it's a brave new world from the last to the first; [debut]

[fatalpride]

There is nothing Annabeth likes more than seeing a plan come into fruition, but being a daughter of the Goddess of War also means that she’s been given the wisdom to know when they will fall apart.

Comments

[fatalpride]

Annabeth has explored most of the compound already, and found most of it wanting, but the bookcase was by far the best thing she's found so far and she notices it from the hall that she's passing by from.

Silently, Annabeth makes her way towards it, noting with nothing short of absolute glee that all of these books are written in Greek or Latin.

She picks up a thick, heavy book on classical architecture from the shelves, blowing the dust off of it first before taking a peek inside. Mostly words and a few scientific diagrams - Annabeth's favourite kind of book.

She's still reveling in her great (albeit small) victory when she hears what the man behind her says and can't help but spare him another glance. The legs and the horns of a goat. It sounds like a satyr to her.

[fatalpride]

"You mentioned something with the legs and the horns of a goat. What exactly were you talking about?" her voice is level and closed off, wary and cautious, not revealing anything undue within it or her eyes. She already knows what he's talking about - nature spirits. Satyrs perhaps, or - Annabeth looks down at the illustration in his book. Pan.

But the great god of nature is dead like Helios and Selene and others - like her mother and the rest of the Olympians might be if they fail in their mission.

She fixes her gaze on him for an answer.

[strandedseaman]

Horatio was all but bursting with pride. Edward had been an accomplished walker almost from that very first moment he managed to stand, but his paces up and down the Compound hall today were nothing short of extraordinary.

"Oh, well done," said Horatio, scooping him up when the toddler again reached his side. Horatio raised his son into the air and kissed his cheek. "Well done, my boy, you - oh." He'd been so caught up, he'd scarcely noticed the fair haired girl enter the hallway at all. "We must beg your pardon," he said, turning to let her pass. "I'm afraid we're taking up far too much room."

Horatio's broad smile suggested that he did not feel nearly as bad about this as he ought.

[fatalpride]

Annabeth had since made peace with her father and his two mortal, normal children, but there's something about running away from home at the age of seven years old that one doesn't forget. Ironically, Annabeth considers that time a golden age of her life of sorts, because of Thalia, and...Luke.

Still, she finds herself watching the man and his child almost hungrily, drinking in the scene with the corners of her mouth quirked up slightly - although she doesn't know it.

"It's okay."

[strandedseaman]

He'd looked away again, tending to a bit of mango that had somehow escaped his vigilance to land on Edward's collar, but when Horatio looked back he found that the gaze the girl had fixed them with was quite intent.

"You're very kind to say so," he told her, then, perhaps sensing that this was not a passing encounter, added, "I don't believe we've met, my name is Horatio, and this is Edward."

[fatalpride]

"I'm Annabeth." she nods, not quite used to being around adults that aren't gods or related to her (and most fall into both categories). Small children were an entirely different matter, though. As Head Counselor of the Athena cabin at Camp Half-Blood, she'd had more than her share of hyperactive kids running about. "Like the Roman poet. Horatio Quintus Flaccus."

[ensignchekov]

Chekov isn't at all surprised to see a new face at the Compound. In fact, it's rarely a surprise anywhere on the island. It's not like Chekov knows everyone, and he fully doesn't expect to ever be able to do that, especially with all the appearing and disappearing that happens.

On the other hand, this someone looked more lost than anything else. Alright, maybe that wasn't completely fair; she looked more in awe. These things happened on this island, of course, but Chekov was always curious about new people.

He makes more noise than necessary as he approaches her, not wanting to startle her. "Hello there," he says, smiling. "Are all things okay?"

[fatalpride]

Truth be told, even without the added-on noise, Annabeth might have heard him coming. Perhaps it was less so about the heightened demigod senses and more about being so used to a state of constant vigilance that causes her to look up as he approaches.

She's said it before and she'll certainly say it again: the island's inhabitants are nothing if not friendly. And while others (read: Percy) might doubt her ability to socialize, Annabeth certainly doesn't.

His accent is thick. She mentally tries to place it on a world map. Possibly Russian? Eastern European, for sure.

"Everything's fine, thank you." and look, Annabeth even manages a smile.

[ensignchekov]

Getting a smile makes things even better. Chekov beams back at her and gestures around. "You're looking a little...confused," he says, and he's trying to keep his accent in line and his words in the right order. Admittedly, he doesn't find it as hard as he used to, but it's still something that needs relatively conscious thought.

"Are you new?" he asks, because it's the Compound, and because she's looking around so curiously. "Where are you from?" Curiosity and little Chekovs have always gone together, and he never misses a chance to find out more about somewhere potentially new and interesting.

[fatalpride]

That's two people who have said that to her today. Is she really looking that confused? Something has to be rectified in order to keep from looking quite so helpless for the next time.

"I'm new. And I'm from New York." his accent was definitely Russian, she concludes with some satisfaction. As weird as other people might think it was, Annabeth just liked knowing things.

"Where are you from?"

[defected]

Bryce Larkin was frustrated.

Having wandered into the rec room when it was, by the island's standards, relatively empty, he had seized an opportunity to do some reading. The bookshelf, with its sparkling sense of humor, had given him a vast succession of James Bond novels, and after fighting with it for the better of an hour, Bryce had yet to get anywhere.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and reached yet again. In his hands rested a tattered copy of Casino Royale.

"You're kidding me."

[fatalpride]

Annabeth, on the other hand, has gotten the hang of the bookshelf, or so she thinks. She's already finished the other books requisitioned from the magic item, and now she's back for more, returning the other two.

Now it's only a question of what to request.

"...Homer's Iliad, please." and sure enough the next book she pulls out of the bookshelf is the requested title- but in English. She puts it back and decides to try her luck again.

"In Greek."

[defected]

It isn't easy to catch someone like Bryce by surprise. Spies don't have the luxury of making mistakes; if they do and are lucky enough to survive, they make damn sure to learn from them. Years of experience have taught Bryce to steel himself against the element of surprise - it's an advantage you make for yourself and keep from the enemy at all cost.

Which is why, when a girl no older than fifteen manages to manipulate the bookshelf into handing her precisely what she's looking for - in Greek, no less - he's instantly on his toes, watching her out of the corner of his eye. Her accent is doubtlessly American, and last he checked Greek wasn't a choice elective in most American high schools. Not to mention, the choice itself - what kind of teenager reads Homer by choice?

"That's an interesting choice," he says, only now making eye contact.

[fatalpride]

Half bloods don't make mistakes if they can help it, but they also have rotten luck and Annabeth knows that even the most meticulously laid plans can go awry with a lowered guard. As such, she's trained herself to be automatically wary and slightly distustful of new people and this man's curiosity and words are not simply of idle interest. So when she replies her voice is wary and cautious, but her words are planned to be purposefully casual.

"Not really. I thought I'd give it a try."