first diamond ◆ action

[representswealth]

 [Random kids dropped in nearly everyday lately, and Hazel was no different. Well, maybe the way she took in her surroundings was. She'd been spending the time since New Rome fell traveling across country, but she'd also been awestruck by too many things. Once before when she'd returned she'd seen the modern U.S and had immediately went back to New Rome because it'd seemed more real to her then anything out there. And that's sort of why she had a bit more difficulty then other Romans to make her way across county.]

[She found it easy to tell which one was Pluto's--Hades'-- cabin. It was kind of obvious from standing at the Big House, really. No one else would want to deal that closely with death (well maybe Thantos kids but did Thantos have kids?). It looks almost like a summer camp except for the buildings that so obviously screamed demigod. But it was weird and foreign, too. Nothing like New Rome. Where was all the non-teenagers, after all?]

[So entering camp is one (1) thirteen-year-old daughter of Pluto looking more than a little beat up- -monster attacks, never a pretty thing. The sword at her side, distinctly not a gladius like most other Roman Soldiers, gripped firmly in hands. She was tiny, at least, in that she looked no more than thirteen, but well she might seem a little old, too. Just a bit. And curious, as she takes in the Greek camp with wide eyes and a slow, careful work as she made her way down to the cabin that felt like it called to her.]

[If she comes across anyone she'll stop with a polite "Excuse me?" and look like she wants to ask something, but she won't bother anyone for too long if they don't want to be, at least.]

Comments

[representswealth]

Some kids do that. Normally, we wait for Lupa to come find us. [Normally. She did. But that's when she sees the gold and her back tenses and she speaks abruptly.]

No! Don't touch it. [She swallows and it's such a practiced thing that she reaches down and grabs it quickly, stuffing it in her pocket. Nothing to see here, nope.]

[sometimesinsufferable]

Lupa? [It's a tone of recognition, but not familiarity. However that gets pushed aside immediately when Hazel reacts so strongly to the gold. She's not sure what to make of that.]

It's all right. We're not going to steal from you. [A beat.] Well, perhaps the kids in Hermes cabin but they're generally harmless if you know how to handle them.

[representswealth]

[Her hand stays clutched to the gold in her pocket as she tries to keep calm and look at ease, but it's difficult to in a way. It's such a practiced thing, but it's difficult.]

I don't think they'll want to steal for me. [Or the won't if something happens, but she focuses, diverting.]

Lupa's the she-wolf who raised Romulus and Remus. If you don't pass her test she'll never let you get to camp. [AKA, you die.]

[sometimesinsufferable]

You're a new camper. You're actually a prime target. [But she's mostly puzzling this out to try and see what Hazel's deal is.]

I wasn't aware she was the one who decided. [For as smart as she is, she didn't know a lot about the Romans in general, or Camp Jupiter.]

[representswealth]

Are you saying Greeks like Hades kids? [Because she's pretty sure that's universal. So stealing isn't really a thing when they're known to be cursed.]

Well, it's tradition. You're not really Roman if Lupa doesn't like you.

[sometimesinsufferable]

I'm saying that not everyone is completely biased against Hades kids. [Just...a lot of people. That's all.]

How can you guarantee that she'll like you?