<div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/359840f5e176bf6b11081caf6991e7e9/tumblr_n8pvg0uwLd1r7wrq1o1_250.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Avery (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=207204.msg10203807#msg10203807)<br/><strong>Cabin:</strong>Unclaimed Resident of Hermes Cabin<br/><strong>Location:</strong>September 23rd, evening.<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Ezra<hr/><br/>Avery's face yielded very little of what crossed her mind when Ezra directly insulted her abilities. Although, there was no denying within herself that his words inspired hurt almost as potent as when he pointed out the possible reason for her not being claimed throughout the years. Unlike his more acceptable abilities, frequently put on display within training and capture the flag matches, her lingering touch of godliness usually inspired  deep-seeded fear and leeriness. However, their reactions were reasonable to Avery as she would not care much for someone ruffling through her own mind, seeing places which not even she had fully uncovered. Using them was not exactly enjoyable for her either since she did not care to share that level of intimacy with even those she considered to be her friends thus her reason for not using it frivolously.<br/><br/>Despite the harshness of his tone and the memories which consequently were dragged upwards, she still was not of the opinion that her abilities were to be considered cowardly. Would he say the same to a child of Zeus or even Poseidon if they used theirs against him? She doubted it. Yet, she realized that explaining such to Ezra would be a pointless endeavor, considering how welcoming he proved himself to be in the past to difference. At the end of the day, her ability to invade someone's mind was as much of a weapon as his natural prowess with Might and Glory. To not use them within combat would only be considered foolish since no weapon no matter how well-crafted by Vincent could ever compare to their effectiveness.<br/><br/>She waited, as unmoving as stone, without turning away to spare herself from the slowly building agony within his body. It was cruel and harsh but she refused to stop until he yielded either verbally or until his body did it for him by passing out. To turn away, in her opinion, would have brought credence to his anger charged declaration. This was personal, more in the way of shoving a sword through the protective flesh of someone's body than firing a long distance shot without instantly seeing the consequences. With that in mind, Avery had no intention of continuing to assault his mind once the inevitable occurred. Even with her sentence against him uttered, she still understood that a bloodied face was not equal to the taking of someone's life. A small part of her craved to finish what she had started though, to have the mighty broken beyond repair, but that feeling was not to be indulged.<br/><br/>A voice attempted to capture her attention. But after years of hearing Chiron yell 'never lose your focus', Avery's control and focus remained intact. It was not until he broached closer within distance to strike did she relinquish her hold on Ezra's mind. Thinking Malcolm meant to attack her, Avery prepared herself to defend but it would seem that her sword was not necessary. Confusion brightened the clouded grey of her eyes until Malcolm explained in a yell that would likely result in an even more painful headache that Ezra was not at fault. Malcolm's glares meant little to her when it became clear exactly who was responsible for the state of Henry's face. If she had the strength, she would have caused him to do far more than cry. However, as it stood, her wrath had been directed upon the wrong person. She did not utter a word in her defense when the child of Ares spoke those words intended to paint her into a monster. It also did not escape her notice that not once did he appear guilty or remorseful about his actions.<br/><br/>Avery was slightly tempted to shift blame back in their direction. Ezra should have mentioned that little fact sooner rather than later instead of antagonize her. Yet, she merely inhaled slowly to calm her nerves and only exhaled once they started to walk away from her. She quietly evaluated their surroundings and mentally noted that it would need to be blocked off in the morning until it could be repaired. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ezra's last glance of disappointment. It bothered her somewhat but she refused to allow his silent accusations to build within her mind. If she was to be convicted of a crime then it would be for protecting what was hers to protect. Without a word, she headed back towards Hermes' cabin with a noticeable stiffness within her stride even though she was more mentally exhausted than physical.<br/><br/>Unsurprisingly, she felt all the better when Henry emerged from the cabin and wrapped his little arms around her in a tight hug. "Ouch." She grimaced but did not push him away. This meant far more to her than anyone's approval. Avery then realized that perhaps Malcolm and Ezra were correct in their silent observations of her. She had become a monster, a person who could watch another's suffering without blinking twice. Yet, deep within her soul, she was aware that if Henry or anyone else was threatened again by violence that she would willingly sink to those dark depths in order to defend them. Lightening flashed before the sky before the heavens opened to unleash the rain upon them. Above Avery's head, a faint hologram of a crown hovered atop her head. "Out of the rain," she gently pushed Henry toward the door, "You don't need a cold to add to your injuries list." It was only when Henry looked up with a perplexed expression did Avery notice what glowed slightly above her head within the fogging glass of the cabin. "Hera." At the whisper of the goddess' name, one whom she never thought to pray to, a bolt of lightening which seemed to fall earthward with an agonized scream was absorbed first by a shield with the goddess' emblem engraved within its middle. The anger of the bolt was transformed into the harmless petals of the queen's favorite flower, the lily.<br/><br/><div align="center">-end scene-</div>