𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜 ➵ 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧¹

: ̗̀➛𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 lily the red-nosed reindeer

 not edited

┌── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┐

Even though there was still snow falling in Camp Half-Blood's borders, there was a warm feeling that spread all over Devi's body when she arrived at camp. It was like her home away from home. She's been here every summer ever since she was ten, and now for winter break.

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

"Yeah," Devi said. "One day you might be able to climb to the top of it."

"Why is there lava pouring down it?"

"Little extra challenge. Come on. I'll introduce you to Chiron." Percy fell in step with the two and clapped a hand on Nico's shoulder. "Zoe, have you met—"

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

"I'll show you the way," Grover offered.

"We know the way."  

"Oh, really, it's no trouble. It's easy to get lost here if you don't"— he tripped over a canoe and came up still talking—"lie my old daddy goat used to say! Come on!"

Zoe rolled her eyes, but she figured there was no getting rid of Grover. The Hunters shouldered their packs and their bows and headed off toward the cabins. As Bianca di Angelo was leaving, she leaned over a whispered in her brother's ear. She looked at him for an answer, but Nico just scowled and turned away. Devi saw the interaction and placed her hand on Nico's other shoulder to assure him that she was there for him. He looked up at her and gave her a grateful smile.

"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called after the Hunters. He winked at Percy. "Watch out for those prophecies, Percy. I'll see you soon."

"What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, he turned to Devi and gave her a blinding grin. "Bye-bye my little Lightbulb. Don't go poking around." 

"Bye, Dad." Devi waved half-heartedly since he used the nickname.

He hopped back on the bus. "Later, Thalia," he called. "And, uh, be good!"

He gave her a wicked smile as if he knew something she didn't. then he closed the doors and revved the engine. The group turned aside as the sun chariot took off in a blast of heat. A red sports car soared over the woods, glowing bright and climbing higher until it disappeared in a ray of sunlight. The car left the lake steaming.

Nico still looked grumpy, probably because of what his sister told him, but he only smiled at Devi.

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

"Our activities director," Percy said. "He's..."

"You'll see when we get there." Devi finished for him.

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

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

The camp looked so empty today. There were only the year-rounders staying—the ones that didn't have a home to go to or would get attacked by monsters too much if they left. Devi was one of the kids who only stayed and trained every summer. She always assumed that there were a lot of year-rounders, but she only saw a few people at camp.