I ran my hand through my hair as I stepped out of my cabin. When all the sounds of camp hit my ears, I couldn't help but wince. After siting in the bathroom for however long it had been, where the only sounds were my heartbeat and breathing, it was a lot. Almost too much. 

But it wasn't. Everything's fine, I have everything under control. So what if I was dreading the clanging of blades and the yelling of the kids I had to teach? 

I walked along the path to the arena, mentally listing off the weapons I would need to set out. Laughter pierced the air as a couple Hermes kids walked by. The sun beat down from overhead, obscured by only an occasional passing cloud. Maybe it would rain. I lifted my hand in greeting as I walked behind Clarisse's students. Her gaze darted to me, but it hardened and she went into teaching with fervor. I frowned. No matter how often stuff like this happened, it still hurt. How many times had my friends ignored me, gotten hostile? It shouldn't have hurt, but each time it reopened the wound. 

I shook my head and walked to the weapon racks. In all honesty, I forgot we shared the area today. Clarisse's 'encouragement' was shouted to any demigods slacking. Feet shuffled over dirt. It would be hard to teach today. 

My shoulders fell, and I leaned against the cool wall. I shouldn't- I shouldn't skip out on teaching. It will be my fault if these kids don't learn how to properly use a sword. My fault if they die. Knowing that didn't get rid of the weight in my limbs. Or the pressure sitting on my chest begging me to curl up and do nothing. 

"Maybe I could get away with them doing basic drills." The earth trembled. Panic caught me in its grasp, but I quickly remembered she was dead. But if it's not her then- My dad's the Earthshaker. Fuck.  "Clarisse! I'm going to go talk to Chiron about this."

"You think I care what you do, Prissy? This is just more fun!"

I sped out of the arena and towards the Big House. He noticed I was gone. It was the only reason I could come up with. Well, that was a lie. There were a thousand more reasons, but this can't be coincidence. Not when it's affecting camp. My feet pounded on the porch and I threw the door open, ducking around Mr D and into the Big House. 

"Chiron?" I walked into the living room. He lifted a hand, digging out a drachma from a drawer. 

"What do you need, Percy?"

"That, uh, that was probably my dad, right?"

"Most likely," he said, turning. "Why?"

I shrugged and shoved my hands in my pockets. I hunched over. "With my luck, could have been any number of things. Just wanted to see if you thought it was a threat." It wasn't. It was a warning.

Chiron hummed. He turned the coin over again and again, light catching on its golden surface. "I was just about to call your father." His tail swished. His hooves hit wood. He's nervous, I realized. "This isn't the first time his powers have reached into Camp, but it is the first time in quite some time. I worry about what's upset him. Especially with you being here." He walked over to stand next to me, and he pulled down a mug. 

"That's probably what's upset him," I mumbled under my breath.

"Hm?"

"Nothing!" Too fast, I winced. The wince was followed closely by a flinch as Chiron stretched a hand out. It rested on my head, and Chiron gave me a pat. I smiled. He glanced at me, warmth and something else held in his eyes. He patted my head again. I pressed my head into the touch. I couldn't help it. Head pats were nice. 

"Do you want some tea?"

"Sure." I watched as Chiron pulled out a plain blue mug, poured steaming water into it over a tea bag. He sat the electric kettle back down and moved the mugs to the coffee table. I settled down on the old worn couch, and he took his usual spot on the floor. 

"It has been a while since I've seen you wearing anything without a jacket," said Chiron. He sipped at his tea. I took a drink of mine and frowned. It doesn't taste like the tea he's given me before. Chiron must have noticed my expression, because he spoke again. "Chamomile."

"It tastes good."

I downed the rest of my tea quickly, anxious to get out. I didn't feel comfortable with the way he stared at me. It felt too much like Dad. I placed the still warm mug down with a clink and folded my hands in my lap. 

My shoulders rose and fell as I sighed. I knew I should tell him, but I knew he'd brush me aside. Will did and it wasn't like there weren't plenty of his siblings to handle things in the infirmary. Still... I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, whether it be truth or lie, Chiron stood.

"If you aren't going to teach your class today--" I tensed. "--then perhaps you could do me a favor?"

"What is it?" 

It was a conscious fight to ignore the flutter of my heart. He wasn't a god. He's not a god. He cares about us. His favor is going to be small. Not anything like stopping a war. 

"Argus can't pick up a package for me, and unfortunately, this carrier is one Lord Hermes refuses to transfer packages from. It's nothing big, you should be able to carry it back yourself."

I grinned and stood up. "Can do." See brain? Chiron's not like the gods. He doesn't have unreasonable expectations. Not to mention being the only reason I'm alive. If he hadn't given me Riptide, Alecto could have killed me. Hades could have killed me if Alecto took me to him. "I'm going to take Blackjack. I'll be back later."

"Be safe."

"When am I ever not?" I grinned back at him, my familiar snarky self. As I walked away, though, that smile fell. "When am I ever?" I shook the thought off. No use dwelling on those things. Even if I'd hate myself for it, I could use my powers if I had to. Not to mention I'm getting out of both teaching and dish duty. Double win. Now, I clapped my hands stepping into the stables, where's Blackjack?

It is 1 am, hope you enjoy

good night

See yah