[ Action ]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Leo's been scarce for the last few days. He's shown up once or twice, but he's vanished just as quickly, with hardly a word to anyone except maybe his sister. Anyone observant may have noticed him sporting a new leather tool belt, but who really looks that hard? He's just a mechanic, after all.

So where's he been? That's a Cabin Nine secret. But when he reemerges, he's landing a giant dragon automaton made of Celestial bronze somewhere between the arena and the forges. Look, guys, he's got wings now! ]

Comments

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He marvels at the javelin-coin. That seems to have made Festus happy, so Leo grins and shakes his hand. ]

No hard feelings. Name's Leo. You new around here?

[notthatjason]

Jason. Yeah, I'm from the Roman camp. I just got in though so I'm still working out my way around. And getting used to...things.

[He eyes the dragon again.]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He pats the dragon's side, and it makes a creaking noise of satisfaction. ]

Don't worry about Festus here. He wouldn't hurt a fly.

[ So not telling anyone that he tried to barbecue Leo. ]

[notthatjason]

He didn't look that way a few seconds ago.

[Jason quips, but to be fair he HAD been pointing a sharp weapon at the dragon.]

[commandertoolbelt]

Maybe you looked tasty.

[ Not mentioning that Festus only eats oil and tabasco sauce. Leave that up to Jason to find out. ]

[notthatjason]

Wouldn't be the first time a monster's said that to me, that's for sure.

[He gives Leo a look.]

But please tell me your dragon isn't going to start snacking on demigods.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Okay, okay. Maybe he should come clean. ]

Dude, he's an automaton. Just don't go around covered in oil and tabasco sauce and you're good.

[notthatjason]

[Jason gives him a 'don't blame me look' after all how was HE supposed to know what it ate.]

Give me a break, it's not like I've seen a golden, machine dragon before.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Leo laughs. ]

Good thing I enlightened you then, huh?

[notthatjason]

[He nods. He's eyeing the dragon again though.]

So what do you plan to do with him? Besides feed him oil and Tabasco sauce and surprise other demigods.

[commandertoolbelt]

I thought we'd start an automaton circus, with Festus here and the Nemean lion as the main attractions.

[notthatjason]

Wait, there's an automaton lion too?

[Jason isn't sure at this point whether to be surprised or not OR if Leo was pulling his leg.]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ ...Really? ]

I'm guessing you guys didn't build much where you come from.

[ How boring. }

[notthatjason]

We build stuff.

You make it sound like these things are common here. I don't see a whole flock of automaton dragons.

[commandertoolbelt]

Well, duh. I'm the only one cool enough for one of those.

[ How is this not obvious to you. ]

[notthatjason]

Right. I should have known.

[commandertoolbelt]

Now you're learning!

[notthatjason]

Contrary to popular belief, it can happen.