PYRRHIC, percy jackson

━━ II

AFTER A NOT-SO THOROUGH EXPLANATION, an understandable confusion, a very heated discussion between a group of people which Chiron had told her were the Cabins' counselors (whatever that meant), a couple of playful smiles, a lot of muddled dialogues, helpful clarifications from Annabelle and a beautiful girl who kindly introduced herself as Silena, it was decided that Lyra was to stay at camp.

Of course, an intimidating dark-eyed boy had almost cried out in frustration as someone like her was staying at camp, when nothing similar had ever happened before in history and they should take more precautions (Lyra had tried to agree with him, but the daughter of Aphrodite refrained her from doing so, claiming, in a low voice, that "Daniel's just paranoic," and "you shouldn't feed his ego," even though his worry was justified and his ego should have been righfully fed).

It made Lyra happy, however, when everyone stood up to her and agreed that she was to stay as a guest. Until someone came and clarified the situation, she would be treated like a normal camper, simultaneously joining both sides of the cantonment: nature and humans.

Yet she had in inkling feeling at the back of her head which told her she was not completely human. Maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less, but not quite. And she could not help the curiosity that sensation brought out, thinking of the many possibilities in the short amount of time she was left with her own thoughts. While she doubted she would ever express them out loud, she still hoped for someone to explain everything to her. But no one had the answers she needed right then.

Before the meeting was called off, Chiron wanted to chat with some of the present campers, which meant they were all stuck down there, waiting for his approval to leave. Most were playing a game of ping-pong (Annabelle had briefly described the rules, telling her it was a miniature 'tennis' game), others were lounging around, and she was talking with the two girls who had decided she would be a nice company. She was grateful for their interest in her, yet she hoped she was not boring them. She realised she did not have much to say—she thought her answers very carefully, which meant long pauses and awkward silences. Luckily, Silena was a people person, meaning she was able to understand her little quirk, and continued the conversation with no problem, making her feel very comfortable.

"Lyra," Chiron suddenly raised his voice, finishing his private talk with the tall and lanky golden-haired boy, the one who had helped her before, and motioned for her to approach them. She left her place beside the daughters of wit and beauty and crossed the room, softly smiling to everyone who locked eyes with her (even the son of Ares, the one who was wary of her, who did not reciprocate the gesture, instead proceeding to play with his dagger while staring intently at her), and advanced until she was standing close to the two males. The centaur raised his hand and swiftly pointed to the boy, "this is Lee Fletcher, the counselor of Cabin Seven."

The blonde smiled brightly at her, his teeth stunningly white and perfectly symmetrical, radiating an incredible warmth, like the sun was shining right upon her, and she quickly figured out his godly parent, remembering why he had looked so familiar to her.

But he beat her into voicing it, as he extended his hand towards her and said: "Apollo's, by the way."

Lyra understood she was supposed to shake his hand, and when she proceeded to do just that, grasping his hand with the strength she thought she needed, he only beamed brighter and lightly squeezed her hand before dropping it. She beamed back, not understanding his humour, but decided not to ask. He would have expressed what was funny if it had been worth sharing.

"He came to ask about your living situation," Chiron continued, "as we had not discussed it before. I was planning for you to stay at the Big House. This house," he added, noticing Lyra's dumbfounded expression, and she nodded, her mouth forming a small 'o'. "But he has a proposition for you."