ATLOP: Lessons in Water

I Get a New Cabinmate

And he's arrived at camp <3

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OO OO OO OO

Returning to camp was more different than I expected it to be, especially since I had been here just a few months ago.

Oh, sure the overall place was the same. The cabins still shone, the Big House was still there with his big porch, the strawberry fields still had a fragrant scent. The buildings around the Camp were the same and the fire pit still burned.

But there were differences.

People were tenser.

They weren't playing volleyball in the sandpit, they were checking weapons. More campers could be seen in the arena, archery field, and drifting into the forest than normal. The tool shed was overflowing, and the forge's flames were visible despite the distance.

The forest itself was looking sickly too, the meadow grasses a pale yellow, and even though the strawberry fields were blooming, they seemed... thinner than usual.

The camp seemed ready for war.

We made our way to the Big House slowly, taking in the camp as we walked.

I recognized several campers, nodding to Katie as she hurried past, and looking away from Connor and Travis as they shot me scowls.

No one stopped to talk, everyone had something to do this time. Some had messages, some were carrying dulled swords, and some seemed to be patrolling.

It felt like a military school, and I would know. I'd been kicked out of one or two.

Tyson didn't seem to notice anything wrong though. He kept pointing at things and asking what they were.

"What's that?" he gasped, pointing.

"The stables for the pegasi," I said. "They're winged horses."

"Wow... what's that?"

"The general bathrooms."

"What's that?"

"The cabins for the campers. We're put in the cabin of our Olympian parent, or if it's unknown, in the Hermes cabin—the brown one—until they know who it is."

Tyson was fascinated by that, "You have a cabin?"

"Yep, number three." I pointed to the low grey building.

Tyson stared at it in awe.

"You live with friends in the cabin?"

"Not last summer—" I paused, remembering my conversation with my dad "—but I should be doing that this summer. Leilani was given permission to stay in the Poseidon cabin because her mom is a sea goddess."

"Ooh."

I answered several more questions from Tyson on the way to the Big House, only stopping when we reached the porch.

Annabeth led the way through the house, moving with the confidence of someone who had taken the route many times before.

As we walked up to an open door I could hear Khiron's favorite 1960s lounge music playing.

Annabeth hurried in, us right behind her, to find Khiron packing his saddlebags.

Tyson froze when he saw Khiron.

"Pony!" he cried in awe.

Khiron turned, his brow furrowed in offense.

"I beg your pardon?"