On Probation
02/19/15
. . . .
Chapter VII
At the crack of dawn Apollo managed to drag his sun chariot up, clean up the remaining bits of mess around the camp, prepare some decent breakfast and round up a few senior hunters to disseminate tasks. He's done a pretty good job if he say so himself. Plus, tempers considered, there hasn't been anything that exploded, right? So that's a bit achievement. Now, all that's left is to wake up the little rascals. And that's the part a small rational side of his brain has dreaded and tried so hard to delay.
Hunters, while they seemed to be military trained and all aren't really easy to rouse in the morning, after all they are just kids. And not all kids are happy to be woken up early. Sure there are hyperactive morning kids that bothers parents to no end-jumping on their bed, drawing out the curtains to be hit by a plethora of sunlight, pulling the comfort of their blankets on Saturday mornings … when it's legal to stay in bed 'till afternoon. But let's face it, not all kids are like that, and having kids basically ruins the lazy mornings on weekends. It doesn't also really help that most hunters stay late at night as they do their hunting in the dark.
With a sigh, he began to move around, going tent to tent, turning his usual bright aura to a soft glow as he gently shook the hunters one by one, encouraging them to awaken, his mellow voice drawing them out of their slumber.
"Wake now little sun shines. Time to start your day a new."
Most of them have been amiable when woken this way, others needed a bit more persuading, and a few let lose some pillows in his direction, which he easily dodged. Apollo has long learned that the best was to coax children out of their dreamland, is to approach them in a very calm and soothing manner as so you won't be greeted with a stink eye or a very grumpy toddler/adolescent in the morning, well maybe if you're lucky.
"NO!"
"Come on, I've have plenty activities planned for today."
"No!"
"You know, fun stuff we can do later after your lessons."
"Go away! 'm s'ill sleepy…"
If the gentle coaxing fails, make a bargain.
"I'll let you play by the lake this afternoon if we finish early."
"Really? Pinkie swear?" A groggy voice muffled by a pillow squeaked out hopefully as the little girl extended her hand out. It was followed by a series of heads peeking out of the comfort of their blankets, studying him curiously.
Apollo just nodded and hooked his pinkie. "Pinkie swear."
Most kids still throws a few death glares at his direction, which of course has no effect on him. If anything, it just makes them more adorable. Also, barging in with a very loud voice, screaming 'wake up!' is a big no, no. He's learned that the hard way on his first day. It was obnoxious apparently. And surprises aren't fun in the mornings. Oh and if all else fails, try the I-ll-toss-you-a-bucket-of-ice-cold-water trick. It always works, but don't over use it. It might lose its threatening effect and kids will just brush you away because they will then realize that you won't really do it anyway. If it reaches to that point, do it anyway. Just make sure you can sort out the mess later.
It has been Apollo's habit to wake the older ones first then the young ones. It's easier and more logical given once the older ones are awake, they will immediately get down to business and start their designated chores, and perhaps help him in waking the others. Plus the young ones also needs a bit more help in dressing and whatnot. Having rambunctious kids, however old they are, running around while trying to manage the others is difficult. Apollo also found out the reason for having toddlers around camp. Apparently, his sister has a knack of taking in abandoned babies and taking care of them until she finds a decent shelter where she can drop them off. He also discovered that one of their resident toddler isn't as female as they made him be. Poor guys was garbed with miniature silver shirt and shorts hunters usually wear, given it's the only wardrobe these girls can afford him. Never mind that, he's got it sorted out. He got him little boy's clothes in his own colors: gold! Isn't that amazing? Now he's got an obnoxiously adorable mini-me in this camp full of girls.
Not long later, Apollo had almost empty tents, a busy camp full of bustling prepubescent girls, and one sleeping toddler. The sun god entered the last tent to be met with a frazzled looking Thalia. His smile dropped as they shared worried glances towards the small lump in the smallest bed.
"I don't know what to do." Was the hunter's strained words. "She was fine last night."
Apollo went ahead and knelt beside the child's bedside. He ran his soothing hand on her curly hair and frowned deeply as her skin burned his. He rested his cool hand on her forehead and the little girl gave off a small whimper. He continued to stoke her hair as he assumed a more comfortable position next to her. "Oh you're sick." The child just gave a pitiful whimper, eyes still closed and trying desperately to snuggle closer to the comforting body. "Have you been playing near the lake at night again?" the question was rhetorical, of course, what child can resist water? And it's not like she would answer him in her half-conscious state. "I told you to stay dry and warm at night." He softly but reprimandingly spoke, earning him a small cry in return. "Don't worry I'll take care of you. Shhh. I'll take care of you." He tenderly gathered the child in his arms and steadily rocked her back to sleep, all the while humming the tune his sister used to sing to him. When he finally turned his head, he noticed that a few enthralled hunters have gathered to witness the scene. He cleared his throat to draw their attention and began to dismiss them back to whatever they're supposed to do. When all have left, Thalia remained standing in her ground, looking very much out of place. Apollo raised his eyebrows questioningly at her. She cleared her throat first before speaking.
"You're not so bad at this." Apollo just nodded. He knows that's the best compliment he'd get at his parenting skills from his formidable half-sister. "So, do you need anything?" She asked, gesturing at the ill child in his arms.
"Can you take care of her?" The god asked tentatively, earning him a confident nod.
"But I'd rather you take care of her." Was her reply that surprised the god. "She looks comfortable enough." The dark haired demi-god's eyes drifted at the child's tight clutch at her brother's shirt and continued with determined eyes, conveying words that he dare not go against her. "And, I'd rather lead this hunt alone." With a nod from the fair-haired man, Thalia began her way out, but not before tuning for the last time to address the god once more. "You know, there's a really good foster care on our next destination. I've heard that the hunters have dropped a few kids there before, you might want to consider-" before she can even finish, he cut her off with silent aggression.
"No. I told you before and I'm telling you now. Not on my watch Thalia."
"Very well. Do you need anything else?" she asked once again to break the tension.
"Just send one of you sisters here later, I have to gather some things for her medicine and I have to run back to Olympus for a while, plus I promised some of your sisters some activities this afternoon." Thalia took that as a cue to leave. And when the child elicited a small whimper again, Apollo continued his rocking and lullaby.
"Shhh. We'll make the owwie go away. We'll make you feel better, I promise."
It was unfair he realized, he's taking care of these kids when he can't take care of his own. Perhaps this extra effort he's making on these kids are out of guilt? A compensation for failing and not spending time with his children? A creeping jealousy found its way in him as the thought of his sister spending some time with his children crossed his mind. Life was so unfair.
. . . .
The campers from cabin seven were surprised when they woke up to a decently risen sun outside their window. None of their usually unreasonable morning routine commenced. No goddess barking orders and no grumpy sun-children bustling around. They looked around curiously and a small part of them was thankful for the extra sleep but surely there must be some mistake. Dread began to creep them, until a note materialized in front of their cabin councilor, his siblings urging him read it out-loud. "My dear campers, consider this your day-off. Doing too much of something can be taxing and boring, so you can do whatever you usually like to do for the rest of the day. Go to the beach for a swim or something, but don't flush people's head on the toilet. See you around."
The campers just shared an anxious look before jumping off their beds, eager to lavish every single second of this day.
And to the beach they went.
Hello my dear readers! So there's a bit of Apollo in there. Umm... Thanks for those who reviewed and added my story in their alerts and favorites. I apologize for any grammatical errors or if the story didn't make any sense. I haven't got the moment to proof-read it. It's currently 12:40 a.m. on my side of the planet, and I haven't been myself lately, I apologize for that.
Anyhow.. comments, suggestions, constructive criticism anyone?
Hopefully I'd be more sane and have more sense on the next chapter. I might edit this too. So, 'till then guys. Good night!
