So Leo can now feel any rhythm, which is an ability I wish I had, it would make things so much easier; I'm never gonna explain it in the actual story, so this your reminder that he got that from Apollo after the whole Valdazinator thing. Anyway, Nash and the satyr (who I named Oren bc I'm unoriginal like that), finally get on their way to Camp Half-Blood; and Nico gets some revenge on Leo for metaphorically putting his heart one of those spinny rides (the ones that go real fast, they're called Zamba's here).
I don't actually remember the names of every vampire in the clan, part because I didn't pay attention while watching the TV series, part because it's been half a decade since I touched the books.
13. Connected, part 3
Magnus opens them a portal to a part of the city where no one will see something flying in or away; because while the mist would do good work of the mortals, Leo wasn't going to risk anyone intervening.
Nash is clearly nervous, as she sways back and forth besides her assigned satyr, who's named Oren apparently; not that Leo is taking note, considering he tends to avoid his kind, but at least Oren had been swayed into keeping quiet about him. He had to thank Nico and Magnus for that, and probably Nash too; which made him feel slightly bad for the guy, but he really couldn't risk getting found out by anyone else.
He was very lucky that it was Nico of all people who'd found him, and it was kind of fucked up that the only person not to have fallen prey of Calypso's lie was also someone Leo thought for sure hated his guts. He wonders when that changed, what exactly pushed Nico to chase after him like he had; as though Leo was someone important to him.
That's a dangerous trail of thought, Leo knows, one that's only ever gotten him pain; and he's an idiot who can't keep his mouth and now has to keep calling Nico by a fucking pet-name just so the Italian won't know the truth. Granted, he's still dealing with the aftermath of loving Calypso, and the fact that he was not loved back; and though time has been passing, the wound is still somewhat fresh.
He still feels a lot more for Nico than he really should, but he'll deal with it; after all, this his one chance to get the backup he so desperately needs, to have someone on his side.
The portal closes and Magnus does a quick spell to make triple sure no one will see, and when he gives Leo the go ahead he makes himself smile, taking his fingers into his mouth, and whistling once. It takes only a few moments, which means he was absolutely tailing Leo, but he can't really complain right now; Festus, in all his mechanical glory, lands with practiced grace and chirps happily at him.
"Festus?"
Leo may or may not be impressed at the fact that Nico remembers his dragon's name; but instead of acknowledging this, he simply gets over to Festus and does a quick check.
"Hi buddy, ready for some sneaking?"
Festus whirs in clear excitement, scales ruffling to reflect the light for a second, making him momentarily invisible. Leo pulls out a bottle of tabasco sauce from his tool belt, and feeds it to Festus before turning back to his audience; Nash has a star-struck look on her face, Oren is understandably weary, Magnus looks genuinely impressed, and Nico…
Nico looks as though he's just answered one of the world's greatest questions, but the answer was so stupid he couldn't understand how nobody else had gotten it before him; like his mouth is actually open in an unspoken sentence of sorts, and Leo has to comment, of course.
"Close your mouth ángel, you'll swallow a fly"
Nico gives him an entire look as he does as told, and Leo feels very seen, which is an entire feeling; he gets distracted by a metal snout pushing him forwards, and he huffs at the dragon.
"Very funny"
Festus lets out a mechanical trill, looking way too smug for his own good; Leo figures it says something about their bond that Festus can read him so easily, but it still sucks a little. He takes a breath and moves to tell Oren and Nash the rundown of the next bit.
"Ok, Festus is gonna take you to a particular clearing in the woods that surround Camp Half-blood, he's gonna go invisible whenever he senses other demigods nearby or when you're no longer riding him, so keep that in mind"
He takes out the sword he worked on in between making the phonograph, whenever he was alone; and he hands it over to Nash.
"Magnus agreed to let you have this for the time being, I worked on it so it'll actually hurt monsters, once you're done using it you'll have to hide it in the first workshop you find"
Nash blinks at him, Nico sighs.
"Maybe slow down a little for the kid leone"
Leo's brain splutters for a whole second, before he just pulls a piece of paper and pen from his tool belt, quickly scribbling a list of names on it, because apparently they've all made it.
"Find one of these people and ask them to take you to bunker 9, you can leave the sword there once you get a proper one"
Nash nods then, folding the note and quickly hiding it in the first pocket she finds in her clothes; Leo gives her a solid nod, then turns towards Oren.
"You'll be on your own once you dismount Festus, Nash seems to attract snake related monsters, so some medicinal plants would be ideal if you can find any"
The satyr nods quickly at him, and then Leo helps them both get on Festus' back, tapping a few messages to his dragon friend as he does. Nico approaches them then, standing at Leo's side, and it's amazing how Leo feels immediately colder near him.
"Try to avoid the Άφροδίτη cabin head if you can"
Leo bites his lips because of course Piper was still completely on Calypso's side, particularly now that the goddess had a real burn to show off; he doesn't think that'll ever stop hurting though. Nash gives a very serious look, eyes suddenly sharp; and Leo wonders on what it means that he finds more loyalty in near strangers that he does in the people he once called friends.
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Simon's presence in the hotel is becoming a little more regular, thanks not only to Lillie, but also thanks to Leo; Raphael's even crossed paths with him in the training room, practicing his knee-jerk reactions apparently. Raphael only knew because Simon was loudly complaining to Elliot about how his current roommate was deadly when startled.
"Isn't he also on the run?"
Simon huffs at Eliot.
"His people are literally stupid, like, I've only known him for a week and I know he'd never hurt anyone"
Elliot laughs and tries to trip him up.
"Didn't he burn you once?"
Simon jumps back rolling his eyes, missing the clearly surprised look Eliot is giving him.
"And he spent an hour trying to help while apologizing before I managed to explain vampire healing"
He does a shrug sort of motion with his entire back, speeding for a second as he moves forwards, and then he's got Eliot on the floor.
"We've all got things we regret"
Raphael recognizes the phrasing, and knows what Eliot was trying to do when he used those words on Simon; that doesn't mean he isn't amused at Simon being able to turn them against him.
"Someone's been practicing"
Simon turns to him looking a little flustered, Eliot groans again, still on the floor, looking like he has no plans of moving any time soon.
"We should hire Simon's roommate to train us all"
Simon makes a face.
"I'm not that good"
He's looking at Raphael, either because he's avoiding actually having to prove anything to him, or because he's looking for Raphael to agree with him; Eliot choses that moment to sit up.
"Lillie, Simon's doing the thing again!"
Simon goes pale, or paler than usual, eyes wide; a moment later he's being knocked to the ground by Lillie, who's giving him a very sharp talk about self-depreciating; Raphael decides to slip away before she notices him there and tries to pull him into it too.