𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒¹

𝑀𝑖𝑠 𝐴𝑚𝑖𝑔𝑜𝑠

‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

ASTORIA WADED THROUGH THE water inevitably drenched from the lake. The others did the same, taking in the new seasonal sight of Camp Half-Blood at the same time. The sight of light snow coating the valleys, mountains, and shores and its distinctions eventually led to a plethora of questions sparked by Nico, who could not help but be curious about proof of science-defying phenomenas before him.

"Whoa," Nico said as he climbed off the bus. "Is that the climbing wall?"

"Yeah," Percy replied slightly dissmissively. He was too perplexed at seeing Camp Half-Blood so... white.

"Why is there lava pouring down it?"

Astoria laughed. If she were like Nico, unaware of Camp Half-Blood or any sort of mythicalities, and stepped foot here for the first time, would she have questioned the same things? It's fresh, that's for sure.

"Little extra challenge. Come on. I'll introduce you to Chiron. Zoë, have you met-"

"I know Chiron," Zoë said stiffly. "Tell him we will be in Cabin Eight. Hunters, follow me."

The girls perked up, possibly relieved to stray away from any male trace, and readily grabbed all their belongings.

"I'll show you the way," Grover offered a llittle too earnestly.

"We know the way."

"They're so cool," Astoria muttered in awe.

"More like stuck up," Percy scoffed as he watched his best friend guide the Hunters away.

"Whatever you say, Kelp Head."

"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called out. Astoria forgot he was even here. Which is weird... considering how the god was shining so brightly. He winked at Percy, but immediately narrowed his eyes after some sort of thought process. "Watch out for those prophecies, Percy. I'll see you soon."

"What do you mean?"

Apollo didn't answer and hopped into his ride. "Later, Thalia," he grinned. "And, uh, be good!" Everyone closed their eyes as the sun chariot zipped away like a rocket, only ten-no, a hundred times faster and hotter.

"Do you know what he meant?" Percy asked Astoria.

She blinked her eyes open, watching her sponser.. er, dad, drive away. "I used to not know, but now I think I do."

"Which is...?"

"Not telling."

"What?!"

Nico, who looked upset, stomped his foot. Astoria blinked once. Then twice. Why was he upset again? She racked her brain, trying to remember. Ah.

"Who's Chiron?" the boy asked. "I don't have his figurine."

"Our activities director," Percy explained. "He's... well, you see."

"If those Hunter girls don't like him," Nico grumbled, "that's good enough for me. Let's go."

Astoria sighed fondly at his childishness.

She, Percy, Thalia, and Nico trailed to the Big House. Astoria led them proudly to a decorated red and yellow wooden building that she obviously had a hand in decorating. There were fireballs that shone brightly against small fairylight that draped from the overhang. The colors faintly reminded her of the other book series she read, Harry Potter. Man, that was a good read, too. The smell of hot chocolate coaxed her back to reality, where Mr. D and Chiron were playing pinochle uncharacteristically quiet inside.