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Who: Everyone at camp.
What: Apollo's sacred day.
Where: The ampitheater.
When: August 7, 8:30 PM.
Why: Apollo's at camp today, and as the god of music, he's holding a dance.

It was decided at the meeting of the summer gods, the Summer Solstice, but it took Apollo physically coming to the Big House and scolding Mr. D for being lazy and not putting up any fliers to actually get the god of wine to do it, a week in advance.

Apollo prides himself on being the god of just about everything - though Mr. D would say, out of the cocky god's earshot, that he's the god of everything nobody else wanted to be the god of. Because of this, he's always had a self-assured attitude which is sometimes hard to deal with.

Because of this, when he decided he was going to throw a dance for the demigods towards the end of the summer as a reward for accepting children of other pantheons into their Greek camp so well, most of the other gods decided to just let him have it rather than argue. (Considering that Hera and Zeus had gotten into three separate spats since the Solstice began, they'd all had enough godly screaming for one meeting.)

So at about 8:30 on the nose - since he's used to following a tight schedule on the sun chariot and he's excited about this, he'll be on time - a flaming, bright red Maserati drives up to the ampitheater. Apollo doesn't even have to lift a finger for the trunk to open, and speakers as well as state of the art DJ equipment rise up onto a platform. He waves his hand, and club music with a thumping bassline starts playing.

(Never say that Apollo doesn't like to make an entrance.)

Requests will be taken all night by Apollo, who will be manning the dj booth as well as making up freestyle haikus. He's one of the more amicable gods, especially to his kids, which he's hosted more of at Camp Half Blood and Camp Jupiter combined than any other god. He's charming and younger looking than most gods, with a cocky smile and sandy hair.
If you're a pretty girl, he might hit on you.

(Apologies in advance. He'd say old habits die hard because he's right. Sorry, Hunters of Artemis.)

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[He watched her. More then he cared to admit. Or maybe it was the ADHD and he just picked up on things. That was one thing that people seemed to be surprised about that, even when he didn't look like he was paying attention, he'd remember details.

Maybe it was an Athena thing. But at least he didn't pile up as much as he did for himself. He really had been giving Percy a run for his money.]

Maybe I should challenge him to an eating competition, eh? I think I could win.

[It was a joke, mostly, to keep the mood light, but then she made that face and he wasn't sure what was happening. Wrong thing to say? It was always the wrong thing with her--]

[He laughs slightly.]

Good. No idea what you thought with it back then. [ Actually, maybe that was the first time he realized he was attracted to her and didn't know how to handle it, his mind thought. He shoved that to the side and spoke before he realized what he was doing.] You look brilliant. Loads better than the Aphrodite girls.

[And then he realizes and turns slightly pink. Well, it was true. They had their mother's looks and charm and they were nice to look at. He'd be mad not to think that, but Hermione was well-- He couldn't even explain that. So he clears his throat.] I mean it. You look brilliant.

[Hermione knew that Ron remembered details if only because she'd seen him work and build and construct. He could do things without instruction and remember minute details without effort. Not that it helped him academically, but it was still mildly impressive.]

I wouldn't try it if I were you. We both know he'd take you up on it. ['This is Ron', she had to keep telling herself. This was still just Ron and nothing about that would change. Ron was still a dry-humored, usually laid-back boy that most certainly wasn't thinking of her in ways she thought boys his age often thought of girls her age. And why would he? Even with Heather's help she felt she paled in comparison with the other girls, and besides that she knew her personality still was enough to drive people mental.

…then again? Ron never seemed to mind. It's then he gives her a real compliment, something without an attachment added to it, and she's left slightly awed. That's…brilliant.]

Heather helped me a bit. [Wait, no, Hermione. That's not what she meant to say.] I mean…thank you. It's been a long time since I've had the chance to dress up for anything. [She pauses.] Actually? I think that dance in middle school was the last time.

All the more reason. This place could do with some living up. [Because for a dance everyone was so awkward. Not that he had room to talk.]

[He moves to eat something off his plate while she talks, training his eyes on her and then looking away until she starts speaking again. He made a face and, unfortunately, spoke with food in his mouth.]

Yeah--ufu--eh-- heard. [He swallowed.] You didn't need it, though. And that's why I told you you should come. You seem the dance sort, just a bit.

It's better than most evenings, isn't it? Something different besides the sing-alongs and campfires. [They're both pretty awkward, but Hermione's fairly certain that most people in camp are awkward thanks to being demigods and living in the outside world for a while with crazy things happening around them.

He tries speaking with food in his mouth and she wrinkles her nose.] Honestly, Ron. [But she isn't scolding him much tonight.] I think she might disagree. [A pause, followed by an almost-too-casual drink from the cup Ron brought her.] You know I wouldn't have come without you though, dance sort or not.

What's wrong with Capture the Flag? [That was how he enjoyed spending their evenings after all. And even though he didn't like singing he loved the campfires, he just wouldn't admit it.]

[He didn't pay much mind to her scolding as he went for another bite and paused.] Her opinion doesn't matter. [It was said simply as he stuffed another piece in his mouth and rolls his eyes.] Nah, you'd have if someone else asked you.

I never said anything was wrong with it! [She'd purposely left Capture the Flag off of that list, Ronald, jeeze. Truth be told even though the game frustrated her, she'd grown to love it and hone her skills just like the rest of them. She, too, loved the campfires even though the singing was kept to a minimum unless she was alone.]

Of course it doesn't. [It really doesn't. It's Heather. But...it had been nice to come in not completely clueless. No, that's not what she's focused on.] What makes you so certain of that?

Then it should count. And it's loads more fun then a dance. Well, er, it's easier, [He liked it. Too much. And it came easier to him than a dance. Which was perhaps why he was more interested in it.

He nodded at her affirmation and took a drink before raising a brow.] Why wouldn't they?

For you maybe. Capture the Flag's a little more stressful than a dance. [To her, anyway. A dance allowed her to only think of one thing. Capture the Flag meant thinking of offense, defense, direction and skill. Ron was better at the game. Ron thrived in the game. Hermione...Hermione spent most of her time as defense and hiding for traps around their flag.

It was back then, her unreadable look. Did he really assume...] You really think I would come here with anyone who asked?

More stressful she says. [He repeats it aghast shaking his head like that's the craziest thing in the world.] It's difficult to think here, y'know.

[His next words are immediate, but almost said like she's gone mad.] No, anyone'd be lucky if they went with you. I'm just saying there's no reason someone wouldn't want to. I mean-- you're -- well- -you. [As if to say she's brilliant and people would be mad not to.]

Then don't think so much. [She reached forward, plucking a snack off of his plate and popping it in her mouth. If anyone asked her, she would have said it was because his plate had a snack that hers didn't. If she were honest with herself, she'd realize she was trying to be cute, trying to flirt like she'd seen other girls do before in the past. Back before she realized her fate as a demigod.

She's lucky she didn't choke though at his next words. She swallows hastily, taking a drink to clear her throat further before she gives him a highly incredulous look.] No one else tried to ask me, Ron. You know that.

You've seen who my mom is, haven't you? I don't think-- [And a pause as she steals his food and he... just looks aghast before rolling his eyes and grinning slightly. He cleared his throat before finishing.] I don't think it's in my nature. Strictly speaking.

[She was cute she didn't need to be. Which is why he's boggled that she gave him that look.] They might've if I'd given them the chance-- [Oh. Wait. That was... right but she didn't know that.] Mean, if I didn't ask first.

Perhaps not. [Normally she'd be thrilled to hear such thing, but right now she was wondering if it would have been better for Ron not to be thinking so much at the moment. He still seemed mildly put off to her.

Maybe he was just hungry. It was absolutely acceptable to steal another bite again.

And then it registers; 'If I'd given them the chance.' She looks briefly alarmed, pausing with her snack halfway to her mouth as she tries to figure out any sort of double-meaning behind the phrase.]

What do you mean if you'd given them the chance?

Thought so. [He was trying to be all right. He liked being around her, but asking her out like this to a dance of all things probably wasn't the brightest of ideas.

Grinning slightly, he reaches over to yank his food back from her hands with a bemused look, but stops when she does.

He immediately looks uncomfortable at that.]

Well-- I asked you didn't I? So they didn't really stand a chance when you'd said yes? [He furrowed a brow.] Unless you wanted to go with someone else.

[Her mood had deflated a bit and she allowed him to take his food back. They both should have though this through. Was this a mistake? Maybe this was a giant mistake. Was she thrilled that Ron had actually asked her? Yes. Was she under the impression that this was probably a date? Yes. However now she had to wonder about his motivations, about his feelings. It was hard to describe why she was a little upset upon hearing that. She should have been flattered that Ron beat everyone to the punch, right? Instead, it just made her a little frustrated for reasons she couldn't put her finger on.]

No I didn't want to go with someone else, but that doesn't mean you had to...make a claim on me before anyone else! [Oh. Maybe that was it. That was it, wasn't it? It was sweet of Ron to ask, but now she had to wonder if it was out of affection, or out of the drive to be competitive and mark his territory. She wasn't a prize to be won. Was it really necessary to ask her before anyone else had a chance to?]

I don't understand.

[He had been mostly joking when he'd taken the food back, but now any good mood he had deflated as well. His fingers clenched around the dishes in his hand tighter and basically started crumbling them into a ball as she started in. He opened his mouth to say something and it shut quickly.]

[Did she really think?]

I wasn't trying to make some damned claim on you! [Except he sort of was. In a round about way. And it hit home, but impulsiveness was something in his blood. So moistening the corner of his lip he tossed his plates in the nearest trashcan for a chance to take a breath. He didn't even think before he spoke the next part.] I didn't want them to have a chance cause I couldn't stand it if they did, all right? I wanted to be the one here with you--

[There he said it. And he rubbed his hand through his hair as he tried focusing on the matter at hand but everything rushed through his head and he mumbled.] So if you'd rather not then--yeah.

[She'd set down her dishes to the side somewhere as she watched him, arms folding in front of her protectively as they often did when she was faced with things she didn't understand or didn't like. This fell into both of those categories. She had promised herself that she wouldn't ruin this evening and yet somehow here they were starting a fight. She bit her lip, arms wrapping around herself tighter.

If it wasn't a claim, then what? She let him take a break to toss out his dishes, eyes not quite leaving the tops of her shoes. Modest heels; they made her a little taller, but still shorter than him by an inch or two.

His outburst surprises her though, and as soon as he seems to run out of steam she finally looks up. She...thought she understood this perfectly, but she was still questioning, still doubting.]

...do you remember what I said to you the other day, Ron? About always being together?

[He was pretty sure they were causing a scene which made his ears burn. And hush up some. If anything he was more well in tune with his surroundings, but not having the food to pick at was sending his mind into overdrive. He felt sick and he was pretty sure that had nothing to do with the amount of food he ate.]

[Not quite looking at her, Ron took another steadying breath and gave an almost laugh.]

Athena kids don't really forget facts, remember? [It was a weak attempt, albeit true for him. He never forgot things he heard. And if he managed to read something.] But that's not the same.

[She was grateful that he'd clued in and she, too, hushed up a bit. They didn't need all of their friends and new campers gawking at them that evening. However...ouch. That wasn't exactly where she was going with that, and she's not fast enough to keep the hurt look off of her face.]

Why not?

[They'd gawk anyway. He just really wanted to disappear this evening now. Especially when he ran his hand through his hair and made a face. He hadn't been looking at her to notice any changes in her expression so instead focused on fact.]

I meant a different sort of together than that and you know it. That's it.

[She's not sure if she wants to cry, slap him, or back off and pretend they didn't just start shifting everything. Maybe all three. Instead she's shaking her head slowly.]

You're not listening to me. [She snapped forward suddenly, grabbing both of his wrists to make sure he couldn't mess up his hair further or walk away. Instead she started to tug him away to a corner where they would hopefully find a little more privacy. It wasn't until they were a distance away from the other campers that she spoke again, keeping her grip on his arms.]

When I said we'd always be together, I wasn't joking.

Edited 2013-08-09 10:12 (UTC)

I'm listening to you just fine. [His immediate reaction is to tug away and get into offensive mode and for a moment he does, but then he realizes who this is and instead scowls uncertainly. Normally she yelled at him and that was the end of things. But this whole brutal honest and impulsiveness thing was not a good a good mix.

His feet drag as he doesn't want to be pulled away, in fear of what was to come, but followed anyway. Noting they were away from others he gulped and turned his eyes away. Then he made a face.]

Sure abou that, are you? [It was a breath.] Everyone else I've ever taken a liking to's left so-- Probably wind up worse, this rate. [Meaning because he liked her more than them that, well. He couldn't even really see the Weasleys, could he?]

[Normally she yelled, yes, but not tonight. Tonight was not a good time to settle for yelling and not trying to understand. With those words her fingers wrap around the bone of his wrist tighter. She's clinging, desperate to understand.]

Yes. You don't believe it? [Again, it hurt a bit more than it should have.] Why would I leave? Where would I even go?

[He winces and tries to pull away once more. Why do conversations lately end up with her forcing him to stay And he lets out a breath.]

You might die, you realize that, don't you? Or I might. [A beat.] Or you might finally decide you hate me.

[He scowls uncertainly.] Did you even know what I meant tonight?

[Because, Ron, she's afraid that if she lets go you aren't going to come back.]

I think the first two are more likely than the latter. [It doesn't matter to her if she sounds haughty at the moment. Honestly, did he really think she could truly hate him? She wasn't lying when she said hate was hard. But that question...everything together made complete and absolutely no sense at all.]

Which part?

[He wants to say she doesn't know that. At least in part. Because he still thoroughly believed that if he had to find a way to make her hate him he would. Not to mention there was the sinking feeling of one day she would, regardless, despite his best attempts. But he shuts that up and shrugs noncomittally.]

[Why was it he had to repeat himself so often with her, anyway? Couldn't she see it was hard enough the first time and he'd never been really dishonest?]

You know which part.