the west virginia mothman's no.1 fan

Pjo oc, child of Aristaeus

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

Hello, my name is August Sullivan-Blythe, and I go by they/them. I am nineteen years old, and have two lovely men I call my own. Though I am originally from a Kentucky town the heart of Appalachia, I currently live in Long Island, New York.

I intend to use this to log my supernatural encounters, along with the journal and photos I've been keeping. As a demigod (child of Aristaeus, to be specific), I encounter things that some would consider supernatural on the daily, but as those are normal for myself, I will only be logging the abnormal.

Feel free to ask questions, I'll do my best to answer :)

Hi! I'm Raymond (19, he/him) and I'm revamping this blog a little so that August can make fun cryptid posts. I'll link the rest of my blogs later.

Some additional details about August include;

They work in the infirmary at camp! Their bedside manner is more than questionable, and they're a bit too comfortable with mild medical malpractice, but they haven't been fired yet!

As a child of Aristaeus, August is good with medicinal herbs. They have a knack for most rustic crafts, as well as the ability to communicate with bees.

August is a devotee to Apollo! They have a small altar for him in their cabin, adorned with candles and such.

August's tags are;

August's out cryptid hunting: general in character tag

August.txt 🦗: August's cryptid posting

Out of character: self explanatory

Dividers by @saradika-graphics and @sister-lucifer

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

[To accept that you are broken beyond repair is a special kind of denouement. It has a sense of finality to it. The audience sympathizes, the curtains roll down, and the props are removed.]

[So why is one left kneeling on the stage? The play is over, applaud!]

[Little doodle of where I imagine Cyrus's soul to be whilst Serapis pilots his body.]

[This is the original base! I made Cyrus's expression a little more neutral to give the illusion that this is a "play" he's already seen over and over but I promise there's a lot of emotion behind those eyes lmao]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

// HELLOOO YOUR ART IS SO FIRE???? OMG

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

[ooc: SDKJFLSKJDFALKSDFJ THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

// OF COURSE

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"...Thanks." He stopped memorizing exits. He didn't think he needed them---was something subconsciously suppressing the memories of the other? He'd have to look into that later. He didn't quite want to revert back to one set of memories, but if being around certain types of people (did it depend what kind of demigod they were?) made him less likely to overthink (he refused to believe it was paranoia), it was worth looking into.

"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask. I'm Cyrus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"My pleasure, you were far more cooperative than many of my infirmary patients." They chuckled, putting the roll of bandages back in their bag and closing it. "I suppose I forgot to tell you. I'm August."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Nice to meet you, August." Cyrus smiled. "Is there any reason you're out in the woods today?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Looking for things." They hummed. "The supernatural starts to lurk along the camp border more this time of year."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I see," Cyrus mused. "Have you found any so far?"

He never dared make the mistake of assuming that he knew all of the monsters that were in or around camp. For all he knew, the woods were creating new species every week to mess with him.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Certainly!" August perked up, opening their bag again and pulling out the journal. They flipped through a few pages until they landed on one with a few dark, blurry polarids taped to it, as well as some notes and the names of various Appalachian folk cryptids. The turned the book to face Cyrus with a proud grin.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus pointed at the first grainy image he could make out. It was quite curious. He hadn't recalled ever seeing these things before. "What's this one called?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Mothman!" They said confidently. Next to the picture were various notes, complete with the date and location of the picture, as well as the weather that evening and a few other factors they'd deemed important. "That's a particular favorite of mine."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus squinted at the picture of something resembling a figure with wings. “…What is it? What does it do?”

Is there any chance I might have to fight one of these Mothmen in the future? Hmm.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"He's generally seen as a harbinger of doom, as most of it's sightings take place before a tragic event." They hummed. "Most notably the 1967 Silver Bride collapse in West Virginia. The anniversary of that just passed, in fact!"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Huh. Makes sense that it'd be seen around here. This camp can handle one more harbinger of doom." Cyrus paused. "When was the Silver Bride collapse in West Virginia? I mean...what was it?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"This one bridge in West Virginia collapsed, and passers by all reported seeing the same shadowy red eyed figure nearby." They rested the book on their hip, flipping to another page. "There's been other such instances since."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Huh. These cryptid hunting trips actually seem pretty interesting. This Mothman is quite the character." Cyrus hummed. "I will say, I also blew up a bridge once. It's surprisingly easy to do when you're dealing with the...supernatural, I suppose."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Oh?" August was immediately intrigued, tilting their head. "What supernatural, in particular? Tell me more."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

[To accept that you are broken beyond repair is a special kind of denouement. It has a sense of finality to it. The audience sympathizes, the curtains roll down, and the props are removed.]

[So why is one left kneeling on the stage? The play is over, applaud!]

[Little doodle of where I imagine Cyrus's soul to be whilst Serapis pilots his body.]

[This is the original base! I made Cyrus's expression a little more neutral to give the illusion that this is a "play" he's already seen over and over but I promise there's a lot of emotion behind those eyes lmao]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

// HELLOOO YOUR ART IS SO FIRE???? OMG

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"...Thanks." He stopped memorizing exits. He didn't think he needed them---was something subconsciously suppressing the memories of the other? He'd have to look into that later. He didn't quite want to revert back to one set of memories, but if being around certain types of people (did it depend what kind of demigod they were?) made him less likely to overthink (he refused to believe it was paranoia), it was worth looking into.

"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask. I'm Cyrus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"My pleasure, you were far more cooperative than many of my infirmary patients." They chuckled, putting the roll of bandages back in their bag and closing it. "I suppose I forgot to tell you. I'm August."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Nice to meet you, August." Cyrus smiled. "Is there any reason you're out in the woods today?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Looking for things." They hummed. "The supernatural starts to lurk along the camp border more this time of year."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I see," Cyrus mused. "Have you found any so far?"

He never dared make the mistake of assuming that he knew all of the monsters that were in or around camp. For all he knew, the woods were creating new species every week to mess with him.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Certainly!" August perked up, opening their bag again and pulling out the journal. They flipped through a few pages until they landed on one with a few dark, blurry polarids taped to it, as well as some notes and the names of various Appalachian folk cryptids. The turned the book to face Cyrus with a proud grin.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus pointed at the first grainy image he could make out. It was quite curious. He hadn't recalled ever seeing these things before. "What's this one called?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Mothman!" They said confidently. Next to the picture were various notes, complete with the date and location of the picture, as well as the weather that evening and a few other factors they'd deemed important. "That's a particular favorite of mine."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus squinted at the picture of something resembling a figure with wings. “…What is it? What does it do?”

Is there any chance I might have to fight one of these Mothmen in the future? Hmm.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"He's generally seen as a harbinger of doom, as most of it's sightings take place before a tragic event." They hummed. "Most notably the 1967 Silver Bride collapse in West Virginia. The anniversary of that just passed, in fact!"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Huh. Makes sense that it'd be seen around here. This camp can handle one more harbinger of doom." Cyrus paused. "When was the Silver Bride collapse in West Virginia? I mean...what was it?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"This one bridge in West Virginia collapsed, and passers by all reported seeing the same shadowy red eyed figure nearby." They rested the book on their hip, flipping to another page. "There's been other such instances since."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"...Thanks." He stopped memorizing exits. He didn't think he needed them---was something subconsciously suppressing the memories of the other? He'd have to look into that later. He didn't quite want to revert back to one set of memories, but if being around certain types of people (did it depend what kind of demigod they were?) made him less likely to overthink (he refused to believe it was paranoia), it was worth looking into.

"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask. I'm Cyrus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"My pleasure, you were far more cooperative than many of my infirmary patients." They chuckled, putting the roll of bandages back in their bag and closing it. "I suppose I forgot to tell you. I'm August."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Nice to meet you, August." Cyrus smiled. "Is there any reason you're out in the woods today?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Looking for things." They hummed. "The supernatural starts to lurk along the camp border more this time of year."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I see," Cyrus mused. "Have you found any so far?"

He never dared make the mistake of assuming that he knew all of the monsters that were in or around camp. For all he knew, the woods were creating new species every week to mess with him.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Certainly!" August perked up, opening their bag again and pulling out the journal. They flipped through a few pages until they landed on one with a few dark, blurry polarids taped to it, as well as some notes and the names of various Appalachian folk cryptids. The turned the book to face Cyrus with a proud grin.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus pointed at the first grainy image he could make out. It was quite curious. He hadn't recalled ever seeing these things before. "What's this one called?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Mothman!" They said confidently. Next to the picture were various notes, complete with the date and location of the picture, as well as the weather that evening and a few other factors they'd deemed important. "That's a particular favorite of mine."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus squinted at the picture of something resembling a figure with wings. “…What is it? What does it do?”

Is there any chance I might have to fight one of these Mothmen in the future? Hmm.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"He's generally seen as a harbinger of doom, as most of it's sightings take place before a tragic event." They hummed. "Most notably the 1967 Silver Bride collapse in West Virginia. The anniversary of that just passed, in fact!"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"...Thanks." He stopped memorizing exits. He didn't think he needed them---was something subconsciously suppressing the memories of the other? He'd have to look into that later. He didn't quite want to revert back to one set of memories, but if being around certain types of people (did it depend what kind of demigod they were?) made him less likely to overthink (he refused to believe it was paranoia), it was worth looking into.

"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask. I'm Cyrus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"My pleasure, you were far more cooperative than many of my infirmary patients." They chuckled, putting the roll of bandages back in their bag and closing it. "I suppose I forgot to tell you. I'm August."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Nice to meet you, August." Cyrus smiled. "Is there any reason you're out in the woods today?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Looking for things." They hummed. "The supernatural starts to lurk along the camp border more this time of year."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I see," Cyrus mused. "Have you found any so far?"

He never dared make the mistake of assuming that he knew all of the monsters that were in or around camp. For all he knew, the woods were creating new species every week to mess with him.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Certainly!" August perked up, opening their bag again and pulling out the journal. They flipped through a few pages until they landed on one with a few dark, blurry polarids taped to it, as well as some notes and the names of various Appalachian folk cryptids. The turned the book to face Cyrus with a proud grin.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus pointed at the first grainy image he could make out. It was quite curious. He hadn't recalled ever seeing these things before. "What's this one called?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Mothman!" They said confidently. Next to the picture were various notes, complete with the date and location of the picture, as well as the weather that evening and a few other factors they'd deemed important. "That's a particular favorite of mine."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"...Thanks." He stopped memorizing exits. He didn't think he needed them---was something subconsciously suppressing the memories of the other? He'd have to look into that later. He didn't quite want to revert back to one set of memories, but if being around certain types of people (did it depend what kind of demigod they were?) made him less likely to overthink (he refused to believe it was paranoia), it was worth looking into.

"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask. I'm Cyrus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"My pleasure, you were far more cooperative than many of my infirmary patients." They chuckled, putting the roll of bandages back in their bag and closing it. "I suppose I forgot to tell you. I'm August."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Nice to meet you, August." Cyrus smiled. "Is there any reason you're out in the woods today?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Looking for things." They hummed. "The supernatural starts to lurk along the camp border more this time of year."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I see," Cyrus mused. "Have you found any so far?"

He never dared make the mistake of assuming that he knew all of the monsters that were in or around camp. For all he knew, the woods were creating new species every week to mess with him.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Certainly!" August perked up, opening their bag again and pulling out the journal. They flipped through a few pages until they landed on one with a few dark, blurry polarids taped to it, as well as some notes and the names of various Appalachian folk cryptids. The turned the book to face Cyrus with a proud grin.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"...Thanks." He stopped memorizing exits. He didn't think he needed them---was something subconsciously suppressing the memories of the other? He'd have to look into that later. He didn't quite want to revert back to one set of memories, but if being around certain types of people (did it depend what kind of demigod they were?) made him less likely to overthink (he refused to believe it was paranoia), it was worth looking into.

"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask. I'm Cyrus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"My pleasure, you were far more cooperative than many of my infirmary patients." They chuckled, putting the roll of bandages back in their bag and closing it. "I suppose I forgot to tell you. I'm August."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Nice to meet you, August." Cyrus smiled. "Is there any reason you're out in the woods today?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Looking for things." They hummed. "The supernatural starts to lurk along the camp border more this time of year."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"...Thanks." He stopped memorizing exits. He didn't think he needed them---was something subconsciously suppressing the memories of the other? He'd have to look into that later. He didn't quite want to revert back to one set of memories, but if being around certain types of people (did it depend what kind of demigod they were?) made him less likely to overthink (he refused to believe it was paranoia), it was worth looking into.

"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask. I'm Cyrus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"My pleasure, you were far more cooperative than many of my infirmary patients." They chuckled, putting the roll of bandages back in their bag and closing it. "I suppose I forgot to tell you. I'm August."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Hmm. Apparently cheese is actually one of the five main elements of elemental magic if you're an Egyptian magician. If you hone your powers, you could set your sights on world domination," Cyrus joked.

Gods, when did he become more knowledgeable about Egyptian magic over Greek magic? May he talked to Cassander too much.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is it?" They snorted softly, tying off the bandage once the gash was fully dressed. "Fascinating, I didn't know that."

"Perhaps I'll have to see into world domination after all." They chuckled. "There you are, your arm should heal up nicely."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

Cyrus instantly perked up. "I don't have healing powers, either! I mean....I've been trying some more unorthodox methods to heal myself via magic, as you can probably tell, but I can't really heal myself or others on my own. My dad didn't give me that set of powers, I guess." He shrugged. "I got photokinesis."

"And Aristaeus is the god of...I want to say cheese?" Cyrus tilted his head. "Is that right?"

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Is that so?" They raised an eyebrow, intrigued as they put the jar away and wrapped a bandage around his arm. "Well, I've found there's plenty of ways to be useful without the healing powers. Ambrosia is certainly a treat in that respect. I can't say I've dabbled much with majic artifacts, though."

"And yes, that's right. The cheese bit technically falls under his domain of rustic crafts, but I suppose cheese is more memorable." They snorted softly. "He's also the god of bees, which is handy."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

“August.” A tired voice came from the doorway of the infirmary.

Halcyon had returned for winter break, it seemed.

She also appeared to be undergoing a character shift.

Gone were the pressed shirts, skirts, and blazers, now the shirt was half-tucked and haphazardly buttoned, no tie or blazers in sight, skirt wrinkled, and one knee high sock higher than the other, only her loafers were in pristine condition. Her hair was pinned out of her face in a messy ponytail, her hands stained with ink, and glasses dirty. Her legs were littered with small scrapes and bruises.

Forget a tortured poet, she was a tortured academic.

( @aredistributionofwinter )

"Halcyon, you've been missed." August grinned, stuffing a basket of bandages into a cabinet as they turned to her. "You look like shit. What have they been doing to you?"

August, on the contrary, seemed to be thriving. Perhaps it was the holiday season, or more likely the almost eerie vibe to camp that came with the barren trees, the chill in the air, and most of the campers having gone home for the season.

[aredistributionofwinter]

“I wrote a paper on a Dionysian ritual. Not a Bacchanal, I’ve learned, but I still performed it, as you can see……..I’ve been altered. But it was wonderful.” There was a gleam her eye as she spoke, one that seemed to indicate a craving sated.

“And then the hangover induced migraine shot me. I’ve written much better essays but I settled for coherent. Luckily my prof- luckily Richard- knows me well enough to know that I’m speaking truthfully.” She hums.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Oh yeah?" They hummed, raising both eyebrows. The gleam in Halcyon's eye must have been contagious, considering the near matching one that had formed in August's. "That certainly explains... this."

They snorted softly, before shutting the cabinet and turning on their heels to lean back against the counter.

"What was it like?"

[aredistributionofwinter]

“Sublime.” She sighs.

“Just the small taste of Dionysian madness soothed this itch in my brain.”

She pulls out her own first aid kit, and there’s some bloodstains on the packaging of the antiseptic, and she applies Neosporin to a decent cut on her shin.

“How has camp been? Anything particularly entertaining?”

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I could help you with that, you know. You're in the infirmary after all." They feigned annoyance, though their amused smile betrayed them. "I'm sure madness was a good look on you. Did you have to sacrifice anything?"

"Nothing much, things always slow down this time of year. Bits of dirt on cabin five, but when is there not?"

[aredistributionofwinter]

She rolled her eyes but the fond sigh that followed betrayed her as she allowed them to do their thing.

“I poured honey into the fire and extinguished it with wine, he seemed to appreciate it when I stopped by.” She responds.

“And yes, I like to think it did.”

She pauses at their response to her question.

“I’d like to know anything you’re willing to share.”

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"That does sound sublime." They hummed, walking over with a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a handful of cotton rounds. "Well, most of my dirt is on Rio Holroyd, but that's because we ironically run in similar circles. He's being babysat by a cabin twelve kid currently because he fist fought Maddox Haynes in the cafeteria."

[aredistributionofwinter]

“I’m not surprised, it was a long time coming.” She shrugs, clenching her jaw when he applies the alcohol to her cut.

“Sadist.” She huffs.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"It's not the first time, they've been bitching for ages." They snorted, rolling their eyes. "The fight was entertaining, but my favorite part is the babysitting. They're both making the other miserable."

They tossed one of the cotton rounds into the garbage, before dousing another one in alcohol. "Not the first time I've been called that either."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"Do you work in the infirmary?" Cyrus asked curiously. He thought he'd have everyone in the infirmary memorized by now, especially campers who were older since demigods usually didn't live to that age. But he'd also been avoiding the infirmary since...he didn't know how long. He mostly went to see Sunny and that was it.

And even then, he hadn't seen her in a while. He didn't want to let her know that anything was wrong.

Hmm. Either way, he felt strangely unlike running near this stranger, which wouldn't be the case if he truly had never seen them before. Never held a conversation or interacted, sure. But if they did work in the infirmary, he might have caught a glimpse of them before.

"I think I might've seen you around there sometimes. I'm an Apollo kid, you see."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I do! I'm sure you have. You look rather familiar as well, I'm sure I've encountered you at some point." They nodded, spreading a bit of the salve over his wound with their thumb before screwing the lid back onto the jar. It smelled particularly herbal, matching it's green hue.

"I don't have you and your siblings' healing powers, but I work well with medical herbs and the like. Not to mention a general interest in the medical field." They explained. "I'm a child of Aristaeus."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

“August.” A tired voice came from the doorway of the infirmary.

Halcyon had returned for winter break, it seemed.

She also appeared to be undergoing a character shift.

Gone were the pressed shirts, skirts, and blazers, now the shirt was half-tucked and haphazardly buttoned, no tie or blazers in sight, skirt wrinkled, and one knee high sock higher than the other, only her loafers were in pristine condition. Her hair was pinned out of her face in a messy ponytail, her hands stained with ink, and glasses dirty. Her legs were littered with small scrapes and bruises.

Forget a tortured poet, she was a tortured academic.

( @aredistributionofwinter )

"Halcyon, you've been missed." August grinned, stuffing a basket of bandages into a cabinet as they turned to her. "You look like shit. What have they been doing to you?"

August, on the contrary, seemed to be thriving. Perhaps it was the holiday season, or more likely the almost eerie vibe to camp that came with the barren trees, the chill in the air, and most of the campers having gone home for the season.

[aredistributionofwinter]

“I wrote a paper on a Dionysian ritual. Not a Bacchanal, I’ve learned, but I still performed it, as you can see……..I’ve been altered. But it was wonderful.” There was a gleam her eye as she spoke, one that seemed to indicate a craving sated.

“And then the hangover induced migraine shot me. I’ve written much better essays but I settled for coherent. Luckily my prof- luckily Richard- knows me well enough to know that I’m speaking truthfully.” She hums.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Oh yeah?" They hummed, raising both eyebrows. The gleam in Halcyon's eye must have been contagious, considering the near matching one that had formed in August's. "That certainly explains... this."

They snorted softly, before shutting the cabinet and turning on their heels to lean back against the counter.

"What was it like?"

[aredistributionofwinter]

“Sublime.” She sighs.

“Just the small taste of Dionysian madness soothed this itch in my brain.”

She pulls out her own first aid kit, and there’s some bloodstains on the packaging of the antiseptic, and she applies Neosporin to a decent cut on her shin.

“How has camp been? Anything particularly entertaining?”

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I could help you with that, you know. You're in the infirmary after all." They feigned annoyance, though their amused smile betrayed them. "I'm sure madness was a good look on you. Did you have to sacrifice anything?"

"Nothing much, things always slow down this time of year. Bits of dirt on cabin five, but when is there not?"

[aredistributionofwinter]

She rolled her eyes but the fond sigh that followed betrayed her as she allowed them to do their thing.

“I poured honey into the fire and extinguished it with wine, he seemed to appreciate it when I stopped by.” She responds.

“And yes, I like to think it did.”

She pauses at their response to her question.

“I’d like to know anything you’re willing to share.”

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"That does sound sublime." They hummed, walking over with a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a handful of cotton rounds. "Well, most of my dirt is on Rio Holroyd, but that's because we ironically run in similar circles. He's being babysat by a cabin twelve kid currently because he fist fought Maddox Haynes in the cafeteria."

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

“August.” A tired voice came from the doorway of the infirmary.

Halcyon had returned for winter break, it seemed.

She also appeared to be undergoing a character shift.

Gone were the pressed shirts, skirts, and blazers, now the shirt was half-tucked and haphazardly buttoned, no tie or blazers in sight, skirt wrinkled, and one knee high sock higher than the other, only her loafers were in pristine condition. Her hair was pinned out of her face in a messy ponytail, her hands stained with ink, and glasses dirty. Her legs were littered with small scrapes and bruises.

Forget a tortured poet, she was a tortured academic.

( @aredistributionofwinter )

"Halcyon, you've been missed." August grinned, stuffing a basket of bandages into a cabinet as they turned to her. "You look like shit. What have they been doing to you?"

August, on the contrary, seemed to be thriving. Perhaps it was the holiday season, or more likely the almost eerie vibe to camp that came with the barren trees, the chill in the air, and most of the campers having gone home for the season.

[aredistributionofwinter]

“I wrote a paper on a Dionysian ritual. Not a Bacchanal, I’ve learned, but I still performed it, as you can see……..I’ve been altered. But it was wonderful.” There was a gleam her eye as she spoke, one that seemed to indicate a craving sated.

“And then the hangover induced migraine shot me. I’ve written much better essays but I settled for coherent. Luckily my prof- luckily Richard- knows me well enough to know that I’m speaking truthfully.” She hums.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Oh yeah?" They hummed, raising both eyebrows. The gleam in Halcyon's eye must have been contagious, considering the near matching one that had formed in August's. "That certainly explains... this."

They snorted softly, before shutting the cabinet and turning on their heels to lean back against the counter.

"What was it like?"

[aredistributionofwinter]

“Sublime.” She sighs.

“Just the small taste of Dionysian madness soothed this itch in my brain.”

She pulls out her own first aid kit, and there’s some bloodstains on the packaging of the antiseptic, and she applies Neosporin to a decent cut on her shin.

“How has camp been? Anything particularly entertaining?”

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I could help you with that, you know. You're in the infirmary after all." They feigned annoyance, though their amused smile betrayed them. "I'm sure madness was a good look on you. Did you have to sacrifice anything?"

"Nothing much, things always slow down this time of year. Bits of dirt on cabin five, but when is there not?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

⛅︎ OPEN STARTER: Heal. ⛅︎

[tw: sh. Doesn't actually happen in the starter but happens in the recent past]

He needed to be holy again. Or maybe it was him.

Either way, neither of them could stand being trapped inside this human shell.

Ever since the wars ended, the woods had been pretty safe. Sure, there were a few monsters let in for practice, but there weren't any serious threats of the barrier being breached. That being said, not a lot of people went into the woods, either due to bad memories or simply out of lack of interest.

Which is why it was surprising to find Cyrus near the river---sure, he liked the woods, but he hadn't been going recently. He was kneeling on the banks with two Ancient Egyptian amulets spilling out of cupped hands---a sun disc, and a uraeus, a rearing cobra. Symbols of Sekhmet. He hadn't been able to find any amulets for Serapis, but Sekhmet was a goddess of healing too, right?

There was a long gash down one of his arms, unnaturally straight and stiff, just shallow enough to not cause any lasting damage but fresh enough to still be bleeding. Manmade, not accidental. Cyrus shifted the amulets to be clutched in one fist, trying to remember what Cassander had told him.

Spells hold power for magicians. Divine words have even more power.

Alright. So they did. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on any magic that might have still been left in him from when he was the Eye of Serapis.

"Sekhem."

Divine words. Healing energy. Meant to stitch up, fix, mend.

The amulets flickered gold in his hand, growing warm for a fraction of a second before returning to ordinary metal again. The gash was unaffected.

Come on. He remembered poring over literature for hours, learning about all things a future emperor should. A subject of his interest had been magic, and granted it wasn't this type, but he'd been devoted to Serapis amongst other gods. He should know enough, have planned enough, to work this out.

"Sekhem." This time, the metal stayed cold, the wound didn't heal, and Cyrus found himself becoming frustrated before an almost mechanical force calmed him down. Reckless anger is your his brother's forte, not yours. Quiet yourself.

"Sekhem. Heal." There was no trace of Serapis's powers inside him anymore. He remembered being able to set fire to entire fields as the Eye, able to heal any injury with a mere thought. No, he (Cyrus?) wouldn't accept having to deal with this mortal form. "Filius canis. Heal!"

The amulets shattered, burning hot against the ground, sizzling into the dirt before Cyrus quickly rose and stamped out the embers, waiting a few seconds to see that no fires showed up.

I don't have the magic to put them out anymore. And I can't keep asking for more amulets.

The amulets had a reaction, but it wasn't the one he wanted, and his arm was still bleeding. Gods, he was so, so tired. He wasn't a god anymore, he knew that. Nor an emperor. If he wasn't any of those, what was he?

Broken, that's what.

Only then did the frustrated demigod catch your eye. He didn't have the energy to be surprised, or to demand where you came from.

Only to smile weakly and say, "...Hey there. I was, uh...just practicing. Open to suggestions on how to improve?"

What do you do?

[Any and all interaction appreciated!!]

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"I certainly know easier methods of healing.." August hummed with a tilt of their head. "Though I'm not particularly well versed in such artifacts.. what were they, might I ask?"

They stalked closer, clasping their hands behind their back. Their eyes lingered on Cyrus's wound, seemingly uninterested in much else.

"Would you like help?"

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I---" Cyrus sighed. What did he really have to lose? He had no amulets anymore, and he didn't feel like being fussed over in the infirmary. Especially by his own siblings, which was always awkward. More so now that he had inherited the memories of someone with copious amounts of familial trauma.

"Yeah. Sure." He shrugged. "The artifacts were amulets, by the way. Vessels of spells in Egyptian magic. The specific ones I was using are Sekhmet's symbols...not that they really worked."

He should really stop acting like being the previous host of Serapis gave him any experience in the magician field.

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Fascinating." They hummed, peering at the shattered bits on the ground. "Where do you get such things? I certainly haven't seen any at the camp store."

They snorted softly at their own joke, before extending a hand. "Give me your arm."

[solar-flares-and-fox-snares]

"I have a supplier," Cyrus joked before reluctantly saying, "...It's my friend. He gives me stuff. He's...more well versed in these things than I am."

That was...one way to put how well Cassander had mastered the path of his chosen god, and Cyrus was burning bridges as he came to them. Well, there was no need to be that specific with someone he didn't even know.

Cautiously, he slowly extended his arm. There was still time to run and a lot of different ways to do it, if he so pleased, but he didn't particularly feel like this conversation was veering off track any time soon. The stranger seemed more curious than malicious or interrogative, and that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

[bigfootisrealhetoldmeso]

"Very interesting." August hummed. A satisfied one, seemingly pleased with the answer. They took Cyrus's arm in one hand, their hold gentle and stabilizing rather than a rigid grasp. Their free hand dug into the messenger bag that hung at their waist.

A few objects were visible inside the bag. A journal, a small camera, and a small jar of something green, as well a roll of bandages. They tucked the bandages under their arm, screwing open the lid of the jar.

"It's only a salve, not to worry." They assured.