It's been awhile, huh? This is a new approach, more dialogue, but new things are good...right?

"We're getting old, Tori," Elsie stated flatly, kicking some of the rocks that were scattered across the path.

"Elsie, we're not even legal adults yet…" Tori replied warily, observing the slump of Elsie's shoulders and the sigh in her voice.

"Well, we're already washed out. Look at us; it's been almost two weeks and we haven't found any new pranks to do. Not a single one."

"What do you call spending two hours in a tree, dropping potatoes on passing campers? That was pretty fun…half the camp thinks potatoes grow on trees now."

"I call that amateur and definitely beneath us," Elsie snapped, but Tori knew the anger wasn't directed at her. "What happened to the originality? The jaw-dropping, 'oh my gods, how?' factor? We're in a slump, Tori."

"Are you guys sure you're only sixteen?" A dry voice said from behind them, amused.

They whirled around to see a muscular, tan guy leaning casually against a large oak tree. He was wearing surfer trunks and well-fitting T-shirt that read 'Mr. Sunshine' in faded letters, both of which seemed oddly appropriate, despite their ocean-less, forest surroundings. He took off his sunglasses and with a gleaming white smile, shook his blond hair out of his eyes. "Girls. How's it going?"

"Dad," Tori blurted out, stunned. "What are you doing here?"

Yep, it was Apollo. Their handsome, easy-going, Olympian god father.

"Good to see you too, Tori. You definitely got your charm from your mother," Apollo responded wryly. "How about you, Elsie? How are things?"

"Oh, you know, they go…everything okay up there?" Elsie replied politely, gesturing vaguely to 'up there'.

"Yeah, things are good. Busy as always, keeping peace, being immortal, making sure that the world as we know continues to function with as little disaster as possible to a thankless world of mortals who barely acknowledge our existence…yup, things are dandy," Apollo responded, his cheerful face and pleasant tone a stark contrast to his heavy complaints.

"Oh…that's nice," Elsie remarked, unsure how to respond this.

"Seriously, though, is there a problem?" Tori asked, determined to understand why he was here.

"Can't a dad just drop by to see how his kids are doing?" Apollo answered easily, dodging the question altogether.

"Cool! So we should go get the rest of the cabin. C'mon, Tori! Be right back, Dad!" Elsie exclaimed, already turning to run back to camp.

"Wait!"

Elsie turned around, smirking at having called their dad out on his lie.

He sighed. "Okay, yes, there is a reason I came, specifically involving you two."

Tori shook her head. "I knew it."

"Look, girls, you know how busy I am. How busy all of the gods are. Would you try to keep that in mind?" He said wearily.

Suddenly, Elsie looked at him and saw how strained he seemed. Beneath the flawless, god-like exterior and the eternally easy-going attitude, there was stress and worry in his eyes. She realized that all might not be as well as she had thought. Maybe Kronos wasn't the only "bad guy" out there.

Tori bit her lip. "We know, Dad. Sorry."

"Yeah, sorry," Elsie echoed, trying to put as much sincerity into her voice as she could muster.

He smiled. "Well, then. Let's get down to business, as in why I'm really here. Elsie, Tori, the gods…they have noticed some of your little escapades and unfortunately, not possessing the same appreciation for artistic genius as myself, they have sent me to ask you to tone it down…well, actually, they want you to stop."

Both Tori and Elsie cried at the same time, "Stop!"

"They feel that your jokes might be, um….how do I say this? They think you are destructive and making it impossible for other campers to learn the skills they need and enjoy being here," Apollo explained, trying to be as gentle as he could.

Elsie and Tori remained quiet, thinking about what he just said. Finally, after a minute or two had passed, Tori said quietly, "We don't do it to hurt people. Or make them mad."

"Why do you do this then? Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you're not children of Hermes after all," He joked, though his question hung in the air, probing for answers.

There was a quiet pause as Elsie and Tori silently stood there, before Elsie broke the silence. "We do it for the same reasons you play the lyre or recite poetry."

"What?"

"To entertain people. To bring them together and have fun. This camp is constant fight, defend, attack monsters, worry, fight, worry, fight, eat, sleep, worry, fight, sing sometimes, figh-" Tori explained, before Apollo cut her off.

"Okay, I get it. You worry and fight."

"A lot," Elsie stressed.

"And, even though sometimes our jokes annoy people, I think, overall, they don't mind it. I think they like it. Except the Athena cabin. They hate everything," Tori said, glowering when she mentioned the Athena cabin.

"Tori and I are year-round campers. And as great as it is to be safe here and prepare ourselves for what's out there, it gets boring. And depressing. And repetitive. For everyone, I think. The pranks and jokes and general screwing with people is the only new thing any of us have," Elsie appealed, her face pleading with him to understand.

Apollo exhaled. "Wow, I genuinely thought you just did it to piss people off."

"Well, it doesn't hurt," Elsie shrugged.

"Alright. I'll see what I can do. Deep down, Dad finds this stuff funny, I know. It's Athena though, she just can't loosen up. But do your pranks. I'll convince Zeus," Apollo conceded.

Giant, matching smiles broke out on their faces. "Thank you! This is gr-"

He shrugged. "Don't mention it." And just as suddenly as he came, he had left.

It was just the thing Elsie and Tori needed. Because sure enough, the following morning's bulletin board featured four new rules, an impressive feat, considering they had all been performed within minutes of each other.

New Camp Halfblood Restrictions (cont.)

146. Attempting to turn Camp Halfblood into Camp Rock by singing what you're thinking and encouraging others to sing along is no longer tolerated. (Thanks, kittykatkitkat!)

147. Chanting "just keep swimming" as Percy walks by is now prohibited. (You sorta gave me the idea for this, EmiJStar!)

148. Filming various kissing couples around the camp, then displaying it for "educational purposes" is immediately banned, as it is a seriously violation of privacy and educational in no way.

149. Randomly shouting "Flash mob!" and then dancing does not actually create a flash mob. As it can be very annoying and can interrupt other activities, it is now prohibited.

We would like to state that what Elsie and Tori have been spreading about 'the gods supporting this' and 'Zeus is okay with this!' are false. The gods are in no way encouraging this behavior, especially not Dionysus.

Chiron and Mr. D (resident god)

So...long time, no see! I tried something new, for a couple of reasons: to attempt to annihilate my writer's block, see what you think of some dialogue, and also explain why they're children of Apollo and not Hermes. More rules are on the way, but I need some inspiration. So here's the deal: I'm not going to post another chapter until I've got a nice, long list of FUNNY rules that I can post. Lately, the rules I've been posting are not as good as they used to be in my opinion. I don't know, maybe y'all feel differently. Either way, that's the deal. No excuses.

Also, thanks a bunch for the reviews! They mean so much. I read every single one and REALLY appreciate y'all taking the time. You're my FAVORITEEEEEE people. Ever!

lecabe