"You want us to what now?" Calypso questioned incredulously.
"Spar. It's okay, no one's going to get seriously injured. It's a tradition! First day of camp, we spar." Annabeth explained.
"You mean like wrestling?"
"Yeah except with martial arts. We only use open hand maneuvers and nothing that will seriously injure your opponent, so nothing above the chest, okay?"
"Um…" and Calypso was thrown into a ring. It wasn't really a ring because there were several of them, each with a sparring pair locked inside. They had all gotten into gym clothes which, for her, consisted of shorts and a tank-top. She noticed, much to her mortification, that Percy was in the area next to her and for some reason he'd decided he didn't need a shirt. Holy Hera, Calypso's face burned a cherry red, Does he have no shame?
Calypso tore her gaze across the ring at her partner, Hazel Levesque. Calypso didn't know if she could fight her since Hazel always seemed so…little, but staring at her now was like she was a completely different person. Her golden eyes turned predatory, her shy smile now daring as she stalked closer to Calypso. She'd never had any martial arts training, but she took a self-defense class for a while to help with her father's... mood swings. None of what she learned seemed to make a difference though, so she quickly dropped the class. Maybe she could try and remember some of that.
Hazel started bouncing on the balls of her feet as she advanced towards Calypso. Calypso brought her hands to her face in a boxing stance.
"I'll try and go easy on you." Hazel assured her, "You know, until you get the hang of it."
Calypso just gulped and waited for the other girl to move. Unfortunately, she still wasn't ready. Hazel was fast. Like..too fast. Before she knew what was happening, Hazel had knocked her legs out from under her, sending Calypso crashing to the floor.
Hazel rushed forward to lock her body over Calypso's but, for once in her life, Calypso had the weight advantage. She used the momentum from Hazel's lurch forward to push their bodies over so she was on top.
And then she froze.
She didn't know what to do after this. Her classes never prepared her for having the advantage. The split second of indecision was all Hazel needed. She slammed her body against Calypso's and pinned her to the mat. And it was over.
Hazel reached to help Calypso up, the shy smile back on her face, "You did really well. Especially for your first time."
Calypso only nodded numbly. She didn't know why, but the little sparring match had unnerved her. She tried not to let it show so she turned her back and acted like she was fixing her braid. She saw Percy finish his match against Jason. Using a move Calypso couldn't even begin to describe, Percy slammed his hand into the back of Jason's knees and pushed his body to the ground. Two seconds later came the soft beats on the mat signifying defeat. She stared in awe as they laughed and "bro-hugged" each other. This was normal. This was fun. This was...not her.
As she turned back around to face the bleachers she locked eyes with one Leo Valdez, already changed back into his regular clothes and tinkering with something in his lap. He smiled at her and she could only nod her head glumly. She didn't know why, they were hardly friends, but she walked up to him and took the seat next to his.
"Not your cup of tea?" He mumbled, eyes still focused on the metallic contraption he was fiddling with.
She didn't respond. She didn't know how to. Because it wasn't the game itself or the people playing it. The deep unsettlement started when she froze and only grew tenfold when she was slammed to the floor. It came from her inability to act, which always led to her pain. But this was Leo. She couldn't tell him that. So instead she just shrugged and sighed, "I guess not."
Nico sat in the bleachers and watched as everyone fought. There was a mix of different techniques such as karate, boxing, krav maga. He watched as Hazel easily pinned Calypso and shook his head. Poor girl.
"Look out into the sea of sweaty, fighting teenagers and smile, Nico." Lou said, beside him.
"There is something oddly pleasing about watching teenagers get pummeled by their friends." He responded. His eyes trailed off to wear a certain sea-eyed teen stood shirtless and triumphant over his opponent. He watched as the sweat from the nape of his neck trickled slowly down the constricting muscles of his back. Nico's heart pounded in his ears, almost drowning out the words his companion spoke.
"You should do it."
"What?!" He was sure his cheeks were flushed and he looked to her wildly. Surely she couldn't have known…
"Go fight!" She squinted at the surprising way relief crashed through his body before looking to where his eyes had been moments ago. A devious smirk played on her lips, "Come on, Nikki! Let's go fight! I bet we could beat them."
"No way! I refuse." Nico shook his head vehemently.
"You'll be fighting against the Greeks! They're nothing but smelly, sweaty, old boys! You can use swords. You took fencing. It'll be a breeze!" She said, dragging him out of his seat. He casted a helpless glance at Miranda who smiled apologetically.
"Are you coming, Mira?" Lou asked over her shoulder.
"Um I'm not really in the mood for wrestling." Came the shy response.
Lou cocked her head to the side and Nico could see the devilish glint in her eyes. She scampered away from him and pressed her body against Miranda, "Oh Mira dearest, I would never let you roll around on the ground getting hot and heavy with anyone other than me."
Surprisingly, even though her face was cherry red, the usually outspoken brunette winked, "Well, I mean...in that case how could I say no?"
They locked eyes for an intense moment before Nico cleared his throat, his eyes on anything other than Miranda. He didn't think he'd ever be able to look at the girl the same way. Lou was a bad influence.
"Oh don't be such a sourpuss." Lou rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm again.
"I hate you so much." Nico whispered as he was shoved into a random ring.
Lou just smiled and said, "No, you don't. Try not to die!" And then she turned on her heel and seductively stalked back to her girlfriend.
Nico grunted and turned to face his opponent who turned out to be none other than Baby Grace. He was shocked, again, to see how different he looked from Thalia. Thalia was all contrasting shades of pale freckled skin, the only color being her electric blue eyes. Jason, on the other hand, had bright tan skin and blonde hair. He couldn't take the kid seriously after spending so much time with the Original.
Jason looked up and noticed Nico for the first time since he'd been in the arena. His blonde eyebrows raised in slight astonishment before he smiled and grabbed his sword. He was still sweaty from his fight with Percy, but he had to get one win under his belt or he'd be laughed at for sure.
Nico sighed and picked his weapon up before falling into a battle stance. He hadn't changed into gym clothes so he was still wearing his skull t-shirt and skinny jeans which was fine with him. He felt more comfortable fighting with clothes on. Jason, obviously, didn't share his feelings, Nico thought as he watched the other boy lumber towards him. Nico noticed a single bead of sweat trail down Jason's tanned chest. It didn't bother him the way Percy's had but it was distracting all the same.
Jason rotated his sword in his hand and slipped into a fighting stance. Nico took a deep breath to clear his mind before circling the arena. They stayed like that for a while, circling each other, waiting for someone to make a move.
Jason lunged forward and Nico sidestepped him, lightly tapping the back of Jason's head with the butt of his sword.
Jason pulled back and began circling again. Nico glided across the floor, his dark eyes trained on Jason's blue ones. He watched his body tense as the blonde rushed forward again. This time Nico let their blades connect. It was as if the fight was happening in slow motion. Jason's sword came down in a wide arch, Nico blocked and forced Jason's sword down. Nico thrusted down and Jason parried the attack.
Nico noticed people watching them, which made him uneasy. He decided to end the fight.
He brought his sword in and made like he was going to jab. As Jason went to block, Nico pulled his attack. Jason's arm was outstretched and defenseless. He didn't know why, of all moves, he chose this one. Maybe since the boy had been running through his mind all day. Whatever the case, it seemed right. Nico slid and pressed the tip of his blade to Jason's hilt and twisted downwards.
Jason's sword dropped to the ground wish a clang.
They sat in silence for a moment before a booming voice screamed, "Hey! That's my move!"
Nico looked up to see the sweaty faces of several people staring at him. Percy was standing atop the bleachers and...pouting.
Nico had indeed used a move that Percy favored. Percy had taught it to him a few summers ago and claimed it was a secret. Nico watched as Annabeth, beside Percy, rolled her eyes and told him to sit down.
A loud wolf whistle pierced the air. Nico turned to see Lou, Miranda pinned under her, smirking at him. It didn't last long before Miranda slammed her into the ground and pecked her chastely on the lips.
Nico let a begrudging smile cross his lips as a blush spread across his cheeks. Jason smiled and clapped him on the shoulder as they left the arena, "Hey, man, you're really good. Didn't even break a sweat."
Nico's blush deepened at the compliment. He didn't know how to respond so he just shrugged. Jason laughed openly, "Well, I'd really like it if we could do this again." He leaned in and whispered, "And maybe you can show me that trick you pulled. I'd love to see Percy's face if I whipped that out."
To everyone's surprise, Nico laughed, "Sure, I guess." And with that, he made his way out of the Amphitheater.