The Flower Princess

✿ Lia ✿ Daughter of Demeter ✿ I had a thought, dear However scary About that night The bugs and the dirt Why were you digging? What did you bury Before those hands pulled me From the earth?

[theboywithironblood]

Loren took the offered hand and struggled to his feet, “Merci, Lia.” He smiled at his friend, “Don’t worry about it. That old stool’s never exactly been sturdy.” 

As he moved to retrieve the stool from where it had fallen he stretched and rubbed the gear imprint from his forehead, “I’m not even sure how long I was out, what time is it?” 

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia returns the smile, “still, I feel bad. It’s not nice to spook your friends to the point they fall on the floor.” Her voice is light humored though, so while she felt bad - it was clear she was trying to be light about it.  She shrugs, “it’s not dinner time yet - lunch was a little bit ago - so like 2? 3?” She thinks about it for a few moments. “I’ve been riding most of the day.”

[theboywithironblood]

Loren jolted away, his chair swaying dangerously as the brunette fought for balance. His workstation was littered with crumpled blueprints, tools and gears with just enough space for his head. Clearly he had taken advantage of that space to catch up on some sleep. 

He fumbled for the edge of the table as the stool twisted wildly on two legs. With all the grace of a drunk rhino, Loren fell to the floor, the stool flying off somewhere to his left. 

He groaned, “Ow.” 

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia notices motion from the corner of her eye, and turns towards it. Loren had jolted awake and was started to fall from his stool. Shit, that wasn’t her intent. She walks over to him, offering her her hand to help him up. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out. I didn’t know you were asleep.” She admits.

“Was it a good nap at least?”

[liatheflowerprincess]

@theboywithironblood

It wasn’t often Lia craved social interaction - but when she did, she usually tried to find one of her friends. There weren’t a whole lot of them back in camp at the moment -but she knew for a fact she had spotted Loren at dinner the other night and she was comfortable with him - so the walk up to the camp forge wasn’t bad.

“Loren, are you in here?” She questions as she enters the forge, looking around for her friend. “And if so, do you have time to talk?” If he said no, she’d just leave, it wasn’t that big of a deal.

Socialization never was.

[sammysansby]

Sam thought for a moment hearing that her life basically revolved around going to college. “Equine Studies, Like horses? Well stick with what you know I guess.” Sam shrugged he didn’t even consider what he would be studying in college and she basically had her life figured out. He figured maybe the reason he didn’t do well in school was because he refused help and they stopped supplying. Sam did get sick of all the teachers saying he was smart just unfocused. If she could channel her energy into a toy that was amazing in Sam’s eyes. 

“It seems you had a lot of help that’s good. I kinda refused mine…” Sam laughed nervously. “You like your horses, I just needed to get away. We manage in different ways. Although I’m not sure how my mom would take me being a Demigod.” Sam paused twisting his fingers in his hands until he heard something pop putting one of his fingers back into place. “Ow,” He groaned slightly. 

“This was nice, I’m kinda hungry and I’m sure you actually want to ride.” Sam started backing away slowly to the entrance of the stable. “I’m gonna go, but it was nice meeting you Lia.” 

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia smiles, “it’s what I love to do - it was an obvious choice for me.” She explains, “college isn’t for everyone though. Do what you love, Sam.” She tells him, hopefully it would stick - expectations could suck the life right out of you - after all.

“I don’t think any two people manage the same way.” She notes. When he starts to leave, she gives him a friendly smile. “It was nice meeting you too, Sam. Maybe I’ll see you around.” She watches him leave, turning to her horse.

“Ready to go?” She questions, and she gets to work preparing for her ride.

[sammysansby]

“How’d you manage?” Sam asked he couldn’t even imagine trying to do well for school. “Didn’t the Dyslexia and ADHD get in the way?” Sam asked his ADHD was bad he could never be completely still ever in his life. All Demigods had it right? He and his siblings didn’t just get picked to be the only kids to get Dyslexia and ADHD.

“I don’t know, my mother doesn’t think highly of my judgement. She knows I’m not the best kid she’d again probably think I was partying a little too hard.” Sam sighed and heard his stomach grumble. “I’m a little hungry sorry.”

[liatheflowerprincess]

"A lot of hard work, the student center helped a lot. I had an education plan too - even going into college. Plus, I keep this in my pocket so I can keep my hands busy as I work.” Lia admits, pulling out a little toy. “I’m going for equine studies - so I have a lot of hand on classes - and like I said, the horses are calming.” She explains. “It’s harder - not impossible - but harder. If you have the right help, it’s not too bad.”

“I guess I could understand that - I was never on the party scene. My riding was too important for that - still is.” She admits, “You’d be surprised though, sometimes the parents just know. It all clicks when their kid tells them they’re a demigod.”

“You can go find food, I don’t mind.”

[sammysansby]

Sam shook his head waving his hands in front of him. “No, no, no, no, no. Uh, I’m not going to touch a horse that, uh, could potentially kill me if I, uh, freak him out. I don’t bother the animal’s they don’t bother me.” Sam said nodding his head to emphasize the fact that he was not going to touch the horse. “My mom is an amazing woman. She’s also terrifying and could bench press me if she so pleased. She knew I wasn’t going to college my sophomore year, The funny part of it was that I actually had the grades to get into college by senior year. She accepted that I didn’t want to do College though. I was thinking about starting when I was in Europe. Never happened though. Ended up prisoner in New York.”  

“I’m sure you’ll get there, you’re hard working,” Sam nods to Lia. fully believing that she’d get to be professional one day. “Practice makes perfect.”  

He had thought about sending a letter but he knew it wouldn’t help. His mother did think highly of him but knew he was a troubled kid. She’d think he was doing some very hard drugs if he sent a letter about all of this. Sam also mentioned he wouldn’t talk to his mom during his gap year, this was supposed to be just for him. He didn’t know he’d end up held captive in New York. “No.” Sam finally said. “I’m not going to contact my mom. I’ll make it back to her, I’ll tell her everything in person and if she hires the white coats again so be it.” 

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia nods, “You technically run that risk with any animal - I like to believe Lucky Star wouldn’t kill someone - but if he was really spooked - well - there’s no knowing for sure.” she reminds him, “but, again, you don’t have to. I just wanted to let you know you could if you wanted to.” She smiles, “My parents want the best for me - and that meant college. It’s not too bad - a lot of long nights and a bunch of work, I was so thankful when finals week was over.” She admitted, “under normal circumstances though, you would just go to camp for the summer and head home.”

“Thank you! That’s the plan, practicing until we get there.”

“Here’s to hoping she believes you - my parents did. They were pretty surprised all things considered - nobody expects the child you adopt to be a demigod. But they were pretty accepting, you know, all things considered.”

[sammysansby]

Sam walked through the stable following Lia to the Horse watching how they visibly had a bond. He didn’t make a move to touch the horse and stepped back slightly nervous when it looked at him. “Ee.” He made a noise of uncertainty slightly afraid. “Right profound bond and all that. It’s cool that you have a horse, all I got was a few chess sets and a fear of eating meat. Well I got a gap year around Cali and then in Europe that was really cool. Until I was in a layover in New York and well the rest is history.”

“Please explain what jumping competitions are.” Sam chuckled slightly picturing Horses basically doing long jumps or the triple jump in Track and Field. “Because I have no idea what you’re talking about, I’m picturing Track and field at the moment.”

“You seem really good with the horses though so I think it’s good you were able to get him.” Sam said and rubbed his hands together. “My mom used to say if you work hard enough you’ll get everything you ever wanted. It wasn’t an impressive lecture for someone who didn’t really want anything. But now? All I want to do is go home sometimes.” Sam had to stop himself feeling his eyes gloss over tears threatening to fall. 

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia turns, “You can touch him, you know, move slowly and try not to spook him and you’ll be fine.” She tells him, she smiles. “Your mother must love you - my parents would have died flat out if I had suggested taking a gap year. But they have very high expectations for me.” Considering they took her out of the foster system and brought her home - she had no complaints meeting the high standards either. 

She laughs, “I guess it’s a similar concept - you ride the horse over sets of fences as fast as possible without knocking any down - otherwise you get penalties.” She explains, “Lucky here is very good at it. We’re not quite at professional level yet, but, I’m hoping someday.”

She smiles, “hard work paid off in this case. You’ll be able to go home soon, I’m sure of it.” She assures him, even if it was just for a short visit. “Have you tried sending a message to your family yet? It might help?”

[sammysansby]

Sam bristled at her warning about the horses. Maybe he was good then. She seemed very serious and Sam wasn’t completely sure he’d be okay with riding a horse. “I think I’m good then.” Sam nodded to himself nervously rubbing his hands and shifting his weight. 

“I uh, maybe another time?” Sam wondered maybe when he wasn’t all sore or nervous he’d try riding a horse but at the moment there was no way he’d try. He wasn’t afraid of fighting and he wasn’t afraid of animals. Sam was afraid of heights, not to the point where he avoided high places, but if he had a say he wouldn’t do it.

“You seem like you enjoy it though? Can you do tricks?” Sam asked curious if Lia took the time to practice and do tricks.

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia nods, “If you ever change your mind, come find me. I’d be willing to teach you, you just have to be serious about it.” She tells him, “otherwise? Well, you can spend time with the horses without riding them if that’s something you’d be interested in. Work your way up - form a bond with one of the horses and go from there.” 

“Trick riding isn’t exactly my thing - but - I do show jumping competitions back home.” She explained, “Come on, I’ll introduce you to  Lucky Star.” She doesn’t wait for an answer - leading the way to where the horses were kept. It’s apparent the horse she stopped in front of had just recently arrived, a chestnut Hanoverian. “You settling in okay, boy?” She questions, and she turns to Sam. “This is my horse, Lucky Star. You have no idea how much work I had to do in order to convince my parents to buy him. I’m still paying them back.”

She was luckier than most and she was well aware of it. Most people from her background couldn’t afford horses - and her adopted parents were pretty awesome - but even they had limits. It had taken a whole summer of constant work but between her parents and herself? Well, they had been able to afford the horse.

And she thanked her lucky stars every day for him.

[sammysansby]

He nodded quickly as she mentioned the word accident. “Yes! I, I, didn’t mean to! Uh, yeah, I had to chop my weight in wood. Thankfully I don’t weigh that much.” Sam smiled softly he was still sore but he was slowly growing accustomed to the feeling. He also couldn’t tell if he was feeling sore from training or from the wood. Or maybe it was the pulsing from where his sibling had smacked him. 

Sam paused thinking for a while mad cons about why he should learn to ride a horse. “Would you teach me?” Sam suddenly asked surprising even himself. “To ride a horse, not the winged ones… i’d really rather stay on the ground. Or uh, at least close to it.” It wasn’t that Sam was afraid of flying, he’d been in airplanes. But, when he was in an airplane he couldn’t see the ground below him. 

“And yeah, it’s great.” 

[liatheflowerprincess]

“Accidents happen - and you learn from them.” Lia tells him, “if we didn’t make mistakes - we’d never learn." She nods, “That sounds like a very productive punishment though. With the amount of campfires we have here - the wood is always needed.” She notes. He moved as if he was still sore however, and can’t help but remember when she first started training.

“I would be willing to teach you to ride a horse. But, you’d have to take it seriously. This isn’t going to be a simple lesson to goof off through.” She warns him, “horses are serious business.”

“But, if you’re willing to take this seriously, and you still want to learn - I have no problem teaching you.”

[sammysansby]

Sam rubbed the back of his head nervously. “I uh, Ches kinda uh, Ches and I were talking about partners, and well uh, I kinda uh, broke the Ares table.” He’d still been nervous telling people he broke a table. It wasn’t on purpose and no one had gotten injured. But, people were stretching the truth making Sam into something he wasn’t. 

“I’m not really into animals. Don’t get me wrong - I like animals - I was vegan most of my life. I kinda fell in love with grilled cheese sandwiches. There’s this truck back in Cali, man, it’s literally called the grilled cheese truck.” Sam’s mouth started salivating at the thought of getting a grilled cheese, the owners created a few sandwiches just for him. 

“Sorry I ramble sometimes. Uh, I guess I could learn. Uh, horses aren’t that bad right?” 

[liatheflowerprincess]

"You broke a table?” Lia questions, she feels a little skittish all of a sudden - and she turns away, going back to stroking the animal in front of her in an attempt to ground herself. “I assume Mr. D and Chiron weren’t happy about that.” She looks back at him for a moment, noticing his nerves. “Just an accident though, right? Ares kids sometimes have moments where they break things on accident.”

She smiles, full on smiles this time, listening to Sam ramble. “Relax, Sam, it’s fine. Animals aren’t for everyone - and neither is riding. If you don’t feel comfortable learning - or just don’t want to - it’s more than okay.” She promises, “the horses aren’t too bad though - in my opinion - so you should be okay.”

“Also - before I forget, that grilled cheese truck sounds awesome.”

[sammysansby]

Sam nodded hearing about the toilet thing. Apparently his siblings had bailed on the idea of doing him when they watched him smash a table. Anger had it’s perks. “Yeah, they got afraid after watching me at dinner talking to Ches. I got punished for that one.” Sam chuckled slightly they’d put in a new table but that didn’t mean he still got to say he was the first to break a table.

He didn’t quiet believe that it was the Pegasi that made the stable peaceful. Sam thought it was more because it was quiet animals didn’t dictate emotions. “Yeah I guess,” Sam shrugged.

Sam took a step back at her turning to him. “Me? Ride? No, I’ll stick to the ground where I dictate how things play out.” Sam was not going to be the reason why some Pegasus got hurt or died because Sam took a chance with an impulsive idea. 

[liatheflowerprincess]

"What did you do? I just arrived back to camp today, and I came straight here - so - I haven’t ran into anyone quite yet.” Lia questions, it had to be something major if the Ares kids decided not to dunk him in the toilet afterwards. She had no doubt about that, and if Ches was involved - well - there had to be at least one broken rule. The girl was good with the Pegasi, but, she had a hankering for trouble.

She can tell that Sam doesn’t quite share her opinion, but, she doesn’t question it. It was okay - not all opinions were shared after all. He didn’t seem much like an animal person at first glance anyway.

“If you ever change your mind, let me know. I wouldn’t mind teaching you at some point. Don’t feel like you have to, of course.” She tells him, smiling. “There’s also a few horses here - if you’d feel more comfortable with them and want to learn to ride.”

[sammysansby]

Sam’s jaw dropped, the Aphrodite cabin had a rite of passage? He thought that was just an Ares thing, although, breaking someone’s heart was way different than signing up for fight club. “That just seems rude,” Sam blurts out unable to keep his opinions to himself. “Ares is the god of war and none of us would ever do lasting damage like that.” Sam rubbed a hand through his hair and then looked to Lia. “I’ve heard and seen a lot of rule breaking.”

He eyed the Pegasus suspiciously not wanting to startle the animal or Lia. “Yeah, I uh like the peace. Sounds a bit ridiculous doesn’t it?” Sam scoffed some of his siblings would probably beat him up for enjoying any peaceful moment. “Sorry I uh, interrupted your peace. I’m sure I could bail and find another spot leave you to your, uh, Pegasi.”

Sam was trying to be nice to Lia but her wariness was slightly tugging at his flight or fight emotions. He didn’t want to make a wrong move and destroy something. Sam was still testing how much strength he actually had and being careful when he was using it. Funnily enough, his siblings enjoyed the tests so far, punching through different objects. His hand still hurt from trying to punch through a brick wall, and he wasn’t even able to do it.

[liatheflowerprincess]

“Your cabin used to dunk all the newcomers in the toilets - not just the Ares ones.” Lia points out - “not all the Aphrodite kids do it. Sometimes they don’t want to - or they fall in love during the attempt. I don’t think it’s still in effect - it’s been a couple years since I’ve heard about it.” She then shrugs. “I expect nothing less with this group of campers.”

She shakes her head - “you don’t have to leave!” She tells Sam quickly, “it’s very peaceful here - even with other campers.” She adds, turning to the Pegasus. “They have that affect on people, you know. It’s a little peace even with everything going on.” 

And there was a lot going on, with the monsters and the partners and whatnot. She had only been back a short period of time - but it was clear that everything was thrown into chaos again. “Have you ever thought of learning how to ride?” She questions suddenly, turning to Sam.

[sammysansby]

Sam was a bit taken back at the mention of seven years. “Seven years wow, that’s kinda a long time,” Sam said. “Don’t worry about the bruises they’ll either be replaced tomorrow or fade away naturally. Plus the guy who smacked me is feeling guilty, the face is off limits. I’m kinda using it to make him feel bad at the moment,” Sam chuckled slightly. Lia was friendly but friendly in a different way than the other campers.

Sam hadn’t thought of dating in a very long time. “Uh yeah, that’d be awkward.” Sam nervously twisted his hands shivering slightly at the thought of knowing your dating a third cousin. “Only the Aphrodite cabin is safe.” Sam blurted out thinking of her origin story. “Do people usually date at camp? Isn’t that uh, usually on the list of rules that you’re not supposed to break? No uh, members of the other gender in cabins? Oh well we kinda break that with siblings. But, uh, from other cabins?” 

He sighed looking around the stable nodding. “Yeah I uh, find places to hide. I don’t dislike Pegasus?” Sam shrugged and looked to Lia a soft smile on his face. “I’m guessing you do?”

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia nods, “It’s been quite awhile since I got claimed - this place keeps you on your toes - no doubt about that.” They had only two years of relative peace after the last prophecy. Now it was back to chaos. She probably shouldn’t have gotten used to peaceful summers. “I’ve never been a big fan of using ambrosia or nectar for healing personally- better to heal naturally.” She admits.

She shrugs, “I’ve seen it often enough.” She tells him, “although I’m not sure I’d call Aphrodite cabin safe - they had this rite of passage for the longest time where they had to break a person’s heart.” She warns him. “I’m certain it’s frowned upon - probably against the rules - but with this bunch? Well, there’s a lot of rules broken.” Heck, they were all probably broken at Alan’s parties.

She smiles, it’s subtle, just a twitch of her lips - but it’s a smile. “I do, the stables are one of the most peaceful places in camp - I don’t blame you for picking here to hide.”

[sammysansby]

Sam didn’t understand the whole talking to pets thing. They didn’t speak back so unless you were giving a command it didn’t make sense in his eyes. “Uh yeah, I’m new,” Sam paused and then continued. “Sam, and you guessed it, son of Ares. Uh, one of my siblings smacked me a little too hard.”

Sam tried to remember who Demeter was; wasn’t she either the mom or daughter of someone who was with Hades? Man, he really needed a family tree because remembering everyone was confusing. “Uh, Demeter. Is that the wheat goddess? Or, uh, someone else? Sorry i’m not all caught up with the family tree.” 

Sam tried to be calm around Lia she seemed nice but very hesitant. He understood the whole wanting to be alone thing which is probably what he interrupted. He could have chosen any other spot and no one would have been around but he had to bug her. 

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia nods, “I figured - after 7 years, you tend to know everyone.” She admits, gently lifting the necklace of beads around her neck to show him the number of them. “Plus, you’re lacking these - it’s a dead giveaway.” She adds, “I can tell - you’re pretty bruised up. Do you want anything for that? I’m fairly certain I have nectar or ambrosia back in my cabin.” It wasn’t bad for a demigod to have either in small quantities but she tended not to use them unless she was seriously injured. So, she wouldn’t judge if he turned the offer down.

“Yeah, that’s mom. I wouldn’t suggest referring to it as the family tree - however - we tend to only count the whole “they’re my cabin siblings” and our godly parent as family here.” She explains, “otherwise? Dating would be extremely awkward.”

“So, a son of Ares in the stables? Usually I only see the children of Aphrodite or my siblings in here unless there’s lessons going on. Do you like the pegasi?”  She questions - forcing herself to try to be friendly. She couldn’t get used to people if she didn’t talk to them - after all - no matter how hesitant she felt.

[sammysansby]

Sam had explored the camp very thoroughly. He’d found some nice places to hide out when he needed it and had met some very interesting people so far. At the moment Sam had a nice bruise on his cheek from one of his siblings smacking him a bit too hard this morning. He hadn’t gotten it healed yet because he was avoiding most people today. If Sam could go the whole day and not see anyone he’d be very happy. 

He rounded the corner going into the stables when he paused seeing a girl he hadn’t met. Damn, she probably actually liked Pegasi. There went Sam’s chance at being alone today. Hopefully she wouldn’t be to upset about the mark on his face. It didn’t hurt that bad. Sam had worse.

“Uh, I hope your talking to me. The Pegasus can’t really talk.” Sam said trying to be slightly cool and not awkward. “I’m not interrupting anything am I?”

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia turned, facing the voice she didn’t recognize. Someone new she assumed - but she had just arrived back at camp - so there was likely to be new faces she’d have to get used to. “I was talking to the Pegasus, even though I can’t understand them, they understand me.” She explains. “Are you new? I haven’t seen you around before.” Her voice is colder than she intends, and she winces at her own tone. “I assume you’re a son of Ares from the bruise, I’m Lia - daughter of Demeter.” 

She’s not sure what to think of this newcomer, that is clear. But, she was a foster kid - she was wary of literally everyone at first. Even the people who ended up adopting her - who loved her unconditionally and supported her through the whole finding out she was a demigoddess process. 

How could she not be? 

[liatheflowerprincess]

Lia should have gotten used to the fact that Camp Half Blood tended to be thrown in chaos when she arrived back - she had been hoping for another year of relative peace - the past two years had been fairly close to normal - but it appeared with all the talk of monsters and partners that wasn’t the case still.

The girl had thrown her stuff in the Demeter cabin quickly, the cabin was pretty much the same as it had been when she had left the camp last summer to head back to college.  She didn’t spot many of her siblings’ belongings either - there were quite a few - but it was clear everyone wasn’t back in camp currently.

She makes her way to the stable, it seemed like the best first place to go. She had missed it when she was gone - no doubt about that. It was always nice to see the pegasi, it was where she had felt most at peace all seven years she had attended camp.

She walks into the building slowly, walking up to her favorite Pegasus. “Hello, beautiful. Long time no see. I missed you.” She greets them, gently stroking it’s neck.