asgardeventide | Two. [ video ]

[ The feed turns on to Annabeth looking thoughtful this time, rather than enthusiastic. ]

There's a large lack of books in the library about the protection of the city. I was wondering if someone can help me out? I have a few questions...I wasn't entirely certain how to get in contact with the gods to ask them, and it may be a bit presumptuous to want them to answer, anyway. [ She knows from experience. Sometimes gods get upset if you pester them with too many invasive questions. You have to be careful. ]

I guess the ice attack has just been on my mind...it bothers me a little bit. [ A pause. ] I don't think talking about it here is the best idea. But if anyone knows where I can get more information on the city itself, someone to talk to, that'd be g--

[From somewhere in the background there’s a shout--] Hey--! [And then the black tufts of one Percy Jackson’s hair appears as he moves to sit by his girlfriend.] We still have Capture the Flag.

--Right, I almost forgot. [ She repositions the camera so his (dumb) face is also in the picture, and smiles. ] Everyone should sign up for capture the flag. Well...just let us know if you’re interested. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Also, my team is totally going to win.

[That would be a nudge and a roll of his eyes.] If she can last five minutes. She totally missed my last Capture the Flag where we stormed a fort and water cannoned some Romans up the nose.. I think it’ll be the best one yet.

And he missed a lot of things while he was gone, but don’t listen to him. We’re going to have a good time, no matter who wins or loses. [ But the look she gives Percy clearly says she’s expecting to win. ]

[He throws his hands up.] Okay, fine. But I still say you better watch out. [It’s said with the same mischievous, troublemaking grin as per usual before he glances at the screen.] You owe me a movie in a few minutes! [Is he pouting? He probably is but he at least moves to get up and let her finish her message, but he’s more definitely pouting because he’s bored and she promised. She rolls her eyes.]

Fine, fine! Capture the Flag. Respond if you’re interested? We’ll tell you the time and the day, and what team you’re on. It’ll be great. . . and if you have any information about what keeps the city safe from outside threats, let me know.

[ The bracelet just catches the softer tone of her voice as she asks Percy what movie he wants (with, it might be noted, fake lamentations), before the feed cuts. ]

(( green = percy. Let us know if you want to play capture the flag! ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I got that impression. [But nevertheless he's still sort of amused.]

So it's a war game, basically. What exactly is the fun of that? [But he's curious. Definitely curious and practically hanging on to Annabeth's every word.]

It's fun to test your skills. Sometimes people don't know how good they are until they get to fight someone else in a game. Conversely, maybe you didn't know you need to work on something until you try it out. Also, winning is great. Percy and I have chores bet on this, it's what we usually do back at Camp.

You can make alliances, and learn which of your friends is good at what. Sometimes people can be really good at strategy, and you never even knew. It's about exploration.

[Huh. So blahblahblah "winning is great" blahblahblah "it's about exploration."]

Right then. Sounds...interesting. [Fun, Draco. The word you want is fun.] If I have nothing better to do I might join you.

I'm pretty sure you can take a day off and join us for some fun.

[There's a small smirk.]

I'll think about it, okay? I'm curious who else you're going to gather.

I think we're looking for anyone who's interested, anyone we can find.

And if they don't have the proper skills?

We can teach people, no problem. Demigods tend to advocate on the job training.

Spend your whole lives training, do you?

[ A beat; she decides how to answer that. ]

Some of us. If we don't want to die, it's imperative.

...we spend seven years at school learning how to use our magic to the best ability possible. What we didn't know was that the second war was going to start up halfway through our education and te term "practical application" suddenly meant a lot more.

[ Ah; a flicker of recognition, because she's been through war and it sucks. There's no real winners or losers, just alive and not dead. ]

...I'm sorry.

...it's fine. Supposedly the war ends a few months from now when I get back home.

Still, a few months is like a lifetime, if the right things happen.

According to the people that are here from my world I'm right at the end of it. Maybe just a week or two.

....I'm sorry.

On the other hand, at least it makes Asgard an easy adjustment. Go from one war to another, right? [Yes, he's being sarcastic. Oh well.]

Not necessarily. I don't think it's an easy adjustment.

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