halfbloodhill | IM / Action

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[So, here's a familiar Aphrodite kid sitting outside his cabin...]

Hey, so... I know there's a lot on our minds and all... And I don't want to make it worse or anything? But the biggest way I know how to help is by distraction?

So... while we're all freaking out over the followers of Lyacon and everything, I want to offer one less thing for you to freak out over. If you need help wooing someone for Valentine's Day, I'm offering my help with that... Flower delivery and I'll even read your love letters to them.

[And, he promises NOT to flirt with your crush! Look at how sweet a deal you're getting!]

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It's not that easy to think about when you're scared. Especially if you're also not confident. And everybody's idea of morale is different. Some people might take the idea that there's something to look forward to after this battle to heart.

Even if you don't get it, could you please not give him crap about it? I know what he's doing isn't your thing, and I understand your reaction. He's trying, in his way.

[She's not angry either, just...protective.]

And some people might get offended that he's more concerned with Valentine's Day when lives could be on the line.

[ Lydia, he knows this is your brother, but come on. Even Gale is taken aback.

...But fine. Fine. She helped him with Rory; he can do that much for her. He gives a heavy, frustrated sigh. ] Okay, I'll leave him alone.

Thank you.

[Thoughtful.]

Hey listen, if you have a few minutes before dinner, can I stop by your cabin?

[ He gives a reticent nod, raising an eyebrow at her question. ]

Yeah, sure. Cabin Sixteen.

Thanks. See you shortly.

[Lydia hasn't really ever had occasion to visit Nemesis Cabin until now. She's carrying her weapons of course, and she's in her armor, and once she arrives at Nemesis cabin's front porch, she does the oddest thing; she snags whatever she can find, a box or a chair, and sets it by her feet.]

[ It's a moment before Gale comes out; he'd been busy touching up the fletching on his arrows, double-checking the string on his bow. The box catches his attention almost immediately after he sees her, and he wonders for a second where it came from, but it's not a big deal. These things are scattered around the Greek camp without much care, seems like. It's normal.

Instead, he settles his gaze on Lydia, curious about why she'd wanted to come here. ] What's up?

[Her hands rest at her hips, casual but near to her blades. It's not a threatening gesture; if anything she picked up the habit from those with more warrior's grace than she, like Gale.]

It's not a huge emergency or anything. But I wanted to say thank you.

[ ...Oookay. An eyebrow raises at that. ]

For what? Backing off of your brother?

[Her brow furrows in surprise.]

That too, but actually I wanted to thank you for all the training. We all know how to fight, but I was never someone people thought of putting in the field. When the wolves come, I'm going to be ready, and a lot of that is because of you.

[ Oh, that. Gale's not sure he deserves a special thank you over that, but to each their own. ]

That's because most people think of you and any other child of Ve- Aphrodite as just a love child. It doesn't have to be true. [ Even if, apparently, Courfeyrac falls under that description. ] You don't have to thank me for helping you prove a dumb stereotype wrong.

[ Though he is truly glad to have helped, and maybe even concerned for Lydia's safety. No one knows when or how hard the wolves will come, and it would not be good if they got her. ] You can hold your ground like the rest of us. Just make sure you don't forget everything when crunch time comes.

It isn't true. It never was. [She shakes her head.] But there's no 'just' anything about love.

There's one more thing, though.

[ He scoffs good-naturedly. ] You've met some of the Roman girls. If that's not proof the stereotype's a lie, I don't know what is.

[ Those girls are fierce. Even Gale would think twice about pissing them off. ]

Alright, what is it?

The stereotype is a lie, that's my point. [A grin, and then more solemnly, she nudges the box so that it's in front of him, and then without any ado, stands on top of it. She's a full foot shorter than him, so standing on the box allows her to see him eye-to-eye.]

So since anything can happen once the wolves get their full moon on, and I highly doubt they're gonna go easy on us, if something happens to me, or if something happens to you, I want you to know where I stand.

[Pardon the pun, Gale. Also, pardon the fact that Lydia very deliberate puts her palm against his jaw and kisses him. She won't push it, if he pulls away, she won't chase after. If anything, she'll start to pull away first.]

[ He's about to comment on the pun when Lydia leans in and actually kisses him, and he finds himself stunned into silence. They've been here before, of course - not here, but kissing, thanks to that mistletoe thing - but this isn't like before. She's framing this as... a goodbye, just in case something happens.

Gale's not sure what he thinks about that.

So when she pulls away, eyes narrowed and brows knit in confusion, he's wondering just how much of the stereotype surrounding Venus and Aphrodite children is true. Lydia's been sincere the entire time he's known her, and he's pretty sure she doesn't have the charmspeak that her mother or some of her siblings do, but there's still a lingering suspicion from the prejudice he's been taught to hold against them - that when it comes to romance, they'll make you fall in love, and watch you shatter when you hit the ground.

His voice, when he finally speaks, is hesitant, but confident in what he tells her. Because he's not addressing what the kiss means just yet. Later, maybe. ] Nothing's going to happen to either of us.

Maybe, maybe not. [She shrugs one-shouldered] It's certainly not part of my plan, but I'm generally pretty pragmatic about this sort of thing.

[Her head cocks to the side as she regards him.]

You know, I've never had someone stare at me like he's wondering if I'm going to shank him after I've kissed him and more or less told him that I liked him before.

Well, I've never had a daughter of Aphrodite kiss me before.

[ Not like this, at least, and not under these circumstances. Does she actually mean it? There's a part of him that wants to believe it, but the rest of him?

He's seen what can happen, and he's not too fond of the idea of being the next sap the love goddess's children tear apart. Gale likes to believe he's stronger than that. Maybe under different circumstances, he would pursue it, but it might just be better if they leave this where it is. ]

[His reticence doesn't confuse her, but it does disappoint her. Shaking her head, she steps off the box.]

You know, normally I just figure any person who shows interest in me, guy or girl, is just reacting to some unconscious effect of amokinetic power. And I think you may be the first person I thought might like me without that being true.

[She looks fitful, and summons up a smile that doesn't meet her eyes.] It's okay. I guess if I were in your boots, all I'd see was 'daughter of Aphrodite' too.

Good luck. When things get ugly. [She means it, even as she starts to step off the cabin's porch.]

[ Oh, shit. Gale's eyes widen a bit in surprise, and he steps after her. She doesn't really - she can't be serious -

That false smile tells him everything he needs to know. Unless she's a better actress than he gives her credit for, Lydia means every word. She honestly believed he -

- And she's not wrong, but that's always been the question. Has she accidentally manipulated him? Gale knows Lydia well enough by now, gauged how they both acted around each other long enough to believe that maybe, just maybe, that isn't the case. And if it is, then she certainly hasn't meant to do it. ]

Lydia, that's - That's not what I meant.

[She keeps the smile on her face. His hesitance played directly into her own self-doubts, however unwittingly.]

What did you mean, then? Nevermind, you know - [Her hands go up as if to belay anything he might say. She's not sure she wants to hear him say he thinks she's manipulating him] - we probably don't have time for this, right?

I don't hear any alarms going off. [ True, they could still be making preparations. But this is important, too. Lydia's one of the few friends Gale has here.

He hesitates to say more, but he can't just leave her hanging. With a sigh, he says, ] I know it's just a stereotype, but I've actually watched some of it happen. You said it yourself - you don't do it consciously. How was I supposed to know that your power didn't play into it?

[ Running a hand through his hair, Gale adds, ] That's why I've been keeping an eye on Annie and Finnick, too. Just in case. She doesn't deserve to be hurt like that.

[Lydia presses her lips together, considering him.

Her mouth opens and shuts a few times, like she's going to start to say something, but each time she cuts it off.

Finally though,]

Do you trust me?

[She is well aware of what a dangerous question it is.]

[ That's a loaded question, he thinks immediately. He stares at her in silence for a moment, the question echoing through his mind, asking himself if he wants to risk it. It's a mistake that's burned many of his friends in the Fifth; it could easily happen to him, too.

He takes a deep breath before he answers, vaguely surprised at the truth in his voice. ] I trust you.

Part of amokinesis isn't just making people fall in love with you. You're also able to sense when other people are interested in each other.

I can't tell you what will happen with Annie and Finnick, but he genuinely cares about her. He's actually really into her. If they break up or whatever, it'll be because life happened, and not because he's playing some kind of game.

I don't know how it worked in for you guys in Camp Jupiter, but that thing about making people love you and then breaking their hearts? We don't do that anymore. The first thing Alcuin did when he became counselor was forbid it and I was on his side about it when he did, even if some of my brothers and sisters weren't happy.

[ He takes that in silently, brow furrowed. A simple nod is all he needs to respond with at Lydia's commentary on Annie and Finnick. She believes it, and Annie trusts Finnick. The least Gale can do is try.

Still, he has his reservations. ] As far as I know, that wasn't some kind of ritual at Jupiter as it was here. It just happened, and like it or not, amokinesis can't always be controlled. That is what I'm worried about.

[She's silent for a moment.]

There's no way I can prove to you that I'm not influencing you. Or that Finnick isn't influencing Annie. But neither of us would ever do that intentionally to either of you and I'll swear that by any god you want to name.

[The corner of her mouth quirks.] I guess you get to decide if I'm worth the risk. And that's not a decision you should be forced to make until you know your own measure.

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