chiseler | And the cradle will rock...

[Upon arriving, the sun's just beginning to set after another long, fun day at Camp Half-Blood. Excitement's buzzing through the air and campers of all shapes and sizes are running around to and from various activities, all wearing some variation of the same orange t-shirt. Several of the campers are talking excitedly among themselves about the fireworks that're set to go off down at the beach later that evening in honor of the fourth of July holiday, gossiping about who's going with whom and making guesses about how the Hephaestus Cabin will outdo themselves this year.

The air smells of summer and faintly of barbecue like dinner's being prepared. It's not hard to guess why, seeing how the dining pavilion is right in front of them. To the left there appears to be 20 different cabins in the shape of an omega symbol, the upside-down U. In the distance is the rock-climbing wall and the amphitheater and kids seemingly congregating to clean up and prepare themselves for a meal before the events of the evening. The longer they stay in one spot, the more of the camp they'll start to see for themselves.

Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, gentlemen. Where would you like to start looking first? Listening long enough might turn up some results, too.]

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[ Adam watches the sword and he's not really sure what happens if he gets hurt here but he doesn't exactly want to test it. He looks at Jason for a moment, not really sure that he could handle it either. He holds his arms up to show that he has nothing on him. ]

We won't fight you. [ He says it pretty firmly. ] And I've never talked to Annabeth but you told me all about her. And you told me about Hal and Amaltheia. Believe us, we know you.

[There's an exasperated sigh and a shake of his head.] Man, you shouldn't even be here. Don't you get it? Unless you're about to tell me you're not really mortal like I can tell you are, you shouldn't be here.

[Of course, Adam mentions two names he hasn't heard for a very, very long time and he absolutely freezes. Well. That's something. He's staring, eyes wide in surprise as he looks between the members of the group with more wariness than before.]

...never mention those names where somebody else can hear you. [He's thinking of Thalia, looking past them now toward the entrance of the arena.] Fine. Let's talk. What are we talking about?

Yeah, yeah. And you and I shouldn't even be alive, but you don't look like a zombie to me.

[Look, he. Had to throw that in somewhere. It's his job to remind Luke he died every five minutes or something. It's all in the Jackass contract.]

Why... How kind of you to cooperate, Mister Castellan. We're going to talk about life, reality and the end of mankind as we know it. [He shrugs.] All very important subjects.

[ Adam just elbows Jason because really. The whole death thing isn't very enticing? Also don't make him feel worse about this, but he's glad some of his info managed to work here. ]

I'm just gonna say it—you're in a simulation right now. Designed to show you everything you want. And we're here to get you out.

[...huh? He actually gives Jason a contemplative look, almost one of recognition...but it immediately disappears. That's ridiculous. He would know if he were dead because obviously the dead can't come back. That's sort of the point. He looks at the others for a moment.]

Is he always that charming, or am I just special? [But he frowns lightly when Adam continues to explain.] A simulation like...an illusion? Sorry, but I can see through that sort of thing. This? [He gestures.] Pretty sure it's not an illusion so you better have some good proof before you start throwing those kind of things around.

[...but, as usual, Luke's curiosity gets the better of him and he looks off to the side.] I gotta check on some stuff at the beach. If we're really talking about life, reality and whatever, you're coming with me. I can't have you running around and freaking out my campers. [And he turns, gesturing for the group to follow. Let's move it people.]

[And Jason elbows Adam back because, even if bringing up death isn't very enticing, that look on Luke's face sure was interesting.]

Oh, please. You're not infallible. Even a demi-god wouldn't be able to see through the kind of shit we're dealing with right now, believe me.

[So, yeah. They're only so lucky that Luke is more curious than wary at the moment, he supposes. Might as well follow him before he changes his mind.]

[ Adam can't believe Luke is going to do counselor activities while they're talking about this but he scoffs and follows, shaking his head. He hurries to walk next to him, eyeing him curiously.

Unfortunately, he might have to go with Jason's idea. He frowns at Jason for a moment anyway. ] You don't have Backbiter, do you? What about the prophecy about saving Olympus?

[ But is there food at the beach? ]

Well, you haven't attacked us yet, so I'd say that's a good sign. Though I would really like to spar with you one day if that's all right.

[ If they're playing "Bombard Luke 'I DON'T NEED YOUR PITY WATER' Castellan With A Million Questions" then Allen has a couple, too! ]

You don't feel strange at all? [ He places a hand over his heart. ] As though... as though everything is just a little too perfect? [ For someone like him? Because that's how Allen felt in his Cradle. ]

[Food will come later if everybody lives through Luke playing with explosives on the beach. For now though they're walking and he makes a face at Jason's disbelief even as he focuses more on what Adam and Allen are asking him. Those are funny questions and as they make their way down to the beach they'll see a couple of campers setting up boxes of fireworks. They'll also see a spot where Luke's apparently been preparing for something, seeing how there's a blanket and what looks like a plastic bottle he sneaked some wine in. (Mr. D would have a fit if he ever saw it and Luke decided not to share.) No, actually, the set up almost looks a little romantic...

He's mostly overseeing some of the younger campers setting up fireworks for a moment and making sure his stuff hasn't been bombarded by friends trying to prank him.]

Sparring I can do. Could be kinda fun. [This is said to Allen, though he gives Adam an unreadable look.] The heck is Backbiter? And Olympus is fine. Couple of monsters broke through the mist a few years ago and tried to take out the security guard to get into it, but it's fine. It doesn't need saving, I took out the creatures myself.

[A few teenagers run past and greet Luke and he grins, living a hand in a wave before focusing on them again.] As for things feeling a little too perfect...yeah, maybe a little. But it feels more like things are finally really falling into place and I'm finally getting the last of what I want. I'm not that good with patience, but this was worth it.

You sure things are falling into place, Luke? Or are you just letting this place show you what you've always wanted?

[God. Why does Luke have to make this so hard? There are many angles they could try to shake him out of this, so he's going to try bringing something else up.]

Nice set up you have here, by the way. I'm sure the lights from the fireworks will make the scar on your face pop quite nicely.

[He m...ight...as well...? This is stupid and just a little frustrating. Stop being so happy.]

[ Luke is making this really hard. He wants Luke to get what he wants and have the life he deserves, so he's just looking vaguely pained. ]

Jason's right. This is everything you want. Is this really how life works for a demigod? [ Because it's always sounded pretty awful to him! ]

What about Kronos?

And the cradle will rock...

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