halfbloodhill_logs | Who's Strong and Brave Here to Save the American Way?

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Who's Strong and Brave Here to Save the American Way?

Who: Steve Rogers, Annabeth Chase, an NPC demigod...and a surprise
What: Going to get the demigod Tybalt and Dave heard about in Saratoga Springs.
Where: Northern New York
When: May 14-15th
Why: Because Captain America

For once, this quest doesn't have an official prophecy telling the questors to go. This time, it's mostly a warning.

Where the cat and red-eyed one had gone
To save this child they need brains, then brawn.
Siblings two shall go forth
And one shall come into his worth.

But mind the dangers in the Springs
For there shall be one to pull the strings
Of others that are still unknown
And one who will one day atone.

Cheerful little ditty, isn't it?

They had planned to send Annabeth anyway, but the prophecy mentioned siblings so Chiron (reluctantly) told Steve that he was going to get to go on this quest as Edmund was too new. There's no big to-do over this one, though there's still a chance to tell the two good-bye.

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[ Nothing is ever easy, she sighs to herself. She frowns right back at Steve and immediately leaves the front porch, talking over her shoulder as she turns a corner. ]

Maybe we can enter from the second floor, assuming that the kid's bedroom is there. I can pick a lock. They're big enough to let us both inside.

So can I, if it comes down to it. [Don't ask, he and Bucky spent some time hoboing around the country, alright?] It'd be real nice if there was a trellis or a tree or somethin' to get up there, though.

Maybe we're not Hermes kids, but we're still good with our hands. [ She waggles her free hand, grinning. ]

Look, we can use the backporch to get up. [ She's already eyeing the grid put up for climbing vines that they can use for leverage. ]

[Luck is on their side, because as Annabeth eyes the climbing vines the window they lead up to cracks open. A head of messy brown hair pokes out of it. The head retreats back into the window, but a duffle bag soon goes soaring out of it, landing with a thud a foot or so from them. This is soon followed by a young boy climbing out the window.]

Hey. [Steve says, in a voice that is loud enough to carry but not quite a shout. He heads over to the boy, hopefully looking as non-threatening as possible.]

Where are you going, kid?

[ Annabeth's just preparing to climb up the side of the house when the luggage catches her attention. She takes a step back to help him if he needs any. ]

We're here to help. Definitely not with that lady who answered with the door.

[The sudden voices makes Shea jump, his foot slipping.

Thank goodness he was almost down and his fall isn't that big. It still hurts though and he let's out a small whine as he sits up.]

Ow.

[He shakes it off quickly because, oh crap. People. He doesn't even hear the reassurances as he scrambles to his feet, darting to grab his duffle bag and run.]

[Steve is (hopefully) darting over to Shea before he can get too far, and moves to grab for his shoulder.]

Hey, fella, just stop a minute and listen. We're not gonna hurt you, we just want to help.

Hold on, [ Annabeth says firmly, always giving off that authoritative air. Her hands are extended, ready to jump if Steve needs any help, but also wanting to show him that she isn't holding any weapons. ]

It's not safe by yourself.

[He's quick to shrug out of the hand on his shoulder, about to bolt and vanish for good.

But the authoritative way Annabeth uses makes him stop because, well, it's like how Dad speaks and old habits die hard.

So instead he turns to look at them with only a little annoyance. He was suppose to be halfway down the block by now.]

I'm not suppose to talk to strangers.

I'm Steve an' this is Annabeth, she's my sister. There, we're not strangers.

Anyway, we can help you. Have there been --monsters and things coming after you? Things no one else will believe? We can help stop them.

[ She nods at Steve, trying to soften her smile to be less intimidating. ]

We've been told your stepdad doesn't want you to learn more about being a demigod.

Just 'cause I know you're names doesn't mean you're not strangers.

[He crosses his arm, looking at them.

The mention of monsters and demigods... It piques his interest.]

Miss Madeline told Da monsters'll attack me. [He grumbles.] Except the way she said it made him think that means I can't ever leave...

Well, she's not wrong about the monsters. But there's a place where they can't get to you; so you and your dad can be safe. It's not real far from here, actually. [But he's going to stand back and let Annabeth take the lead here, she's done this a few more times than he has, after all.]

The thing is that a part of you already knows how to defend yourself. It's in your blood.

[ Her posture relaxes next and she takes a few steps forward. ] Camp Half-Blood is my home. I can't imagine my life without it. There, you'll learn all the tricks and meet kids like you, who are going through the same things. There's nowhere safer now.

She told Da there wasn't a safe place.

[He looks at Steve, then at Annabeth.]

There are more kids like me?

[It sounds tempting but-]

Why should I trust you? How do I know you're not like her?

'Cause we're kids like you. [He half-turns to show off his shield, strapped on like a backpack.] See this? We made it at camp, Annabeth and I designed it. I didn't believe it either, but I've been there a few months now.

I've been in camp since I was seven.

[ Proudly, she lightly taps the shield they both worked on. ]

You want to do cool stuff like this? You can learn everything there is to know about the gods and our history and learn how to fight. But - mostly, you can find family here. [ There isn't much time to get sentimental, even if there's a misty look in her eyes as she says all of these things. Annabeth nods over to the house. ] What do you say?

[The shield gets his attention and Shea is halfway to asking if he could poke it when Annabeth speaks.

He scowls, but it looks more like a pout.]

How do I know you didn't get that at a toy store? [But he's waffling, eyes flickering between them.] Family?

'Cause it's way cooler an' more useful than anything you could get at a toy store? [He may sound slightly offended, here, but he relaxes a little at Shea's question.]

Yeah. Since I got to camp, I have more family than I've had in a real long time.

Bet you can't get a bulletproof, boomeranging shield in a toy store.

[ She's just as offended as her brother is, honestly. But that frown is soon replaced by a fond look. ] You won't feel like you're going at it alone.

[He bites his lip, looking down as he thinks this over. To be honest he didn't have much of a plan to go by. He was toying with the idea of just going tot his grandparents, but Da would check there first and Miss Madeline would be right behind him.

He didn't want that woman near his grandparents.]

Can I get a cool shield too? [He gives a small smile.] It's not too far, right?

Sure you can. We'll make it happen, we keep an eye on the armory. [Steve nods.]

Yeah. We took the train up here.

Ask any kid who works in the forge, and you'll definitely get one with our help. I promise.

Look, I'm sorry to rush you, but I definitely don't trust whoever's got you under lock and key. We've gotta go, if you want to join us. I really hope you do.

You don't trust her? Trying living with her.

[He nods though, the small smile growing.]

Okay. But only if I can get a cool shield.

[He readjusts his duffle bag, prepared to follow the two when his eyes go wide. He kneels down, unzipping his bag and searching through it.

It's not there.]

Wa-Wait. I forgot something.

[And he's already back to his feet, racing around back to the backdoor.]

I'll be right back!

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Because no getaway is this easy.