Autor: Izabela K. a.k.a Amneslie
Chapter: 2
Story Raiting: T
Disclaimer: I, saddly, don't own Percy Jackson nor his characters. It all belongs to Rick Riordan, our beloved Cliffhanger Troll :D.
Being surrounded by so many Greek Buildings was weird. Victoria had always whhished she could visit Athenas or Sparta, but this... this was better. Or at least that she thought.
'' Impressed, are we?'' Annabeth smiled while Victoria nodded. '' Nobody explained to you, right?''
'' Explained to me what?'' Victoria asked. '' Do you mean explained about the harpies?''
'' Sort of.'' Percy joined the conversation. '' You see, Gods of Olympus are real. They sometimes fall in love with mortals. That's how demigods are born. We're half gods, half humans. We gotta fight monsters to survive. That's the whole thing, in synopsis.''
'' Okay... So, I'm a demigod, too?'' She asked and everyone else nodded. '' Who are your parents?''
'' I'm an Athena child, Percy is a son of Poseidon and Leo, he's a son of Hephasteus.'' Annabeth explained. '' As in for you, I guess we'll know tonight at the fireworks.''
Victoria nodded and followed Annabeth to where Chiron stood at the Dinning Hall. Percy and Leo had went to their respective tables, leaving the two girls alone. Victoria could feel many of the eyes on her and cursed in German. Man, thank gods she knew German and Nobody would know when she's cursing.
'' Chiron.'' Annabeth said and Chiron turned his attention to Annabeth. '' This is Victoria Reich. She is an unclaimed demigod. Found her yesterday after a Harpie fight.''
'' Nice to meet you, Miss Reich.'' Chiron smiled at Victoria. '' Annabeth, show her the Hermes cabin and after breakfast, show her camp and give her the schedule, please.'' Annabeth nodded and smiled.
'' Come. The Hermes table is just there. You'll stay there until you get claimed. I'll see you after breakfast.''
That said, Annabeth returned to her own table and let Victoria settle on the Hermes table. It was rather large, and almost full of childern that all seemed to have blue eyes. She thought about it and remembered she had blue eyes as well, and her eyes and the children of Hermes' were pretty similar. Maybe she was a daughter of Hermes. Or maybe not. She looked around, observing the people around her. As it seemed, a pair of twins looked like the ''alphas'' of the Hermes table. All of the time, they were giving prank instructions to the others and were laughing at the ones they did. They didn't seem to notice Victoria until she sat down.
'' Hi! We're Travis and Connor Stoll, children of Hermes!'' They said at the same time and stretched out a hand.
'' Victoria Reich, unclaimed.'' Victoria shook their hands and smiled. '' Nice to meet you.''
'' Same here!'' They laughed. Maybe it was pretty unusual for them to talk at the same time.
Victoria wasn't hungry, so she only took a glass of coffee and drank it. She never really ate at breakfast, no matter how much the people at the orhanage made her. After a while, she and Travis, who offered to show her around Camp, left the Dinning Hall and went to their first stop: The Big House.
The Big House was a tall Blue old building, that kinda stood wrong between all the Greek Style marble Buildings and Cabins. According to what Travis said, in its attic lived the former Oracle of Delphi, but after the new Oracle was recruited, the attic became just an old storage for the trophies of the Gods like Artemis, Apollo. etc...
Their next stop was the Volleyball court, which was actuallt pretty normal. Travis and Victoria even joined the match for a while, both of them being fans of this sport. After their Olympically Epic match of Volleyball, they visited the lake, the woods and the Beach where the Fireworks would be held tonight.
After that they visited the Amphiteater, a huge circular stadium that circled a big circle. According to Travis, it was where Big Events were held. After that, they went to the forges, where Hephaestus children were working hard in creating armory, weapons and other inventions. Soon after that, they ran to the climbing wall, which seemed fun to climb with all those obstacles.
Next in their visit list was the Pegasus Stables. Victoria was amazed by the beauty of those creatures, but her gaze was captured by one certain Pegasus: It was a tall black Pegasus with scarlet red mane and large black wings. Victoria dropped her bag and looked at Travis.
'' Whose Pegasus is this?'' She asked.
'' Nobody's.'' Travis shrugged. '' Her name is Midnight Horror, and she's the Grumpiest Pegasus in the whole Greek history. Really, she doesn't let any demigod near her, not even Percy, whose father is Poseidon, lord of the Horses.''
'' Nobody's, until today.'' She said and began walking to the horse.
Midnight Horror was surprised. A girl, long brown hair, mesmerizing blue eyes, a large boat neckline crimson red T-Shirt and Acid Washed Denim daisy dukes shorts was approaching her. She didn't know why didn't she react negatively towards this girl. There was just something about this girl... Some light, or rather darkness that didn't let her. That made her collaborate and, strangely, like this girl. She continued moving forward and stretched out an arm to touch the forehead of Midnight Horror. The horse moved her head closer and closed her black eyes, obeying to her new master, the girl that tamed her.
'' I'm impressed, Miss Reich. I never thought I'd live the day to see Midnight Horror being tamed by someone. Good Work.'' Victoria smiled and let the Pegasi go. It was time to continue the tour. She waved goodbye at the black pegasi and walked out, following Travis. '' Now, let''s go get you a weapon. Nobody is safe without a weapon.''
'' Can't agree more.'' She nodded, adjusting her backpack.
'''Any preferences?'' He asked, trying not to fall down.
'' Not really. I have only fought with one weapon, and it's a dagger. But I don't thin that will actually be my weapon.''
As they made their way to the Armory, Travis explained to her what the fireworks are all about.
She wasn't really sure she liked them. If what Annabeth had told her about getting claimed tonight was true, she felt like she was going to becoma a part of a massive stereotype and belong there her whole life and would have to try to accomplish what people expect from her as a child of the god or goddess that is her parent. Being an unclaimed demigod would be a lot more easy. She could act as she like, not fearing that she might do something that would ashame her mother or father and make him or her turn her into a hamster.
They reached the armory quickly, both completely lost in thought. Travis began explaining to how some people were more used to light weapons, and how some of them were used to heavy weapons.
'' To know to which group you belong, you gotta try out some weapons.'' Travis said and Victoria whimpered. Again steretypes. Wasn't a demigod society supposed to be a Stereotype-free society? '' You can try out a spear, a scimitar, a dagger, a sword, or...'' His eyes landed to the only weapon in the room that was single. '' Or you can try the scythe.''
'' I think my best options are scimitars and the scythe.'' She walked to the stand of scimitars and took two of them. Travis took out his sword and offered her a little training to see which weapon fits her well. She agreed.
The scimitars were fast and comfortable, and easy to use. She quickly got used to it and even won Travis twice. She liked how they were light and easy to manage, and how she could attack and react fastly with them.
'' So? Gonna try out the scythe or...?'' Travis asked, breathing heavily. They had been training for hours and it was halfway time for the fireworks.
'' No. I think the scimitars are my type of weapon.'' He nodded and took her hand, leading her to the place where a couple more scimitars rested.
'' Do you like any other or you prefere those two?''
Victoria looked at the scimitars in her hands. They were simple, with a Celestial Bronze bladem which was also a bit curved, which was normal for scimitars. The base of the scimitars contained a golden drawing of a howling wolf.
'' Nah, I like those.'' She smiled at Travis. He smiled back and both of them headed back to the Hermes cabin to leave their things and change. After all of this training, it would be gross to wear the same clothes. Extremely gross.
Travis had changed into a blue T-Shirt that said Yeah, I'm a Prankster. Problem? with the Trollface under it. When she saw it, Victoria laughed. She might as well don't have internet in the orphanage, but that's why there was something called I.C.T. in school. And in ICT, she aw Trollface and laughed, which gained her detention. It wan't in Goode, but one of her previous schools.
Victoria, on the other hand, remained with her Denim daisy dukes, but changed her red ship neck T-shirt into a Oversized Gingham green and white pattern shirt. Her scimitars were on her hips, where they should be. She got out of the Hermes cabin and walked to Travis, who was watching her with wide eyes.
'' See something you like, Prankster?'' She grinned.
'' Maybe.'' He crouched a bit and lifted her in bridal style, despite her protests and laughs.
'' Let me go!''
'' Nah.''
'' Travis''
'' Nah.''
'' Come on!''
'' Nah.''
'' Stoll, hasn't anyone told you that when a girl doesn't like you, you should let her go.'' A cold voice from behind Travis said. Travis's grip on Victoria softened to the point in which she fell.. She got up, cursing in German and scratching the back of her head.
'' What do you know about girls, Di Angelo?'' Travis asked, spitting venom with each word. '' Bet you never dated one.''
'' I haven't had a girlfriend yet, but I know what girls want. And I'm certain she was telling you to let her down.'' Nico said. Victoria was a bit nervous. This was not planned.
'' And how can you know what girls want if you're still single?'' Travis said. '' How can you know what she wants?''
'' Travis, stop.'' Victoria put a hand on Travis' chest. '' Really, all of this is unnecesary.''
'' Just stay away from her, Di Angelo. I know you.'' Travis looked at Victoria. '' I'll wait for you at the Dinning Hall, 'kay?'' She nodded and he walked away. Victoria sighed. This boy certainly is insane.
'' Sorry about that.'' Nico said as Victoria turned at him. '' Me and Travis were never the best of friends, nor friends, for the matter.'' He stretched out an hand. '' I'm Nico Di Angelo, by the way.''
'' Victoria Reich. Nice to meet you.'' She shook his hand. '' Don't worry. I don't know what's gotten into him. Or maybe that's his true self, I don't really know him enough to say.''
'' Well. Hope you find out. Let's go to dinner. We won't have enough time to get dinner tonight if we wanna be at the fireworks on time.'' Victoria nodded and headed towards the Dinning Hall, where Travis stood by the door, waiting for her. He smiled at her, and she returned him the smile, happy he had calmed down. Together, they walked to the Hermes Table and sat between Connor and Leanne. Travis was telling Leanne and Connor how Victoria had tamed Midnight Horror, while the brunette was looking for Nico around the Dinning Hall. When she spotted him, she was really surprised: He was sitting alone.
'' Hey, Vic.'' Someone said from behind her. Victoria turned her head a bit to see Leo's face.
'' Hey, Leo.'' She smiled. '' What's up?''
'' Not much. You? Heard you tamed the famous Midnight Horror. Impressive, really.'' Leo smiled and sat between her and Travis. The Hermes child frowned and poked Leo's shoulder.
'' Isn't it forbidden to sit on other tables, Valdez?'' He said.
'' It is. But I offered Chiron to let everyone sit wherever they want on Fireworks day. So for today, it's legal.'' Leo stuck his tongue out at Travis. '' Sorry dude, tonight she's mine.''
'' I wouldn't be so sure, Valdez.'' Travis threw himself at Leo and began to tickle him. Leo exploded in wild laughter, so as Victoria and the people around, who were withnessing the whole scene.'' She's mine!''
'' Doesn't anyone wanna hear what I want?'' Victoria whimpered between laughs.
Leo and Travis stopped tickling eachother and looked at eachother for a second before turning back at Victoria. '' No.'' They said at the same time and continued their tickle battle.
Their battle continued for a while, until it was time to go to the fireworks, so both Leo Valdez and Travis Stoll had to go without eating Dinner. Bad luck.
While walking towards the Fireworks Beach, Victoria took Leo closer for a second and whispered '' Leo, do you know anything about this Nico guy?''
'' Hm? Why do you ask?'' He looked suspiciously at her.
'' Earlier he just told me his name. He didn't tell me nor his godly parent nor anything else.''
'' Well, he's a son of Hades and is Italian. Pretty much everything I know about him.'' Leo turned to see if Travis was listening. He knew those two weren't good friends and even mentioning Nico's name in Travis' pressence was a catastrophe. '' He's an antisocial guy, Vic. He doesn't let people know him easily.''
'' Thanks for the info.'' Victoria let Leo go and continued walking in silence. She could hear Travis telling them something, but she wasn't paying attention. Also, she could notice Leo's hand over her shoulders, but she didn't really care. Her mind was concentrated at her possible Claiming tonight. She was nervous and scared. Again. What if her godly parent is someone that did an oath not to have children never like Artemis, for example? Then she would be a bastard child and maybe killed or turned into a pet hamster. And what if her godly parent is someone evil that did a lot of harm to the world, like Kronos? She just hoped her godly parent is Hermes or Athena. She would be happy then. She wouldn't be a bastard child, nor the child of the big Titan Meanie. Just another child of Hermes and Athena. She wouldn't have to try hard to be smart if she's a child of Athena, nor she was going to have to become a Prankster if she's a child of Hermes, since she's both already. She would just be herself. Victoria Reich, daughter of Hermes or Athena. Nothing else. Not Victoria Reich, the bastard child, nor Victoria Reich, daughter of the wordlwide hated god or goddess.
Before she even knew, they had arrived at the beach. She managed to get out of her worry trance and mantain a decent conversation with Leo and Travis. Soon after that, the songs began. Travis and Leo sang with all the voice they had, while Victoria just stood silent, since she didn't really know what she had to sing. Probably, some day she'd learn. Probably.
After every song was sang, Chiron greeted all the new recruits to the camp and explained to them the activities of Camp. With each minute, Victoria was getting more and more sure that she'd stay unclaimed, and that made her kinda happy.
'' Tomorrow, 2 hours after Breakfast, we'll play Capture the Flag, so get ready, demigods!'' Chiron said and everyone cheered. But suddenly, the cheering stopped and everyone turned to Victoria. She stood there, not knowing what was happening until Leo told her to look upwards.
Above her head, a shadowy symbol was seen in the sky. It was a crescent moon. No god Victoria knew. She turned to Chiron, who was on his knees, an example followed by many of the campers, including Travis and Leo.
'' All heil Victoria Reich,'' Chiron's voice rang '' Daughter of Nyx, Lady of the Night, the Darkness and the Shadows.''
