Throughout her long stay in New York (30 minutes at the most) Saiph had grown increasingly curious about the letter her father had sent.
"Papa, since we're back home can you tell me what C wants now? I've been trying to figure it out but I can't think of any reason camp would need me right now." A memory surfaced while Saiph was trying not the make her limited knowledge obvious. "Could it be a quest?" She asked hopefully, Saiph had a feeling she had never been on one of those before. Always watching from the sidelines.
"Yes, I do not know the details though. Chiron asked if you could I.M him as soon as you got back but I wanted to give you some time to settle in first. I'll go grab a Drachma now so you can talk." Chiron, quest, I.M., Drachma, Camp, Percy Jackson… Wait, Percy Jackson!? Saiph's thoughts swirled making her a little dizzy. There was no way. It wasn't possible, she was already in the Harry Potter universe she couldn't be in both. Unless she could. It would make sense, provide a reasonable explanation for the things she had seen.
Saiph felt stupid. This whole time the universe had been giving her hints that she hadn't picked up. She thought back to the girls in the water, the way dementors and other magical creatures were either friendly or left her alone. It all made sense now, the girls were water nymphs and her mother created the magical world, so why would the creatures attack her?
Regulus walked back into the room, a large golden coin and spray bottle in hand. Saiph almost laughed at the ridiculousness of the image. "I have the items you need. Call me back when you are done talking so we can arrange transport. I'm proud of you little star." With that, he left once more after succeeding to put a smile on Saiph's lips.
In the light of the setting sun, Saiph got to work using the spray bottle her father had brought in to make a rainbow. "O' Iris, Goddess of the rainbow. Please accept my offering and show me Chiron at Camp Half-Blood." Saiph chanted throwing the Drachma into the rainbow. This was the moment of truth if this worked her suspicions would be confirmed.
The rainbow rippled for an instant before an image appeared. A middle-aged man sat at a table on what looked to be the balcony of an old American-style house. He was wearing a tweed jacket and bowtie (an outfit that reminded Saiph of the 11th doctor) and from the waist down he was a white stallion. He was sitting with another man, Mr. D, Saiph recognised, or Dionysus the God of Wine. Said god was the first to notice Saiph. Silently he alerted Chiron to her presence.
"Good evening Saiph. I hope you have been well this school year." The centaur greeted, placing his playing cards on the table. Behind him Saiph could see children of all sizes in orange shirts walking toward a cluster of cabins, no doubt getting ready for dinner.
"Yes I have been well, thank you for asking. My father told me I had a quest?" Saiph questioned.
"Straight to the point I see. Anxious for our first quest are we?" Mr D sent a wicked smile before picking up a wine magazine that had been sitting on the table.
Saiph wasn't quite sure how to respond to that question. Luckily Chiron answered, saving her from needing to think up a reply. "Not to worry dear, the quest is simple. One of our Satyrs has found two demigods in a military school in Main that he suspects are powerful. Problem is they are very closed off and attached to each other. Your job would be to befriend them and help bring them back to camp. This should be a quick quest, ending much before Christmas. Do you accept?"
Saiph nodded, the quest sounded simple (except for the fact that she would actually have to socialise). It would be a good way to test out her skills in the real world. An opportunity she had never been granted before. "I accept," Saiph agreed confidently. What could go wrong?
"Wonderful, Be at Westover Hall on the 10th at around 8 am. Our Satyr will fill you in on more detail when you get there. Remember, if the situation is not as it seems you can call for backup." Saiph could hear the dinner bell ring through camp and noticed the sun was almost completely below the horizon. Chiron stood from his wheelchair, "Good luck my dear we shall see each other again soon." With that, he waved his hand through the mist cutting the connection.
The next day Saiph found herself standing in front of a gloomy-looking building. Westover Hall looked like a castle where an evil knight would live; all black stone, with towers and slit windows. A big set of wooden doors on the edge of a rocky, snowy unwelcoming cliff overlooking a big frosty forest at one side and a grey churning ocean on the other.
The atmosphere was ominous, making the hair on the back of Saiph's neck stand up. The young girl shivered and turned to her father. "I'll see you soon. Chiron said the quest should a couple of days. I'll be back before Christmas. Promise." Saiph smiled softly at her father before pulling him into a tight hug. "Au revoir, Papa."
"Au revoir petite étoile. Good luck." Regulus sent her a firm nod then turned and apparated out of site. Saiph now left alone faced the looming castle-like building once more and opened the door. The interior was decorated with antique war paraphernalia; battle flags, old rifles, and medieval weapons. Fitting for a military school but ultimately unnerving nonetheless. The school's appearance was none too different from Hogwarts if Saiph really thought about it but it lacked the same warm ambience the wizarding school had.
The sound of footsteps drew Saiph's attention from the war merch on the walls. The Satyr resident had already been alerted to her arrival it seemed. Either that or a teacher had come to check out the disturbance.
According to the Schedule she had received, breakfast should be just about finished by now. All students would be required to wake up at six am to get ready. Breakfast starts at seven until eight then morning classes would start at eight-thirty. If you missed breakfast lunch wasn't until one pm so you would have to starve until then.
To Saiph's relief, this sort of schedule was the norm for her. Yet another similarity between Hogwarts and Westover Hall except at Hogwarts the house elves could be convinced to bring you a quick snack between classes. Saiph always made it a point to thank them profusely when she used their services like this.
The footsteps from down the hall had now stopped right next to the green-eyed girl. It appeared she had gotten lost in her thoughts again. Hyperfixating on the similarities between the two castle-esk schools.
The person next to her tapped Saiph's shoulder gaining her attention anew. The man next to her was tall with shaggy brown hair and expressive brown eyes. He had wisps of a beard coming in on his chin and cheeks placing him at around 2-3 years older than Saiph. Appearance wise at least. Satyrs were known to age slower than demigods and mortals and this Satyr, Grover Underwood was no different.
Despite never having an on-screen adaptation (Don't you dare even mention the movies) Saiph recognised the Satyr immediately. She guessed she could thank her oddly selective memory for that. "Grover my man I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been? Good, I'm guessing. Did you finally make a move on that dryad you've been eyeing? She seems really sweet you two would be good together." The conversation came naturally to Saiph as if it had been rehearsed a hundred times.
"Yeah I've been good and I'll tell you about Juniper later. Now's not really a good time. Class is about to start and I still have to show you your dorm and get you a uniform." While he said this Grover led her down the hall and past the noisy cafeteria towards some stairs where she guessed the dorm rooms were. It would be weird getting used to living in a boarding school that wasn't magical even if only for a few days.
"Okay well, you don't have to worry about the uniform. Chiron sent me one yesterday as you can see." Saiph said gesturing to her outfit. "So just let me drop off my stuff and then you can show me to my first class."
"That's great. We've managed to dorm you with one of the kids we're keeping an eye on to make it easier. You'll also be in all of her classes including French which I know you'll like. Strangely the French teacher is also the Biology teacher which is kinda weird but I guess they're short-staffed or something." Grover nervously fidgeted with his fingers while saying the last thing, acting more jittery than normal.
"Hey, are you okay? You seem a bit anxious." Saiph tried to comfort holding his shoulder in an attempted act of support. They had reached her dorms by now and Saiph quickly chucked her suitcase inside before shutting the door.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He hesitated for a second then continued "I've just been getting a strong monster smell recently but I can't pinpoint where it's coming from. I suspect it's one of the teachers but I can't be sure. Whatever it is it smells strong." Saiph could tell he was doubting his abilities and took to action.
"Whatever it is I'm sure we can deal with it. This may be my first quest but I've trained for years. Plus Chiron said we could send for backup if something didn't look right." Grover looked more at ease with this making Saiph smile proudly. She had actually succeeded in comforting someone for once. Saiph 1 social awkwardness 0.
In all honesty, why Chiron had sent Saiph of all people on a mission like this was a total mystery to her. She was horrible with people, especially new ones.
First period was biology. The teacher was introducing the class to prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells when Saiph walked in late. He spoke with a bad French accent (this must've been the French/biology teacher Grover talked about) while pointing to the chalkboard showing diagrams of cells.
Saiph stood in the doorway awkwardly not knowing whether to knock or not. She was finally noticed after a student caught the teacher's attention and pointed her way. Immediately the whole class turned their heads to face her causing Saiph to give a shy wave.
"You must be the new student, Saiph Black was it?" His words blended together when he spoke. After receiving a nod of confirmation from Saiph he addressed the class. "Settle down. We 'ave a new student. She just transferred from a school in England. Introduce yourself to the class Saiph." Though his words were welcoming Saiph just knew he was one of those teachers who absolutely hated kids.
"Hello, my name is Saiph Black it is wonderful to meet you all." Saiph cringed at the English accent she had put on but had to keep up appearances as an English transfer.
Though her father was English and she went to a school in England
"Very nice, I am Dr Thorn. You will address me as such." Dr Thorn said disinterestedly all hints of kindness instantly disappearing. "You will sit next to Bianca. Bianca raise your hand." From the back of the room, a girl with a floppy green cap covering most of her face raised her hand. Saiph made her way to the back and sat down feeling drawn to the girl. From under the cap, Saiph could see Bianca's olive green skin, silky dark hair, and dark eyes. She would have to ask about the haircare products she used later.
Classes had dragged on for what seemed like years every one being shared with Bianca and yet they had not talked once. It was lunchtime and Saiph was determined to befriend the quiet girl.
In the cafeteria Saiph quite literally ran into Grover, spilling a bit of strawberry milk on herself in the process. "Oh hi, Grover how were the 4th graders." Grover looked too old to fake being a 12-year-old like Saiph had done and instead volunteered to help out with the younger years where the other demigod would be.
"It's been good but I still can't get Nico to talk to me. He's the younger one. Have you met Bianca yet?" Grover asked almost desperately.
"Yes actually, we sat together in biology she is very quiet though. I was planning to sit with her at lunch. Would you like to join?" Saiph asked. Grover nodded and they were on their way to the corner of the cafeteria where the siblings sat. The siblings were alone at the table. One rattling off about a card game and one pretending not to listen.
"Hey, we met in biology. Mind if we sit?" Saiph didn't wait for an answer before placing down her things and taking a seat. Bianca looked miffed at worst but Saiph could tell she was secretly enjoying the company. That is until her eyes caught Grover's lanky frame and immediately she scowled.
"Hi, I'm Saiph, if you weren't paying attention in biology or every class after. You're Bianca and who's this?" Saiph asked gesturing to the ten-year-old boy sitting next to Bianca.
Bianca looked reluctant to reply then said, "This is my brother Nico. Nico, say hi." Nico, who had previously been sorting out his Mythomagic cards glanced up at Saiph before doing a double take.
"Hi! I'm Nico. Do you like mythomagic? What's your favourite god? Do you wanna play with me? You're really pretty. I like your eyes they look like cat eyes (Saiph blushed at the compliment) I haven't seen you before –" Nico rambled, only stopping once he was nudged by his sister as she gave him a look. 'Be polite' it said.
Saiph laughed good-naturedly at the smiling boy. She really liked children (surprisingly) and this one was so cute too. Nico had the same olive skin and dark hair as his sister. There were subtle differences though in the way his eyes twinkled in the light with childish naivety. The way he was always smiling.
Saiph felt like she had been kicked in the chest when their eyes met. It felt wrong how the fate of such a happy boy was so dark.
"Hello Nico, I'm Saiph. As for my favourite god, it would probably have to be Hecate or maybe Nyx. If you explained the rules to me I'd be happy to play with you. I've always loved Greek mythology myself. How about after school? In the dormitories. I've yet to meet my roommate but I'm sure she would be okay with it." Saiph glanced at Bianca who was watching the conversation subtly but intently. Even though it didn't seem like it. Bianca really cared about her little brother, It was in moments like this where Saiph wished she had siblings. "If your sister approves of course." Saiph sent a small nod Bianca's way.
"Can I? Can I? Can I?" Nico begged his sister.
"I guess it's okay. If you tell me what room number you're in I can probably tell you who your dormmate is?" Bianca said. The second part of the statement was directed towards Saiph making her glimpse at Grover for help. She wasn't exactly paying attention this morning.
Thankfully Grover got the hint and answered "Room 1320." Bianca glared at him but said nothing, turning back to Saiph as a small smile graced her lips. Saiph noticed all the subtle (not so subtle) glares at Grover and the fact that Grover wasn't saying much and decided to ask about it later.
"You're in luck. That's my dorm. Nico practically lives there anyway. Did you know that the younger boys have to sleep in 8-person dorms? And they're all mean to him so I hope you don't mind his company. We can have him over straight after classes if that's okay." Saiph smiled and nodded, enjoying the new openness Bianca had.
It seemed the way into Bianca's Heart was through her brother and the way into his heart was Greek mythology. Both of which Saiph was equipped to deal with. This quest would be rewarding in not just experience but also friendship.
"Well see you then, roomie," Saiph said just as the bell went for fourth-period French.