that will mean a lot of reworking the original outline).

[asira-mizery]

Trepidations of a District Boy (Sejanus/Marcus + OC)

***NOTE: this short drabble is apart of a longer fic i'm writing on ao3 that isn't centered on this ship (marcus/sejanus) but they've taken me by storm and I just had to write something. i'll probably write more for them cause tragic gay angst always gets to me. In this AU Topaz is Lucy Gray's daughter who he helps raise as his own.

.

Sejanus Plinth had only ever fallen in love twice in his life.

The first being a curly haired, brown skinned, wide eyed classmate named Demeter Hilderbilt. She was only a year younger but had excelled in her studies enough to join his grade. She was loud, always angry, and picked more fights with Festus Creed than one could count on their fingers.

It was no surprise that her father, a high-end Councilman and military strategist named Jupiter Hilderbilt, was abhorrently hateful of his family. To the point that he’d instructed his daughter to not go near the Plinth boy. Even the instructors at the academy had been advised to not pair them up for assignments or otherwise Jupiter would pull his funding from the school.

It was an interesting dilemma seeing as how most of the man’s hatred was directed towards his father, and in turn being his father’s son that was close to his daughter had redirected that anger. So, it was a turn of surprise when Jupiter’s wife, Hestia, had extended a hand to his mother. Offering companionship and another ear in the city as most Capitolite women had ignored his mother’s existence. Holding out her arm during events despite the lackluster expressions from the masses.

Her daughter was relentless.

It wasn’t that she pursued him simply for romantic interests as she first put it, but because he seemed to be one of the few people with his head screwed on. And that even if he didn’t like her romantically, that his friendship would be appreciated. A friend who disliked the games was always appreciated.

But in truth, Sejanus could never be her friend.

Not when her father had eyes all over the city, and one wrong move could break the balance of things.

Coriolanus Snow was his only friend, and one that he could be by his side despite all odds.

But still she pursued.

On the eve of new year’s, in the corner where eyes couldn’t roam, Demeter walked up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

It was the first kiss he’d received from someone other than his mother, and perhaps it was his curious mind that led him to return the kiss in full.

They weren’t friends, and they could never be friends.

But their kisses continued in the dark corners.

Their words flowed like honey and rivers.

“My grandfather was from the districts. So, I don’t know if that’s why I can’t stand the games. I don’t know…I just feel like collective punishment is immoral. None of them deserve to be displayed like animals for crimes they never committed.” She’d told him one afternoon.

“Collective punishment is immoral. It’s a tactic used to assert control. When those with no power see that they can be killed despite having done no wrong, they can only ever resist or submit themselves. So, you’re right. I just wish everyone else could see it that way.” Sejanus responded, watching as she twirled a blade of grass between her fingers.  

They could never be friends, but she was always there in front of him. With her melancholic smile and her loud words. Her soft kisses and bruised hands. It was then, when one day after their escapades of teenage glory, that Sejanus realized his heart had grown. Finding himself smiling whenever she started her rants early in the morning. Sneaking around with her to explore things he could never utter to a single soul (or else her father would punish her greatly, which meant not even Coriolanus could know).

But they could never be friends, much less what Demeter had truly aspired for them to be. And Sejanus saw the betrayal in her eyes when he told her that.

Afterwards, when she tried hiding her tear-stained cheeks, Sejanus felt too ashamed to even look her way.

.

.

The second was Marcus Alcove.

Marcus Alcove wasn’t someone Sejanus ever thought could throw him off track the way he did.

It was a cruel twist of fate, he figured. The Academy staff probably laughed as they paired him with his old classmate. ‘The boy from 2 ought to mentor one of his own.’ Or most likely it was his father who’d bribed them into giving him the boy from District 2, to set his mind straight. Furthering the gap between him and his birthplace. A grand showcase to the people of 2 that the Plinth’s were never on their level. He felt his stomach lurch the moment Dean Highbottom called it out.

“District 2 Male Tribute, Marcus Alcove – Sejanus Plinth.”

Snickers from his classmates echoed across the room, laughing at the twisted fate of the district-born boy. But for which boy he wondered; maybe it was both. Of course it was both.

There wasn’t much he remembered about Marcus, except for a vivid memory that was etched into his brain before he could comprehend the horrors of what was to come next.

“You like apples, right?” A young 6-year-old Marcus asked, rubbing his snotty nose against his sleeve.

“I do! Especially red ones!” Sejanus grins, his front tooth missing but nonetheless continued to gnaw on hardened fruits.

Marcus pulls out a small paper bag, his tiny fingers grabbing onto a few apple slices and handed them over.

“Here, my Ma said I should share them with you.” Marcus smiled as Sejanus plucked the slices from his hand.

“Thanks!”

“Yeah. She asked if I wanted strawberries but they’re too sour.” Marcus bit into the apple slice, snot still sliding down.

Sejanus nods, “Same here.” That was a lie. Sejanus loved strawberries! So why did he lie?

The gap between them was large, and it only grew as Marcus continued to shovel his distrust towards him. Sejanus couldn’t blame the boy. Despite being born in 2, his old home saw him as a newly born pure-bred Capitol. A bloodthirsty Capitolite whose father betrayed them and sold weapons to the Capitol.

Whose father had set up a prize to excite the mentors into gaining a victor for the games; to bring out the most nauseating, abhorrent ideas one could conjure up to make the games more enticing.

Whose money from the weapons sold to kill their own people bought the clothes he wore. The watches on his wrist. No longer was Sejanus Plinth one of their own. He lost that right the moment he left.

“My goodness, Sejanus Plinth.” Marcus laughed coldly when they locked eyes for the time in over a decade, “Still alive and it looks like the Capitol is treating you well, huh? Fancy new suit you got there.”

But Sejanus persisted. He’d been forced into this position, the very least he could do was make sure they weren’t being starved to death.

Out of ill refute, Marcus revealed that he still liked apples.

Sejanus brought him apple turnovers the next day. He watched as Marcus stared at the turnover, fingers gripping onto the pastry so harshly that it began to break apart, before throwing it onto the ground and spitting on it.

Truthfully, he had no idea why he was so desperate to gain Marcus’s favor, knowing that it would never happen. His family had betrayed him. Had betrayed their people.

Was it his darkened brown eyes? So deep that Sejanus felt as though he could lose himself in them.

The flow of his hair?

The curve of his lips?

The witty remarks?

The fact that Marcus’s words clung to him so deeply, on a level that had Sejanus unable to sleep for most nights.

“I don’t want your food, pretty boy.”

“But you’ll need strength for the arena!” Sejanus argued, desperate to get the boy to accept his Ma’s sandwiches.

Marcus’s face shrivels up, “Why? Feeding me like an animal before the slaughter, Plinth? You take joy out of feeding us mere crumbs only to see our bloods spilled like savages, just like your daddy?” Despite his eyes being brown, there was a flaring red that blazed inside of them. The pits of his eyes were as dark as the abyss, pulling Sejanus even further in.

“I—”

“Quit pretending you care about me.” Marcus hisses, “You’re just like everyone else in this fucking place. Being nice doesn’t change the fact that our blood funds your new home, Plinth. Funds the fancy new clothes you wear. So, take your sandwiches and shove them up your ass.”

Sejanus was grateful Coriolanus had helped him pass out the rest of the sandwiches, but even then, as he saw the tributes take bites – Marcus’s words never left his mind. Like an echo that never seemed to fade away.

Marcus was handsome. No if ands or buts about it. He had the type of gentlemanly look that Sejanus couldn’t stop staring at. Why couldn’t he stop looking at Marcus? Was it normal to think about another guy so much? Many people had brown eyes and hair! But of course, one could admire another guy’s good looks! But would he be as bad as the decrepit men who snickered over district girls with sinister thoughts?

Marcus looked rough but his words were harsher.

Yet he was just as funny as he was from their youth.

To other tributes, however.

Sure, Sejanus was living in the Capitol – but they saw him as district. Why couldn’t Marcus still see him as such? Why couldn’t Marcus tell him such jokes like he once did? (He knew why, he knew exactly why. The illogical part of his brain just refused to admit it).

Why was he so agitated over Marcus leaning against another boy’s shoulders for rest? They were all tributes headed for the same fate except for a singular one. Of course they’d lean on each other for support before being forced to tear each other’s throats off!

“You’ve always been cute, but if you ever tell anyone I said that I’ll crawl out of my grave and drag you down with me.” Marcus spat at him before the interview with Lucky Flickerman.

Sejanus felt his heart race – the same way it did with Demeter.

He shouldn’t be having these feelings.

He shouldn’t have been sitting across from his father during dinner with flashes of Marcus’s eyes gazing up at him in his head.

NO!

He didn’t deserve to harbor such feelings when the very lifestyle he was living was sending his old classmate to his imminent doom. When his own father was orchestrating a competition to make the boy’s demise much more favorable to elite citizens of the Capitol. Sending their own people to die. Guilt clung to Sejanus like a second skin. He could barely hold down his food, much less shove it down his throat. Water turned to ash as it hit his tongue. And right before the games started, in the dark corners of the room, Marcus turned around brushed his lips against his.

It came out of nowhere, almost knocking Sejanus off his feet.

It was electrifying. Sending goosebumps down his back as the boy leaned in, the smell of musk ever so persistent. His lips were riddled with dirt and blood, and his eyes were pooled with such intensity Sejanus felt like he would drown. The kiss bruised his lips, but he wanted more.

“You know, I liked you back then. But you’d already left before I could tell you that.”

“It was nice knowing you, pretty boy.” Marcus whispered in his ears before turning around to leave.

And later, when his eyes flickered to see Marcus’s body on the floor, unmoving – Sejanus felt as though his very soul had been ripped out and shoved into the deepest pits of purgatory. He didn’t think when his legs walked out of his house. He didn’t think when he grabbed the bag of breadcrumbs. He didn’t think when he walked right into the arena and looked onto the boy’s lifeless body. He knelt down, rage clawing at his chest, and began to sprinkle the crumbs over Marcus’s body.

If Marcus couldn’t get peace in this world, he surely deserved it in the next.

And when he was saved by Coriolanus, he figured if no one else was left at least he had him. He had his brother. His best friend. He would one day tell Coriolanus of what exactly unfolded, and surely Coryo would understand.

(Though there was always an underlying fear that even Coriolanus wouldn’t understand a boy liking another boy, and even a girl. It wasn’t as if such things were talked about publicly. Always hidden, always hushed.)

And after his father yelled at him with such indignation that he swore the cabinets shook, Sejanus ran to the bathroom – the gush of bile coming out of his throat. It burned as he emptied the contents of his stomach. He stared at the vomit, feeling his ears ringing. Sejanus then locked the doors to his bedroom and shoved his face into the blood-soaked pillows.

He wasn’t a crier.

Sejanus wasn’t a crier, even when the kids bullied at school. His father instilled in him that men never cried. Even in the face of agony. So, Sejanus promised his father, at the mere age of 10, that he would never cry.

Yet that night, Sejanus broke the first promise he ever made to his father, and cried until he could no longer. Until his tears dried on his cheeks and his voice was so hoarse that a meager ‘Ma’ hurt his throat. Until his blood-soaked pillows were now soaked with tears. He howled into it, feeling every fiber of his being ripping apart. It was a primal yell, one that left him banging his fists into the cushy mattress.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” But what good was saying I’m sorry if they were already dead? If his actions had done nothing? He’d just sent his former classmate to die, and he had the audacity to cry?

And when the altercation with the rebels occurred, and the one man he deemed a brother – a true friend- his only final friend- his best friend shot at him: Sejanus could only think of his Ma. How far out of reach she was and how he would do anything to hold her one last time. And later, when the reality of the situation clarified, he thought of Marcus and Demeter as the sound of bullets continued to ring in his ear.

There was regret.

Regret he never befriended Demeter.

Regret that he couldn’t save Marcus. That he couldn’t know Marcus beyond the few measly moments granted to him by the universe in his final days. So, when Lucy Gray and Topaz had stumbled into his life, Sejanus swore he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

He would befriend Lucy Gray, and he would protect Topaz till his very last breath. Even in the face of the brother who had betrayed him.

So, Sejanus takes his daughter’s arm, dressed in finely pressed clothing his Ma had picked out for them, and they head off.

[abimee]

i cant find myself talking about flatline anywhere on this blog which is crazy cause shes one of the older YOU/ME ocs (i think she even predates First Victim?)

anyway the basics with her is she's the exiled one in her community, like if first victim and drew are outcasts then Flatline is 30 paces farther than them. NOBODY talks to Flatline and she has no friends, and rumors are spread about her all around with baseless claims like that she goes to the City at night and robs people of their money, that she was given up for adoption because she's cursed, or that she isn't actually a teenager and has simply been held back so many years that she's still stuck in school

the only facts anybody knows is that she's a rat and in some way related to Knogler, the region's original chemist/scientist who now sits locked up down in the Comical Kingdom, and that she was raised by a goat woman who passed away when she was young. She lives down in the valley near Amare and Festus, and she walks to school every day through the mountains with just a backpack and some old shoes

when the dickheads go down to the Comical kingdom and get ensared in the issue with the Queen, Flatline is repeatedly seen down there and tells them all to go back home and to get out of this place; Capra-Marie thinks Flatline followed them down there, but when they talk to Odiar they find out Flatline has been visiting the Comical kingdom for years, and it's not unusual for her to spend long periods of time down in town.

Sprite_DeadChild senses that something is off with Flatline due to her (at the time) singular skeletonized arm and leg, since it's the same affliction Drew has but in a strange form where only part of her body has skeletonized. Flatline refuses to comment on it

ancient art of Flatline and Curve.....

[anarkhebringer]

All my Art Fight attacks from this year! In order we have:

porkchop for @m-o-ths Festus for @floople-doople​ The Eye Merchant for Mock_Orange (IG and Toyhouse) Butterfly Boy (Bibi) for Potatingwolfy (IG and Toyhouse) Sky Deathstar for @seyumei Natsume for bluejaypace (Twitter, IG and Toyhouse) Adarkidai Kha for NukinitArt (Twitter) Crash for @pokebeans Dheo for _koru_ru (Twitter)

[twoidiotwriters1]

Daughter of Olympus (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: I won't elaborate on my fancast for Leo it explains itself -Danny Words: 2,152 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter / Next Chapter Listen to: 'Polaroid' -by Imagine Dragons

VII. Save Money on Valentine's Day, Become Unlovable

"What Luke told you back on the Princess Andromeda, about starting the world from scratch... that really got to you, huh?"

Annabeth makes a face. "My fatal flaw. That's what the Sirens showed me. My fatal flaw is hubris."

"That brown stuff they spread on veggie sandwiches?"

She sighs. "No, Seaweed Brain. That's hummus. Hubris is worse."

"What could be worse than hummus?"

"Hubris means deadly pride, Percy. Thinking you can do things better than anyone else... even the gods."

"You feel that way?"

Annabeth takes a moment before replying. "Don't you ever feel like, what if the world really is messed up? What if we could do it all over again from scratch? No more war. Nobody homeless. No more summer reading homework."

"I'm listening."

"I mean, the West represents a lot of the best things mankind ever did—that's why the fire is still burning. That's why Olympus is still around. But sometimes you just see the bad stuff, you know? And you start thinking the way Luke does: 'If I could tear this all down, I would do it better.' Don't you ever feel that way? Like you could do a better job if you ran the world?"

Percy and I look at each other. "Um... no," he admits. "Me running the world would kind of be a nightmare."

"I agree," Percy gives me a playful glare, but I add: "No, I mean, I don't have what it takes. Leaders have stone-cold hearts."

"Hubris isn't your fatal flaw, then."

"What is?" Percy asks with curiosity.

"I don't know, Percy, but every hero has one. If you don't find it and learn to control it... well, they don't call it 'fatal' for nothing."

I shiver at the thought of having a weak spot that could kill me, but what can be dangerous for a girl like me? As long as I stay out of everyone's way, my flaw has no reason to put me in danger.

When Leo says he wants to look for Festus, Ara decides to join him. It's obvious he doesn't want company, but she won't let him go alone, not when something's after them.

She's half expecting the walk to be awkward. However, Leo's asking so many questions now that it's just the two of them again that she gets comfortable rather quickly. It doesn't feel like she's talking with a stranger, which is weird, not even Percy felt this way so soon into knowing him.

"So, what's your deal, exactly?" He fidgets with a couple of screws. "What does it mean, being the daughter of Olympus?"

"That I protect Olympus."

Leo gives her a sideways glance. "Your job isn't to fight monsters and do quests, then? Is it something more important?"

"You got it backward," she sighs. "That's exactly my job. The gods hand me tasks directly, or used to before they shut down Olympus... I go on quests and lead their armies."

Ara almost sounds bored when she talks about it, but she's only trying to hide how anxious it makes her, to have all that control over her loved ones. She didn't want to boss around her friends, she wanted to be their dependable hero.

"What happens if you fail?" He asks, the screws in his hand are ignored for a moment.

"If I'm breathing and can move, I gotta keep going."

"But my question is what happens when you can't continue a quest?"

Ara stares at him blankly. "If I fail, it means I died, there is no other option. I may be called the daughter of Olympus but the gods are not my caretakers. It hasn't happened though, lucky me."

Leo's amusement quickly vanishes. "Man, so you could die if we fail this quest?"

"Yeah. But I agreed to this."

He hesitates. "You might be a little too insane for my liking, and that's saying a lot..."

"Maybe I am," she heaves a sigh. "But I did it so they would stop using my friends..."

"How old are you?" Leo frowns.

"Fourteen... and a half," she adds as an afterthought.

"What!" He raises his voice. "And you're a General? I don't even have a driver's license!"

"And that's such an impediment now that you're flying a dragon," she replies sarcastically. "Don't be dumb."

"If that's an order, General, I'll have to transgress it," he taunts her. It's crazy how quickly Leo can switch from being upset to acting all funny. "That's the one thing I do perfectly, don't take my dumbness away." 

Ara sighs again, not sharing Leo's easy-going attitude. He tries again, he doesn't know why, but he likes listening to Ara's voice. It soothes him and makes his mind go slower. "So... why did the gods say yes? Why not choose someone older?"

Ara's brows knit together, she's heard this question many times before and knows that it makes sense, but it still annoys her. "I was the only one asking for it. Percy made his wish, and I still had mine, so I used it for this. The children of Olympus had been er... discontinued. I brought them back."

Leo tries to ask the following question without sounding rude, it's not coming easy. "So were you... powerful enough? Is that why they said yes?"

"I was good enough, yeah. It's a slow process, years and years of training. I convinced them 'cause I had a special set of skills."

Leo's hands are back to fidgeting. "What skills?"

Percy hides our ship behind a large rock wall, so in order to get to the top, we have to climb.

"Okay. Who first?"

They glance at me, of course they'd want me to go first, keeping an eye on the weakest link is the wise thing to do, but I'm not looking at them, I'm examining the wall.

"There's a path," I inform my friends.

"What?"

"You're hallucinating, Birdy..."

"No. Follow me."

Usually, when I insist there's something I can do, they let me try. I hold onto the nearest edge, and after that, I just keep going up. I stop only when I hear someone calling my name many feet below me. I look down to discover I don't have vertigo. 

"Why aren't you coming up?" I frown. "It's safe!"

"You're moving too fast, we can't see where you're stepping!" Annabeth pants.

"I'm fast?" I look at my hands. "Cool!"

"You don't use the lava wall back in camp, do you?" Percy raises his voice so I can hear him.

"Silena doesn't let me, she thinks I'll get hurt!"

"Well, I think she has to reconsider!" He grunts.

Festus landed on a pile of portable toilets, and both teens stare at the mess in disgust.

"Talking 'bout good fortune, huh?"

"If we had one of those cranes here it'd be easier..." Leo looks around with a scowl.

"I can climb his back," Ara steps forward, then stops. "Maybe throw snow on it before we..."

"What?" Leo puts his hand on the dragon's surface, then he jumps back. "Oh, right—ouch," he says in a not-so-convincing tone. When he notices the way she's looking at him, he tries to make up an excuse. "I'm very sleep-deprived."

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Lying," she steps closer to him.

He smiles like he finds the conversation absurd. "Doll, I really got no—"

"You may think I'm an air-headed Barbie, but I can tell you're full of shit," Ara seizes his wrist. "I'm tired of you and Piper hiding things from me. Tell me what's your deal, or I'll lock you up in one of the squeezed-out toilets."

Leo complains loudly as Ara squeezes his wrist. "Okay, okay! Dang, you're stronger than you look!" He scoffs. "You have to promise not to freak out, alright?"

"You better be honest," she lets go of him. "Don't worry about me, I've seen a lot of weird stuff."

"Okay..." he rubs his wrist. "I... I make fire," Leo scowls at her. "Now's when you point fingers and call me bad names."

Ara stares at him, her gaze is calculating. "Nyssa told you their superstition, didn't she?"

"No, I just guessed I'm an omen of tragedy and bad fortune!" He replies sarcastically.

"So rough life for you too, huh?" She tilts her head, ignoring his defensive tone. 

Leo nods once, still scowling. "Good ol' demigod life."

"Well, it's not the end of the world, and I would know that. I witnessed like, three of those," she tells him. "Can you make fire out of nothing?"

"Yes," he opens one palm and small orange flames envelop it. "But I don't do this trick at parties, y'know? For obvious reasons."

"Yeah, because you don't get invited," Ara reaches out. It is real fire. "It's okay. Chiron will know how to help you."

"You think he'll want to? Because I'll be honest here, I need the training."

"I'll do it if he doesn't. You won't get better if you don't practice, and I owe it to you," Ara stretches out her palm. "Deal?"

The fire dies on Leo's hand. He stares at her unblinkingly. "You sure? I can be really hard to handle."

"I'll manage," she decides to tease him into shaking her hand. "What, afraid of getting cooties?"

Leo smiles. "Afraid of passing them, actually, but if you insist..." 

He reaches for her hand and shakes it. 

Tyson invites me to help him build Percy and Annabeth's chariot and I'm happy to assist him. We work side by side, and Percy and Annabeth win the race.

"We couldn't have won this race or got the Fleece or saved Grover or anything! We owe our lives to our friends, to..." Annabeth pauses and looks at the Cyclops.

Percy catches my eye and his smile widens. "My baby brother and sister! Tyson and Ara!"

Before I know it, I'm being lifted on someone's shoulders and Tyson's holding my hand. When we reach the winner's platform and I'm placed between Percy and Tyson, I feel accepted unconditionally.

Percy reaches for my hand and squeezes, I make a promise that I'll treat him as my brother forever. "We should talk later," he says under his breath.

He has a strange glint of determination in his eyes. You know when someone says "later" but they mean "never"? Well, Percy isn't that type of person. Later meant fifteen minutes forward.

Chiron and him are waiting for me in the Big House, and Percy's holding a phone. "You have a call, Birdy."

"Did I do something?" I look at Chiron without understanding.

He points at the cell phone. "Don't keep them waiting."

"Hello?" I speak in a little frightened voice. 

"Hi, Ara," my heart does a somersault, it's Sally Jackson.

"Hi!" I reply, too excited to even question why my friend's mom wants to talk to me. "Did Percy tell you about the rock wall? I'm the fastest climber!"

"I heard you helped Tyson build a chariot, too."

"I helped Percy sail a pirate ship too! And I used my Charmspeak with Polyphemus before he could rip off—" My friend shakes his head frantically, so I change the subject. "Why are you calling me?"

Sally takes a moment. 

"Well... Percy and I talked..."

I glance at Percy. "Yeah? About what?"

"You liked staying with us during Christmas, didn't you?"

"Yeah! Can I go this year too?"

"How about staying the whole year?"

I'm sure I misheard that. "Sorry?"

"I've talked to Chiron, and he can help us with the paperwork to make it happen. Percy and I agree, having you around felt right."

"Wait, make what happen?" My heart's crawling up my throat.

"We want to adopt you, Ara."

"I-I'm not an orphan," My face is getting redder.

"We know."

"I told those things to Percy 'cause he asked, I wasn't trying to—I didn't use charmspeak!"

I'm embarrassed. I mean, when your friend hears your sob story and suddenly he's like "Suprise! I'm giving you this thing you told me you wished more than anything!" It kinda feels like he's just shutting you up. I didn't want it if it was out of pity.

"Ara," Percy intercedes. "We have more than enough to welcome a second regular-size kid into our home. Having Tyson around made us realize that."

"But I can't protect you like Tyson," I insist.

"We don't want that," Sally says. "Having you is enough."

They're asking me not only to stick around but also to use their name. Be part of their family forever. 

I look at Chiron with hopeful eyes. 

"Can I?"

Their bodies light up in a golden hue as soon as Leo holds her hand. Ara snatches her palm away in panic, looking at the boy as if he's got two heads.

"What?" Leo stares at her anxiously. "Did I burn you?"

"I'm fine!" She replies high-pitched. "Good talk! Let's—let's fix Festus now!" Ara turns to face the dragon so Leo can't see her blush. 

Gods, if her friends could see her now... No. This is not happening. That was not golden.

"Dammit!" She kicks the snow. 

Leo's climbing the dragon but he stops halfway. "What?"

"I'm having a moment, stay out of it!" She snaps.

The boy stares at her, half-amused and half-worried. "Why are the prettiest girls always so crazy..."

"Shut up!" Ara blushes even more.

She's dreamed about this moment for quite some time, but Leo's timing is downright inconvenient at this point, so denial it is. Ara isn't gonna make things easier. It will be the slowest slow-burn the Fates have ever had the misfortune to witness.

Next Chapter ->

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