Day One;

[chiseler]

[He's already been here longer than he would like and it hasn't been that long. Still, demigods never do well being trapped and while he ponders on an escape plan he finds himself filled with a bunch of pent-up energy.

As it turns out, the best way to use that energy is to run laps around a track. On occasion he'll sprint, leap over invisible targets and change his direction entirely. Overall it probably looks a little strange and more like he's running from something. But that doesn't matter. It keeps him busy for about an hour and a half before he finds that he's a little worn out. Constantly being on the move like that isn't something he's used to anymore.

The other thing he finds is that he's kind of gross and sweaty now which really doesn't help the situation. He sighs to himself, running a hand through his hair before disappearing from the gym all together. He's not aware of anyone who might be watching and maybe he doesn't even care. Instead, he heads back to his apartment for a change of clothes before ducking into the bathroom.

The bathroom at this hour seems blissfully empty, so he doesn't bother hurrying through anything. Why? They have all the time in the world here, it seems, and he's out of his sweat-drenched clothes shortly after before wrapping a towel around his waist to grab soap/shampoo/etc.

The broken shower door gets his attention though and he's eyeing it curiously, fingering at the hinges before laughing to himself. This is what he finds himself doing when he suddenly hears footsteps behind him and he turns his head a fraction. Upon seeing who it is though, he only gives a tiny smirk in response.]

You know…we should probably stop meeting like this.

Comments

[chiseler]

[Adam might be laughing but Luke isn't.] No. It was from a scared seven-year-old whose family made her feel like she didn't matter. The gods don't exactly go around giving their kids weapons to defend themselves with.

[No comment on orders not working on him, if only because he doesn't entirely believe it. Instead, he's shuffling the cards again.] You're asking too many questions, Parrish. [His first card goes face down and he flips a nine for Adam. Luke's second card is a five and Adam's is a four. Thirteen in total for Adam so far and Luke stares pensively at the cards. He's thinking about something, but he won't explain what yet.] What's it matter to you anyway? I'm going to accomplish it and that's all that matters.

[antietam]

[ On any other topic, Adam might not get too serious, but his expression very quickly turns grave. He looks down at the pool table and says nothing. Sometimes it's hard to think about other people having similar experiences to him. ]

But you're answering. [ Which is why he keeps doing it. He glances at his cards and says: ] Hit. And it matters because I live in the world too. A golden age is a pretty big thing to promise. [ And those who promise it tend to have messed up ideals in mind. ]

[chiseler]

You're mortal. Who says you get a say in it? Besides we're probably not even from the same universe. [He flips a card...an eight. A perfect 21 and he freezes up again. He doesn't say anything as he flips his face down card to reveal a second five. He draws...a four. He draws again...a king.

Perhaps he is too greedy and he throws the deck down in disgust before fixing his gaze on Adam with a glower. Go ahead. Ask your question.]

[antietam]

No? [ Maybe the different universes thing makes sense but he's not entirely sold on it. Sure, there are people who are definitely from different places, but Luke sounds more like he's from a similar world, just a different side of it. ] I'm not looking for a say, just a warning.

[ But he sees Luke getting angry and he smiles in amusement. He's not as cool and collected as he tries to be. He'll go easy on him now, especially since he's gotten the answers he wants. ] Why are you doing this with me? [ He might expand but then he shrugs. It'll be interesting to see how Luke answers and he grabs the cards to put them together neatly, then he places them to the side as an end to the game. ]

[chiseler]

Kind of arrogant of you, thinking you deserve a warning when even the gods don't deserve one. [It's casual and nonchalant and he lets Adam put away the cards. He's still internally fuming but he's working on controlling himself again, debating how to answer Adam's other question.]

...I think I need a definition of what "this" is. "Bonding"?

[antietam]

[ He raises his eyebrows. There's something he could say there, about how arrogant it is of Luke to try to change Olympus and the world. But he knows he's angry and honestly, he has no idea why. Because he lost? Anyway, Adam isn't going to incite him but he's also not going to try to make him feel better. It's not his job. ]

You didn't want to call it that. You gave me a way to get to know you when you acted like you didn't like it.

[chiseler]

[He takes a moment before he shifts to lay on his back on the pool table, legs dangling over the side and arms behind his head. He doesn't directly look at Adam as he contemplates his answer.]

...what is it you want to hear from me, Parrish?

[antietam]

[ He rolls his eyes, not sure why Luke has to avoid this even more than the question about his plans. It's not really worth it in the end. ]

How about your answer, Castellan? I'm just curious. It seemed like a contradiction.

[chiseler]

Think about it this way. If you didn't have any magical experience, didn't think any of this was possible, how would you respond to everything that I've told you?

[antietam]

I'd probably laugh. [ He doesn't believe in things until he sees it for himself. But to be fair, he did see Luke attempting to fly. He shrugs. ] So that's it? I'm not the only one who has experience, I think.

[chiseler]

Every person I told when I was a kid thought it was so cool that I was a demigod and would talk about how they wished they were one, too, and how they wanted powers and everything. You're the first person to really question it and try to understand the logic of it. I thought it was interesting. Here we are.

[antietam]

[ There's a pause. That's a good answer and he accepts it. ] For the record, I wouldn't want to be a demigod. I want to go to college. [ Is that it? Probably not. Being connected to magical entities is kind of a pain and he only just started.

He scoots himself off the pool table. ] But I think you're a little interesting too. Here we are. Just try not to be a sore loser next time and we'll see what happens. [ And he turns to leave, quite satisfied. He feels like he's the winner of this. ]

[chiseler]

[He tilts his head, grinning like he thinks the whole thing's funny.] Demigods can go to college, too. A lot of them even attend normal schools. But good enough. [That is to say that's not really a good excuse but it's interesting to see what Adam values.

He watches him move though, not bothering to sit up or anything. He's watching out of the corner of his eye and when Adam gives his parting words he says nothing.

Interesting...? Sure. He can work with that. Until next time, Parrish.]