Rain sprayed down like bullets when he woke up. He was not one to worry during a storm but he knew a certain little boy would be out by that tree. 'If Mr. Spock is willing to sit in all conditions then I will do the same. Show him how serious I am.' Aiden had said that every time it stormed or the wind blew in a different direction. Aiden had been inseperable from his spot next to the tree. Spent every waking moment not eating or training to talk to Mr. Spock. No luck so far. Aiden hadnt been with them long. His goldy parent had yet to claim him but he wasn't deterred or jaded. He was just glad to have a home with people who cared for him. Jason hoped his carefree disposition lasted. Especially through his fascination with... No, he couldn't even think his name. Jason looked out toward the top if the hill. He saw Aiden standing there face upturned with a smile. The answering silence more of a challenge than a deterent.

"Jason" Jason whipped around to face the son of Hades and son of Mars.

"We're gathering, Jason. That time of year, you know." Frank said a little ruefully. Jason nods and starts towards the Big House but Nico stopped him with a question.

"What's that kid doing?"

"Aiden is talking to..." Nico looked at Jason worried but also angered. Deeper but still there, "you know. Trying to get him to come down or have a conversation. I don:t know, he's not having much luck."

"I think he has a chance, Grace." Nico was staring right in toJason's eyes, daring him to counter.

"Well, I think we need to go. Us watching and thinking isnt going to do amything. We have more important things to attend to."The three walk to the Big House where the imortal camp councilers had gathered.

Every year they met, the same day they had first gathered after the others demise. The fallen had their shrouds burned and that night was when they came together, truly starting what should've been how they conducted their lives and the lives of the campers. Their talks ranged from common place training to threats to the greater good. The group consisted of Jason, Nico, Frank, Piper, and Hazel. That's who was left. Except for one but he could'nt join them. Not for a lack of them trying but they could'nt convince him to unstick himself from his statue like perch.

"Another year gone by, what did we accomplish?" Hazel spoke up. She genuinly wanted to know. This was how she kept us on track and kept our heads up. Frank raised his hand. Hazel nodded to him sweetly.

"All quests to retrieve new demigods have arrived safely. Keeping our streak of safety, meaning one satyrs and one demugods is still the most effevtive team to bring in new arrivals."

"Alright, next."

"No intruders have gitten past the tree this year. While we had attempts at our back border, no one was harmed." Nixo said.

"Anything from you, Jason?" He looked up suddenly. He'd been studying the table intent yet not looking at all and Hazel knew that. She could always tell when something was off.

"A new kid, Aiden, has taken to the camp queite nicely," Jason pauses and look out the window, not sure how to really say what he knew he needed to say. "But he's also very curious. He spends all day at the tree talking-"

"Talking?" Hazel interupts.

"Conversing with... Percy." Silence followed. No one dared break the weight that had fallen on them from just that name. Hazel opend and closed her mouth, trying to respnd but coming up short.

"Does he talk back?" Piper asks, finally speaking up. She was to curious to hold back any longer.

"No, but Aiden is trying. He wants him to answer he wants this built up figure to come down amd be as regal and couragoues as Chiron has led Aiden to believe." They sit in silence after Jasons explanation. What are they to do? "Aiden calls him Mr. Spock."

"Percy would have loved that." Hazel says dreamily.

"He's not dead." Nico grits iut.

"No, not dead but not living either."