[deerington] au threads; chb

[laruetheday]

[ Easiest way to get to Camp Half-Blood is via the city, so that's the way they go. A taxi ride from Queens to Long Island, then a short walk, and they crest a hill, and there's the camp. It's still strange, for Clarisse, after all these years to go from one of the most crowded cities on earth to the rolling hills and valleys of the camp. She can't imagine what it must be like for someone who's literally never been here before.

The first indication that this isn't a normal summer camp is the copper-colored dragon. It lies sleeping, curled around a large pine tree at the top of the hill, smoke rising lazily from its nostrils, and as Clarisse approaches, it opens one sleepy yellow eye and stares at her, and then at her companion. ]

Hi. It's just me. [ Smiling, she gives the dragon a little nudge with one hand as she passes by, and it settles back into its doze. On the other side of the hill, down in the valley, is a large farmhouse. Beyond it, what looks like various buildings designed with Greek architecture in mind, including a circular ampitheater. There's a lake, endless strawberry fields, and in the distance, the ocean—but there's also a climbing wall with what looks like real lava pouring down one side, and what looks like a real, working forge.

Clarisse shifts from one foot to another, seemingly not sure where to go from here. ]

So, [ she says after a moment. Awkward. ] This is it.

Comments

[laruetheday]

He seems to be able to sense who's an ally and who isn't.

[ Maybe Chiron trained him? Or he has some kind of special instructions from one of the gods? Like most things Greek, Clarisse has learned not to question it too much. She gives Peleus one more pet, then reaches for Bella's hand. ] Where do you want to go first?

[littlelesshelpless]

That's a useful talent.

[Bella, of course, is super curious about the hows and whys, but she's sufficiently distracted by the hand-holding, lacing their fingers together and thinking seriously.] I want...to go to your favorite place. Wherever that is.

[laruetheday]

Sure is.

[ Clarisse starts heading down the hill, toward the Big House, going slow so Bella can take everything in as they walk. Once they get down into the valley, it's easier to pick out specific details about the goings on. There are kids in Greek armor climbing on the lava wall, and others sitting around in orange camp shirts, hanging out. There are also satyrs playing reed pipes to get the strawberries to grow faster, and nymphs darting in and out of the trees.

Clarisse's favorite places here are the climbing wall and the arena, but she doesn't think it would be a great place to start Bella off. She cuts a right past the Big House and cuts across the grass near the volleyball court, waving idly at the teenagers playing there, and they continue on until they come to the canoe lake. It's empty of campers, right now, and very peaceful. A dock cuts into the water, and once they step onto it, they're able to see what look like teenage girls in jeans and t-shirts at the bottom of the lake, sitting and talking as tiny fish swim through their hair. One looks up and waves at Bella, smiling. ]

Naiads. [ Clarisse rolls her eyes, smiling. ] They love to flirt.

[littlelesshelpless]

[It's only Clarisse's close-by presence that keeps Bella from wandering right into the lava wall and/or the volleyball game. Part of that is her natural clumsiness (of course), but the other is how she's just gaping at everything. It's like a combination of a summer camp from a movie and all the mythology books she's ever read. It's both incongruous and absolutely amazing.

Going to the dock is a good idea -- it's quieter, and Bella's awkward anxiety abates a little as she looks out at the water, very nearly wandering off into the water as she does. Clarisse's voice brings her back and she crouches down to sit on her heels, staring down at the figures.]

...wow. Are they campers too? Or are they just...benefitting from modern fashion?