Disclaimer-I do not own the PJO series
The next morning
Olivia P.O.V.
I walked into the dinning pavilion and sat down in my assigned seat at the head table next to the bronze brazier. Apparently like my mother I get a portion of all offerings so as long people are giving the gods offerings I don't need to eat. Today I was moving into the big house seeing as I couldn't stay in the Hermes cabin as unclaimed and since my mother didn't have a cabin this was the only place I could go. Ever since last night no one would talk to me they just stared. Even Tyler was avoiding me. It was getting on my nerves. They were staring at me like I was a Hydra with far too many heads to count.
I couldn't handle it anymore as I stormed out of the pavilion not really caring where I was headed. How could they be this mean. Just when I thought I had found a place where I could be myself and fit in. They call themselves a family. It's just like with Hera. It's only a family if it's their perfect family. Not a family that has children that were not meant to be. I finally realize just where my aimless walking had brought me. I was staring at a giant clump known as Zeus Fist.
The view was amazing. I could see the whole camp but I couldn't enjoy it knowing that this isn't my home anymore. The places that used to be comfort to me are now just scars on my heart. I was so caught up in my own sorrow that I didn't hear anything till I could feel the cold blade pressed against my neck. "You can take the blade away I know that your there." As the blade retracted I turned around to see Michael standing there full scowl on his face. "No need to be sour Livy. But how do you know that I didn't follow you here to kill." Michael sneered back with the same coldness that had adopted my voice moments ago. "Because if you wanted me dead you would have shot me with your bow and arrows from below because you hate swords." I stated expertly and with that I turned back to camp not wanting to talk. "So…what's it like to be the sole daughter of the goddess of the hearth." "You mean being the child that my mother didn't want? It's great." I grumbled. "Olivia what are you talking about if your mother hadn't wanted you she wouldn't have had you." I couldn't hold it in anymore. I started crying on his shoulder. "Olivia what's wrong, why are you crying?" Michael's eyes softened in a way that I had never seen before. All of his usual hardness was replaced in a weird way of compassion. I explained the vision to him except for the hotel I didn't know what he would make of that. "That blasted goddess. Cursing another goddess like that. Who does she think she is?" "You better go." "Why." "Cause I can see you cabin starting to look for you." Michal held out his hand to me. "We should probably go it looks like it's almost lunch." "No thanks Michael I'm not hungry like ever again." "Well you're coming anyways 'cause I'm not leaving you alone in the forest."
Michael started climbing down the rocks and when he noticed my resistance he picked me up bridal style and carried me all the way to the dinning pavilion laughing at my attempts of persuading him to put me down earning some disgusted looks from the campers and automatically a wave of guilt crashed down on me. Michael was going to be hated for being my friend. I suddenly felt sick. Michael seemed to notice my unease because he stopped to put me down. "Olivia, are you okay?" "Yea I'm fine." I lied. Anyone could see that he didn't believe me but he let it slide. "Okay well come on." I went and instead of sitting at the table I went and sat cross legged in front of the brazier letting its warmth bathe my back. I felt strength surge into me as everyone started to give a portion of their meals to the gods.
I could feel the odd stares on my back as people noticed me by the fire but I remain still with my eyes closed till I felt a tap on my shoulder and I open my eyes to see bright sky blue eyes staring at me. "Oh my gods Will, have you never learned a little thing called personal space." "Sorry." Will muttered. "Anyways I asked Chiron and he said that if you wanted to you can sit with us at the Apollo table." I was looking into his eyes to see any sign that he was joking. Sitting at another table was forbidden. But I couldn't see any lie. I looked over at the Apollo table quickly and nodded taking his hand while he helped me up. Will sat down and pulled me down beside him. He offered me some food but quietly declined feeling full from the offerings. Sensing my quietness he started a conversation with his sister beside him.
I could feel everyone staring, whispering about me. I mentally slapped myself for accepting to sit here. I should have known that people would stare at me after I took Will's hand and sat down at their table. After all I'm a child that wasn't supposed to be born sitting at a forbidden table. I'll just have to get used to it.
I caught up with Michael as we headed down to the campfire. "Hey Michael, are you preforming tonight?" "Yes why do you think I'm going down early?" I was so hoping for a no. I didn't want to be alone. "Why are you heading down this early?" "Chiron asked me to start the fire today." Michael just nodded.
It was getting dark and the rest of the campers would be heading down soon. I had been listening Michael practice for campfire and he was amazing. His voice was strong and flawless flowing through the night air, caressing every note as if it were his most prized possession. His fingers never flawing as he strummed his guitar. He was mesmerizing. I found myself unaware of my surroundings. It was like that when Michael sang he became the only thing in the world and everything just disappeared. I wanted to listen to Michael forever but I needed to start the fire.
I concentrated and I could feel the tingling in my fingers as I commanding the fire to dance along his fingertips. I heard the music falter and I could see all the Apollo cabin staring at me like I was crazy which I guess to them I was. I started humming a spell that will make the fire react with the emotions. Once I finish the spell I will the fire to flow from my fingers into the fire pit like a stream of water.
It had taken more of my energy than I thought. I felt so tired all of the sudden. I sat down right there on the ground grabbing my head. It felt like it was splitting in two. All of the Apollo campers were in shock not moving. I rolled my eyes reaching towards the fire feeling instant relief as the flames licked up my arm. I stood up rolling my eyes as they watched looking just about ready to faint. "Well are you going to prepare for everyone or not." This seemed to bring Michael out of his trance. "Olivia…what did you just do?" "I started a fire without a match or lighter." And with that I plunked down right in front of the fire with a poker and I could imaging my mother doing the same up on Olympus and the thought made me smile.
This was what I was meant to do not be the big hero not even to be the brave fighter but to be the place of reassurance to all. To be the place anyone could go for help or consultation or even just somewhere for someone to feel like they were important. Oddly enough I wasn't upset that I would never be the stories passed down from generation to generation. I was happy to just sit here by the fire forever.
