A New Beginning-A Percy/Chaos Story

Chapter 2: A Tour

Percy POV

"So Chiron, what do you think of Alec?" I asked the centaur once Annabeth and Alec were out of earshot. I had a sneaking suspicion Chiron didn't like the demigod but I couldn't figure out why. Alec is a cool guy. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't like him; there's almost a pull that draws you to him, that makes you like him immediately. Indeed, I had only known the demigod for a day, but he almost felt like a lifelong friend.

An array of emotions seem to play across Chiron's face. There's definitely a hint of panic and anger there; fear too. I glimpse a warning in his eyes as well, but it is gone before I can investigate further, masked by an almost forced nonchalant expression.

"I-I'm sure he'll be a great demigod. I don't think I've ever heard him stutter before.

"You sure about that?" I inquired skeptically. You seem a little unsure. Actually you look a bit scared and even a little bit angry. And I don't like that you're not acting as nice as you can around my new friend. But I'm not going to tell you that because would be rude and since you're not someone I don't like I am going to try my best to sound polite.

"Why don't you like him?" I settle for instead, but even that sounds annoyed. What is going on with Chiron? Why does he have an immediate distaste for Alec despite the fact that they have just been introduced?

"I think Alec is fine Percy. What makes you think that I don't like him?" Oh come on.

"I've known you for very long time. I can tell." Also because your eyes widened a teensy tiny bit when you shook hands and you seem to be scared. There was also that little part where you jerked your hand from his grasp as soon as you could. You obviously don't like him. But why?

"Child, I'm afraid you're mistaken." Yeah and I'm a sparkly vegetarian vampire that also happens to be wizard. Stop lying, would you?

"Are you positive?"

"Yes," he returns, a final note in voice, though he seems to be contradicting himself. Once again that fear and warning that had been in his eyes earlier was apparent; there was no mistaking it now.

"Sure, sure," I allowed, resting the subject. For now.

Annabeth POV

Alec and I had been walking for a few minutes, Alec trailing behind me as I pointed out different parts of camp without looking him in the eye. Right now we were walking through the strawberry fields where campers were picking berries while a satyr played a tune on a reed pipe.

"Why all the strawberries?" Alec inquired, gesturing to the fields.

"It's good for export for New York Restaurants and Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. It pays our expenses, and they take almost no effort. Our camp director, Mr. D, or Dionysus, the god of wine, has this effect on fruit bearing plants that makes them grow like crazy. It works best with grapes, but he can't grow those, so we use the strawberries."

I watched the satyr playing his pipe, both of us quiet for a moment. His music was causing lines of bugs to leave the strawberry patch in every direction, resembling refugees fleeing a fire. I heard footsteps behind me but didn't realize they were Alec's until I felt a warm breath caress my neck. I gave an involuntary shiver. What am I doing? Annabeth snap out of it! Snap out of it! Now! 

But for some reason, I couldn't. Literally couldn't. Just then, Alec leaned in, brushing hair away from my ear; I could feel his warmth. "Do you have a boyfriend, Annabeth?"

Yes! Yes, I do! I have a boyfriend!  But just then, No, no, don't look into his ey– I had turned around, and stupidly looked into his eyes, which now had a bright golden hue to them. As soon as our eyes made contact, I knew I was lost. A strange feeling had coursed through me, and for a reason I couldn't fathom, I found myself leaning towards him. "N-no, I don't."

But then he stepped back, snapping me out of my stupor. "Ah, ah, not yet," he murmured to me, stepping back, bringing his delicious warmth with him. He was looking at something behind me. I turned to find Clarisse turning a bend, jogging towards us, probably on another of her daily jogs, a habit she had acquired after the war which I had taken the liberty of calling her "jogs-where-I-look-for-people-to-pick-on-because-I'm-bored-'cuz-I-have-no-more-monster's-heads-to-decapitate". A minute later, she stopped in front of us.

"Who's the new guy?" she questioned, jabbing her finger at Alec. Praying to the gods my cheeks weren't bright red, I gave her my best smile. Probably just a tad too bright, judging from her narrowed eyes. "This is our new camper," I informed her, gesturing to Alec, who I couldn't seem to look in the eyes once more. Some voice in my head that sounded similar to my mother's kept warning me not to do so. I normally listened to that voice. It kept me alive. But why am I hearing it now? What's wrong with Alec? There's no danger nearby.

Next to me, I heard Alec introduce himself, a smile in his voice. Clarisse's eyes narrowed further at this, glancing between the two of us. Curiosity taking over, I took a quick glance at Alec, who was grinning good naturedly. He had put his hand out, offering a handshake to Clarisse.

Clarisse looked at it for a second, before answering. "I'd rather not." Alec just returned his hand to to his side like it was no big deal. I, however, shot her a look that clearly demanded: What in Hades' Realm was that?

She hadn't even deigned me with an explanation, simply shrugging. "I got to go," she told us, running backwards before spinning on her heel and resuming her jog.

We both looked after for a minute before turning to each other. "Uh, you want to continue the tour?" I asked him. "Sure," he replied.

We walked around for about half an hour longer. I pointed out the outdoor pavilion framed in white Grecian columns on a hill overlooking the sea, the metal shop, where kids were forging their own swords, the arts and crafts room, where satyrs were sandblasting a giant marble statue of a goat-man, and the climbing wall, which actually consisted of two facing walls that shook violently, dropped boulders, sprayed lava, and clashed together if you didn't get to the top fast enough, along with a couple of other noteworthy sites at camp. Finally, I led him to the cabins, nestled in the woods by the lake, all facing a commons area about the size of a soccer field, dotted with Greek statues, fountains, flower beds, and a couple of basketball hoops.

In the center of the field was a huge stone lined fire-pit. Even though it was a warm afternoon, the hearth smoldered. A girl about nine years old, who I immediately recognized as Hestia, was tending the flames, poking the coals with a stick. "That's Hestia, the virgin goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, the home, and the state," I informed Alec as we walked by.

Finally, we reached Cabin 11, which still looked the most like a regular old summer camp cabin, with the emphasis on old, in my opinion. The threshold was worn down, the brown paint peeling.

Alec and I stepped in. Inside, as per usual, was packed with people, numbering far above the amount of bunk beds. Sleeping bags were spread all over on the floor.

Alec and I stood in the doorway, looking at the kids. They were staring at Alec; sizing him up. I knew this routine. I'd seen it done hundreds of times, had done it myself, and even experienced it firsthand.

"Regular or undetermined?" somebody asked.

"Undetermined," I announced to the crowd. "This is Alec. Explain what you can, but I think I've covered most of it."  Alec waved at them. "See you at dinner," I told him, before turning to leave. The last thing I saw before I left the cabin was Alec grinning at me, again that enticing smile that sent shivers down my spine. Oh gods.