Hey guys, sorry for the late update. Not really, my story, I do what I want, but still.

Hope you enjoy!

When I woke up I nearly lost an eye.

My new toy was point to eyebrow, threatening to gouge it out if I cuddled it any tighter. Slowly, I withdrew from my compacted bedroll, carefully stepping between what precious spaces of clear footing I saw to reach the door.

I stumbled multiple times along the way, tiredly rubbing my eyes and wishing to any god awake at this hour to claim some darn children already. An older camper had taken position in front of the door for lack of space, and I spent a couple moments wondering how I'd be able to get out.

I nudged him with my foot and tugged at his shoulder, and when he didn't budge, I yanked the knob as far as I could. The impact hit the unsuspecting teenager in the head, and I took the chance to slip out while he cursed at me.

*Whew*, I breathed out in exasperation. Even going to the bathroom was a challenge here.

"Where did Klove say the outhouse was?"

It took me 15 minutes to find my way, resisting the urge to run to the nearest bush. Klove had mentioned that nymphs lived in the trees around camp, so I decided against it.

What if I peed on a nymph? That'd be really bad.

With luck, I found the bathroom, which I desperately needed by that point.

I walked out just in time for a horn to sound throughout the camp, followed by the morning bustle of campers waking up. I suppose I got up really early. Call of the wild, as they say~

Making my way back to the Hermes' cabin, another of the cabins caught my attention. It was farther down the row, with a few campers coming to and fro in their morning routine.

What caught my eye was the exterior of the cabin, which was entirely covered in plant-life. It looked as though mother nature had thrown up over it, really. Out front was a beautiful, diverse garden full of a wide assortment of colorful flowers.

I didn't recognize a single one of them. Did that flower have teeth? Why was it grinning at me?

Shaking my head, I hurried back to my 'bunk'. I figured I'd keep following Luke around till I got used to the place, which I didn't think would happen anytime soon.

Apparently part of the morning routine was cabin inspection. As it turned out, no one in Hermes especially cared, and neither did Luke. The cabin counselor. A.k.a, inspector.

With that disregarded, he sent everyone to breakfast, though he took me on a short detour to borrow a change of clothes from the Camp's shop. I now spotted a fresh pair of baggy jeans five sizes too large, held up by a corded belt, and a bright orange t-short with 'Camp Half-Blood' across the front.

By the time I was sat in-between Luke and Tracy at the Breakfast table, I was feeling way more comfortable than yesterday. I still felt like any moment everyone would jump up and yell "DUPED YOU", but right now I was happy to live out the fantasy.

Even if that fantasy included monstrous bird people and violence-crazed teenagers sired by gods.

Finishing up, Chiron stomped his hooves upon the ground, garnering everyone's attention.

"As everyone is aware," he boomed, "today is Capture the Flag, which will be held at the usual time following lunch." I looked at Luke with total confusion, to which he whispered "I'll explain after he's done." I nodded, looking back to Chiron.

"The team captains," he continued, "will be Athena for the blue team, and Ares for the red." The mentioned groups cheered as they were called, pounding the table and jeering at the other. "You have already picked your teams, so I will leave the rest to you. The usual rules apply; no killing or intentional maiming." Grumbles were heard at this, and I looked around wildly at the disappointed faces of the Ares campers.

Did they actually WANT to kill people?

"Until then, normal classes and lessons for everyone. Lastly, the wood nymphs have asked me to remind everyone to please, for the last time, stop picking the leaves off their branches. It's rude." With that, he cantered off towards the archery range, followed closely by the Apollo campers.

I turned to dispose of my plate, only to scream and fall from the bench.

Right in front of me, scooping up everyone's plates, we're a group of three of those evil chicken ladies!

"Murder turkeys!" I yelled out, scrambling back frantically.

It took me a couple of seconds to realize that the campers around me weren't furiously rushing forward with weapons to eliminate the threat. Nope.

They were all laughing the butts off. At me. While the evil chicken ladies chirped excitedly at me and continued collecting silverware.

Luke jerked me up by the shoulder, chuckling himself but trying hard to stifle it for my sake. Sighing, he patted my shoulder, telling me that the harpies in camp were like the camp attendants.

I didn't believe him, but I decided to go along with it. For now. I glared a final time at the feathery hags, then followed Luke as Tracy towards the stables.

Thinking about the Pegasi made me immediately forget about the harpies, and I spent the next hour grooming, feeding and learning to ride from Tracy in total bliss.

Luke also took the time to fill me in on Capture the Flag that night. He explained that Athena was teamed with Hermes and Apollo, while Ares had an alliance with Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Demeter. We were going to be outnumbered, but Luke assured me that Annabeth's planning would even us out.

One Pegasi in particular seemed to take an interest in me, a beautiful chestnut mare. Tracy told me she was called Hershey, but I had secretly nicknamed her "Winfrey."

Yes, like Oprah Winfrey. It was the only channel we had on the tv at the orphanage, so...yeah. Shut up.

At one point, while we were all cleaning out the stables, Travis and Connor had decided to make their move.

While I cleaned Winfrey's stall, I was suddenly assaulted from above by a couples buckets worth of manure, splashing all over me, Winfrey, and, unfortunately for the twins, Tracy.

Needless to say they very deeply regretted their actions. After a quick trip the the showers and another thorough grooming for my new Pegasi friend, the Hermes' troupe split up. One group went to the archery range, which I was in. The other headed off for the lava wall. Because what better way to wake up than excruciating death.

The archery instructor was from Apollo's cabin, as Chiron was busy in the Big House. Will Solace, as he introduced himself, focused on giving me tips and guides for the majority of the time. Very quickly, however, we all realized I was not suited- no, I was FORBIDDEN from touching a bow as long as I lived.

The string snapped on my first bow, the second sprung out of my hands, and my next attempt ended with an arrow being lodged between Will's toes.

I sat and observed the rest of the time, sulking. That was three major embarrassments, all before noon. I was starting to feel like a joke.

Tracy propped down next to me, ignoring Will's reprimand for abandoning practice.

"Something up, newbie?" She asked casually, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

"No", I grumbled, pulling my knees to chest, burrowing my face in my arms.

"Nuh-uh," the older camper chided as she pulled me off balance toward her. "I ain't going anywhere till you quit acting emo on me. The morning hasn't been that bad, right? I mean, at worst, you'll only be known as the bird-phobic arrow hazard newbie that smells like horse poop.

I groaned while she laughed, but inside I felt better. Her cheer was infectious. I grinned despite my effort, which she noticed and smiled wider.

"Come on, we're going to lunch soon. Then it's the arena. Luke and I can show you how to use that sword."

Lunch came and went without further complication, and soon I was standing across from Luke in the spacious arena. My arms struggled to hold my falcata up, though it still dipped slightly towards the ground.

"You'll get stronger the more you practice with it," Cabin Head reassured me, "but for now just try and mimic what I do." He showed me a few different drills with his own unique sword, the blade two different tones from blended metals.

It was very difficult, even if they were basic drills, and by the end my arms felt so sore they were almost numb. I was drenched in sweat as well, but Luke didn't even seem winded.

"That's enough for today," he called, walking towards me. "Let's get you cleaned up for lunch, huh?" Nodding breathlessly, I stumbled along to the showers for a second time that morning.

Along the way I was briefly delayed by that girl from yesterday, Annabeth. I didn't remember her last name.

"Have you seen Luke around?" She asked. "Were supposed to be meeting Chiron at the Big House soon." I shrugged, and she eyed me a bit longer than was necessary, I thought, before grunting and striding off.

"Good talk, as always," I mumbled, before resuming my mission.

Refreshed and not smelling like the orphanage upstairs bathroom(think sewer, but the water is stagnate), I made for the pavilion for lunch.

"Yo Mitch, wait up!" I looked to find Klove jogging over, his furry goat legs on full display. "Sorry for abandoning you," he said sheepishly, rubbing his head, "I got caught up in some business at the Big House."

"It's okay," I said quickly, wondering what he might've been doing. Obviously, he was with Chiron, but I was curious about what they talked about. Probably me. That thought made me feel very nervous suddenly.

"Anyways," Klove exclaimed, "let's get you suited up for the game!"

He led me by the scruff of my shirt to the armory, where I was fitted with a slightly too-small leather breastplate and some rugged arm and leg guards. Lastly, I was adorned with an oversized helmet, a brilliant blue plume decorating it.

I felt ridiculous, but Klove convinced me I was better off than without. He also cautioned I use a shield, but if I did I wouldn't be able to use my sword. I needed both hands for it still.

Soon enough, both teams were assembled before Chiron at the edge of the forest. To my right, Luke was whispering last minute strategy to Annabeth. Tracy on my left was reminding me to stick close to her. We were both assigned to flag guarding duty.

After a quick reminder of the rules, or lack thereof, the conch horn was blown and red and blue dashed off into the trees toward their respective starting places.

Once there, another horn blew to begin the game. I watched as all but five of us raced away to carry out their tasks. Myself, Tracy, a guy from Apollo and two Athena campers, a guy and girl, set up a perimeter around the Flag. It sat upon a cluster of rocks that rose from the ground, almost like a fist.

Annabeth said it was called Zeus' fist. Go figure.

The Apollo dude, Oliver, I remembered, stood ready with his bow, peering through the foliage. Travis and Valerie, the Athena campers, hefted shields along with a spear and gladius respectively. Tracy had her own twin daggers, and I struggled with my Flacata, letting it's tip rest in the dirt for now.

For awhile, everything was quiet, save for the occasional pained scream or victory cry from far off. It was only as I began to wonder if I'd see any action at all, a good half hour or so in, that the bushes closest to Oliver parted to reveal a group of charging reds, seven in total.

Taken by surprise, Oliver was too slow to stop the fist that crunched against his helm, sending him sprawling. Travis, Valerie and Tracy rushed to attack.

I stood there for several moments, panicked, watching as my teammates tried in vain to repel the larger group. During my indecision, Travis was able to shield-bash an assailant our of commission, but was caught off guard by a fierce strike to the chest.

He collapsed with a pained gasp, clutching his dented armor.

Snapping out of my daze, I yelled as I ran to help my outnumbered friends.

I swing clumsily at the closest enemy, a much bigger girl whose face would have been beautiful if she wasn't currently snarling at me. She caught my blow with her shield, unbalancing me and stabbing forward with her own sword.

I fell backwards, barely avoiding impalement, then desperately rolled to the side as she stomped where my head had just been.

"You shouldn't try and be brave, newbie. You'll just get stomped into the dirt," She snarled.

Back on my feet, I swung low with both hands, and managed to power through her hasty sword-block, swiping her leg out from under her. I pressed my advantage with a panic-fueled blow to the head with the butt of my sword.

"I'm not the one in the dirt," I taunted, my chest swelling with self pride.

She groaned, not knocked out but dazed, and I turned to see that Tracy and Valerie were somehow managing to fend off the remains three reds, having dealt with another during my own fight. Both were covered in scrapes and bruises for their efforts.

Shakily, I joined them, swinging at whoever took a step forward. Tracy shot me a wide smile, silently congratulating me on my own little victory. I smiled back, then immediately regretted my distraction as a spear jabbed at my head. Tracy pulled me to the side, blue strands from my helm falling to the ground.

Another jab, this time aimed at Tracy's shoulder was interrupted by her own quick reflexes. She grabbed the shaft, jerking it away from the owner and tossing it behind her.

"No more stabbing for you," she quipped, parrying a strike with her daggers.

"VICTORY FOR BLUE TEAM!" Erupted a chorus of voices to our right as a group of our teammates came barreling through the woods. Luke was leading the charge with the red teams flags held in triumph overhead.

The blowing of the conch signaled victory, and cheers bellowed across the forest from the blues.

Tracy and I yelled alongside everyone else, congratulating Luke and taunting the sullen faced reds.

The girl I had fought earlier caught my eye as she supported herself against a tree, dragging her finger across her throat and glaring daggers at me. I gulped.

"Looks like I made a friend," Tracy shouted in my ear. I looked at her, smiling anxiously.

"I just got lucky," I said.

"Lucky or not, you did a good job. Let's go celebrate!"

Luke led the victory march to dinner, and I felt like a hero for the rest of the night.