Guy
C.J. And Avalon meet after the gala
Rose
C.J. Was not having a good time of this. That was the understatement of the decade really. The weight of his past, heavy and unrelenting, hung over his shoulders like a cloak. He felt suffocated by the secrets he had kept buried for so long. And then, like a bolt of lightning, came the revelation that he was not just an ordinary mortal, but the son of a god. It was a truth that turned his world upside down and left him feeling untethered and lost. 

The realization that he was now connected to Triton, one of the most powerful gods in Greek mythology, only added to his overwhelming sense of disbelief and confusion. C.J.'s mind raced with thoughts and questions, threatening to burst at the seams from the sudden onslaught of information. All he could do was hold on tight and try to make sense of this new reality thrust upon him.

But then there had been the gala, the gods-damned gala. He closed his eyes tightly, as if trying to block out the physical pain of reliving the images. The sun's heat beat down on his face, a stark contrast to the chill that seeped into his bones at the mere thought of that night. It was like a never-ending nightmare, playing on an endless reel in his mind. He longed for it to stop, but couldn't find a way to make it end. 

He desperately tried to banish the vivid images that replayed in his mind like a broken record since he had woken up. Each scene felt like a stab to his heart, a reminder of the nightmare he couldn't escape. The weight of it all was suffocating.

Despite the pain still coursing through his body that morning, C.J. Forced himself out of bed and pushed through the front door, driven by an unrelenting urge to reach the beach. The ocean has always called to him, but now he understands why- he is the son of an Ocean God and championed by one of the Lords of the Sea. With every step towards the shore, he feels his connection to the waves and salt and sand grow stronger, a primal force pulling him in.

As he made his way gingerly down the path to the water's edge, C.J, was reminded that this was the only place his heart had ever felt peace. The only place he ever felt at home. The waves had always called to him and now it was a stronger pull than he had ever felt before.

With a heavy heart and a full mind, C.J. Stood at the edge of the beach, his pants rolled up past his knees as he waded into the gentle waves. The salty sea air enveloped him in a warm embrace, and the sound of crashing waves filled his ears. No matter what trials and tribulations life brought his way, the ocean remained a steadfast companion. Its rhythmic ebb and flow brought comfort to his soul. And in this moment, C.J. Clung to that familiarity more than ever before as he faced the challenges ahead.

Despite his broken body and shattered mind, C.J. Felt a sense of relief wash over him as his bare feet sunk into the warm sand and the cool water kissed his toes. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore drowned out the haunting echoes of gunfire that still reverberated in his head. The sun's rays warmed his skin, replacing the icy grip of death that seemed to linger around him. 

As he waded further into the refreshing water, its healing powers seemed to begin washing away the residual aches and pains from his body. In this moment, C.J. Was able to lose himself completely and find at least some solace in the soothing embrace of waves, allowing his mind, body, and soul to finally find some peace.

||
Erin
How does one cope when their entire world is turned upside down in just two weeks?

Avalon Pierce was someone who rarely ever allowed anything to shake her to the core, whether it was failures, losses, or things that would border traumatic experiences. Scratch that - she rarely ever had traumatic experiences until she stepped foot in Olympian. However, her first day in the city changed everything: a chance encounter with a stranger claiming godhood, the revelation of her own demigod status, and witnessing a surreal transformation into a goat left her questioning her sanity.

Initially, she could have dismissed it all as a bizarre hallucination, a bad trip to be forgotten with time. Then came a mysterious text from someone named Hermes, inviting her to a gala to discuss everything Pan had revealed. Against her better judgment, she attended, only for the event to be ambushed, bombed, and for the full extent of the gods' powers to be revealed. Witnessing death and chaos pushed her over the edge, leading to her first full meltdown when she found herself safe but alone.

She didn't leave her room for three days, even worrying the greedy hostel owner. On the fourth day, she ventured out, seeking solace by the ocean. The feel of the grainy sand under her bare feet, the taste of salt carried by the wind, and the comforting scent of the sea enveloped her, offering a sense of home. As she approached the water, her tense muscles began to relax, the crashing waves almost drowning out the cacophony of thoughts about the Gala disaster that plagued her whenever she closed her eyes. The memory of the dead bartender, the suffocating helplessness, all threatened to overwhelm her... 
_ _

She opened her eyes, taking in the beautiful sight the horizon had to offer. No matter where she was, she always made sure to be somewhere close to the water. While she rarely found herself in any sort of worry, it always had a way of grounding her. She didn't know why nor had she ever questioned it. But even today, the ocean wasn't enough to settle her. A constant squeezing sensation in her chest had plagued her since the night of the attack, at times leaving her gasping for air for no apparent reason. It was a discomfort that refused to be ignored, adding to her fear and anger.

She felt scared, but more than that, she felt angry. Angry at how quickly everything she thought she knew about herself and the world had been stripped away. What was she and why was it so important to these people? What was her role in this apparent war, and why was it so crucial? She had no answers, and the uncertainty only made things worse. Frustration boiled within her, fueled by the unanswered questions that tormented her, causing her to bite her lip. 

Eventually, she couldn't contain it any longer. Sucking in a breath, she squeezed her eyes shut and let out a scream that had been building inside her. It was a scream of resentment for the situation she found herself in, a fear that her time in this world was up, and a desperate plea to understand who or what she truly was.

Her scream echoed across the empty beach, a raw expression of her inner turmoil. It was held out until she ran out of air and was forced to catch her breath, her free hand that wasn't carrying her sandals coming to brush her brown locks away from her face as she tilted her head back. It felt good to let it out for once and not hold it in. But from her peripheral, she caught the sight of a figure - a man who was in the water and she instantly felt a pang of embarrassment. *Fuck*, what was with her and others finding her in these awkward, vulnerable states? 
_ _

So, she did the only thing she thought would alleviate the situation with the total stranger. She raised her hand, gave a wave, and forced a laugh in an attempt to brush off the awkwardness. "I didn't see you there, just... Uh, ignore this, will you?" She could practically cringe. Good going, Avalon.
Rose
C.J. Was lost in his thoughts, a thousand miles away from the present, when Avalon's piercing scream shattered the peaceful sounds of the beach. His head jerked up, eyes wide with alarm as he searched for the source of the sound. A frown creased his forehead and his stomach twisted with unease. Memories of a similar scream, one that had emerged from his own lips during the gala, flooded his mind. The crashing waves seemed to grow louder as he strained to listen for any other signs of danger.

But as his eyes locked onto her, he recognized the familiar signs of distress. Her shoulders were hunched and her face was etched with worry lines. He remembered feeling the same way just two days ago. Instead of an immediate sense of concern, empathy stirred within him - a powerful reminder that he was not alone in this newly discovered world of chaos and confusion. The air around them seemed to vibrate with the shared emotions of fear and uncertainty, a constant reminder that they were all struggling to survive in this new reality.

He gave her a small smile and a shrug as if to say, 'don't worry about it.' As he waded further out of the water, C.J. Stopped at ankle-deep water, feeling the pull of the ocean lessening but still potent enough to ground him. "No worries," He managed to say, his voice rusty from disuse as he cleared his throat. "I've had my fair share of meltdowns since... You know... This." He said with a vague hand motion around him. 

"So, I get it." He offered her an understanding smile before raising his hand in a half-hearted greeting. "I'm C.J., by the way," He said awkwardly, realizing too late how unusual the entire situation was. "You were... There... At the gala weren't you?" He asked, being pretty sure he remembered seeing her there. It would certainly explain her mood and that strange familiarity he saw in her eyes as they stared at each other in that moment.

||
Erin
The demigod thought about just turning around, walking off to some other part of the beach and completely out of view from the man to save herself any more embarrassment. She was expecting an odd look to be shot her way from judgment, but instead, he smiled. It was small, but it was still a smile. She felt a sense of dread as he waded out of the deeper end of the waters. "Oh God, he's going to talk." She thought to herself. She would have rather forgotten about this, moved on with both their days, and had this one small moment of vulnerability be nothing more than a forgotten memory. 

Instead, he seemed to share the sentiments, as if he understood the reasoning behind her scream without her having said anything. Selfishly, she had thought she was the only one out there facing this sort of dilemma. The idea of demigods, the Gods, and whatever else may be out there was still so foreign and her only interactions had been with the Gods so far. Every one left nothing more than a bitter taste on her tongue and a sprinkle of mental turmoil. "I don't know if I'd call this a meltdown. More like a form of stress relief." No, she had been in one long, stretched-out meltdown ever since the Gala. 

When he introduced himself, she rested her hand to rest at her elbow. "Avalon." She replied. It was clear she wasn't from here from her British accent. "I don't usually do this, just so you know. It just sort of... Happened?" She sounded unsure herself but what kind of burst outburst like that was ever planned? However, when he seemed to have a look of realization come across his face and mentioned the Gala, her heart sunk to her stomach, and her complexion paled. "You... Were there?" Her voice trailed off, memories of that night shrouded in a haunting blur, with only a few faces lingering, most hauntingly lifeless.
_ _

Just as he saw the look of familiarity in her eyes, she recognized the same in his. She forced herself out of the discomfort of the memories and rolled her shoulders back, "Are you one of them?" She asked, her tone tinged with contempt. "Because frankly, I'm sick of coming across Gods.". Though she didn't feel the same pressure she felt whenever she was around the immortals, she could tell instinctively he wasn't human either and that fact made her hesitate.
Rose
"Me? A god?" C.J. Almost laughed at the idea. But he gave an apologetic look and simply shook his head. "Demigod... Though not much of one I am afraid. Couldn't even get myself out of the gala without a fuss." Here he lifted the edge of his shirt up slightly showing the still bandaged ribs. "What kind of demigod gets shot and nearly killed by a bunch of mortals right?" He said, the self- loathing and aggravation evident in his voice.

"But to answer your question no, I'm not one of them..." C.J. Said, referring to the gods and goddesses responsible for their predicament. "I'm in the same boat as you, Avalon. Literally just trying to make sense of this entire mess." His tone was light but his eyes betrayed the turmoil and confusion raging inside him. The words tumbled from C.J.'s lips like a weight being lifted, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief. 

"I only found out recently that I was even a demigod," He confessed, his normally light Irish twang replaced with something more somber. "My mother never spoke much of my father, only that he went by the name Glaucus." He paused, a wry smile crossing his face. "Always thought it odd that he took the name of an old ocean god as his nickname..." As he spoke, C.J.'s Irish accent thickened and his eyes turned darker, reflecting the shift in his mood. "If only I had known the truth back then," He murmured, regret lacing his words like a bitter aftertaste.

C.J. Let out a heavy sigh as he looked down at the crystal-clear water gently lapping at his bare legs. 

The sun's rays danced on the surface, casting a dazzling display of light and shadow. He bent over and picked up one of the shells that had been washed up against his toes by the playful waves. Holding it in his hands, he marveled at the smooth, polished surface, admiring the intricate patterns and streaks of vivid colors that adorned its exterior.

"I've always felt a connection to the water... The ocean especially. I never knew why or what it meant. My father left his mark on me it seemed, if it fates have it that we likely will never cross paths." C.J. Shook his head. "He left me with a longing for the sea and evidently some sort of block that kept my demigod abilities, such as they are, hidden util recently. So I've spent my entire life, thinking I was just an awkward unlikable guy... And now... Well, I am sure you understand better than most what it's like adjusting to al this" He said with a wave around.

||
Erin
Demigod; A term she was still getting used to hearing. She had done her own Google searches in an attempt to answer questions that were left bouncing in her mind. She read through the summarized version of some epics. Heracles. Aeneas, Narcissus, Perseus, Theseus... These were tales they would learn in world history or some sort of Greek Mythology course in Uni, but to think that there was now the reality that all of these people could have been real and all the epics to be true had sent her reeling. And to make it all worse, she was one of them.

Her shoulders relaxed some at the confirmation. She almost wanted to scoff when he said they were in the same boat. They were both demigods and yes, they survived the Gala massacre, but could they truly be in a similar predicament? It wasn't until she got confirmation that her eyes widened some. "You too?" She blurted out after hearing him say he recently found out about his nature. "I found out two weeks ago, about all of this." She said, waving her hand aimlessly about the truth. A laugh of incredulity pushed from her lips, "I honestly thought I was going mad. One day you're excited to visit a new city and the next, you have some... Some Goat-Man telling you about some bloody war and that he is a god." 

Avalon had been holding it all in within her and this had been the first time she was able to say it out loud without sounding like she needed to be admitted into a mental institution. Then, something dawned on her as he talked about his parental lineage. She had been so focused on the overarching facts that she hadn't given much thought to *Who* Could be her parent. She walked closer to the shore, the warm water licking her toes. "I don't even know which God is my parent. God, that sounds ridiculous when you say it out loud..." 
_ _

She looked over at him, her eyes looking at the shell he held in his hands. "Abilities?" She questioned. It was becoming evident that the women only knew a little about what they were outside of title. She knew she had a few passions of her own. Horse riding, for one. It was her life for so long before traveling became her second love. Did any of it have to do with her Godly parent? How much more of her lineage affected and controlled her than she thought? Her eyes seemed to soften in understanding. 

"I don't know anything and it's been making me feel like nothing makes sense anymore." She confessed. "I've always been someone who just knew what to do no matter the situation but this," She motioned between them. "I don't know what any of this means. I don't even know where to start." Her gaze finally settled on his face, "Can you tell me what you know about us?"
Rose
C.J. Gave a small, understanding nod. It was a lot to try and figure out and even though he had known about being a demigod longer than her, he was not much more versed in the whole deity thing than Aurora was. He gave a small nod towards one of the rocks jutting out into the water nearby and started walking towards it. "Let's sit. It'll be more comfortable than standing. Tide's going out so we don't have to worry about getting stranded or anything."

C.J. Was silent as he walked until they got to the rocks and he sat down. The rocks were warm form the sun but the breeze and ocean spray were cool and refreshing. Once Aurora had joined him he looked out over the ocean and sighed softly. "I guess looking back at things, I should have known something was different about me. I wasnt every the biggest or strongest kid but despite being on the scrawny side I was never really sick all that much. Kids who looked much healthier than me were always coming down with something while I seemed to be immune to every bug that went through our school. Seemed to be almost invincible."

C.J. Paused as he picked up a piece of coral that had been washed up on the rocks and tossed it back into the sea. "That is until... The accident. I guess even then I should have figured something was different about me, since everyone said I was luck to have survived at all. Evidently even my father's mark and my being a demigod couldn't save me from being crumpled in a car that looked liked a crushed soda can more than a sportscar at the end of it all. That was nearly five years ago now, still not gotten over all that. So as far as what being a demigod means, what we are supposed to do with this, I don't know. I still feel as lost and confused as I ever have."

C.J. Wasnt harsh or cold, just speaking honestly. He could tell Aurora about his own experience and discovery but he knew barely anything himself about the world they had found themselves drowning in. What parts of his past really impacted where he was now or what had happened to him over the years he couldn't say. "I might be a demigod but the truth is I still feel as scared and lost as I did the day I woke up alone in that hospital bed. I was told I had been lucky to survive. And ight now, it feels like someone's telling me this time i just might not survive this." He gave Aurora a small sympathetic smile and shrug not knowing how to even begin putting a positive spin on any of this.

||
Erin
"If that happens, I happen to be pretty good with directions." The first lighthearted comment she found herself making in what seemed like a while. Following him towards the rocks, she found herself sighing as she sat next to him, leaving a comfortable amount of space between them. She dropped her shoes in between them and brought both legs up so she was sat criss-crossed, her hand coming to rest in the space between them. 

Avalon turned her head to look at him as he talked, sharing his own experiences so far. In some way, she could relate. She always had top-notch health, though her parents had always said that it was a blessing. The more he spoke, about surviving a dangerous situation like his accident, she found herself sucking in a short breath at imagining such a scene. That sounded *Awful*, yet his survival was a more crazy outcome. 

Even with some similarities, there weren't any definite answers he could give her, and that made her feel somewhat deflated. It was wrong for her to assume he had all the answers, but knowing someone else was just as confused and lost as she was gave her a sense of camaraderie. She turned to the ocean, inhaling through her nose before exhaling. "I'm adopted." She started. "I never knew who my biological parents were, but I didn't really care to know all that much. My parents did a pretty good job at always making me feel no different than a bio-kid, even if the difference was obvious. I never got sick, I always got good marks in school, and I was athletic and stronger than most around me - even the boys above my year. And I always knew, someway, that it wasn't normal but I didn't want to question it. After all, it leads to my success. It made me an Olympian - which now sounds fucking ironic." She scoffed.
_ _

"I've always known what I was. A daughter. A jockey. A friend. But for the first time in my life, I don't know *What* I am, and yeah, like you said, it's terrifying." And that alone was pretty tough for someone as confident and fearless as Avalon to admit. "I have people telling me what I am yet even *I* Don't know what I am." She bit her lip as she thought of Pan and those Gods at the Gala. Demigod this, demigod that... It was frustrating. But when his lack of confidence in terms of survival made her stomach turn. "Because of the war?" She asked. "I was told that because of what we are, there would be people, *Things*, out there that will take advantage of that. And to look for something," She furrowed her brows as she tried to remember the exact words, "Somewhere in Athena's sector, someone named Alex? Does that ring any bells?"
Rose
C.J. Thought for a moment, tilting his head slightly as he tried to recall what names he had heard and who he had heard rumors and talk of around town. "Sorry, Alex isn't ringing any bells" He said eventually, a somewhat apologetic smile on his face. "I haven't been able to get out much lately, not since the gala... It's ironic, really." He let out a dry laugh, the sound lacking any real humor. "Being a demigod and I can't even take care of myself. Can't help anyone else either." C.J.'s tone was filled with frustration and self-deprecation. "And now, with this target on my back, it feels like nothing has changed and yet everything is completely different. If that makes any sense at all."

C.J. Looked out over the waves as they sent up little sprays of water as they hit the rocks. He really could do with a cold drink right then, a nice, strong, alcoholic drink. But he knew in his heart that seeking refuge in alcohol would only make things worse. He clenched his fists, trying to convince himself of

He leaned his head back, feeling the warm sun on his face and the tempting sound of the sea as it kept calling to him as it always did. 

The sun beat down on C.J's face as he gazed longingly at the shimmering blue water in the distance. A gentle breeze rustled through his hair, carrying with it the salty scent of the ocean. It had been far too long... And the desire to plunge into the cool depths grew stronger with each passing minute. "God what I would give to go for a swim right about now. Thinking about it, I don't think I have since I've arrive at Olympian... Which seems like a lifetime ago in some ways."

The weight of everything that had transpired since he discovered his true identity weighed heavily on his mind. The revelations about Triton, the enigmatic figure that had cast a shadow over his life, still remained a mystery. Despite all that had happened, there were still no answers to be found. Like a phantom, Triton had suddenly appeared and then disappeared without warning, leaving him with more questions than before. Time seemed to stretch out in front of him as he grappled with the endless unknowns surrounding his past and his future.

"Did they tell you what to do whenever you do find your mysterious Alex?" He asked, pulling his attention to Avalon again

||
Erin
She shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I'll let you in on a secret. Today is my first day out since then." If it was any other situation, she would have never admitted that out loud. "The only reason I left was because I couldn't stop the questions from coming. Because we're demigods, are we always going to be in danger? How many of us are out there? How many Gods?" She found herself hesitating before the last question, "Which one is my parent? All of these bouncing in her head felt more suffocating than the four walls of my hotel room so I had to come out. The ocean," She nodded her chin towards it, "It's the one place that always manages to calm me down." 

With him not knowing whoever this Alex person was, she found herself nodding as if she were accepting that she wasn't going to get any answers today. "It was worth a try. I wasn't told much. Just that whoever they are, they would help. Or at least that's the vibe I got from it." In a large city like Olympian, how the hell was she going to track down a random person named Alex? There could be a thousand of them for all she knew, one Google search of their name wasn't going to solve the mystery. "Are you meant to help others?" She questioned. 

Instead of a drink, she was itching for a cigarette and she had smoked all of them out in her room. The sounds of the seagulls and crashing waves filled in any of the empty noise between them. 
_ _

The mention of a swim made her look at him once more, which made her see the longing look on his face. She stayed quiet for a moment then proceeded to unfold her legs and got herself up from the rock they sat on. They weren't finding any clarity within one another but they gained a sense of understanding that Avalon knew she wouldn't have been able to get from anyone else at the moment. He *Understood* And for better or for worse, they weren't alone in this. 

"We're going for a swim." Her tone sounded as if she weren't going to take no for an answer. "Look, you and I, we don't know anything that's going on. And from what it sounds like, this war or whatever the bloody hell is going on is going to find us one way or another and who knows if another Gala situation is going to happen again. So," She held her hand out for him. "If there's an opportunity to do what you want to do, then you do it because there's no guarantee that we'll get that chance after this." 

As grim as it sounded, that was the reality of the situation. There was too much that was still unknown to them and they couldn't predict how each new piece of information would impact them. Her eyes didn't look happy or excited but instead determined, as if she weren't going to allow the dark cloud that was their situation to overshadow what good they could find in the moment.
Rose
CJ's eyes lit up as a small smile spread across his face, slowly tugging at the corners of his mouth. He reached out with his hand and gently took hers, standing up and gazing out at the shimmering water in front of them. The sunlight danced on the surface of the water, casting a warm glow onto their faces.

"Okay," He said, inhaling deeply. "You're absolutely right," He concurred, his voice filled with determination. "We must cherish this moment and make the most of what we have here and now."

C.J. Nodded his head in agreement, deciding to follow Avalon's lead. As he stood up from the rock they'd been sitting on he started to peel off his shirt. His skin was tanned for someone of Irish heritage, suggesting that he spent a lot of time outside and had managed to find a way to tan and not burn to a crisp. The wild and unkept hair in his head danced in the breeze as the sound and call of the ocean called to him stronger than ever.

His eyes were shining, his senses drinking in every detail: the salty tang in the air, the sound of seagulls calling out as they dove for fish just beyond the breaking waves, the comforting lull of the waves crashing against their perch, the hot sun warming them with its rays, and the soft touch of the ocean breeze.

C.J. Stopped for a moment, pulling off his shoes and socks, and placing them with his shirt. With a nod to Avalon as he inched closer to the edge of the water, C.J. Gave a small stretch and took a slow deep breath before plunging into the beckoning water. He submerged with a gasp of delight, the cool salty water enveloped him, washing away the lingering fear and doubts in his mind- at least for the time being. 

Neither of them knew what their futures held. All they truly had was that moment and C.J. Was glad to have the momentary reprieve. He began swimming further out from the rocks, stopping and looking back and waving for Avalon to join him.

||
Erin
As he grasped her hand, she effortlessly lifted him from his seated position. "Atta boy. That's the spirit," She encouraged with a smile, guiding them away from the rugged rocks and towards the shimmering water. As they reached the shoreline, she made no fuss about her attire, knowing her shorts and tank top could handle a little wetness. Pausing to ensure he was ready, she returned his nod before stepping into the cool water, its chill a stark contrast to the sun's warmth on their skin.

Venturing further in, she felt a wave of relief wash over her, punctuated by a light, joyous laugh at the gentle rocking of the small waves. Cupping the water in her hands, she splashed it on her face before running her fingers through her brown locks. Tilting her head back, she drew in a deep breath, letting her hands rest at the back of her neck. Glancing over at CJ, she noticed the ocean's calming effect on him as well, a reassuring sign that their impromptu escapade was having the desired effect. 

*Good, at least its working.* She thought to herself. 

Time seemed to slip away as they stood there, and by the time the sun began its descent, they decided to parted ways. Though she was no closer to finding answers to her questions and the confusion still lingered, the suffocating fear that had gripped her in recent days had loosened its hold, if only slightly. Maybe, *Just maybe*, everything would turn out fine. 

`[end scene]`