" I don't know, seeing you on one of the pegasi and giving a quick ride in the night sky but just be the icing on top. " She teased a little, but had a very serious tone otherwise. Kiara was simply a horse girl and everything was automatically better with a few horses.

" Well, enjoy the weekend. I think we're all mostly here the whole time. Dionysus promised it'd be safe and to celebrate the saving of three gods. Very, very impressive. What's up for you next, Ms. Dioson? " Taking a moment to look over at Kallis, she returned her glance to Holli with a half shrug.

" Last time I was here I found a book about dragon riders. I've been trying to find how to get to them with Kallis, but it's been a bit tougher than I imagined. "

holli laughed and turned to kiara with an unrestrained glee on her face before leaning in to hug her. "i know, right? literally don't know how this holiday could get any better, it's all my favs in one place." she gestured toward the seat on the other side, inviting kitty to sit and chat while harlan talked to the other dude at the table about war or something, she'd tuned out and had just been staring mindlessly. "what have you been up to??"

Harlan appreciated how excited Holli was to see him, she'd be one of the few (perhaps only) at camp that he really bonded with in their flawed maneuvering of the world but it worked fine for the two of them! " mazel tov, hols." he teased, tossing the insect into his mouth and chewing with haste before swallowing it mostly whole and opening his mouth to show holli that it had been completely devoured.

" when you get an invite from the patron god of debauchery and madness, i don't think that's an invitation you can simply turn down and ganymede keeps pestering me, i figure just talk to him in person so he can get off my back works better. " he was hesitant to share much more than that, knowing Holli's conviction they were most definitely opposed on the topic and he didn't want to be persuaded by the smooth talker.

harlan was right ultimately, probably immediately realizing so when holli squealed before even turning to see him. she hugged his ribs tight enough to hurt and smacked a kiss on his cheek before replying, "yeah, i think everything probably is!" she quickly broke the alcoholic bug delicacy in half and offered him a bite, finding the fortitude to take her own. "what are you even doing here?" eyes sparkling, she's so distracted by the surprise, she can't fixate on the contents and just chews and swallows around the question.

camp wasn't all bad, he even missed being back despite the rules, the training, and the gossipmonglers talking about everything under the sun. lincoln felt as the sun did, primal and radiant, he couldn't help if his orbt sometimes caught other in its reach and pulled them to their own demise. he did learn that there were bigger, badder fish then him out there but, all in all, his time with sachar and darius was quite informative.

with purpose, lincoln moved throughout the event with an energy that simply could not be controlled. his eyes met other's gazed unabashedly, wandering to their outfits, before he'd offer a little nod and continue his search until he had found his target in one maja livingston, the glorified popstar himself.

" well, well, well. isn't someone looking absolutely titillating tonight. " there lincoln west went again – unfiltered, unashamed, and unapologetic.

It didn't take long for her to find her footing during the festivities, her little zootopia had been all put near Kallis to rest, even allowing both of her wolves out and pulled from the aether to enjoy a respite of finding and seeking whatever it was that they were always so eager to find.

After feeding them all, Kiara turned on her heel and spotted a very specific someone and a devious plot filled her mind. " Yin and Yang, go and tackle that man to the floor. "

For a moment, the wolves looked at Kiara confused but she nodded and gestured them off, both animals running at full speed to tackle a certain son of Poseidon to the floor and provide him lickies.

Kiara entered the festivities looking radiant as hell, as though she had been thriving and came back to camp bigger, better, and badder as ever. Kallis had even grown a bit larger, the dragon of flames and ash found itself a large nook to nestle himself into as Kiara made her way back for the weekend.

They all had so much they needed to do still, each thread of adventure and purposee to leave camp and forge their own adventures.

Almost immediately she spotted Holli, the lingering of a certain son of Zeus made her give the girl a quick glance and side eye. " You know what, get it, sis. " She chuckled, a knowing look from the champion of Artemis herself.

he's already a little drunk off of the spiked ambrosia that dionysus had given as a kind offering. there is a mighty stagger in his step, a jaunt as he stumbles throughout the gathering as though he had been holding on so tight for months. he had to be his own protector, make sure there were no missteps to keep himself safe but now, he could finally let loose and so he did.

finding a man, grumpy and curmudgeonly in one of the corners, harlan did what he did best and sauntered with a wasted smile plastered on his lips.

" grumpy olee man not enjoyin' the party? u mus be lev. " harlan's words slurred just a little as he brought a hand out to shake the man's, his other gripping loosely to his shoulder to remain standing upright. " harlan mccrae, from the nut sack of zeus himself. "

[ @conquerallies ] after being stuck with sachar, charmed by the new god, lincoln felt like there was more he could do outside than within the camp grounds. he befriended darius, the man and him in some beautiful mix of brotherhood and romance that one could only feel while protecting the other was his entire life and being.

when the call came out to return, he decided to see how camp was doing but first decided to stop by his old friend to see how the man was doing.

" knock, knock. " lincoln peeked his head looking for jeronimo with hands extended, wanting to give the other a large and firm embrace.

he almost decided not to come, bali had been an incredible time (with holli) minus the other silent weirdos who joined them, but it was a memory worth keeping tight and well, coming back to camp in celebration with the saving of dionysus was something worth considering.

ganymede through a secure line kept asking harlan to return, the folly of heroism wasn't lost to a survivalist like harlan. but, for the sake of merriment and old friends, he decided to take a small reprieve at camp for the weekend to honor and celebrate who he was and the good fight many of them would plunge on the sword for.

with a cigarette on his lips, harlan from the shadows decided he would surprise the one person who probably would be happiest to see him there.

" might be easier if we do it together, yeah? " his voice booms like a thundercloud as he slides his way next to the girl, fingertips on the small of her back as he offers her a smile before slamming his hand gingerly on the table to get whatever the hell holli was having.

[ location : diosgiving ] [ open to : all! ]

"no...see...no. just no!" holli was real loopy, in one of those rare times it was actually obvious. she had gone harder than ever before, between still drinking away the memory of being sober and dionysus throwing the party of the century, she was partaking in everything he had served. which...was a lot.

currently, in between bouts of giggles, holli was trying to make herself eat some weird alcoholic food dio had brought from who knows where, that apparently had bugs inside. "i know it's a mental thing! i gotta get over it!" problem was it smelled weird and she didn't think that was just in her head. "just gonna do it. down the hatch." she held her nose but still did not eat it.

dexter hadn't been cold his entire life but the frigidity in his movements and the allure of mental tricks had him absolutely messed up and that pissed him the hell off. sure, he could fight and had the dexterity and agility to swing his blade and seek out opportunities for weaknesses in combat, but did that mattered if his own mental fortitude had seemingly been non-existant? the son of boreas spent a few days in his cabin simply stewing on the fact that he sucked when it came to saving dio and holli was probably laughing at him, wanting to ridicule him in the guise of salacity. how could she have even been remotely aroused by his pitiful display, it just had to be a joke.

after days of not eating, the pain of starvation outweighed his pain of poor preformance and bundled up and hidden away in a large jacket and sweat pants, dexter made his way to the mess hall quietly and reserved getting himself some yogurt and granola minding his own business until gramps appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

the young man grimaced, looking up with a bitter, cold expression.

" 'm fine, couldn't be better, y'know? " dexter lied, obviously as everything else in his being screamed at how poorly he felt and was doing.

@frigidkingdcm

lev had this ..sense of pride within him, it was that little ounce of satisfaction he got from getting back on his feet time & time again, no matter how hard he was struck down. was it his preferred way of doing fights? fuck no. but lately, he hadn't exactly had much of a say in it, so the fact he was still standing now.. yeah, he definitely felt a little smug. not that he paraded it around much, especially because to pride himself on getting up again & again, he'd have to admit to falling.

it'd been unfortunate that while being out with dex, they didn't really get to ... fight together. sure they'd been a team, but lev had been looking forward to abusing the synergy between their elements in battle. well, maybe next time. lev found the other in the mess hall that had been decorated & filled to the brim with food .... & with dio's arrival liquor - surely. not that lev cared, he didn't drink.

approaching him, he offered a little nod. they hadn't spoken again after their little spar & didn't exactly have much time to do so during the rescue mission. "how's it going, kiddo?" did he expect the gramps card in return? oh yes. he was ready. "you feelin' okay after .. 'yknow?" vampires, getting bit... & charmed. he'd been on what? a handful of mission? could be quite a lot sometimes.

" yes, i was horny after that pleasure palace and yes, i'm embarrassed at how quickly my mind went to sleeping with every single demigod on that quest. " dexter shook his head in disbelief, thankful it was all over and it wasn't anything he had to think much more after the day ended. " i just don't understand why it wasn't all of us effected by whatever the hell happened there. "

location: out by the bonfire after sun set

the pleasure palace or whatever it was called gave him a lot of things to think about. wanting to protect camp, but only being one man, he tossed a couple of sage sticks and palo santo into the bonfire. he then sat back, letting the aroma fill the air around him and feeling the protection spread out. "feel free to take a seat." he smiled softly when he saw someone through the flickering flames. "i actually wanted to pick your brain about something."

" do what you want, krissi. it's nothing i haven't seen before. " he shrugs casually at the thought, they were going to be comrades moving forward so it made sense for them to get comfortable with one another. after a stifled chuckle, dexter takes another drag from his joint and blows it away from krissi. " heard, i'll keep you from floating away, tonight at least. " dexter was joking, but the thought could have been fun to consider.

once the door was closed, he headed towards the lit up path of camp that passed through the woodland area. " you mean when i was hard as a rock and couldn't think? yeah. in all of the weirdness of camp, i didn't expect that to be my first quest, having the craziest thoughts about grandpa lev, holli, and, well. i'm glad that's over and done with. "

another chuckle as dexter comments on their state of body right now. ❝ gotta remember to actually get dressed after showers again now that I'm back at camp. ❞ was that an admission that they usually slept naked ? maybe it was or wasn't. seeing the joint and then the explanation, krissi politely declines. ❝ I appreciate it, but I'll pass; me and the herb don't have good experiences. ❞ last time he got high, krissi nearly floated out of orbit, and they meant that in the most literal of senses. ❝ but I'll step out with you for a bit; it's been a while since I've seen camp in its entirety. & some fresh air would definitely help clear my mind after that incident at the pleasure place. ❞ suffice to say, it was a very different experience. stepping back in to slip on some black sweats and boots before they return. ❝ was it as intense for you too ? that weird wave of lust ? ❞

" yeah, climb mountains and make sure they're safe. it's mostly rich older men with disposable income and a midlife crisis. " it was pretty easy, especially when these men knew that the balance of life held onto listening and following along because out there was the true frigid wilderness. " that's crazy. " his eyes widened, wondering if perhaps, his father might've been taken too but figuring if he spoke out to him, there wass no way he would be gone. " sure. probably why i got beckoned here anyways. "

"and what do you help the clients do? climb mountains, i guess?" she thought back to his god given talents and nodded, thinking that made sense for him to be gifted about. "some have been kidnapped essentially. i'm looking for dio now. but yeah, i guess he is. congrats. would you want to come help find mine if i can narrow it down some?"

" casual, huh. " the man couldn't help but tease as he took a quick glimpse at the other's exposed legs panning up to catch his glance before wiggling the blunt he had lit in his fingertips to showcase what he was up to. " kinda crazy day, figure you might want to relax too. came to share if you smoke. " dexter could take a no if that was the case but with the other's charming smile and kindness radiating off of him, he gathered krissi was pretty calm and wouldn't feel like he was being looked at like he was still eighteen like some of the others who knew him from before.

it was nighttime, the best part of the day for any child of a nocturnal deity. normally, the kids of asteria, nyx, & selene would be out stargazing tonight. but with the rumor of the missing gods, there felt a bit of absence in looking to the heavens. besides, today had been something of a long day: from meeting a set of odd dryads at a farm to suddenly being on queen anne's revenge to save merfolk. they didn't even wanna think about the pleasure palace part ... even if there were parts that hadn't fully left their mental. they had just gotten out of the shower when they heard a knock on their cabin door. slipping on their huge gray shirt and some tight black briefs, krissi goes to see it's dexter at the front door. ❝ hey dexter ! what's up ? ❞ their smile is as bright as a crescent moon. he didn't know a lot about dexter, aside from something weird between him & holli, but he seemed cool ... no pun intended.

" guess not. " dexter let out a small chuckle, perhaps lev wasn't as irritating as he initially thought after all. he hadn't fought since he was at camp as a teenager, he had a few things he was trying to grow in skill set and power, but this would be a really good way to test it all out.

" okay gramps, drink your morning coffee and read the paper and i'll meet you in the pit right at 8 a.m. gives us both a little bit of time to warm up, ya? " dexter wanted to reach out to his father anyways, brandish his sword too and ready himself for his first true spar back at camp.

"you better. no honor in beatin' up an old man, is there?" lev huffed out a little laugh. he knew how this would go, most likely - he knew his strength did not lie in 1v1s & yet, practice wouldn't hurt, would it? like ever? he didn't think so & seeing the young demigod in action could give him an idea how ...reliable he was in a fight, probably. lev liked knowing those he trusted with his life. or nico's.

"t'morrow when? b'fore or after your lil nappie? wouldn't want you tired an' cranky." like lev was afraid of a little spar. pffht. if he went down, he would do so fighting.

that made enough sense, some of the gods had quite the range of what they could offer up to their offspring.

with a nod, he connected the dots that it seemed like lev was a fighter like he was. " why don't you meet me on the training grounds tomorrow and find out. it'll be good, i'll go easy on ya. " wiith the gauntlet thrown, he was curious if lev would decide to say yes for some friendly sparring and competition.

" unless... " dexter offered an assuming look over to the son of poseidon that he might be afraid to get into the ring with a certain menace of the north.

"you could say that." it wasn't all puppies & rainbows, though - everything mother earth gave him to control had a different feel to it. controlling water, or earth - it wasn't the same. to him at least. but he felt he'd got the hang of it, mostly. kid turned out more chatty than lev thought originally, which was ... satisfying. kind of. "weapon." he said with a little nod & the shrug of his shoulder moved his new trident on his back. "my magic's... protective for the most part." he preferred relying on himself for the damage, not his given gift. "what 'bout you?" was he another silas or someone who actually got his hands dirty?

[ @texanmoons ] dexter had just done his first mission and he felt a bit disoriented that he hadn't needed to fight and it was a mission of espionage and intrigue (and horniness?) with a blunt in hand, the evening was around them and he had seen the light flickering from the selene cabin. krissi had been a pretty cool partner to have and feeling like a good comrade, the man knocked on the door willing to offer the other a smoke out too if he was up for it. " you in? it's dexter. "

there was something about the other that made dexter simply want to get under lev's skin and irritate the hell out of him. call it a bizarre feud of ice and water, but it's something the son of boreas felt as he looked at lev. " wow, benefits of the big three, huh. " dexter tapped his finger on his chin for a moment, he might as well get what he could out of the man while he was there. " yeah, you use a weapon when you fight or are you more of a caster? "

"hah." lev was not sensitive when it came to his age. he was under no illusion that he was one of the oldest in camp - if not the oldest. whatever. he was as capable as the majority of those kids. he didn't shy from the handshake & gave as good as he got. [str dc:15 i hate ur good rolls vs my unlucky babe xD] he had a strong grip. good. "water, earth, mist. i'm an all-rounder." lev shot back with a sly grin & a shrug. "think we're gonna do well t'gether." if they ever end up on the same mission.