Discovering Recovery (Brypu fanfic/ Origins of Olympus AU)

Ch 3 - Unexpected Freedom(?)

A/N: I have no idea on how to write Rivers name in...a more pronounceable way...or any way.

Camp Oasis (Focus: River)

River groaned as he came to. This was, he supposed, his second day at Camp Oasis and he was already done. Everything in his body hurt, and he was pretty sure his crown was bent somewhere.  He was glad, of course, that Kay was able to help him from his....surprise visit.

Flopping back down onto his bed, River couldn't help but feel bad for his new acquaintance...

"Hello there, my name is Kay. I'm the Greek counselor of Camp Oasis. Who are you?" the lady looked down at River, who was still getting used to the lighting of the place.

"Oh...um...my name is...well it's... Ao Guang Hu. B-But please...call me River..o-or Jakey," he nervously told Kay. 

It had just occurred to him that he was in an unknown place and his instincts kicked in. He immediately scrambled to get off the bed, worsening his condition. Head throbbing, River sank to the floor, becoming more dizzy and unaware.

"Woah, woah! Don't move so much. You've been out for a few hours and I still need to apply a cold compress to your forehead. Don't make it worse..um....River," Kay carefully approached the disoriented demigod.

She helped him get up and steady himself. Doing a quick check-up, she deemed River well enough that he didn't need the compress anymore. She smiled politely at him and patted him on the shoulder. River flinched slightly, not used to being approached so casually.

"Oh," Kay winced, "I'm sorry if that was weird."

"N-No...It's uh...it's ok. It's just that uh...I wasn't expecting that...," River trailed off.

He fidgeted a little under the intense but caring gaze of Kay. She took his hands in hers and squeezed. Once he squeezed back, she patted him on the head. He blushed at the gesture.

"You seem to be doing very well River. Since you've been able to come inside the camp, I'm assuming you're a demigod?"

He winced, "Well, yes...I uh.. I'm a demigod. I'm the son of the Dragon King of the East Sea. I-I'm pretty sure that...you can tell that I'm not from the Greek Realm...I-I'm actually from the Asian Realm..."

"Oh! That explains a lot actually." Kay smiled at him, "Though, you are...kinda early. It's still a few months until we're allowing campers back or into Camp Oasis."

River blinked a little, surprised, "A-am I really that early?"

Kay chuckled, "Well, you're surprise drop in is actually a good thing. It means that my invitations are actually getting to where they need to."

RIver blinked a few times again, "W-wait...who else is coming?"

"Well, I had sent invitations to you for the Asian Pantheon, one to...uh...I believe his name was Mikael, Son of Horus, for the Egyptian Pantheon, and I believe...Austin, Son of Pele, for the Polynesian Pantheon."

"If, well, if that's the case, I-I guess you're probably..I mean- you probably want to know why I'm here...," River rubbed his neck awkwardly, "I'm a-actually a um a representative sent to see um  what Camp Oasis is like. You know, like before other Asian uh demigods can come here. You know, because of the um you know...expectations?"

"Oh..oh! That's completely fine River. In fact, that's very useful for the future of Camp Oasis."

"O-oh..really?" he flashed her a shy smile.

She returned the smile, "Yes! I mean- yes. Yes really. Since you're already here and  I know that you exist, you can help me set up the Asian Pantheon."

River's eyes widened, "W-wait...are you really sure about that? Like um, I'm not saying it's  um a bad thing it's just that um I don't think that um giving someone like me such an important job is a good idea."

Kay waved a hand and started towards the door, "What? No, no. I think you'd be great. You did say you were a representative and I'd say you're a great one."

River groaned again, stretching away any tiredness or soreness from his body. He took some deep breaths and mustered the strength to get up. He smiled to himself when he noticed that most of the bruises and minor scratches were gone. Walking towards the window, he couldn't help but realize how...relieved he was to be alive. Of course, his fear and paranoia was still there but he was definitely somewhere safer. He honestly couldn't believe he got away...

River gaped, "U-um...when do I um...get to start?"

Kay gestured towards her position in the doorway, "I'd say tomorrow. But for now...Welcome to Camp Oasis, Camp Counselor River!"

Chuckling to himself, River got ready to go and do his duties. But of course, there were other priorities too.

'I think I'll start with getting a more suitable cabin first...and make sure I get to keep it. 

This time...I'll be the one to take a stand...'