AMARANTHINE-ɪ, pjo/hp

AURORA GETS CLAIMED (...ITS QUITE THE TWIST)

That night Aurora and Annabeth sat together at the campfire. Usually, campers sat at the campfire with their siblings, but everyone turned a blind eye towards the two seven-year-olds who seemed to enjoy each other's company. Kayla was sitting with Lizzie Davids and an unclaimed boy named Ethan Nakamura. The Apollo Cabin was leading the sing-along. On a wheelchair sat a middle-aged man with thinning brown hair, bushy eyebrows and intense brown eyes. Aurora couldn't help but stare at the man. He smiled as he looked around at everyone, looking happy to be there and laughing softly when someone screamed something funny. However, under those compassionate eyes, she could see the fear and the sadness as though he could already see himself at the funerals of the children he was laughing with. Even though he sat in a wheelchair, Aurora had a feeling he was more than what met the eye. As she continued to gaze at him, he noticed her staring. 

The moment Chiron saw Aurora, he almost gasped, his eyes widening. He could see the resemblance between Aurora and someone he knew a long time ago. He had heard of the two new newcomers but couldn't meet them personally. It seemed as though Aurora had been staring at him for quite some time. She blushed scarlet when she saw him look back at her and quickly averted her eyes. Chiron however couldn't stop looking at the girl, as he thought of her mother, a woman he had known a long time ago since she was a girl. Chiron had no doubt as to who the child's godly parent was, the dreams he had been getting for the past few days, finally making sense.

Aurora was embarrassed at being caught staring and didn't dare look at him again. She gazed around the campfire again, occasionally asking Annabeth questions about the kids as Annabeth knew most of them. Suddenly Lizzie began to chant Kayla's name. Aurora's eyes flitted to Kayla who blushed under the attention as slowly everyone began to chant her name. A blond boy handed Kayla an instrument, a ukulele. Kayla looked at the ukulele, a nostalgic expression appearing in her eyes as she took it. The chant changed to "Play, Play," as Kayla continued to gaze the ukulele. She seemed to come out of her trance when Lizzie carefully poked her shoulder.

Kayla stood up and gave a winning smile. She held the ukulele and began to play. As Kayla played, Aurora was shocked to say the least. Kayla's fingers ran across the instrument, and she played it easily as though she had been doing it for years. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to have blocked all external sounds. The music seemed to flow out naturally and was heavenly. All the campers fell silent one by one as she played the ukulele. Aurora wondered if she was imagining the golden aura around Kayla and the ukulele. After a few minutes she realized she wasn't imagining it. There really was a golden light surrounding Kayla. As Kayla played, it glowed brighter. The fire flickered oddly, a mysterious shade of blue as though it too was curious and entranced. No one uttered a word and watched with bated breath. The moment Kayla strummed the ukulele for the last time, the golden glow faded away completely. Kayla opened her eyes and something glowed above her head. Everyone gasped and the cabin who sat under the Apollo banner cheered with glee. The man on the wheelchair slowly shifted as though he wanted to get up. Aurora wasn't sure what happened but now instead of a man on a wheelchair, the man had the rear of a horse. "All hail Kayla Knowles, Daughter of Apollo, god of the sun, music and healing." Everyone bowed, Aurora joining. Kayla was staring at the golden lyre above her head, as it slowly faded away, awe on her face. 

As the lyre faded, the children of Apollo (which Aurora noticed were quite a few) surrounded Kayla clapping her back and offering her high fives. Aurora smiled happy for her friend. However, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as she realized that Kayla would no longer be with her in the Hermes Cabin. Annabeth tapped Aurora's shoulder lightly. Aurora smiled at her friend. She was feeling tired and sleepy all of a sudden. "I'm tired. I think I'm going back to my cabin," she said to Annabeth. Annabeth tilted her head, a little confused but nodded, nevertheless. As Aurora turned to leave, she felt a weird light around her, and she heard gasps from behind. Her shirt tore slightly from behind and something seemed to grow from her back. She gasped and turned around. Everyone was staring at her, eyes wide, and she could suddenly sense an overflow of mixed emotions from the crowd, nothing like she had ever sensed from before. She stumbled slightly but didn't fall. She gazed above her head to see a red bow and arrow glowing. It wasn't the color of blood but something inside Aurora told her that it was a much more dangerous color. She glanced behind, very confused and almost close to tears and almost screamed when she saw a pair of fluffy pure white wings, which were large and beautiful sprouting from her back.

Chiron gazed at the child; his thoughts confirmed. He had no doubt as to who the father of Aurora was, but he had hoped he would be proved wrong. However, it seemed as though the Fates wanted to play a dangerous game and the young, confused seven-year-old in front of him was their wild card, a child whose decisions could affect the entire war which was to come. A child whose mere existence was considered against the Ancient Laws. A child who was the daughter of one of the most feared deities; a god who the mighty Zeus would not dare to cross. The child was protected by her father, but Chiron was afraid as to who would protect them if the child went down the wrong path. As he looked at the red bow and arrow above her head, he bowed his head, as he recalled the wars, he had seen caused by the arrows shot from the quiver of the father of the girl. He raised his head and looked at Aurora saying the words he never thought he would have to say. "All hail Aurora Black, daughter of Eros, god of love, lust and desire. Granddaughter of the Goddess Aphrodite." As soon as he finished the sentence, Aurora turned and ran away, the large wings trailing on the ground. The red glow had faded and for once the fire of the campfire had completely doused out. Annabeth and the newly claimed daughter of Apollo both yelled her name, but Isabelle Prewett calmed them down and went after the girl herself. "Campfire's over. Everyone back to their Cabins. No one out after curfew or you'll will have an unfortunate meeting with the harpies," Chiron ordered. No one protested, the recent events fresh on their minds as they walked back towards their cabins in groups, mumbling and whispering.

Up on Olympus a god sat with his mother and wife in his quarters. Aphrodite raised her eyebrows, elegantly. "Did you have to make it so.... extravagant?" Eros looked annoyed. "I didn't know she would be scared. It was supposed to make her happy," he muttered back. Psyche rolled her eyes. "She's seven, Eros. You need to do something," his wife deadpanned. When she had found out about Eros's affair, she was understandably angry with him. But by no accounts would she take out her anger on her husband's mortal lover or child. After all she was the goddess of the human soul. She was mortal once and was one of the most compassionate goddesses. She had seen Aurora grow up and held a lot of adoration towards the child even though she was her husband's daughter. And seeing her in this state and understanding the pain, the child was going through she had to guide her husband into doing something smart. "Like what?" Eros asked. "Visit her tonight in her dreams. I would accompany you, but that would just make her more confused. And please, love. Remember she's a seven-year-old girl. Show her that you care. This might be your only chance. Zeus won't be happy about it, but you need to do it," Psyche told him. Eros looked at her for a while and sighed. Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "I hate to admit it but my daughter in law is right. You can't keep hiding forever. For Mother Rhea's sake, I was the one who took her to the orphanage just because this was happening 'too fast' for you. She's your only demigod daughter, Eros. You'll only get this chance one." Eros looked at his mother, surprise evident across his face. "That's... surprisingly wise for you, Mother." Aphrodite rolled her eyebrows and threw a mirror at him which he caught easily, with his fast reflexes. He looked at the piercing gazes of his mother and wife and nodded, resigned. "FINE. I'll visit her tonight."

(a/n: HA! I bet y'all didn't see that coming. I originally did plan for Aurora to be Aphrodite's daughter but then I changed my mind as I wanted to give you dear readers a good plot twist and thus Rory is Eros's daughter. And as for Rory's other parent, you'll will meet them soon but not so soon. Also, I had a question for you'll: Would you'll like a face claim for these characters? Please comment down if you do!!)