Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. (Your Point of View)

Part Five: Lunch and Libraries

You finished your tour and ended up in the armory by 11:30. According to Colby, lunch was served at 12:30, giving you an hour to get your weapons and armor and settle in.

On your way out of the cabins, you saw quite a sight: Clarisse and her crawnies soaked from head to foot standing outside the bathrooms, along with Annabeth and Percy.

Percy was bone dry, but Annabeth hadn't had such luck. Everybody was starting, and you had some questions arising yourself, but Colby ushered you along and advised you not to stare: Clarisse would get her revenge for sure, and you didn't want to be a part of it.

"So," Colby said, throwing open the large metal doors to the armory. "You get your pick, but it has to be something you're comfortable with."

You were immediately overwhelmed. Racks of swords, daggers, knives, spears, bows and shields of every shape and sized lined the many shelves. On the opposite wall resided an array of armor. 12 flags hung from the ceiling, with symbols or animals, each a different color. You figured they must represent each cabin.

"So, its all preference, but I advise you start with a sword," Colby said. "You'll learn how to use every weapon here though. Just, take your pick. Whatever you're feeling. You can take an extra if you want. All these are fashioned and forged by Hephaestus kids, for the most part."

You decided to look at the swords.

"Why are they all gold?" You asked.

"Not gold," Colby clarified. "Celestial bronze."

In all your reading, you had never once heard of celestial bronze. You gave him a confused look.

"Celestial bronze is extremely rare, mined by the cyclops from Mount Olympus. It's indestructible, and a highly effective weapon, but it won't harm mortals. Each weapon is shaped by tempering metal in Mount Etna, and cooled in the River Lethe. It's deadly to anything in the magical world. It's the only thing that can harm monsters and gods- the one exception being werewolves of course." He said it as if it were obvious. "You need silver to kill them. However, being Half-Bloods, we can be harmed by celestial bronze too."

Each weapon and armor piece gave off a faint gold glow. You didn't want a sword that was too big and too long- then again, you didn't want one that was too short or light.

You tested a few, trying them out. They either felt too heavy, too light. Some, the grip didn't feel right.

Your eyes found one. Not too short, not too long. A 2 and a half foot long Greek Xiphos, typically a longer version, since most Xiphos were only 1-2 feet long. A double edged, one handed sword. You had always been enamored and interested by Greek life and mythology. You never thought you'd really use it.

You pulled the sword off the rack, and unsheathed it. Somehow, it felt right to you. Testing the grip, the weight, and taking a few small practice swings, you made up your mind.

"I found one," you decided. Colby turned around from inspecting a quiver of celestial bronze tipped arrows.

"Ah," he said. "A Greek-"

"Xiphos," you said. Often, your pride was your fall. "A long length Greek Xiphos."

"Right," he said. "How'd you know that?"

You shrug. "My school library- well, my many different schools library- was always my favorite place."

He observed me, more interested now. "Uh huh." He paused. "Anything else you see that you like, before we find you your armor and shield?"

Your eyes drifted to the daggers. You knew it was smart to have a primary and secondary weapon, just in case. Knives could take people by surprise. You pulled a short length dagger off of a table. Unsheathing it, you examined the blade. It felt balanced in your hand. It wasn't too big, but it wasn't small either. Double edged, with about an 8 inch blade, it was easily concealable but big enough to get you out of a tough situation. You nodded.

Colby agreed, before showing you over to the armor.

After a few tries, you eventually got the right fit.

"Alright, now lets get a shield." He said.

You walked over and began trying on different ones. They all seemed to get in the way. They were too big or heavy.

Colby shrugged. "I don't use a shield, but they might save your life in battle. I'd take one, but you don't have to use it."

You left it alone.

Finally, you took your new weapons back to Cabin 11, where you found Luke and some other campers had gotten you a sleeping bag, change of clothes, and toiletries. It was nice, considering you had nothing with you when you crossed the camp border but a book bag full of supplies where you were running away from home.

Home.

You winced.

You had almost forgotten about your father with all the action going on. You would have to be sure to call him later. Surely the camp had phones. Speaking of which... where was your book bag? You reminded yourself you'd have to ask Chiron later.

"You can have some downtime before lunch," Luke said. "I know it's a lot to take in." You look up at him. "Lunch is in 30. Don't worry, you won't miss it.

Everybody else exited the cabin, you assumed for some 'daily camp activities.'

You sighed, and sat down on your sleeping bag. There were at least 30 people crammed in this building.

You got up and decided to walk to the camp shop yourself to buy a few extra pairs of running shorts.

You walked through camp until you found it, a humbled, wooden stand with a green roof like any other building. A harpie stood watching the merchandise- and by watching, you notice, he's reading a magazine.

"Newbie?" He asked absentmindedly. You nodded. "Everything's free then."

You take a look around, deciding to take anything you might need in that case.

You grabbed a few short sleeve Camp Half-Blood shirts and pairs of shorts. You went ahead and bought some sweatpants and jeans and long sleeved ones too, as well as a CHB tank top.

"Daughter of Athena?" The harpie looked up from his 'Olympic News' magazine, bored looking.

"Undetermined," you replied. Though secretly, you hoped.

"First day?" He asked.

"Yes," you nodded along, though you knew he wasn't looking.

The store had an assortment of multicolored camp shirts as well, like grey for Athena. Then they had specific cabin merchandise. Red shirts with a bull for Ares, flags. It almost looked like a college football fan club. Some of the cabins with fewer residence had less amounts. You spotted a necklace with a silver owl and a 6 on it. If Athena were to claim you as her own, you would definitely come back and get it.