Welcome to Camp Half Blood.

David woke up and found Eve sleeping peacefully next to him. Due to their arrival being on short notice, David and Eve spent the night in the big house for a well-deserved rest. Pamela was sent to the infirmary and Helena accompanied her refusing to leave her side.

With the greatest care, David slid off the bed not wanting to wake Eve and once he was out tucked the covers around her. He looked and noticed a pair of orange shirts with the words Camp Half Blood on them. David put the shirt on and reached into his bag and pulled out a pair of brown track pants. as he got dressed, he heard a small noise above him, and figured it was just somebody upstairs. After getting dressed he pocketed his old sword pen and his swordstaff and exited the room.

Closing the door to the room carefully behind him David headed out of the big house to find two figures sitting on the porch. Through the mist David could see that one of them was a centaur, He had brown hair and eyes with bushy eyebrows and a scruffy beard. But David could sense and air of wisdom behind those eyes of his.

The same could not be said for his companion who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. With his chubby face, red nose, leopard spotted shirt and purple shoes, he looked like a trailer park drunk. In fact David was reminded greatly of Thomas' father. He was the one who noticed him first, "well, well sleeping beauty awakes."

David simply rolled his eyes as he leaned against a pillar. The Centaur smiled at him kindly, "Good morning young man, I trust you slept well."

David nodded, "Eve is still resting thank you for loaning us the bed."

The Centaur shook his head, "it's no trouble, after what you've been through, you deserved the reprieve." He rested a hand on David's shoulder, "I am Chiron, activities director for Camp Half Blood." He then gestured to the man sitting, "this is Mr. D. The Head Director."

Mr. D. waved him off, "yes, yes, welcome to camp Daniel yadda, yadda and all that rubbish."

The boy frowned "It's David, sir."

"Whatever," Mr. D. shrugged as he poured himself a glass of wine.

Chiron immediately bent over and whispered in his ear, "D. your condition."

Mr. D. sighed deeply and transformed the glass into a can of diet coke." After mumbling to himself he took a sip.

David cocked an eyebrow, "you know the Christians pray to a guy that does that trick in reverse."

"Yeah, Now THAT is a god" Mr. D. sighed with a small smile. "And dad wonders why everyone converted to him." Thunder could be heard though there was not a cloud in the sky. and Mr. D. rolled his eyes.

David noted the wine and the fact that thunder was heard when Mr. D said dad and of course the D. David finally figured it out."

"You're Dionysus, the God of Wine."

"Mr. D. threw his hands up into the air. "Yes, finally, thank you. For once we got somebody with a brain, besides Athena's kids."

David looked around, "I wouldn't take you to be the summer camp director type, vineyard owner seems more fitting."

Dionysus groaned, "You can thank my father for this," he waved his hands about to gesture the expansive camp. "He wanted me to 'be a better influence'."

David chuckled at this, "so basically do as I say not as I do." Thunder, louder than the last two times erupted, but once again David ignored it.

Dionysus was now getting somewhat worried, and leaned closer to David, "you may want to tread carefully Danny, Father doesn't take insults lightly."

"I'm quivering with fear," David responded bored.

Dionysus paused and stared at the boy, and David stared back. For the next five minutes the two glared at each other, neither one backing down before Chiron decided to change the subject before things got out of hand. "Now I know you probably want to get settled in but now I must ask you to take a seat, Mr. D. and I have questions for you."

David nodded "of course, I do my best to answer them." Of course David was warned by Nana to not reveal too much information as it could be dangerous for him and Eve. "Though first I must ask, how are Pamela and Helena doing."

"Pamela is still healing, but her arm will be fine with a little ambrosia, Helena stayed with her all night." Chiron replied touched by David's concern.

David nodded, "I'll come by and visit her later," he said sitting down.

"How did you come by this place?"

"We came here from Cheyenne. My mother wanted me to come here once I was old enough, but grandmother wanted me to at least finish middle school before coming here."

Chiron raised his eyebrows, "you and Eve already knew about this place."

"Only what my mother told her, she said this was a safe place for me."

"And where is your mother?"

David frowned and bowed his head, "I never knew her, grandma told me she was killed when I was one. After her death Grandma was reluctant to let me leave her side but she wanted to respect my mother's last wishes."

Chiron gave the boy a sympathetic look, for it was a tale he heard too often. "And your father?"

David shrugged, "I don't know but Grandma speaks of him often, and not fondly."

Mr. D. perked up at this, "what does she say?"

"Oh, she had many names for him 'cheating bastard' being the most common," Thunder once again rolled across the cloudless sky upon hearing this, but David paid it no mind. "So that hardly narrows it down."

Mr. D. gave a soft chuckle "sounds like my father," he murmured as he took a sip of diet coke, and Chiron rubbed his chin. "So you and Eve came all he way from Wyoming on your own?"

David shook his head, "not alone, a ranger helped us." Chiron and Mr. D. looked at each other in recognition. David looked between Chiron and Mr. D. "I take it you know him."

Chiron nodded, "Usually our Satyrs escort Half-Bloods to the camp and the Ranger does his best to make a clear path for them." Unfortunately some Half-Bloods are well hidden and we don't always find them all. Many Half-bloods found themselves escorted by the Ranger rather than a satyr." David smiled knowing that his second mentor was out there helping others like him. Chiron continued, "though from what I heard he actually had you take on the monsters that were chasing Pamela and Helena by yourself. I'd like to know how?"

David nodded and stood up figuring this was as good a time as any since they would find out eventually. He held out his right hand and electricity began dancing in his fingers. He held out his left hand and a miniature whirlwind materialized.

Chiron's eyes widened, from the moment he entered the camp, he could tell the boy was powerful. But this one was exceptionally so, barely a teenager and he already had nominal control over his abilities of lighting and air. After a moment he spoke. "David," He started slowly, "what was your mother's name?"

"Gloria," David replied, "Gloria Roosevelt."

Chiron already suspected who the boy's father was but hearing the name was all the confirmation he needed. So he simply nodded, "I see, thank you David now that's been settled I'll give you a tour of the place and then well settle you into your cabin.

David nodded and went back to his room to collect his bags. back outside Chiron led the way. As he did, David looked back to the big house and noticed movement in the attic, It must have been the noise he heard earlier.

"Chiron? Who lives up there?"

Chiron looked to where David was pointing and his face turned nervous "nobody."

David cocked an eyebrow, "nobody?"

"No," Chiron said firmly, "not a single living thing."

David quickly picked up on how that answer was worded. "So whatever is up there is undead, a ghost, a zombie, a spectre perhaps."

Chiron's expression darkened and David smirked, "Grandma always told me to listen to what isn't said and read what isn't written, it's the only way to get to the truth."

"Your grandmother seems like an interesting woman," Chiron acknowledged. "She must be clear sighted if she is aware of us."

David frowned, "clear sighted?"

"Mortals that can see through the veil we've cast on the world," Chiron clarified.

David nodded as they continued down to the camp below. As they walked Chiron decided to engage in more conversation. "I take it you and Eve are close."

David nodded, "since we were babes, her mother helps my grandmother tend the farm we lived in."

"And her father?"

David shook his head, "her mother never talks about him, says he had a history of mistreating his other children."

Chiron frowned, "does she have any abilities."

"Shadow travel," David replied, "she also seems to be able to control hellhounds."

Chiron paused and turned to him, "Hellhounds?"

David nodded, "they don't seem to attack her and she can summon a couple when the need arises."

Chiron rubbed his chin, "I see, can she fight too?"

"My grandma always wanted to make sure we could protect ourselves so she had her sons teach us. They not overly bright but they're handy in a fight. I fight well enough but Eve will only do so if she has to, but she would never seek it out."

Chiron nodded and continued to show him all of the main parts of the camp. The amphitheater where music and plays were held. The Strawberry fields which provided for most of the camps revenue. The Climbing wall which looked like it was put on steroids with it's lava and falling boulders. The medical wing where campers were recovering from injuries. Walking further David saw campers training in either the fighting arena or the archery fields. Others at the camp forge making weapons or in the arts and crafts center. Other kids were playing at the Volleyball court or swimming at the beach. The Armory which stored all the camps weapons and the Pegasus stables which housed horses as well as pegasi. David made a note of all the places to decide which ones to visit first.

Finally they got to the cabins, there were twelve in total surrounding a commons area. The common area had statues, fountains, flowerbeds and even some basketball hoops. Right in the center of the commons was a large blazing firepit. A little girl that looked to be nine was tending it. But David sensed that she was definitely not a demigod.

Each cabin had a unique style to suit one of the twelve Olympians. Five flanked the hearth on either side while two stood at the end. These two stood above the others being larger and grander than the rest. The larger one looked more like a miniature bank with it marble walls, heavy columns and big bronze doors. The smaller of the pair was build in a similar fashion with the exception of pomegranates and peacocks decorating the columns and doors.

"Let me guess, Zeus and Hera's Cabins." David commented.

Chiron nodded, "very good. Hera's is mostly honorary since she never has children and these days it's rare for the big three to have children."

David took a long look at the larger cabin and hmphed, "well, someone's overcompensating."

Chiron, cocked an eyebrow, "in what way?"

David turned to him, "poor people would call this a mansion but I don't need to look inside to see it has all the homey touches of a tomb. I'll take grandma's farmhouse any day. It was nothing to boast about, but it was home."

"Considering there is no furniture inside either of them. I guess I see your point." Chiron replied as they moved along. Considering the style and decorations of each cabin it was not hard to guess which cabin belonged to which god.

Poseidon's cabin was made of stone and decorated in corals and seashells

Demeter's cabin was covered in flowers

Ares Cabin was painted blood red, with a boars head over the door.

Athena's cabin was grey with an owl carving over the door

Apollo's cabin was solid gold and shined brightly in the sun

Artemis' cabin was all silver and decorated to animal carvings

Hephaestus' cabin looked like a factory with smokestacks and gears all over

Aphrodite's cabin reeked of perfume.

Dionysus' cabin was lined with grapevines.

As he passed the cabins, he noticed the inhabitants stopping what they were doing to look at him. Many whispered and pointed at him, most were curious. The ones from Ares cabin glared at him and some even snarled. David's fingered toyed with the pen in his pocket. The girls from Aphrodite's cabin were giggling to themselves as that looked his way. "Are all newcomers so popular?"

Chiron turned to him, "few newcomers have made such a long journey here without a satyr escort. But considering your situation it's understandable. But fewer still can say they took on a Chimera and a Hydra single handed and live." He placed a hand on David's shoulder, From what I've seen already, you have a great deal of power, but I suggest you refrain from using it. for it is a power none here can match."

David nodded, "I understand," he already had no plan on doing so anyway since he actually wanted to make friends here unlike the kids at school.

They finally stopped in front of one of the last cabins, Hermes' Cabin, two things stuck out about it. One was that it looked like it was in serious need of repair, The paint was peeling off, and some of the wood looked to be rotting. Though was likely due to the second notable thing about it. To say that this place was overcrowded could not even begin to be an understatement. This cabin had more kids in it than all the others combined. The problem was the cabin itself was the same size as the rest that weren't Zeus and Hera's and each cabin was made for roughly a dozen campers each. David was confused, he knew Hermes got around as much as his brothers but this was ridiculous.

Once Chiron opened the door everyone inside turned to and bowed respectfully to the trainer of heroes. "Everyone this is David Roosevelt."

"Minor or unclaimed," One of them asked. He looked to be a boy of nineteen with brown hair and eyes and built like a football player. On his neck was a necklace with nine different coloured beads.

"Unclaimed for now Matt," Chiron replied this received a groan from the entire cabin. "Matt will help you get settled in, Good luck David and we will see you at dinner." With that Chiron turned and galloped back to the cabin.

Matt then placed a hand on David's shoulder, "Come David, we'll find a spot for you." He held out his hand, "I'm Matthew Thawne, nice to meet you."

David shook it, "likewise Matt."

Inside, the place was a maze, there were six bunk beds and countless sleeping bags, everyone's possessions seemed to be scattered across the floor. Finally, they reached a corner which looked empty enough. David looked between Mathew and the empty corner, "Are you sure this is alright?" he asked. I don't want to take up precious space when there is none to spare."

Matthew smiled reassuringly. "It's fine, at this point we're used to it."

David turned to Chiron, "what did you mean by minor or unclaimed?"

Matt sighed, "Hermes Cabin houses the children of minor gods or those whose parents haven't claimed them yet," he explained. "Since my father protects anyone who travels the road he doesn't discriminate.

"Ohh," David looked to the sky in realization, now the overcrowding made sense. He looked around and saw it some did share traits with Matt but for the most part they all had different features. Many of them looked like the pick pocketing type causing David to finger the pocket were his pen was. "So only those descended from the Twelve get cabins."

Matt nodded, "luckily Hermes isn't picky about this sort of thing so that's why we're here."

"That doesn't seem right," David replied."

"No," Matt agreed sadly, "it isn't."

David looked around, "h-how many of you are unclaimed?" Less than half of the cabin raised their hands. "And how many of you are minors?" This number made up the greater majority of the cabins inhabitants. David's face fell, so many didn't know their divine parent and others were forced to stay in what had basically been the outcast's cabin.

David set his things down on the empty spot and made sure to pocket his valuables including his sword staff. Most of these kids may not have been his children, but David had not forgotten that Hermes was also the god of thieves.

He then headed out but before he left, he turned to the group. "Don't steal my stuff, or certain belongings are going to start to go missing." This got a few snickers from some of the campers.

"Where are you going?" Matt asked.

"I'm going to see how Pamela is doing."

"That was one of the girls that came in with you last night, right?" Matt inquired to which David nodded.

"I suspect you'll have to make room for three more campers," David said grimly. This received another groan from the cabin.

Matt sighed and nodded, "understood, let us know about Pamela's condition."

David nodded when he walked out the door. Thankfully the medical wing wasn't packed, so it wasn't hard to find a familiar blonde girl sitting over a bed. Pamela was sitting upright talking to Helena.

"Hello," David called out to her.

Pamela turned to him before replying with a shy "hi" as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "You're the one who rescues us last night?" David rubbed the back of his head and nodded sheepishly. Pamela smiled, "thank you."

"I'm just glad you made it here safely," David replied as he took a seat next to her.

David spent the next hour talking with the girls and getting to know them. Helena was apparently a prankster so she would fit right in at Hermes cabin, Pamela seemed to be more reserved and serious though. David then decided to ask about her condition, "how's your arm?"

"The pain is gone, and my arm still has scars, but the medics say that those will heal with a little more ambrosia."

David nodded, "good, hopefully we'll see you at the dinner tonight. That is if you're up for it, you don't need to strain yourself."

Pamela smiled slightly, "sure, I should be there."

David returned the smiled, "well it was nice to meet you officially, we'll see you at Cabin 11 though be warned, it is a bit crowded."

"Bye," Pamela waved with her good arm, behind David, Helena was giggling and whispering something to Pamela causing her to blush.

David returned to the cabin area to see Chiron escorting Eve to Hermes' cabin. Upon seeing him Eve rushed over and embraced him, David returned the gesture affectionately. David decided to escort her the rest of the way while Chiron rode off to the Archery Range.

After getting Eve settled in, David decided to spend the rest of the day getting to know his new cabin mates. Naturally there were at least 10 or so children of Hermes but there were also children of Hecate, Nemesis, Thanatos, Enyo and even triplet daughters of the Muse Aoide.

Eve was having a more difficult time adjusting to her new arrangements. She realized she would have to sleep near strangers, lots of strangers and in VERY close proximity to each other. She wasn't claustrophobic but the conditions of Hermes Cabin could very well make her one. Matt seemed to recognize this and set her up right next to me, a fact she was extremely grateful for.

Outside, David played basketball with the rest of his cabin mates and even roughed up a couple of Hermes kids that tried to take Eve's backpack. Helena and Pamela joined them later in the day. Before long it was time for dinner, and everyone headed for the dining pavilion. David and Eve filed in last in their cabin just ahead of Pamela and Helena due to being older than the two girls.

The Dining 'hall' was a pavilion overlooking the sea, it had twelve picnic tables encircling a bronze brazier with a blazing fire. Though considering Cabin Eleven's situation they should have more. Even if they occupied all the tables there still wasn't enough.

"Why aren't there more tables?" He asked Matt. "There's not enough room for everyone, especially us."

"Like the cabins, this is how it is unfortunately." Matt replied.

David shook his head, "First the cabins now this? If they're going to build a camp the least, they could do is make sure it can accommodate all its inhabitants comfortably."

Matt nodded, "many of us want to make change but certain people are determined to 'keep the status quo' as it were."

David frowned, whatever reason these 'certain people' had for doing this. There was no possible excuse for this.

Hermes table was already full, so David opted to take a spot on the floor next to the table, allowing Pamela and Helena to have a place to sit. Matt offered his own seat, but David waved his hand insisting that it was fine. Chiron, Dionysus and a group of satyrs were seated at a head table and other satyrs, naiads and dryads came around with food and empty glasses.

Chiron raised his glass, "to the gods."

"To the gods," Everyone chanted raising their own glasses. David as well though he more murmured it. Once everyone got their own share of food, they stood up and headed for the brazier. One by one everyone, took the best part of their meal and tossed it in the fire, saying the name of a certain god as they did. David went up to the fire thinking of who he should pay tribute for. "Zeus," he said tossing in a fatty piece of steak, he began to turn before a thought occurred to him another god, one that certainly deserved a tribute. He took the orange from his plate and said her name, "Hestia." Eve, Pamela and Helena heard this and followed my example, taking a portion of their meals and offering it to Hestia. When this happened, the brazier burned brighter than it did for the others causing the other campers to look at us curiously.

After offering his tribute David made his way back to Hermes Table. As he passed, he overheard the comments said about him.

"That's the one that took on two monsters my himself,"

"I wonder who his parent is."

"His eyes are strange."

"But they are kinda cute."

"I bet you could iron a shirt on that stomach."

David did his best to hide his blush as he took his seat on the floor, Eve sat down next to him and the two began to eat their faces overlooking the sea and the sky. Once everyone was finished eating, Dionysus stood up looking as bored as ever. "Well hello to you and all that. Before I sent you off, we have four new campers in out midst. Daniel Russel, Ellen stiletto, Patricia Clive, and Holly Drake."

Chiron whispered something in Dionysus ears and the god of wine corrected himself. "David Roosevelt, Eve Stellaris, Pamela Clementine and Helene Delgado." As he said their names the four children stood on and gave nods of acknowledgement.

Suddenly bright lights appeared above the heads of Pamela and Helena A cornucopia appeared above Pamela's head while a golden apple appeared above Helena. Upon seeing this all the campers bowed and Chiron spoke up. "ALL HAIL PAMELA CLEMENTINE, DAUGHTER OF DEMETER. ALL HAIL HELENA DELGADO, DAUGHTER OF ERIS.