[Iris Message; A bit after Kate's Message]

[promachos]

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Annabeth, Head of Cabin 6. For you new campers, that's Athena's Cabin.

Most of you should know that whenever the Hunters of Artemis are at camp, we hold Capture the Flag. Sadly, we've lost the last few times they've been here. I'd like to change that. While I'm great at battle strategy, I'd like anyone who has any other ideas on how we can win to come offer suggestions. At this point, I'd love them.

Also, should any of you be having problems with your crafts for the festival, my mom's the goddess of crafts. Cabin 6 will have no problems helping out.

Comments

[promachos]

[It's a quick walk over to Cabin 9, and when she gets there, Annabeth knocks before peeking her head in.] Hello?

[wokethedragon]

[She calls to the door first.]

Come in!

[Then, she realizes, no, that's absolutely not polite. If her brother found out, he'd be ashamed. She was not acting like a proper lady, let alone a daughter of Hephaestus.

Sometimes, Dany wondered if her brother knew what being a son of Hephaestus even entailed. Still, she got up from the bed, closing her book and answered the door for Annabeth.]

Please, come in.

[promachos]

[Annabeth steps in, giving Dany a smile. There was a brief look around, mainly for curiosity's sake. She could count on one hand how many times she had been inside the Hephaestus cabin, present time included.]

You wanted to talk in private?

[wokethedragon]

Yes, there's a...matter, one that I thought you might understand.

[There's a brief pause and a silence, though it's not awkward. It's one that Annabeth should be familiar with from the younger girl - she has a tendency to carefully word her sentences, especially when she fears that her brother could come in at any minute.]

I've been given a...certain gift that isn't typical of my parentage, but isn't unheard of, either. I believe it could help us to win.

[promachos]

[Annabeth nods briefly. She's heard of plenty of people getting gifts from their godly parents that are different than others, something more powerful or something that wasn't seen before. The gods were fickle, and their gifts were as well.]

Oh? I'd love to hear about it.

[wokethedragon]

I am...

[How does she even put it? Hephaestus' blessing is such a matter of controversy amongst her siblings that there are very, very few who know about her special talent.

What was worse was the prospect of her brother finding out, and worse still, the prospect that she might 'wake the dragon'.

But perhaps the children of Athena were more understanding of what one could bring to the table.]

I have been granted the blessing of my father, Hephaestus.

[promachos]

[Annabeth was definitely more understanding about things like this.]

Really? That's amazing! Why haven't you mentioned it before?

[wokethedragon]

[It was always difficult deciding how to explain it lightly to outsiders, especially ones who thought it was such a valuable talent. Dany would be inclined to agree with them, of course, but due to the beliefs of her brothers and sisters about those with the gift, as well as the common cry of madness from her mother's side of the family...sometimes it was hard to see it that way.]

There are those in my cabin who think it is more of a curse than a gift.

[promachos]

If you don't mind me asking, why?

[wokethedragon]

Well, you see...

[It was a long story, honestly, and Daenerys didn't really want to trouble Annabeth with all the details. The girl had been at camp for so long, she was surprised she hadn't heard of it before.]

The child who was blessed before me caused great destruction with their powers. He started the Great Fire of London, though...we're not sure if it was accidental or on purpose.

[promachos]

We all have our problems. A Hades kid started World War II. Things happen, Dany.

[She says it like things happen every day, and frankly, they do.] It's how you use your gifts. You're a good person, and I know you'd use your gifts for good.

[wokethedragon]

I'm well aware of that.

[She nods to the elder girl, looking down at the floor.]

I think I may be able to use my flame offensively, but not in a way that will get out of hand. I've been practicing.

[And as an example, she holds out her hand, concentrates, and creates a small flame, almost like candlelight, in the middle of her palm.]