AN: Meet Ria, a character submitted by Perseus Jackson007. Probably will see her again, she's fun to write. Hope you like her PJ007!
Marianne—ugh did she hate that name—Dagris, Ria for short and because her name was so awful, looked around at her cabin with nothing short of despair. She had to stay with these idiots instead of the smart kids? The Athena cabin had been so cool! And she really loved being able to talk to Malcolm and some of the others about battle strategy. Now she was stuck amongst the rowdy and troublesome Hermes kids. Sure, they were strategically valuable when it came to battles, war, and war preparations. But living with them?
"I'll get you a welcome pack, that'll give you a spare shirt at least. Just tell Cassie what you don't have and she'll make sure you get everything that you need." The leader of the Hermes Cabin, Connor, stayed by the stairs.
"Cassie?"
"Me," One of the girls waved, "I"m Cassie."
"Ria," She answered, critically examining the girl who was coming toward her. She could easily overpower this Cassie, her left arm didn't seem to move. She could take advantage of the favoring of her right side and get a blow with her current weapon of a sledgehammer and the girl would be incapacitated.
Cassie gave a warm smile, "The only bunks taken are the ones that actually have pillows on them, so take your pick from the others."
Ria sighed and tossed her stuff onto a bunk, "When can I get out of this place and into a cooler cabin?"
"Considering we're the only ones with AC aside from the Hepheastus cabin, I'm pretty sure we are the cooler cabin," Cassie responded easily, "I understand your eagerness to be in a cabin that is geared more toward your own academic prowess and inclinations toward battle, however until you're claimed, you'll be staying here. It isn't so bad, and since you're over thirteen you shouldn't have to wait long before getting claimed. Until then, you have a place here."
Ria leaned her hammer against the bunk, "So you're the intelligence of the cabin?"
"I wouldn't say that." She tugged on her ponytail, "I'm more of a…mother hen with a high IQ. Besides, I have to be more intelligent in how I battle my opponents since my arm can become useless at any given time. Nerve damage. Don't think I didn't see you notice it."
Ria flinched, "Right." Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
—~~—
Ria's claiming had been…bloody, to say the least. Lots of monsters.
But being claimed by Mars, at the Greek camp and receiving her spiked Hammer, an imperial gold weapon with a spike jutting out one face, perfectly flat on the other—maximum damage ability—was a little bit of a roller coaster. She thought for sure that she would be in the Athena cabin. Had even silently picked out her bunk.
Now she was sitting in the Aphrodite cabin, having to get her hair cut and styled because of some nasty stuff that got in it.
"Can I dye it?" Lacy asked, "I'm really good."
"No."
"Oh come on! You're going over to Camp Jupiter next week, they're no fun there. You might need something to brighten your day. You aren't too scared, are you?"
"Battle tactics are my life, your tactic is weak." Ria did find herself at least looking at the available colors, "I better still be able to get my hair out of my way."
Lacy examined her hair, "Not going to lie, it might be best if you get a pixie cut. Otherwise it's going to look a little…lopsided."
Ria curled her lip, "Great."
"But, on the bright side, I can make it short enough where shouldn't be in your way. And you can use headbands too." Lacy was going for positive.
Vince, Ria's half-brother on the Greek side, nudged her, "You have to say it's okay."
Ria groaned, "Fine, go ahead and do color too. Might serve as a tactical advantage if my hair is a distracting color."
"Sweet! You have coloring that works fantastically with any other color."
"Fine, just hurry. I have battle practice and I'm totally going to crush it." And them.
Lacy worked quickly, and got Ria out of the frilly cabin within half an hour.
Just in time for her to meet the rest of her cabin at the Arena.
She couldn't wait for a real fight.