eclipse [j.grace 1]

xxix. i'll be eighty-seven; you'll be eighty-nine

The late afternoon sun was beginning to cast long shadows over Camp Jupiter as Eira wandered through the camp, her mind preoccupied with the recent changes and the lingering weight of the battle. 

The arrival of Nico di Angelo and Hazel Levesque had stirred the camp, and Eira's curiosity was piqued. As she moved through the camp, she saw Hazel being shown around by one of the camp's centurions, her demeanour calm but noticeably guarded.

Eira made her way to the area where Nico was standing with Reyna and Jason. Nico, with his dark, intense eyes and quiet presence, stood apart from the usual camp hustle. Despite the solemnity of the occasion, Eira felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity as she approached him.

"Hey," Eira greeted, trying to shake off her nerves. "I'm Eira. I don't think we've had a chance to properly meet yet."

Nico turned to face her, his gaze softening slightly. "Nico di Angelo. We have met briefly before, but I doubt you would remember."

Eira raised an eyebrow. "I don't recall, but it's nice to meet you again."

There was an almost imperceptible pause, a shared understanding that there was something more between them, something unspoken but recognized. Eira noticed Nico's guarded demeanor and the faint shadows under his eyes, which seemed to mirror her own experiences.

"I'm a child of Pluto," Nico said after a moment, his voice low. "My father is the ruler of the Underworld."

Eira's eyes widened slightly. "I'm also a child of the Underworld. My mother is Nox."

Nico's expression shifted to one of quiet intrigue. "Nox... I've heard of her. That makes us... kin of a sort."

Eira nodded. "I suppose it does. I've never met anyone else from the Underworld side of things."

Nico gave a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "It's not something that comes up often, is it?"

"No, not really," Eira agreed, her gaze flicking to the camp. "Most people around here seem to be focused on more immediate concerns."

Nico's eyes followed hers, and he seemed to sense her unease. "You're not the only one who feels out of place. This camp is... different."

Eira looked back at him, noting the quiet strength in his voice. "Yes, it's been a strange adjustment. I'm still trying to find my footing here."

Nico studied her for a moment, then nodded. "I get that. There's a lot to process, and not all of it is straightforward."

They fell into a comfortable silence, an understanding passing between them. The conversation about their parentage seemed to bridge the gap between them, offering a moment of shared kinship amidst the uncertainty of their circumstances.

"So, what's your take on the situation with the camp and the recent battles?" Eira asked, trying to steer the conversation to more pressing matters.

Nico glanced over at Hazel, who was still being shown around. "Hazel and I have been sent to establish connections and offer our assistance. Things are changing rapidly, and we need to be prepared."

Eira nodded thoughtfully. "It's clear that there's much more going on than meets the eye. I'm still trying to figure out where I fit into all of this."

Nico's gaze met hers with a look of understanding. "You're not alone in that. Many of us are feeling the same way."

Their conversation was interrupted as Hazel approached, her eyes still carrying the weight of the recent events. Nico gave Eira a reassuring nod before turning his attention to his sister.