ANNOUNCEMENT & IM

[chiron]

[ You'll find yourself looking at a grave centaur first thing this morning, just before the Romans start their training. ] Campers, I've an important announcement to make. Now, you know very well that we have protective borders around Camp Half-Blood. After last summer's incident, we've taken great care to ensure that we have several lines of defense with both force and Mist.

Followers of Lycaon - wolves - have been spotted just outside of camp. It is believed that they continue to align themselves with Gaea.

There have been no attacks, but I trust that all of you will keep your eyes and ears open for any signs of trouble. No campers will be leaving. [ Have a pointed look for some of you. ] However, we must keep our wits about us. Prepare accordingly. The Athena cabin has necessary information on the followers should you choose to educate yourselves on the matter. I hope you will.

[ The feed ends. ]





( mod note | Open to discussion. Plan your patrol groups, change up your training tactics. Welcome to the first plot of 2014! )

Comments

[toeverywhere]

It used to be. But I've had a whole lot of practice. It used to knock me out for days when I tried it. Now, maybe I'll yawn.

[The quiver thing? Totally forgotten.]

[industria]

[ Allison's eyebrows go up as she gives Elizabeth a quick glance over her shoulder. ] Impressive.

[ The second to last arrow goes off. ] What was it like when you first started, like, using all your powers?

[toeverywhere]

I didn't realize I could do it at first. It just happened one day. I was heading to the armory to get some arrows, and the next thing I know I'm in this tunnel, and before I can even process that I just remember finding myself in the remains of what I later realized was my old town. I passed out almost immediately.

[industria]

Oh, my god. [ Allison listens with rapt attention, lowering her bow. ]

That's - kind of amazing. Scary, but amazing. [ The last arrows goes off and she slings her bow around her chest. ]

[toeverywhere]

That's probably the most accurately I've ever heard it described.

[She shivers at the memory.] I wasn't sure how to get back. I didn't think I could. Luckily, Booker found me, but it was not a pleasant few days.

But! [Her bow disappears.] At least you've got me.

[industria]

[ Allison frowns in sympathy, sliding her hands into the pockets of her olive green military style jacket. (Strange, how warm she's been and how little need she has for her winter coat. Strange, but unsurprising.) ]

That's right. [ She smiles hopefully - hopeful because she doesn't want to lose her friendship. Things have felt very temporary for Allison, growing up. It's a good change of pace. ] Do you want to try this portable hole thing out?

[toeverywhere]

[Elizabeth is hardly going to let a silly thing like this ruin a friendship.]

You bet! I can't believe I haven't thought of it before. It'd have to be a specific shadow... See if I can send something through it.

[industria]

[ If this works, then that's something they can certainly use to their advantage, trapping all those lycanthropes before they can open their mouths to howl. Allison nods thoughtfully. ]

Trick tunnels, or something. Send enemies to a collection center instead.

[toeverywhere]

A silver cage. [Cages were not something she particularly enjoyed, but where else could they put them? Or a deep pit.] Some place like that, too, so we can quickly figure out if it worked or not.

Though I don't know if the tunnels themselves would fool them. It'd have to be... Something benign.

[industria]

Potholes. Or, rather, covered ditches, like those predator spiders.

[ Allison's sharp and quick on her feet. She knows nature well enough thanks to her family, constantly on the move, hiking and learning about survival skills in the woods. ] They cover their holes with leaves and webs and wait for unsuspecting creatures to pull into their holes.

[toeverywhere]

[Elizabeth points at Allison.] I knew there was a reason I liked you. You're clever. Really clever. We'll work our way up to that. but for now, we can try little spots. Set them up to go someplace else. Then work from there. We can either toss something into them, or I could go through.

I don't want to knock you out.

[industria]

Oh, thanks. [ That gets her a sheepish smile and a shrug of one shoulder. She's not used to being in this kind of position, defending instead of being defended. That kind of compliment, she takes to heart. ]

Sure. We'll test it in ditches first.

[toeverywhere]

Alright. Here. [She's got her quiver back up and filled, before she hands it to Allison.] I focus on a shadow, you fire an arrow.

[industria]

Got it. [ She unslings her bow from around her chest and aligns the arrow perfectly, her hands steady, arms stiff enough. ] I'll wait for your signal.

[toeverywhere]

[This better not accidentally, y'know, kill anyone. Hopefully the arrows couldn't actually travel long distances via shadow. Othewise, they'd have a Maude Bowen situation on their hands.]

Okay, to make this easy, I'm hoping the arrows will appear... There. [She pointed to a shade covered ridge.] And stick into the earth. the angle's right, it should happen... But aim right there. [This time, she pointed to a shady patch under the targets.]

[industria]

[ Allison wishes that she brought her compound bow instead of using the standard, old fashioned bow but, well, she's nearly a goddess. Whatever weapon she has shouldn't matter if she has the will and the power.

She takes a deep breath and pulls back, feeling the tension in the string before setting the arrow loose, exactly where Elizabeth indicated. ]

[toeverywhere]

[The arrow vanishes, and Elizabeth barely has time to celebrate before she realizes, and instantly turns to try to see where the spot for it to come out of is.

She could have taken a little bit more celebration.

W h o o p s.]

We're... half-way there.