halfbloodhill | action ♕ jan 4

Entry tags:

action ♕ jan 4

[ You've come pretty far haven't you, Roman Barbie? Seven months in the Greek camp and she's earned another tattoo, reunited with Johnny, got a boyfriend and has slowly been studying the differences between the Greek and Roman fighting styles. It's the Mars in her blood that picks up on these things. It's nice, actually, to feel like she's gained some respect. Not that anyone ever looked down on her at Camp Jupiter but she had been somewhat of a troublesome girl when she first joined the Legion -- despite her letters of recommendation.

There are some things, however, that don't change -- like her mischievous streak and silly plans to keep the camp's spirits light in times of duress.

Unsurprisingly, Heather wants to avoid getting literal cabin fever so she's still out and about - somewhat better dressed after shopping in the city for a short, asymmetrical black coat warmer than a leather jacket. She happily lands near the stables after taking her favorite pegasus, Moneypenny, out for a ride, her hair hardly mussed despite the wind. ]

Hey, girl, good job! Can't have the both of us restless, right?

[ The Roman army is a foot army, but Heather had ridden Moneypenny during the Red Room mission and decided then to continue practicing and flying with her just in case. Feel free to offer any tips or company or ask her questions if you see her. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

*Callie walked through the door of the stables, the scene behind her was of some wooden structure... not any of the cabins. But the scene is gone quickly after. Callie has a few new articles of clothing too, which she bought in spite of the prices in NYC. Mostly because New York is cold, and why do people bother to live here. She watched Heather land.*

...What's got you restless?

*Callie leaned against the stable doorway and waited. She needed a shot of optimism and good feelings, given this was her Dad's time of the year, and her birthday was on the way. Which just reminded Callie of the family she's lost. Even if her cohort knew and remembered, it didn't really wash away the memories before.*

Winter.

[ Over the past few days, their neck of the woods has been below 20 degrees. Sure, they still have their protective bubble around camp, but that doesn't prevent it from being naturally cold. Heather initially didn't know how to handle it except hide away under the covers. ]

Instinct tells me to stay in my pajamas when I can but my brain tells me that I should stay active so - [ She pats the pegasus before dismounting. Quietly getting over her own nervousness with heights is something else she wants to accomplish. Flight helps. It's preferable to standing on a building looking down at the world. ]

Active is good. It works better than blankets. Even if I've never had to deal with this much cold.

*Not all her foster families cared if she and her brother froze to death. But it did teach her the value of light workouts during the night.*

I think the barracks were better insulated than here, and we never had winter this bad at home. We also weren't close to Neptune's domain, which is where a lot of this is coming from. We could try fixing up the cabins with better insulation? You're of no use to the legion if you freeze to death.

Actually the Love Shack is pretty warm, heated by the smiles of all my half-siblings. Or something.

[ She sniggers, rewarding Moneypenny with a carrot in the sack attached to her saddle. ]

I think there are draftier cabins, anyway? Could ask some of the magic peeps to help out if you're feeling cold. No, I don't want to stay indoors for too long. It's, like, unnatural for me.

I'm in Victor- Nike's cabin for the moment, it's certainly a more hospitable place than the den of thieves.

*Sojourner had offered it, and while Callie didn't exactly trust the Graecus... she trusted the entirety of Hermes Cabin less. And it wasn't like she and her brother were really... talking.*

I didn't just mean you, I meant every one of the cabins that could use some help. I mean, even if Hermes cabin could use the help. I'd worry about Ventus and the tent community first.

...Why are they staying on the roof anyway? Are they even less indoor friendly than you are?

You ever peeked inside the Zeus Cabin? 'Cause that is creepy! [ Heather sings the last word, waggling her fingers at Callie. ]

Though, I don't think they should keep staying out there even though I did get Ven a really nice sleeping bag for the holidays. You're much better staying in Nike with Scott and all of 'em. [ She nods firmly, ignoring the horse sniffing at her hair. ]

I don't enter into cabins unless I'm going to them, even then certain cabins I avoid using for doorways unless I need them.

*Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, and Pluto are not... generally the type of God you use a shrine for as a bus stop. While Mars loves Rome, nothing about Ares cabin is useful for travel, and Somnus is dangerous. No point risking that.*

Probably not, but I don't see much way to make to fix that. Given the cabin is so... wrong for living? It'd be solved by having barracks.

Let's face it. The gods are picky as hell, no matter what side of the divide you're on. You think ZeusJupiter would enjoy some renovations? [ Though the idea of a Trading Spaces episode, Camp Half-Blood edition would be pretty funny, though she keeps that thought to herself for once.

The sugarcoated nature of her own cabin was a little much when she first moved in though she did manage to put up a few posters to make it feel a little bit like her old bedroom. It's the little things. ]

I think they can work something out with their tent city, like ask for a heater from Cabin 9.

If we made the cabin taller than Cabin three? But I take the point. Still... the one cabin that's primarily Roman is the one cabin that's uninhabitable.

*Callie your bias is... okay that bias is always showing. She's not even going to touch her time not trusting Cabin Eleven. At least in her current residence she's got less people to keep an eye on. ...Even if she still has a knife under her pillow.*

Ugh, you do that, I want nothing to do with that cabin. Pretty sure if I asked he'd set the tent city on fire.

[ she's already spoken about riding lessons - pegasus lessons, rather - with someone. a boy. she never got his name, but audrey knows they exist, and really, she doesn't need permission to go investigate, does she? of course, she's not exactly foolhardy enough to try one without a little guidance.

who are we kidding? of course she is.

that doesn't mean she is, at least, for the moment. she leans over the fence, watching the blonde girl and the winged horse she rides. audrey crosses her arms over the railing and leans in, squinting across the field, before she asks: ] Is that a pegasus?

[ which, naturally, has an obvious answer, but she has to start somewhere. ]

Uh-huh. [ Heather calls over, gently pulling on the reins to get her steed to slow down. Well, technically, she isn't her official steed, not like Scipio is Reyna's, but they have an understanding. With a toss of her hair, she dismounts, landing easily on the heels of her combat boots. ]

This is Moneypenny.

[ It made sense to her that she would befriend a pegasus named after a Bond girl. With a grin, she pulls a carrot from the sack attached to her saddle and feeds it to the grey speckled creature. ] Oh, and I'm Heather.

Like in the James Bond movie? [ audrey tilts her head and grins, offering, ] I'm Audrey Horne. [ as she climbs through the fence, ducking under one of the rails and crossing over to heather and moneypenny. she stands there, not bothering to keep her distance, staring at the steed, either awed or impressed or both.

probably both. ]

I've never seen one before.

Cool. [ From the getgo, Heather immediately likes this retro look this girl is rocking and it shows by the way her grin widens as she and the horse approach her. Personal space is no big deal for Heather. She's the one invading it most of the time. ]

They didn't have as many in New Rome. The Legion's a foot army so only special people in high positions get horses. Obviously I had to see what it was like here.

I hear normal horses are just the norm in Washington. [ one day she'll get used to the geography here. one day. right now, she's got what she wants (which, honestly, is typical). she reaches out gently to touch moneypenny's mane. ]

She yours?

That's what I hear too, though I don't think they have a big demigod outlet there save for the Amazons. [ That's a funny story.

The pegasus, clearly taking after her rider, enjoys the new attention, nudging her snout forward for a few more pets. ] She's not mine officially, but we're bros. Like, we've flown a bunch of times. And I didn't feel like I was gonna die.

That the normal reaction? [ audrey arches an eyebrow at heather before turning her attention back to the pegasus, allowing her a few more pets. because why not. ]

Death seems a little extreme.

[ Heather raises her eyebrows right back because she doesn't really want to admit her own nervousness with heights. She's supposed to be fearless or something like that. ]

I'm not used to riding a horse, like, that's not what I was trained to do, before.

[ a pause. it's okay, she can relate. ]

I never was, either. Trained in horseback riding. We had the money, but - [ but her father spent more time being ben horne and buying horses for laura palmer instead. ] sometimes things get in the way.

[ That sounds like a story and Heather is nosy but they've only just met. Her inquisitive expression gives it all away but she somehow quells the series of questions rising. ]

Like discovering you're a demigod, right? Yeah, I don't know how it'd be if I grew up not knowing my, uh, family history. Roman through and through. Which is, like, so weird considering that when I was kid I had the most un Roman lifestyle.

Something like that.

[ audrey steps back, a slight trace of bitterness on her face. it had only been a matter of days before that she'd heard about the extent of what had happened back home. she crosses her arms. ]

But I think most of us can say we grew up with other things besides olives to eat and tunics to wear.

And those funny sandals. So bad for flat-footed people.

[ She leans against her steed, focusing her attentions on Moneypenny for a moment longer. ]

There are some people who actually grew up in New Rome. I mean, I like it here a lot, but back there, like. They had shops and places to go when you weren't training. That's all gone.

Demolished? [ her mouth quirks, a curious expression. ] I'm not exactly up on the history of the place.

No one's filled you in? The reason why all the Romans are here are 'cause Gaea set her baddies on us at New Rome and Camp Jupiter. [ She rubs the back of her neck. ] I don't remember much of it. Don't think anyone else does, really. But it was bad.

I guess I know the true story of Mother Earth, and all that, [ audrey says with a tiny twitch of a smirk. ] Still learning the ropes. It's a lot to take in, when you didn't grow up here. [ is that too much sympathy in her voice? does she need to dial it back? ] I'm sorry for anything you lost.

[ aka, tell me everything and also let me ride your horse. ]

Yeah, got a lot to figure out.

[ She'd be happy to point Audrey in the direction of the other pegasi waiting in the stables. Unless she just wants to ride Heather's horse specifically. Then she'll consider.

And she falls silent, surprisingly thoughtful. And confused. Why was everything still foggy? ]

How's everything else working out for you since you got here?

[ well, it'd just be more convenient. moneypenny is already out and everything, and audrey's seen her. and taken a liking to her. just saying. she reaches out to pet her again, taking a moment before considering the question. ]

It's quieter than I thought. Everybody made everything seem so urgent.

It's not really something I normally say. But. Yeah, the last time it was quiet, something happened and a bunch of people leaving to go home got kidnapped. Calm before another storm or something.

[ Heather gathers the reins and holds them out to Audrey. ] Do you wanna walk her?

Kidnapped? [ oh, damn, so this place does get shaken up, from time to time. she tries not to look too fascinated. ] You got 'em back, right?

[ she tilts her head before plucking the reins from heather. ] Just around?

[While Heather was out taking Moneypenny for a ride, Hephaistion and Asteri had been out for the same (but with four hooves on the ground). When he sees her coming in for a landing, he urges his horse back toward the stables to say hello. He hadn't met the rider before, and Asteri and the pegasus seemed to get along well. It seemed silly but also important that his horse make friends at camp as well.

It wasn't often than anyone was out here the same time he was. It seemed rude not to at least say something. He hails her as he approaches.] Looking pretty good up there.

Really?

[ Heather is honestly surprised. She isn't exactly a pro at horseback riding but she feels a certain connection with the pegasus and is glad that it shows in the way she takes to the skies. Which also isn't her favorite thing to do but once she gets over that initial anxiety, it's rather liberating. ]

I mean. Thanks! Really, thanks.

[Hephaistion on the other hand has been riding horses (specifically this horse) since he was 7 years old. He could not look more comfortable to be up on her back and seems to barely need to give Asteri instructions as they come up alongside Heather and Moneypenny.]

I mean, if you wanted any tips I could give them. But that was a solid landing, and the two of you seem to get along splendidly.

I mean, I don't think I've come across any major stuff, but I've only ridden her into battle once over the summer and I had Hermione with me back then. [ There's a small, short-lived frown. She rather misses her friend now that she's actually thinking about it. ]

I think we're a lot a like, for a demigod and a pegsus. She gets me, in a weird way. But I guess you get that horse bond. What's your horse's name?

[Even in the 20 degree weather - wasn't this place supposedly weather controlled or something? - there's still early morning Roman Training. Scott's bundled up in one of those polar-fleece North Face jackets and a beanie and he's still freezing. Sweat cooling on your skin tends to do that.

But he's getting better, getting good at this whole formation thing, following orders. He likes it. He might even think about working towards a leadership position of his own someday - but that'll come if he's meant for it.]

Nice work out there, Heather.

[He gives her a little thumbs up, coming over to pat at the pegasus' side. He's not exactly familiar with them, given the Legion's attitude towards cavalry, but Moneypenny is pretty cool.]

Thanks! [ She sings in response.

Getting up for training is harder than ever in the wintertime, even with Ven's threats to literally float her out of her own cabin while she's still in her pajamas. It's still cold outside despite the protection and Heather is a Californian to the core. How does Scott do it? Maybe Beacon Hills is further north than she thought. ]

You too, dude. [ She pats the top of his head with a gloved hand. ]

[Scott just likes to think he's resilient. Plus, he's active - always has been. Moving around makes him warmer.]

What? I- Heather, I didn't ride a Pegasus with you.

[Unless she's talking about training that morning.]

I didn't mean that.

[ She laughs good-naturedly, never at his expense. ] I meant in general, or something. Have you met Moneypenny yet? [ The speckled pegasus lifts her head at the mention of her name. ]

Oh. Oh.

[Scott goes a little red - but not much - at that, just the apples of his cheeks. He reaches out to pat Moneypenny gently on the side.]

Easy, girl - is she a girl or a guy pegasus?

Moneypenny is a girl, thank you very much. [ Heather says with a tip of her hair from side to side. ]

I think she likes you. [ Which doesn't surprise her. She and the horse are tight and everyone likes Scott. If they don't, then they're dumb. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

action ♕ jan 4

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject