That's an actual, genuine smile. It seems fragile to her, just a bit, but it's genuine and true-- the first she's seen on him. She cannot help but stare for a few beats afterwards in silence. On many occasions, she would point out such a smile in delight, perhaps even tease, but this one is so delicate in its novelty, that instead she simply lets it be, and lets them be in the moment.
Then she promptly gives his hand a tug. ] My place is not too far away... I can whip up a quick cup of cocoa just for us.
How does a bit of cinnamon in it sound? Oh-- or perhaps you're a boy you likes a bit of chili pepper in it, instead?
[Smiles are a bit easier now, at least around people he trusts. He doesn't let his guard down around just anyone.
With the tug on his hand, he allows her to lead.]
I...don't think I have a preference. Camp just has the powder stuff that you put in hot water, with the stale little marshmallows? Though...
[Though briefly he thinks of thick, rich, dark chocolate, and a small café in an open plaza. The memory is gone as quickly as it comes.] Mm. Never mind.
[ What... sort of hot chocolate is that? She's never heard of it, at least, not in the banks of her recent memory. But she does comment, glancing at him with a skeptical look: ]
Powedered chocolate-- with hot water? That seems... not the best.
[ She sounds offended. ] Who would do such a thing to hot chocolate...
[Sometimes, that was good enough. The camp was temperature regulated, but it still got chilly in the colder months. And between wars, when he didn't stay at camp, but sometimes needed a place to escape that wasn't the Underworld or some back alley, a paper cup full of hot watery chocolate was heaven.]
It's also really cheap. Even when it's just us year-rounders left in the winter, that's still a lot of kids to feed.
[ From his words, she appears puzzled. It seems as if she's not quite able to pick up his context. ]
Year... rounders? Such as school? [ It doesn't sound as if it is just school-- most boarding schools she's heard of would provide children with food-- which is why she asks to clarify. ]
No. [He shakes his head] Most campers only come in the summer. They leave in the fall to return to school and their families, and come back the following summer.
[If they survived. Not all demigods were powerful enough to attract monsters, but that didn't make them immune. There were always one or two or a few who didn't make it back.]
But for some, it's too dangerous to go home, or too unstable. And for others, well, not all of us have homes or families to go back to. [Hades keeps a room for him in the Underworld, but all parties concerned for his health have determined he's better off living above ground.] So we stay all year. This would be my first full year with the camp...if I weren't here.
[Come to think of it...] I haven't been to school in years.
[ The expression on his face seems... wistful, almost. She wonders if his last comment is due to him missing school, or him coming to realize that he doesn't miss it because of those he knows at this camp.
Whatever the case, she's glad for this sort of expression. It hadn't occurred to her until now, just how pained he had seemed back then. ]
How... old are you, Nico? If you don't mind me asking.
Well. You still have lots of time ahead of you, if you wish to return to school. Or not. [ She's not the boss of him, and she's certainly not his parent. ] But, I believe that whatever you put your mind to, you'll be able to do it.
[ She glances at him. ] It's just a feeling I have.
[ If he can smile after all that he may have gone through... then, surely, there's nothing he cannot accomplish. ]
Thank you. But I don't think school in the cards for me. I'm... [Too different. Too messed up.] Too much has happened.
[A bit of a frown.] Anyway, it's been so long, it would be really hard to catch up. I'm too tired to waste that kind of energy. [He would rather use his energy stores on more important things, like staying alive and defending his people.]
....You know. I never went went through any schooling.
[ And while curious about it-- from seeing nobles' children attend, or knowing the benefits that it'd give to others-- this is something of which she can relate to Nico. Just barely, though. ]
War... it sort of does that, doesn't it? Takes away opportunity for others to learn in peace.
[War is all he's ever really known. He was born between two world wars. All his memories are of running from, planning for, or fighting in wars. Even without the wars, there's always a battle waiting somewhere. The fighting never really stops. Not for long.
He's not surprised she hadn't gone to school. She feels....old. Very, very old.]
[ The question makes her pause as she walks. Here she is, falling back onto old habits of asking about others, when she knows... a good amount of him. He, a demigod. He, son of the god of the dead of his world. He, who had a sister. He, had once dreams of being a warrior and being strong, being a hero. He, who then lost so much. It doesn't feel quite right to talk about herself, in light of all of that, and not when he's so freshly re-awakened from his world.
She glances at him from the corner of her eyes, watching his expression. A doubt emerges: does he really want to know the answer? ]
[ She's... been trying to speak about herself. Some cirucmstances have forced her hand to be more open, reveal a little more of her power-- and the danger that has come with it. For those that know more of her, they haven't... shunned her. Or blamed her, for what harm she's caused her loved one.
She has to start being more open. ] It was so long ago that I hardly remember. [ She says at last, looking forward, pausing, then looking back at him. ]
It... doesn't bother you? That I-- [ A pause. Another pause. It helps, too, that he is the son of a god. That's a start, that he's familiar with such beings on a personal level, or so she assumes. ] that I'm something bygone.
[It doesn't surprise him, that she wouldn't remember. Hades had admitted to forgetting various things he found unimportant, and he was not nearly as old.
His response is immediate.] Of course not.
[That she has to ask at all gives him pause, though. He hadn't thought of her as someone who would need reassurances. Not from him. But then, he hadn't really bothered to learn much about her before. A problem he hoped to fix.
Smiling, he adds,] You're the nicest something bygone I've met so far. And...probably the smallest. Unless this isn't your true form?
[ ...Ah. Maybe that's the thing with speaking with someone who is the son of a god, that they can guess that another deity-like being would have other forms. He's guessing all too easily at this.]
... Nico. [ A small playful, but fond nudge with her elbow. ] When did you become so clever?
[ --Or maybe he always was, and she hadn't noticed beneath the frown.
...But. It's nice. She feels just a little safer here, with him. Safe enough to basically confirm that, yes, this is not her true form. ]
[ She sees that little smirk, and instead of looking offended, she exhales shortly, softly through her nose. Indeed, she underestimated him. (A thing that, perhaps, she does too often with others-- what a bad habit.) ] Aah, then... Let's see.
[ Her hand swings with his as they walk, and she looks forward. ] This form... It's a construct. And... You've guessed right. Mm, I'm quite a bit old.
[ "I was here at the beginning. And I will proclaim the end."
It's just a bit scary, to think about.
Her hand tightens around his. ]
But if you still will accept this friendship... I'll treasure it into the future, or until the end of time.
[A construct. Gods of his world can change size, and some shape. The primordial gods, those who were very old and very immense, could project or create a smaller version of themselves - like Tartarus whose very body served as the deepest pit of the Underworld. But even his smaller version was terrifying to behold. He's not sure in what manner she is a construct, or what that really means, but it doesn't much matter to him.]
I've already accepted it. [It's not something he takes lightly.] But that's a long time. Are you sure you won't forget about me before then?
[That would be okay. He may be half god, but he has a mortal lifespan, and it's doubtful he'll even reach the end of that. The end of time is a long time to hold on to a memory.]
[ At that, she stops again in their walk and turns to him, her hand tugging at his to get him to do the same.
To forget those here, to forget those she knows in her own world, all of whom she's come to both influence her as she's loved them-- she would never want to forget them. She could have been an entity removed from the world, she could have been dormant, a mere observer until the world would end and another would begin. Instead, she had been imprinted with humanity...
And she's been given the opportunity to know those like him.
She has a complicated past, and the internal struggle of being who she is today and what she once was continues, but to say that she's grateful for knowing people like him is an understatement.
Taking a step forward, her arms wrap around him around him for an embrace. Quietly, her voice humbled, she makes a promise: ]
If it's within my power... never.
[ She doesn't want to forget those like him, and for as much as she's been immortal-- that she could forget him should she leave here, the idea of a loss like that makes her feel all the more mortal. ]
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Sounds good to me.
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That's an actual, genuine smile. It seems fragile to her, just a bit, but it's genuine and true-- the first she's seen on him. She cannot help but stare for a few beats afterwards in silence. On many occasions, she would point out such a smile in delight, perhaps even tease, but this one is so delicate in its novelty, that instead she simply lets it be, and lets them be in the moment.
Then she promptly gives his hand a tug. ] My place is not too far away... I can whip up a quick cup of cocoa just for us.
How does a bit of cinnamon in it sound? Oh-- or perhaps you're a boy you likes a bit of chili pepper in it, instead?
no subject
With the tug on his hand, he allows her to lead.]
I...don't think I have a preference. Camp just has the powder stuff that you put in hot water, with the stale little marshmallows? Though...
[Though briefly he thinks of thick, rich, dark chocolate, and a small café in an open plaza. The memory is gone as quickly as it comes.] Mm. Never mind.
no subject
Powedered chocolate-- with hot water? That seems... not the best.
[ She sounds offended. ] Who would do such a thing to hot chocolate...
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[Sometimes, that was good enough. The camp was temperature regulated, but it still got chilly in the colder months. And between wars, when he didn't stay at camp, but sometimes needed a place to escape that wasn't the Underworld or some back alley, a paper cup full of hot watery chocolate was heaven.]
It's also really cheap. Even when it's just us year-rounders left in the winter, that's still a lot of kids to feed.
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Year... rounders? Such as school? [ It doesn't sound as if it is just school-- most boarding schools she's heard of would provide children with food-- which is why she asks to clarify. ]
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[If they survived. Not all demigods were powerful enough to attract monsters, but that didn't make them immune. There were always one or two or a few who didn't make it back.]
But for some, it's too dangerous to go home, or too unstable. And for others, well, not all of us have homes or families to go back to. [Hades keeps a room for him in the Underworld, but all parties concerned for his health have determined he's better off living above ground.] So we stay all year. This would be my first full year with the camp...if I weren't here.
[Come to think of it...] I haven't been to school in years.
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Whatever the case, she's glad for this sort of expression. It hadn't occurred to her until now, just how pained he had seemed back then. ]
How... old are you, Nico? If you don't mind me asking.
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Fifteen. Pretty sure. At least that's what we determined after a lot of math.
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[ She repeats, pensive. ]
Well. You still have lots of time ahead of you, if you wish to return to school. Or not. [ She's not the boss of him, and she's certainly not his parent. ] But, I believe that whatever you put your mind to, you'll be able to do it.
[ She glances at him. ] It's just a feeling I have.
[ If he can smile after all that he may have gone through... then, surely, there's nothing he cannot accomplish. ]
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[A bit of a frown.] Anyway, it's been so long, it would be really hard to catch up. I'm too tired to waste that kind of energy. [He would rather use his energy stores on more important things, like staying alive and defending his people.]
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....You know. I never went went through any schooling.
[ And while curious about it-- from seeing nobles' children attend, or knowing the benefits that it'd give to others-- this is something of which she can relate to Nico. Just barely, though. ]
War... it sort of does that, doesn't it? Takes away opportunity for others to learn in peace.
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[War is all he's ever really known. He was born between two world wars. All his memories are of running from, planning for, or fighting in wars. Even without the wars, there's always a battle waiting somewhere. The fighting never really stops. Not for long.
He's not surprised she hadn't gone to school. She feels....old. Very, very old.]
Were you ever a kid?
1/2
She glances at him from the corner of her eyes, watching his expression. A doubt emerges: does he really want to know the answer? ]
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I've been called a child before.... Does that count?
[ She's been called many, many names. Child. Heavenly. Princess. Lady. Aegis. Simpleton. Holy Grail. Blade. Weapon. Divine. ]
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He shrugs.] I guess that's up to you. I can't fathom how long ago it might have been, but you had to have had a beginning, right?
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She has to start being more open. ] It was so long ago that I hardly remember. [ She says at last, looking forward, pausing, then looking back at him. ]
It... doesn't bother you? That I-- [ A pause. Another pause. It helps, too, that he is the son of a god. That's a start, that he's familiar with such beings on a personal level, or so she assumes. ] that I'm something bygone.
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His response is immediate.] Of course not.
[That she has to ask at all gives him pause, though. He hadn't thought of her as someone who would need reassurances. Not from him. But then, he hadn't really bothered to learn much about her before. A problem he hoped to fix.
Smiling, he adds,] You're the nicest something bygone I've met so far. And...probably the smallest. Unless this isn't your true form?
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... Nico. [ A small playful, but fond nudge with her elbow. ] When did you become so clever?
[ --Or maybe he always was, and she hadn't noticed beneath the frown.
...But. It's nice. She feels just a little safer here, with him. Safe enough to basically confirm that, yes, this is not her true form. ]
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[He'll admit to being observant. It's a large part of how he's managed to stay alive. But he'd never thought of himself as particularly clever.
He smirks.] Always have been. Getting everyone to underestimate me is how I've gotten so far ahead.
[He'd grown so used to his peers fearing him, he would feel honored to know she felt safe with him.]
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[ Her hand swings with his as they walk, and she looks forward. ] This form... It's a construct. And... You've guessed right. Mm, I'm quite a bit old.
[ "I was here at the beginning. And I will proclaim the end."
It's just a bit scary, to think about.
Her hand tightens around his. ]
But if you still will accept this friendship... I'll treasure it into the future, or until the end of time.
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I've already accepted it. [It's not something he takes lightly.] But that's a long time. Are you sure you won't forget about me before then?
[That would be okay. He may be half god, but he has a mortal lifespan, and it's doubtful he'll even reach the end of that. The end of time is a long time to hold on to a memory.]
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To forget those here, to forget those she knows in her own world, all of whom she's come to both influence her as she's loved them-- she would never want to forget them. She could have been an entity removed from the world, she could have been dormant, a mere observer until the world would end and another would begin. Instead, she had been imprinted with humanity...
And she's been given the opportunity to know those like him.
She has a complicated past, and the internal struggle of being who she is today and what she once was continues, but to say that she's grateful for knowing people like him is an understatement.
Taking a step forward, her arms wrap around him around him for an embrace. Quietly, her voice humbled, she makes a promise: ]
If it's within my power... never.
[ She doesn't want to forget those like him, and for as much as she's been immortal-- that she could forget him should she leave here, the idea of a loss like that makes her feel all the more mortal. ]
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He's already lost all his memories once. Hades would never do that to him again. Probably. But one can never be certain where gods are concerned.
He sighs into the embrace.]
If I can help it, I won't forget you either.