Chapter 10

The duo walked in to see a big commotion as kids ranging from the age of ten to eighteen were eating, laughing, and having fun. Most of the kids didn't seem to notice them. But some heads turned their way with curiosity. Two of those heads were Annabeth chase, head of the Athena cabin, and Luke Castellan, head of the Hermes cabin at the time. Chiron and Dionysus also turned their heads to the new guests.

Ace scanned the area, looking at the faces of all the campers. Some of the face made him smile while some made him grimace. He stared at the head of the Athena cabin, anger evident on his face.

He almost let his anger take control as he was about to walk towards her. But sensing his mood, Talitha put a hand on his shoulder and motioned towards the head table.

Ace pulled his eyes off of Annabeth and looked at his companion to see her give him a slight shake of the head, indicating that he should not make a scene.

He nodded in return and looked towards the head table, where Chiron and Dionysus were still observing them.

"Here goes nothing." He sighed and advanced towards them as Talitah silently followed.

"Hello, I'm Ace and this is my friend Talitha. Are you the one they call Chiron?" Ace asked going to stand beside the table.

Chiron, who was sitting in a wheelchair, glanced at Dionysus before he answered. "Yes I am. How can I help you?"

"Well, we're demi-gods and, heard that this is the only safe place for us, so we decided to stop by. Are we welcome to stay?" Ace said hesitantly.

He was uncomfortable with lying to his old teacher. Plus, Ace always felt that he had those old eyes that worked better than a lie detector.

"Of course. Any child of the gods is welcome here. But how did you hear about this place young one?" Chiron asked curiously, studying the newcomer.

"My mother told me about this place. Before her sudden passing, she told me that I should make my way to Camp Half-Blood. And that I would be safe there." Ace said almost choking on his lie.

Deep sadness overwhelmed him at the remembrance of his late mother. But he knew this lie would stop them from asking further questions regarding his mortal heritage. That's why he had chosen it in the first place.

Sensing his discomfort, Talitha slipped her hand within his, giving it a light squeeze of reassurance.

He squeezed her back as a quick thank you and continued to hold on to her hand.

"I am sorry to hear that." Chiron said, also sensing the sadness from the boy. "You and your friend are welcome to stay for as long as you like. Would like to join us for breakfast?"

Ace and Talitha declined the food but accepted the seats.

While this was going on, the heads that turned in curiosity were observing quietly. They watched as the two kids conversed with Chiron. Luke turned his head from the kids to look at Annabeth to only find her looking at him.

"New campers probably." She mouthed the silent words.

Luke nodded his head and went back to his breakfast. He knew he would be called after breakfast to show them around, so he told one of his brothers to take the cabin and head for their first activity of the day.

"Do you or your friend know who your godly parent is Ace?" Chiron asked after the kids had taken a seat and received Dionysus' version of a welcoming.

"No, why?" He asked as if he didn't know.

"Well since we don't know who your godly parents are, we'll place you in cabin eleven, the Hermes cabin, until you are claimed of course." Chiron explained.

"Why the Hermes cabin? Isn't that for the Hermes kids? And what if we don't get claimed, won't we be stuck in there?" Talitha asked, finally deciding to speak.

Even though she knew this and the reason behind it, the decided to play her role and be a little ignorant. A newcomer isn't supposed to know everything after all.

Chiron turned to look at her, slight sadness clear on his face. He opened and closed his mouth multiple times, but he didn't know what to say.

Dionysus saw the pause on his old friend so he decided to speak.

"Because Hermes takes in all the guests. He is the god of travelers after all. And if you get claimed, which I know won't happen for a while, you will be moved to your respected cabins. But until then you will enjoy cabin eleven." Dionysus said absent mindedly.

Ace and Talitha turned to glare at the chubby god in front of them, while Chiron cleared his throat at his response.

"I wouldn't say it that way Mr. D. The gods are very busy, so they often forget things." Chiron tried to reassure the half-bloods.

"Yea, they are busy making more kids that they won't complain." Ace grumbled as he turned to look at Chiron.

"Watch your tongue boy." Dionysus said catching on the insult. He said the word 'boy' like it was the worst curse in the world.

"Well look at that. The truth hurts doesn't it?" Ace pressed smirking at Mr. D.

Chiron tried to speak before something happened to the recent camper. He could tell the poor boy was treading on thin ice.

But before he could say anything, Mr. D spoke with glowing purple eyes.

"Don't test me. I can incinerate you in an instant." Mr. D said with a continued glare towards Ace.

"Maybe, but you won't do it, because if you do, then the amount of time you rot here will only increase." Ace said as a matter of fact, a triumphant smile on his face.

Mr. D was taken aback by his response, as well as Chiron.

"How do you know about that Ace?" Chiron asked narrowing his eyes at the demigod in front of him.

"Oh please. I am not stupid enough to walk into something that I haven't researched."

"That's enough Ace. Stop provoking him, he is the director here and we are his campers." Talitha said looking bored. She didn't care what happened to the pig Dionysus, she just didn't want to start anything yet, considering the fact that they just got here.

"Listen to your friend. You may have done your research, but this is the real world. And they might be different from the way you expect. Now get out of here, breakfast is finished." He announced angrily as he stood up and walked towards the big house, directly south of the Mess hall.

"If you say so." Ace yelled after him, as if wanting to add oil to the fire.

"Ace, listen to Talitha. He may not be able to do anything to you, but he is a god after all and he deserves respect." Chiron explained

"No, people who show me respect deserve my respect." Ace replied.

"Drop it Ace. Now Chiron, can you show us the members of cabin eleven so we can go introduce ourselves?" Talitha asserted.

"Of course my dear. Luke would you come here please." Chiron said ushering over a boy with blonde hair.