Chapter 2: Fitting In
''There are people who are generic. They make generic responses and they expect generic answers. They live inside a box and they think people who don't fit into their box are weird. But I'll tell you what, generic people are the weird people. They are like genetically-manipulated plants growing inside a laboratory, like indistinguishable faces, like droids. Like ignorance."
― C. JoyBell C.
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''Who is this? ,'' Zoe Nightshade asked, raising a slender eyebrow at Lady Artemis as she looked down at Alexandria with a distantly distasteful look.
''Zoe, this is Alexandria, Poseidon's daughter and my new charge,'' Artemis introduced, glancing down at the eight-year-old girl holding onto her hand, her other arm still wrapped tightly around her white Pegasus plushy. ''Alexandria, this is Zoe Nightshade, my Lieutenant.''
At her side, Alexandria gazed up at Zoe with curious sea-green orbs. Ever since she could read, which was at age four, Alexandria had read every possible thing she could about Greek mythology as well as any other type of mythology, even the Egyptian. She had memorized texts about Perseus, Jason, Hercules, and others. However, she had never heard about a Zoe Nightshade. There was no mention of her in any of the stories. This was puzzling for Alexandria. Then there was the older girl's appearance to think about.
She was taller than Alexandria, about 5'6 in height. Her skin was olive colored like Alexandria's and her hair was as black as night, the same shade of the eight-year old girl's. It was long, she could tell, though it was pulled into a tight braid, falling down her shoulders to her mid-back. A glowing silver circlet rested on the crown of her head, providing proof of her being Lady Artemis' Lieutenant. Her eyes were a dark black, stern and cold as they rested on Alexandria. For appearances sake, she looked like she could be Alexandria's older sister. She seemed distant and hardened, as if she had hardened her heart from the world and built walls of Stygian iron around it to protect herself.
Cocking her head, Alexandria decided that she approved of the older girl. She ignored the distaste she could see in the older girl's gaze and studied the emotions she could feel coming off of her. Anxiousness, a feeling of discomfort, unease, and reluctant curiosity flowed off the older girl. So she was worried about something, she was uncomfortable around Alexandria, and she was curious about her, even if she tried hard not to be. That was what Alexandria read from her emotions and deductive reasoning. Alexandria held no dislike for the older girl for feeling that way. It was natural to be uncomfortable around children. Some people bonded immediately while some people didn't. Deciding that she didn't care, Alexandria let go of Artemis' hand and stepped up to the older girl.
''Hi, I'm Alex,'' she beamed up at the older girl, thrusting out her free hand in a friendly way. Behind her, Artemis blinked twice, mild surprise showing on her face. Poseidon had informed her before of the eight-year-old girl's shyness around strangers. However, she seemed to immediately warm up to her Lieutenant, Zoe. Perhaps she could sense something about the older girl like Artemis did when she had offered Zoe a position as a Huntress years ago.
''Zoe,'' Zoe blinked, seeming surprised by the warmth of the younger girl standing in front of her. Reaching out slowly, she shook the girl's hand gently and was even more surprised when Alexandria's beam brightened and widened at her action. Tilting her head, Zoe studied the younger girl.
Outwardly, she appeared to be like the normal, mortal children of her age. However, that was false and misleading. There was a kindness in her sea-green eyes that took Zoe completely by surprise. There was something about her that Zoe had never seen in anyone else. It was like an aura that drew you in, no matter how hard you fought to stay away. There was a sense of acceptance, kindness, and comfort, as if no matter who or what you were, she would accept, comfort, and be kind to all. The offer was extended to everyone and everything, no matter what or who it was. Even now, Zoe felt it and resisted, her eyes hardening and turning to cold chips of onyx as she strengthened the walls surrounding her heart. She had sworn that she would not let anyone get close to her ever again after Hercules' treachery. This young girl was no different.
''Why is this child here, My Lady? ,'' she asked coldly, casting another distasteful glance at Alexandria before shifting her attention to the goddess, ignoring the brief frown that Alexandria had at her words. Alexandria felt a moment of brief hurt at the older girl's dismissal before thinking it over and understanding. The daughter of Poseidon could understand emotions better than anything else.
Zoe didn't want to get close to her. It was probably because of some betrayal that had been committed against her. She didn't want to let anyone in again because she didn't want to get hurt again. Alexandria didn't blame the older girl. She understood her reasons and accepted them for what they were. However, she would not just give up and let Zoe be alone and distant. No, she would befriend her in the very least. It would take a lot of work but Alexandria was determined.
''Poseidon asked me to take care of her until it is safe for her and her brother to be reunited,'' Artemis explained, glancing down at Alexandria. Her face softened as she gave the eight-year-old a motherly smile, running a gentle and hesitant hand through the short raven black locks. To her surprise, Alexandria leaned into her hand, smiling up at her warmly. Her lips twitched into a warmer smile, pleased at the eight-year-old girl's reaction.
''She has a brother? ,'' Zoe asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically as she looked down at Alexandria, who merely smiled back up at her.
''Yes, they are twins,'' Artemis answered with a nod. ''Zoe, please show Alexandria around the cabins and ranges. She will need to be fully introduced tonight at dinner.''
''Yes, My Lady,'' Zoe bowed her head before turning on her heel and marching off, throwing her words back over her shoulder at Alexandria. ''Try to keep up, brat.''
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''What if they don't like me? ,'' Alexandria asked, biting her lip nervously as she watched Artemis through the mirror in front of her. After Zoe had disinterestedly shown her around the cabins and ranges, Artemis had returned to collect her and pulled her into the main cabin, Artemis' personal chamber. Artemis had allowed her to bathe, giving her a cotton nightgown to wear before settling her down in front of the vanity, where she could watch as the goddess chose her outfit for the night. The dinner was to be held shortly, in about fifteen minutes. This dinner was important. This would be the night Alexandria would be introduced to the rest of the Huntresses.
''They will,'' Artemis laughed softly, continuing to brush through Alexandria's short, chin length hair gently. ''Trust me, Alexandria, they will love you.'' Snapping her fingers, she smiled in satisfaction, nodding to the mirror for Alexandria to look. Turning, Alexandria's eyes widened as she studied her reflection in the mirror, surprised. Her skin seemed to glow with its own healthy light and her eyes were bright, sparkling sea-green orbs. She wore a simple Greek-styled dress with no sleeves but straps tied together at the shoulders with beautiful glimmering silver metal clamps as well as a matching silver thick cloth wrapped around her waist as a belt. The dress itself was a very light cream color, which highlighted her bright eyes all the more, and ended at her mid-calf, a few inches below the knee.
Her hair was straight and fell down to her chin in waves, framing her face sweetly. A silver circlet rested on the crown of her head, decorated with pale moonstones and sea-green stones. Alexandria hardly dared to believe the pretty little girl in the mirror was her own reflection. Before, she had never tried to do anything with her appearance, always wearing jeans, old converses, and a few of Percy's baggy shirts. She had never cared much. However, for the first time in her life, Alexandria actually felt pretty or adequate at least.
''Wow,'' she breathed, awed, as she leaned forward, studying her reflection more closely. ''I can't believe this is actually me.''
''Well it is. It's always been there and this isn't even your full potential, little one. You haven't finished growing up yet,'' Artemis smiled a motherly smile, tucking a lock of hair behind one of her ears. Alexandria eyed her ears for a moment, confused. Her ears had been rounded like a monkey's before but now they were gracefully pointed, like an elf's. It must have been an effect of being put under Lady Artemis' charge, she decided after a moment of thought. She didn't mind it. Actually, she liked the way it gave her face a sort of elvish quality.
''That's good then,'' Alexandria smiled up at the older woman, moving to stand. ''Oh I almost forgot! I have the outfit but what am I going to wear for shoes?'' She frowned briefly, glancing down at her bare feet.
''There, now you're all finished,'' Artemis smiled after snapping her fingers again, satisfied. Blinking, Alexandria looked down to see her tiny feet clad in silver sandals that stretched upwards to wrap around her legs up to a few inches below the bottom of her dress, the shimmering silver color standing out against her olive tanned skin.
''Thank you, Lady Artemis,'' Alexandria smiled up at the older woman as she took her hand, following after Artemis as she led her out of the room and towards the dining hall. Chewing on her lip nervously, Alexandria glanced around absently as they walked towards the building that dinner would be held inside.
''You're welcome, Alexandria,'' Artemis smiled warmly down at the nervous eight-year-old. ''Calm yourself, little one. They will love you. There is no reason to worry.'' Biting her lip harder, Alexandria nodded at the older woman's encouragement, feeling a tiny bit better but not much. They arrived at the large building and Artemis pushed the double doors open with one hand, leading Alexandria in behind her with the other. Immediately, all of the women and girls sitting at the single table silenced their conversations, watching the two walk down the aisle towards the front. Ducking her head, Alexandria stared down at the floor as she followed Artemis.
As soon as they were at the front, Artemis gently moved Alexandria so she stood in front of the older woman, Artemis' hands gripping her shoulders gently. ''Everyone, this is our new charge. She is Poseidon's daughter, a demigod. No, she will not be a full Huntress. She will not take the Oath unless she chooses to do so when she's older and of age. However, she will be traveling with us and she does count as one of our own. Her name is Alexandria but her Huntress name has not been picked as of yet. Does anyone have any suggestions currently?''
One girl, who seemed about twelve or thirteen, raised her hand hesitantly, biting her lip timidly. ''I have a few suggestions, My Lady. What about the name Daria or maybe Cordula?''
''Those are good suggestions, Jade,'' Artemis answered slowly, her face holding a thoughtful look at the suggested names. ''The Persian word for 'sea' as well as the Welsh word for 'sea jewel'. Perhaps they could fit her. What do you think, Alexandria?'' She waited for her answer but the eight-year-old merely shrugged silently, remaining quiet.
''Alright, you may sit with anyone you wish. I have business to attend to but one of my Hunters will lead you to your cabin after dinner. Goodnight, Alexandria.'' With those words, as well as a comforting squeeze on her shoulders, Artemis left the dining hall, leaving Alexandria standing there alone, still quiet. Biting her lip, Alexandria slowly moved from her place to stand in front of the Hunters table, looking at one of the older girls with hopeful eyes.
''Do you mind if I sit here? ,'' she asked nicely, hopeful.
''Of course we do,'' the older girl scoffed, looking down her nose at Alexandria, as if she were dirt under her shoe. ''Go back to your father. It's just us Hunters here.'' She provided emphasis on Hunters and Alexandria ducked her head, her cheeks warming in shame as she murmured a quick apology for disturbing them, quickly escaping to sit at another empty table, a fair distance away from the rest of the Hunters. She ate dinner alone silently before leaving the dining hall, heading to her own cabin without anyone showing her the way.
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The next morning, Alexandria found herself in the archery range by Zoe's insistence. She was dressed in training armor that Artemis had laid out in her cabin the night before after dinner. It was a simple set of dark brown leather training armor, nothing particularly special about it. Inside the archery range, Alexandria bit her lip as she stayed a fair distance away from the other Hunters, avoiding any taunts that would have been aimed at her. She didn't want to approach them after dinner the night before.
It was quiet and peaceful as the Huntress' kept practicing and Alexandria watched, studying all of their postures and memorizing them. It was simple to see who practiced more than the others and those who didn't. The girl that had suggested 'Daria' and 'Cordula' was there, seated a little away from everyone else but still close enough to shoot on her own. Since she hadn't had the chance to actually study the girl, Alexandria leaned back against the bench she was sitting on and started studying her.
She was older than Alexandria, seeming about twelve or thirteen. It was difficult to tell how old the Hunters were really since they were immortal after taking the Oath. She was tall, standing only half an inch shorter than Zoe. Her skin was as pale as the moon and glowed with the same otherworldly glow that all of the Hunters took on after taking the Oath. Her eyes were large and doll-like, a unique bright blue color that reminded Alexandria of the sky when it was sunny and happy in the summer months. She was an excellent archer, judging by the count of how many times she hit the bulls-eye of the targets. It wasn't just that though. Alexandria could clearly see how much she practiced by the way she held herself, a sort of rare confidence that showed she was confident in her abilities.
''Hey, Freak! ,'' a voice screeched across the field and Alexandria's attention shifted from the older girl she was studying to the owner of the voice, groaning mentally as she realized who it was. It was the older Huntress that had rejected her hope of sitting with them the night before at dinner. Alexandria made a quick examination, making her own deductions.
The girl was fairly tall, standing at 5'7 in height. Her hair was long, brushing around her waist in golden curls. Her eyes were a bright blue color, seeming colder as she sneered at Alexandria. Alexandria's sea green eyes narrowed as she met the girl's gaze evenly. There was nothing for her to be afraid of. She wasn't the least bit scared of this older girl. Her mother had always told her that there was fear was only in the mind. Bravery was not all of the times you were not afraid of something terrifying. No, bravery was when you felt completely terrified and pushed past that fear to knock your fear flat on its butt.
''Yes? ,'' she called back politely, keeping her voice friendly.
''Get over here and let us see what you've got,'' the older girl sneered, gesturing towards the archery targets. ''Lady Artemis must have chosen you for something.''
Narrowing her eyes, Alexandria's hand tightened, her fingers curling into her palm as she stood, moving over to the group of Hunters. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Zoe studying the group with mild interest, making no move to interfere.
''Go on, choose your weapon,'' the older girl laughed mockingly, gripping her thin shoulders and pushing her forward, hard. Alexandria ducked her head as she stumbled forward, her head lifting back up as she studied the weapons hanging on the two racks. One rack was filled with different types of bows and quivers filled with arrows. The other rack held knives and daggers of different sizes and different shapes. Slowly, Alexandria moved forward towards the bow rack, her hand gently running over each bow before landing on one old, rough long bow. She gripped it and lifted it off the rack, taking a quiver of arrows and slinging them over her shoulder as she turned back to the Hunters.
''Alright, now go on, shoot,'' the girl dared her, smirking. Another of her friends pushed Alexandria from behind and she stumbled over to one of the ranges, staring at the target about eight feet away from her.
Taking a deep breath, Alexandria drew her long bow, ignoring the deep breaths of the Hunters behind her. She ignored the amused, mocking snickers, the disparaging whispers, and the skeptical glances at her back. Ignoring the feelings coming from the large group of Hunters behind her, Alexandria slowly blowing out that deep breath as she studied the target eight feet away. Her hand moved to her quiver and she notched the arrow to the old, worn string. She lifted the bow and straightened her arms, adjusting her feet to spread slightly. It was just enough distance that she wouldn't be thrown back from the force of the shot when she did shoot. Alexandria's sea green irises narrowed to slits of concentration as she aimed at the tiny red dot on the target eight feet away. The crowd behind her seemed to melt into the background and left just her as she breathed in deeply, smelling the crisp scent of apples as it passed by on the gentle wind.
The wind passed and she released the arrow, watching as it raced through the air before landing on the very outside of the target, on the last ring. It barely stuck, hanging and wobbling in the wind. Alexandria sighed, lowering her bow and ducking her head as laughter broke out amongst the large group of Hunters behind her. Her darkly tanned cheeks burned with shame as she stared at the ground below her, tears started to fill her sea green orbs. Just as she did so, the bell rang, signaling that it was dinner time for the Hunters.
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Alexandria stayed in her place, unmoving, as she heard all of the Hunters leave the archery range, chattering away. Her head stayed low as she sighed again, this time quieter. Maybe the older girl was right. Maybe she just didn't have it in her to be a Huntress.
''Hey,'' a voice called, sounding worried.
Alexandria's head shot up at the unexpected voice as she turned to face the owner. She blinked rapidly, the tears leaving as she realized it was the girl that had suggested 'Cordula' and 'Daria' for her Hunter name at dinner the night before.
''I'm Rachel,'' she introduced, holding out a pale hand to Alexandria, who blinked before slowly shaking it. ''I'm sorry for them. They're just not used to having anyone younger around.''
''Alex,'' Alexandria murmured back, nodding. ''Its fine. It doesn't bother me, to be honest.''
''Ah, sure it doesn't,'' Rachel agreed, nodding along as she sent the eight-year-old a warm smile. ''Now, do you want to walk to the Dining Hall with me? Or do you want to do something else?''
''I…,'' Alexandria paused, hesitating as she thought it over. Her sea green irises swept over the empty archery range before hardening in determination. ''Actually, I do want to practice. Would you…'' she hesitated, hoping that the older girl wouldn't turn her down because she really needed the help. ''Would you teach me?''
''I would love to,'' Rachel answered honestly, turning to glance at both the racks of weapons. ''What weapon would you like to learn first?''
''Bow first, then knives, then sword, please,'' Alexandria answered politely, smiling up at the older girl.
''Alright, let's do this,'' Rachel grinned down at her, clapping her hands together. ''Now, on your position for the bow, you had it right basically but a few things needed to be changed because you chose a long bow, which has a different style and stance.''
Alexandria nodded, listening with a concentrated frown as she gave the older thirteen-year-old her full attention, making mental notes that she could check over later. This was valuable information. Perhaps Rachel could become as close to her as Percy was. Actually, she dismissed that thought. No one could ever be as close to her as her twin brother was but Rachel could be her older sister, along with Zoe. Perhaps she could extend her small family. That thought made Alexandria grin the rest of the night as Rachel instructed her on wielding the long bow.
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There was a solid thud as the arrow hit the target and Alexandria's sea green orbs widened from eight feet away as she lowered her bow, stunned and pleased. The arrow had hit exactly in the very center of the target, in the center of the red bulls eye.
''I did it! ,'' she squealed in delight, grinning widely as she spun to face her laughing teacher. Launching herself forward to wrap her arms around the older girl's waist, Alexandria laughed as Rachel's pale arms wrapped around her as well, pulling her closer as they spun around the archery range, both laughing in victory. After three weeks of hard work, Alexandria had finally grown comfortable enough to shoot the red bull's eye of the eight feet away archery target. There was plenty more to work on but they wanted to enjoy this first victory.