[Lysandros Evermore, Camp Half-Blood]
The days quickly passed, and today, finally all the campers had reunited to welcome Artemis and the hunters. It was already starting to become dark, as the sun was setting, and the moon was rising up into the sky. A fitting time for the goddess of the moon to arrive, huh?
Things were getting colder by the day, as we were already some time into winter, but there hadn't been any sightings on snow as of yet. Even with a special body constitution, it still bothered me, having to wear that stupid toga in such a weather. I look around just to find Thalia cowering in the cold. I reach out and cast a simple spell to keep her warm.
She was really stunning in a black greek toga, ravishing even. She sent a grateful look towards me, and I decided to offer a helping hand to the others as well, since such a spell was very much inconsequential for the current me. And so I did, earning approving glances from those around. Really, Chiron went a bit too far with all this formal reception thingy.
We were waiting nearby one of the forests, as Artemis likes to travel through nature, or so I heard, so they are coming by foot. Is it weird? Yes. But if it works for them, who am I to even say anything about that? To each their own.
The minutes passed, and just as people were starting to feel bored, there was some movement ahead. The sound of something walking through the folliage, so, it's either the hunters, ir some really big creature.
The rustling got closer, and we soon could see some lithe shadows coming our way. As they got nearer, we could finally make out their details, reflected on the moonlight and on the torches we used to iluminate the way. My jaw could not help but drop at what I saw.
Beautiful girls who seemed to be of varying ages, ranging from 12 years old, all the way to 16-18 years old. Wearing silver clothing, a symbol of their allegiance to Artemis, and donning a silver cloak over their shoulders. The rugged clothes, perfect for moving in the wild, gave them a defying air, that paired with the holy and ethereal aura surrounding them, created a charm unique to these girls.
Looking around, I notice the vast majority of the campers have been charmed by them, and I honestly can't even blame them for that. Heck! Even I have almost started describing them like those OG brainless cultivation novels! Junior, do you dare!?!
The few exceptions were some like Luke, whom, while amazed at first, quickly regained his bearings, and some whom I could only assume were gay, but I have nothing against them. Thinking about it, maybe Luke could also fit the bill, with how much he loved having uncle Cronus inside him...
Jokes aside, I could see one of them taking the front of the group. Olive skin, dark black hair, green eyes, a solemn look on her face, with a silver tiara adorning her head. I assume she could only be Zöe Nightshade, the right-hand woman of artemis. After leaving the confines of the forest, she kneeled on one knee, causing the girls lagging behind her to do the same.
I was puzzled by the reason they were doing it, but my doubts were cleared the very next moment, as I felt the faint moonlight materialize before the kneeling girls, it condensed and formed the figure of a petite 12 years old girl, with auburn hair, piercing silver eyes, that glowed with the light of the moon, having a pale complexion, with her signature silver bow attached to her back, beside a silver quilt with equally silver arrows.
She emitted a majestic and divine air, that made others avert their gazes from her. Seeing her, Chiron kneeled over, prompting all of us to do the same, and shouted out loud - "We greet Lady Artemis! The eternal maiden!"
And we repeated after him, this time, even teh hunters joined in - ""We greet Lady Artemis! The eternal maiden!""
I might have been mistaken, but I caught a hint of resignation on her little face, as if she was troubled by all this over the top treatment, but that was only for a moment, so she either hid it very well, or it was just my misconception.
"You may rise..." - She ordered in a small but pleasant tone, and we all complied. I take a peek at her face, and notice she was also looking at me, but just for a moment, before looking elsewhere.
She seemed to be waiting for something from Chiron. Who, taking the clue started guiding everyone towards the big campfire he had started, so we would all have dinner while basking in it's warmth. From what I've heard, the bug campfire had the blessings from Hestia, giving it a feeling of nostalgia, as if revisiting the place we call home. As always, Hestia is bestia!
We make our usual sacrifice to the gods, and then we take our seats, with me going over towards Zeus' table, to sit with Thalia, and we started dinning, hearing the music some satyrs were playing. Today I went with one of my favorites! Fried chicken! All hail Colonel Sanders!
Seeing my usual pick, Thalia rolled her eyes as she took a huge bite out of her cheeseburguer. Like she is one to talk! I eat my chicken piece by piece, while taking dipps on the many sauces I had prepared while helping in the kitchen.
What? I liked cooking, and I could also train my magic powers while doing so, so why not? Let's give those poor magic creatures a break already! There were garlic sauce, ranch, chipotle, ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and a couple of others!
Thalia even sneaks some of them over into her burger. She particularly liked my homemade ketchup, some of it even got into her face, sheesh, she sometimes makes such a huge mess.
I scrapped some that got into her cheeks off with my index finger, before putting it into my mouth - "Delicious!" - I said teasing her. Earning an annoyed glare, that failed to mask the almost umperceptible blush on her face.
"Really, why do you act like this when eating? The food won't run away!" - She humphed at me and continued eating just like before. Fine! Suit yourself! I couldn't resist rolling my eyes at her antics.
I look around, and manage to notice someone looking at me, I search for whomever it was, but fail to find anything, as the gaze stopped. I feel it was coming roughly from the table where Artemis and her hunters were dinning at, but I could be wrong.
We soon finished eating our main courses and dived into the desserts. My pick was a white chocolate ice cream, with some caramelized nuts mixed into it. It tasted divine, trust me. Thalia wanted to try some tiramisu. She said she had never tried it before, but she had heard some girls talking about how good it tasted. And now she seemed really absorbed into it. Maybe I should make some for her later?
Some time later, everybody was talking with their table mates, and things were getting lively. In light of this, Chiron stood up, and started calling people to dance by the campfire. The satyrs even started playing some more lively music. I look at Thalia, whom had also finished eating, and ask.
"Could you grace me with this dance, milady?" - I ask, offering my hand to her
"Oh, my! It would be a pleasure!" - She said, following along my antics.
She took my hand, and I guide her towards the others who were dancing. I even managed to spot Lee and Trika awkwardly dancing together. Haaaa... the beauty of youth. I place my left hand circling around her waist, while holding her hand with my right hand.
We dance and have fun with the others. This time she did not step onto my feet even once, as I had taken some time to teach her how to dance.
The dancing slowly comes to a halt. I look around and notice some small commotion near the place where the hunters were staying. It seems some courageous camper had tried to ask a hunter out to dance, but it did not end up well. Poor guy.
As I returned to the table with Thalia, I heard someone calling out to me.
"Lysandros Evermore?" - it was a familiar voice. I turn around and there was Artemis standing behind me.
"We need to talk!" - She said, before turning and going off, as if expecting me to follow her.
* * *
Author's Notes:
Hi guys! Thank again for all the support! I hope you have enjoyed the chapter!
On a side note, all the power stones are gone! I would like to thank you all for we made it into #149 on the weekly charts! Let's try and do better this week!
Peace out!