~But you've become somebody else, round everyone else, watching your back like you can't relax~


Reyna walked alongside Artemis, feeling more confused than when she first walked into the camp. Even more so than when she first entered Camp Jupiter, that was saying something. Artemis appeared calm and relaxed though, Reyna mused, watching the goddess almost prance around all the tree roots and branches. It could be almost cute, in a way.

"Do you always take new hunters out?" Reyna ventured.

Artemis paused at that. She seemed to struggle briefly, before saying an answer. "Sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"Yes, sometimes," Artemis said, though she frowned as she spoke.

Reyna couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her, Artemis looked pouty and confused all at once. This caught Artemis's attention and she fixed Reyna with a fierce stare.

"What is funny?"

"Nothing, Artemis."

"What?"

Reyna quickens her pace. "I said nothing."

"You called me by my given name," Artemis insists.

"I did no such thing."

"Okay, Reyna."

"Now you're doing it back," Reyna protests.

"I said okay," Artemis said, repeating Reyna's earlier phrase.

Reyna scoffs, "That was my line."

"Admit it."

Reyna rolls her eyes, prepared for a retort, when they reach the edge of the camp. Instantly, Artemis's cheeky grin vanishes from her face to be replaced by a neutral, uninterested look. Almost as if she has done this before. The ease with which she can become cold and guarded.

"You'll stay with Lily." Artemis said, as the nymph from earlier approached them.

Reyna opened her mouth to say something to the goddess, but was cut off. "I have some matters to discuss with Thalia."

With that abrupt interruption, the goddess strode off to her own tent, leaving Reyna with Lily.

"Damn, what'd you do?" Lily asked as soon as the goddess was out of earshot.

Reyna shrugs. "I couldn't tell you."

"Well hey, let's go get settled for the night, you must've done okay, you weren't given night watch."

"Night watch?" Reyna asked as the followed Lily back to the tent.

"Stay up all night, on watch. Pretty self explanatory."

"Here we are." Lily held the flaps of the tent open, letting Reyna enter first.

The tent was very similar to the supply tent, but clearly smaller, it was cozy though. There were two sleeping bags next to each other on the floor of the tent and a small table with a potted lily flower.

"Yours?"

"Correct."

"How were you able to move it? I thought nymph's couldn't move their plant?" Reyna asked as she looked closer at the delicate petals on the flower.

"Normally, yeah, but Artemis has her special little powers. Do you want food?"

Reyna laughed, the nymph could switch topics so quickly. "If there is some."

Lily grinned. "There always is if you know where to look, follow."

Before Reyna could object, Lily darted out of the tent, leaving Reyna to run and catch up to her. Lily aimed for one of the larger tents at the edge of the camp, it looked to be a supply tent.

"Why do I feel like we're going to get busted for this?" Reyna hissed.

"Loosen up, newbie. I've never been caught. Just wait here."

Lily slipped into the tent, making Reyna be the lookout. She got more tense with each passing second.

"Reyna?"

Reyna jumped, turning to find Artemis looking at her with a puzzled look.

"What are you doing?" Artemis asked.

"Hanging," Reyna said, "Out."

"Hanging out." Artemis repeated.

"Correct."

Artemis's eyes narrowed and Reyna was inwardly panicking, not wanting to get busted, especially as she noticed Lily creeping back behind Artemis.

"If it's nothing.." Artemis trailed off, making to turn around and Reyna saw Lily frantically shaking her head.

"What'd you talk with Thalia about?" Reyna blurted out.

That caught Artemis's attention and she faced Reyna again. "Why do you ask?"

"You weren't acting yourself once we got back."

Artemis frowned, "I was acting the same as I do in camp when we went into the forest."

Reyna aimed to point out that she wasn't, but Artemis glared at her. "Goodnight."

With that final word, Artemis left Reyna standing by herself, once again.


Song: Complicated - Olivia O'Brien