Just watched The Lorax with my friends, and we are now officially all Team the Lorax's moustache!
I tried hard for the rest of the day, I really did. I didn't steal anything, prank anyone, I didn't scream or drop my sword, I didn't shoot anyone with arrows, or set the unicorns on a blood-thirsty rampage (trust me, it's happened), I even came to evening muster on time. And with no armor malfunctions either!
I'm fairly sure that this uncharacteristic behavior confirmed in every ones' minds that I was indeed the culprit. But they have no proof muahahahaha…anyway, back to evening muster.
Things were not looking good; a vindictive smirk spread over Reyna's face. Now, don't get me wrong, Reyna is a good leader, she undoubtedly saved our skins in the Titan war (not that I'd know much about that, I was left unconscious in the first attack wave). She could be vindictive though, a lesson I had been forced to learn the hard way.
"Demigods" she said, her face a mixture of sorrow and cool professionalism "I think it's time to organize another search for our praetor. He is alive." She spat, addressing this statement to Octavian.
"Marcus Anderson, you shall lead the quest." Oh, that's good I mused as Reyna paused, Marcus had wanted to lead his own quest for years, and he could probably steal me a new iphone "choose a team to take with you, but take Cartwright, I'm sick of her." she finished with an air of finality.
Okay, not good, not good. The last time I left camp I ended up being mugged by fauns, chased by a hydra and arrested for fraud. Yeah, long story, maybe I'll tell you later, or maybe I could tell you about the time I beat a child of Fortuna at cards through the ingenious use of a spork, glow-in-the-dark silly string, and a chocolate taco.
But back to the quest; Fortuna must really hate me to have cursed me with such bad luck. Come to think of it, that may have something to do with the spork… Hmm, note to self, do not diss a demigod in their own field. Not that I have much opportunity anyway, not since August confiscated my do-it-yourself cheat kit.
I soon woke up from my intellectual reverie, however, when I marched smack dab into someone else's armored back. Wow, soldier's life must really be getting to me I had been marching without even realizing it. From now on I'll have to try to be a bit more non-conforming and rebellious!
Rubbing my still-sensitive nose, I skipped off towards Marcus who was making absolutely no attempt to break up the cat fight that was quickly developing between August and Julius (sometimes they were just so immature)
"I'm going." Shrieked August
"No me!" yelled Julius, purposefully splattering his sister's face with flecks of saliva.
With an enraged shriek August launched herself at him, claws at the ready (but don't tell her I wrote that).
"Five denarii on Julius." Said Marcus happily.
"You're on bro, August has got the eyes of the tiger today. Do you think we should tell them that they can both go?" I asked, smiling.
"Nah, let 'em fight it out." He said, applauding as Julius clamped August into a very un-brotherly headlock.
"Aww, come on August." I groaned loudly in an attempt to create a diversion as I pick-pocketed the denarii from Marcus' pocket. What? You honestly thought I was going to pay with my own money? Yeah, that's not going to happen.
"Fine, fine, I submit." grumbled August, trying to piece together the remains of her dignity as she leapt to her feet. I groaned theatrically and handed Marcus his winnings (which technically were already his)
"You do realize that four can go?" said Marcus, grinning.
"Three is a lucky number though." Julius pointed out, much to his twin's irritation.
"It's just a routine search party, nothing major." replied Marcus "Four'll be fine. Why don't you go pack, I'll go to Reyna for details, and we'll leave in the morning. Seven o'clock sharp."
"What? No, not so early! Let's leave at the crack of ten, no exceptions." I suggested, hopefully.
"Helen, if you can drag your lazy ass out of bed in the middle of the night to liaise with some horse, you can wake up at the proper time. Oh, and Helen, I know you stole my money." Gods damn it that boy is getting good.
Okay, time to check the good ol' canvas bag. Converse? Check. Scented markers? Check. Lock pick? Check. Water gun? Check. Cereal box ring? Check (hey, gotta have that bling) Exploding deodorant? Check. Poisonous lotion? Check. Pixie stix, just in case I get a little too sober? Check, check and check!
Clothes? Damn it! Knew I forgot something…okay, now I'm ready.
Man, I am physicked! I'm gonna make this quest my bitch! Right after my nap…
Well, not that good and not that long. But at least something is going to happen next chapter. Review in the meantime?