Back! Hopefully with something good to say. . . So, guys, I am REALLY grounded, so updates are slower. Plus, needless to say, the holidays. . . The good news is, I'm finally diging into BoO, so I'll soon find out what Solangelo's all about! And I'll see if I approve. It already sounds bad. Like, Rick was just making a new charactor at the last minute, so we don't start an uprising. Bleh.
I am NOT Rick Riordan, thus I own none of his properties (or talent).
I Can't Swim
And This Is My First Capture The Flag
~Nico's P.O.V.~
It was Friday night. That never meant much to me, but apearently, you're crazy if you don't love Friday at Camp Half-Blood.
"What?" Piper asked. "You're not excited about Capture The Flag?"
"Well, I've heard of them, but I've never been in one. So I can't say that I am." I shrugged.
Yesterday was when she dressed me up so much, and though I did feel kind-of better about myself, I was also glad it was over. Everyone kept gawking at me. I had never though before to put my hair up, but when Julian took it down, he told me to keep the ponytail holder. 'You might want it again later. And if not, then it's a momento.' He had told me.
Piper shook her head. "If I'm not mistaken, the Ares cabin and the Nike cabin currently hold the flag. You should totally join in tonight."
"I think you should just be satisfied with the make-over." I rolled my eyes.
Before I could think, Piper swung a fist at me. I froze up as she stopped, an inch away from my head. She lowered her hand, a smug expression.
"And I think your reflexes can use a little training. Go to the Game tonight." She smiled, then left me on the dirt paths that wove through the camp.
Out of the corner of me eye, I saw Percy. When I turned to look, I saw he was talking to Annabeth. My breath stopped as I watched. They seemed friendly, but not that much more than that.
If I didn't know they were dating, I'd think that they were just close. If I didn't know they were faking, I'd say they were having troubles.
When the time came around for Capture The Flag, I felt unprepared. But having been there already, with no one letting me walk away, in fear I wouldn't come back, I couldn't go get myself ready. I had my sword, and I guess Piper thought that was enough.
Chiron trotted up, making himself known from the crowds. His eyes were stern, though he smiled excitedly.
"All of you campers should already knoiw the rules, but, as some of you still ignore them, I shall go over them again. The rules for Capture The Flag: The entire forest is fair game; The creek is the boudary line; The flags must be easy to see, and can have no more than two guards: Said guards must stand at least ten yards from the flag; Captured prisoners may be disarmed, but not bound or gagged; No killing or maiming: Failure to follow that rule results in desert loss for a week; All magic items are permitted; And lastly, all campers without injuries are required to play. Is everyone clear?"
"Yes!" Everyone shouted, ready to go.
"Alright, then. Ares' cabin and Nike's cabin have the flags, thus they are the team captains. Let the cabin leaders come up and pick your teams!"
I can honestly say, I didn't pay that much attention after that. I knew Nike's picked first, and Nemisis', Poseidon's, and Zeus' cabin were there.
Hades' cabin was one of the last to be chosen. We also ended up on Nike's team.
We all put on red helmet's, as well as other battle armor pieces. I grabbed my sword and put on me most wicked face; hopefully that will leave me enemies cowering.
When Chiron blew the whistle, and the flag was posted and guarded, I went forward with my team, both bored and excited.
When we met at the creek with the other team, I hung back. I looked around, knowing there was no way that fighting head on would be productive. I went straight through a shadow, and appeared only fifty yards from the flag. The guards didn't see me, which was good. I stayed close to the shadows and waited.
I was there a good ten minutes at least before there was a nearby snapping twig. The guards immediately went toward it, and as soon as they had past me, I ran forward. I sprinted, watching as the flag came closer. I was maybe fife yards away, when suddenly-
SLAM.
A slender yet firm body collided with my own, knocking me to the side. I grunted as the impact knocked the air from my lungs. The other body rolled off of me and stood, and when I looked, it was Julian, wearing a blue helmet. He seemed surprised when our eyes met.
"Nico. I am sorry. I didn't realize it was you." He offered a hand, and I took it warily. He looked around to the guards, who were stumbling over each other in the other direction. "This puts me in a tricky position. . ." He looked me over, and I tensed, battle-ready. "I won't harm you. But you can't have the flag. So, that leaves you to be my prisoner." He purred the last part. I took a wary step back.
"But, gods, Julian. It's right there. Can't I just push you over and grab it real fast?" I found myself jutting out my lip, and widening my eyes. He stared at me in amusement.
"Afraid not, Nico. Please drop your sword." He held up his weapon, and I sighed.
As soon as I dropped it, Jason came bursting out of the woods, suddenly using his pilum to disarm Julian.
"Haha!" He laughed, and I smirked a little.
"Sorry Julian. Maybe another time?" I started to the flag, but then Percy came out of the woods.
"I'm sorry, you're Julian?" He said, a flask strapped to his side. He looked rather irritated.
"Yes, I am." He answered causiously.
"Hm. You know how to make a guy look sexy, huh?" He asked, hostility underlining his tone.
Suddenly, Julian grinned. "Yes, he did look rather ravishing in my shirt, wouldn't you say?"
Percy's cheeks reddened and his nostrils flared. "Quite."
Jason looked confused. "What's happening?"
"I'm not sure." I answered.
The two had a staredown for a few moments, before Julian said, "I was just about to take him as my prisoner. Would you two like to join him? It was going to be a rather private affair, but that can wait, I suppose." He drawled out.
Percy bared his teeth. "You weren't gonna force yourself on Nico, were you?"
"Of course not. He would totally have liked it, right, Nico?"
My face was flustered. "J-Julian-"
"Woah, woah, woah." Jason took a step forward, looking angry. "I'm not liking this conversation. No one was about to have a private moment with Nico." They were all too close to each other for my liking. I swallowed hard, thinking of something I could say that would get their attention.
"Nico isn't for sale." Percy said through clenched teeth. "He's not on the market."
Julian raised both eyebrows. "And who said you could have him?"
Jason narrowed his eyes. "I really think that's Nico's choice, Percy."
They all started talking at once. I screwed my eyes shut.
"Take me!" I opened my eyes to see them all staring at me in surprise. "I mean," I sighed. "Jason, thanks and all, but back off. You are too protective. Julian, I don't like you that way. At all. And Percy, you never answered me, thus we are not dating, thus you are really pushing it too." All of them looked down, various emotions on their face.
"With that being said. . ." I suddenly took off the other direction, and seized the flag. The horn was blown. "I'm outta here." I called to the others, storming off.
