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[commandertoolbelt]

[ Leo has been working on that phone idea he's had, the one Artemis finally motivated him to actually work on. He's been busy with that for the past few weeks, so here he is now, putting the final touches on a prototype. He's sitting on the steps in front of Cabin Nine when he sends the IM, grinning. ]

Yo, Artemis, I have something for you! [ he says in a sing-song voice, and holds up the phone. ] Now we just need to give it a test run.

[ Oh, he should probably explain this, huh? ]

For anyone not in the know, one thing that really sucks about this whole demigod thing? Can't use phones, even us Hephaestus kids. It's like setting off an alarm and telling all the monsters around that hey! Demigods here! Dinner is served! Artemis and I were working on this guy [ he holds the phone up again ] that'll hopefully let us use a phone without bringing the baddies around.

Aaaand now we need to test it and see if it works. So! Any volunteers?

Comments

[pyrkagia]

I don't...think I'm prepared for that to happen again.

[Especially considering for a good amount of time during that period, she was without her dragons - the source of so much positive energy and pride for her.]

You'll need to go to the Big House and talk to them, then. I'm still not allowed near it.

[commandertoolbelt]

I don't think any of us are. [ he says with a grimace. True, Leo doesn't really travel, and he doesn't have anyone to visit, but being locked in still doesn't sit well with him. ]

I'll do that later. Why are they still not letting you up there? Like, what if you needed to go to the infirmary? They're not that upset with you, are they?

[pyrkagia]

I usually go to the Apollo cabin if something's bothering me, to be honest.

[She's been doing it for a long while - it helps that she's close friends with many of the campers who inhabit it.]

I suppose it's a graver offense than I expected it to be. But I'm happy - I have my dragons back again.

[commandertoolbelt]

If it works, it works, I guess. [ Shrug.

Then he grins, nudging Dany's arm with his elbow. ] Safe and sound, just like I promised. I can't believe the Red Room even took them. Freaking dragons and they think they can just snatch 'em up like nothing. [ He shakes his head. Idiots. ]

[pyrkagia]

I'm glad you did, and - I'm proud of you.

[She grasps his arm a little, looking at him.]

Because they're not nothing. They're everything, and I think you really understand that better than anyone, Leo.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Hearing that sends an unexpected rush of warmth through him; nobody has ever told him they're proud of him before, a runaway, delinquent, diablo - no one but his mother. It's an odd feeling, but he manages to give Dany a smile. ]

And I'd do it again, if I had to. They're family. [ Because he knows a lot about family - had a great example and everything. ] How're they doing, anyway? Didn't look like much happened to them, but... [ Shrug. ]

[pyrkagia]

They're getting better, getting more trusting of others again. At least, I hope they are - it seems like they are.

[She knows about family as well - knows it's important, knows to uphold the name of her blood family but knows more that her godly family is even better than she'll get elsewhere.]

We've been working on it.

[commandertoolbelt]

Can't say I'd blame them if it took a while, though. I hear it takes a while to rebuild trust once it's gone. But hey, [ he continues with a smile, ] at least they've got their mom.

[pyrkagia]

That's for certain.

{It'd be hard for Dany to trust someone appearing to be one of her blood brothers again, after all.]

How are Festus and Scout doing...?

[commandertoolbelt]

They're great! Festus still stays in Bunker Nine a lot, but Scout likes to hang out with me most of the time. She's starting to get the hang of that flamethrower.

[ What a proud papa he is. ]

[pyrkagia]

That's good. In time, I'm sure it'll prove quite useful.

[Though, she hopes they won't have to use it soon.

Then, she gestures to her hands, then his own - meaning to talk more figuratively.]

And what of...your own, so to speak?

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He looks down at his hands, surprised to even be asked to think about it. ]

It's... easier, now. Still lose my clothes to the forges now and then, but I'm getting better at controlling it. Haven't spontaneously combusted in a while, at least. I figure I'm probably overdue.

[ There is no way he is telling Dany about his conversation with Natalie on Valentine's Day, no matter how remarkable his restraint was. ]

[pyrkagia]

I haven't since January. I'm actually rather proud of myself for it.

[The wolves attacking scared her, made her body freak out more than even her mind was - it was against her will, but she pulled it back with Lydia's help. She takes one of his hands in her own, looking up at her brother.]

Maybe we should practice together.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He looks back up with a smile. ] Yeah! And we can ask Kevin, too. We'll... probably have to make sure to fireproof everything, thought.

[pyrkagia]

I've still got a few of those flame-retardant blankets.

[A knowing smile, now.]

It'd be good for all three of us, I think.