Loukas Makris

Yes"

Loukas had to pinch himself just to make sure this wasn't a dream. His best friend, the girl he had gone from being just friends to something more, had just confirmed that she wanted to make their relationship physical. "This has to be a dream" the boy murmured softly to himself, but the sharp pain from pinching himself confirmed otherwise. This was very, very real! Loukas could only stand rooted to the spot, his eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat as he watched Sage slowly begin to continue stripping her clothes off. The low lighting of the stables cast long shadows across her body, hiding parts of her but fully revealing others as she moved along. When she began to lower both her pants and underwear, he felt a knot of desire twist in his stomach. His eyes followed the line of her hips, the curve of her backside, his mind filling with dirty thoughts that made his cheeks flush red. He watched completely captivated as she stepped out of her shorts and underwear, leaving her completely naked before him. Finally, as the straps of her bra came undone he couldn't help but think to himself 'Oh thank the gods I don't have to figure out how to unhook that contraption!' Athena in her wisdom must have been looking out for him. He watched as the bra fell away, revealing her perky youthful breasts to him and he felt a rush of desire surge through him at the sight. He had never seen Sage like this before, so vulnerable but also so incredibly confident!

Looking down Loukas quickly noticed the reaction Sage's strip tease had had on his own body as his hard cock pressed against the fabric of his boxes begging to be freed. His boxers, still damp from the rain, clung to him doing little to hide the physical evidence of his arousal. He shifted uncomfortably in them. It was as if all his senses had heightened as he was hyperaware of the blood rushing through his veins and the throbbing pulse between his legs. Sure he had fantasized about moments like this since their relationship had grown towards the psychical, but the reality of it was so much more intense than anything he could have ever imagined. But then as Sage sauntered over to him she made her confession of love. The combination of her heart felt words and her nude body overwhelmed poor's Loukas' teenage mind. Finding himself momentarily at a loss of words. "Sage..." he started, swallowing to catch his breath. "I... I love you too, Sage. I've loved you for awhile now and you mean everything to me! Yes I'll have you! And yes I want to give you all of me too" he confessed, elated that their journey had led them both to this moment.

Realizing that the girl of his dreams was now naked and within arms reach of him, Loukas felt like it was Christmas morning! But he had also never been in a situation like this before and he really wanted to make sure he was doing everything right for Sage's sake. He slowly reached out, his hand shaking ever so slightly as he gently placed it on her breast. His touch was soft as he felt the firmness of it in his hand. His heart pounded in his chest as he felt the warmth of her skin. Her nipple was hard against his hand as Sage must have been just as aroused as he. He let out a shaky breath, his nerves slowly replaced with awe and desire as he began to lightly squeeze and knead her breast. His thumb brushed over her nipple, as he saw her face and the reaction it had on her. Encouraged he repeated the motion slowly growing more confident. He bit his lip, 'Oh no! Should I be touching her with both hands or just one? Does it matter?' But looking at Sage's pleasure filled face he decided to go for it! Bringing his other hand up he mimicked the motions on her other breast. He continued to tease her breasts with his hands occasionally drifting to her sides, lightly tracing her ribs, before returning to her breasts again. One hand getting bolder as his thumb and forefinger delicately pinched her right nipple. "Is this feeling good?" he asked hoping he was pleasing her. That's when he still remembered his own covered state. "Ummm would you like to be the one too....." he gestured downward, blushing a bit at the sight of his hard cock pressing against his boxes. Wanting to know if Sage would like to be the one to uncover him completely. 

As Sage suggested they dry off together, Loukas felt his heart hammering in his chest. He glanced around the stable, half expecting someone to walk in on them, even though he knew they were alone. Loukas blinked momentarily taken aback by her boldness, before a slow grin spread across his face. He ran a hand through his wet hair, his eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned back against the stable wall. "Well," he started to say, taking a moment to take in the sight of Sage standing before him with her wet clothes clinging to her body. "Who am I to argue with such sage advice?" He laughed nervously at his own pun. Though all words failed him when Sage actually started to act on her own advice by unbuttoning her shirt. "Oh...oohhhhhhh you're being serious! Here?! Now?! Ummm ok!" He tried to sound confident like this was all normal for him but truthfully he was equal parts terrified and turned on by this bold version of Sage in front of him. He watched, captivated, as she slowly revealed more of herself to him. This was Sage, the girl he had known for years, the girl he had come to care about deeply. But this was a side of her he had never seen before, and it was incredibly alluring.

When she finally shrugged off her shirt leaving her in just her bra Loukas' eyes roamed over her figure. Taking in the sight of her flushed skin, her soaked bra clinging to her curves. He found himself swallowing hard, trying to keep his composure. He couldn't help but admire her confidence, her boldness, the way she was carring herself. It was incredibly attractive. Loukas decided to match Sage's boldness. His heart pounded in his chest as he reached down and grabbed the hem of his soaked shirt. He glanced at Sage, his dark eyes meeting her as he slowly began to lift the fabric, revealing his own torso to her. His muscles were defined, honed from years of training at camp. The rainwater that had soaked through his shirt made his skin glisten in the dim light of the stables. He continued to pull his shirt up and over his head before he tossed it aside, his chest now bare before her. A slight blush spread across his cheeks, a rare show of vulnerability from the typically composed son of Hecate. Quickly stepping out of his jeans now in only a wet pair of boxes that did little to hide what was underneath. "So..like what you seeeee oohhhhhh wowwwww!" he stumbled over his words as Sage had already begun to strip the rest of the way. 

Loukas' breath hitched in his throat as he watched Sage turn around and begin to lower her pants and underwear. His eyes widened slightly and his heart pounded in his chest like a drum. This was a sight of Sage he had never seen before, and the rawness of the moment made his mind explode. His eyes followed the line of her back, the curve of her hips, the way her wet clothes clung to her skin before she slid them off. He watched as she moved, her body swaying in a dance that was only for him. He could see her in her full glory now, and he couldn't help but be drawn in. "You're beautiful Sage....absolutely beautiful...." He stood there in only his rain soaked boxes staring awestruck at the woman of his dreams.

"Oh no! It almost never rains here? Go figure that would happen on our walk..." Loukas stated, feeling the rain beginning to soak through his clothes. That's when he looked over at Sage. Her clothes were clinging to her body, accentuating her curves in a way that made him gulp. He had seen her in all sorts of situations, but never like this. The rain seemed to strip away any barriers between them, making everything raw and real. His heart hammered in his chest as he watched the rain mat her hair to her face and trickle down her cheeks. His gaze lingered for a moment longer than it should have, causing a heat to rise in his cheeks. When Sage called out about the stables Loukas nodded and grabbed her hand. With their hands intertwined they made a dash for the stables! The atmosphere around them was charged, the cool rain mixing with their warm bodies creating a steamy scene. Watching Sage laughing and running in the rain with her face lit up with joy and excitement was a sight never wanted to forget!

The thought of being alone with her in the stables away from the prying eyes of the other campers was an exciting thought. He wondered if she was thinking the same dirty things that he was. This was all new territory for them and he wanted to explore these feelings with her. "It looks like we might be stuck in her for awhile" he shivered, crossing his arms to try and keep warm "You've got your mother's wisdom, what do you suggest we do now?" he teased.

Loukas felt his heart swell with happiness as Sage agreed to be his girlfriend, a tear threatening to spill from his eye. He had never felt this kind of love before, he didn't even know it was possible....and it was overwhelming. Hearing Sage say she loved him back, and that she wanted to be with him, was more than he could have ever hoped for. As they kissed, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him, never wanting to let her go. He felt like he was on top of the world, like nothing could ever bring him down. Being with Sage, it just felt so right, and he knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together. As they finally pulled away from each other, Loukas smiled at Sage, his eyes filled with love and adoration.

"I'm so happy, Sage. You don't know how much this means to me," he said, his voice filled with emotion. He leaned in for another kiss, his lips meeting hers with a tenderness that made his heart ache. He knew that they had a lot to talk about, a lot to figure out, but he didn't care. All that mattered was that they were together, and that they loved each other. Loukas pulled away from the kiss, his hand moving to Sage's cheek, his thumb stroking her skin gently. "Ummmmm....we should probably finish making the pizza," he said with a chuckle, not wanting to leave behind a mess. "Or at the ver least straighten up this mess......" he blushed not sure what to say in the moment, but very happy it had happened. 

Loukas felt a surge of relief and excitement when Sage gave him permission to continue, his hands trembled with anticipation. He carefully lifted her shirt up and over her head, his movements a bit clumsy due to his nervousness. As he tossed the shirt aside, his eyes traveled over her exposed skin, admiring the beauty of her body. He felt a sense of awe and gratitude at being allowed to see her like this, vulnerable and open, just as he was to her. Gently, his fingers moved to the clasp of her bra, fumbling slightly as he tried to figure out how to unhook it. He could tell that she was just as nervous and excited as he was, and it only served to fuel the passion that was building between them. After a few attempts, he finally managed to unhook the bra, his cheeks flushing with both pride and embarrassment. As the bra fell away, Loukas couldn't help but stare at her, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the sight before him.

Feeling a mixture of nervousness and curiosity, Loukas hesitantly allowed his hands to roam over her newly exposed skin, exploring the curves of her breasts with a gentle touch. His heart raced as he took in every detail, from the softness of her skin to the way her nipples hardened under his touch as he brushed his fingers lightly over them. He took one in-between his thumb and finger and gently rubbed it watching the reaction it had over her. He was entranced by her, unable to think of anything but the connection they were forging in this moment. As Loukas continued to tentatively caress and admire Sage, he couldn't help but be struck by the beauty of the situation. They had come so far together, from friends to something more, and he knew that this moment would be etched into his memory forever. He could only hope that Sage felt the same way, that she too saw the magic in the connection they were building. And as he looked into her eyes, filled with love and passion, he knew that she did.

"Sage, ever since we met, there's been something special between us. I've never felt this way about anyone before," Loukas confessed, his voice thick with emotion. "Being with you like this, it's made me realize just how much you mean to me. You make me feel alive, and I want to be there for you....." Loukas continued, his voice barely more than a whisper, "I love you, Sage, and I want to know if you feel the same way. Would you be willing to make this official, to be in a relationship with me?"

I volunteer Samantha and / or Petal as tribute 

Loukas nodded, taking Mateo's advice to heart. It was clear that he needed to find a balance in his life and not overdo things when it came to practicing magic. He was grateful for Mateo's understanding, especially since it was apparent that he had his own struggles to deal with. "Yeah, a break every now and then sounds like a good idea," Loukas agreed, feeling a little more at ease with the thought of not pushing himself too hard. Mateo's words about love and timing resonated with Loukas. He realized that there might never be a perfect moment to confess his feelings to Sage, but he also recognized the importance of being honest with her. "I guess you're right," Loukas said thoughtfully. "Maybe I should just take the leap and tell her how I feel. It's better than keeping it bottled up and wondering 'what if,' right?" He appreciated Mateo's candor, especially knowing that his older brother was struggling with similar issues.

"It's always easier to give advice than to take it ourselves, isn't it?" Loukas said with a chuckle, acknowledging Mateo's admission that he should follow his own guidance. It felt good to know that he wasn't alone in his struggles, and it made him feel more connected to his siblings. "We're all just figuring things out as we go along, I suppose." As they continued talking, Loukas felt a sense of relief wash over him. The weight of his frustrations seemed to be lifting, and he knew that much of it was due to Mateo's support and understanding. The bond he shared with his siblings was truly a unique and special thing, and he was grateful to have them in his life. "Thanks, Mateo," Loukas said sincerely. "Your advice and support means a lot to me. I think I'll try to work better on finding a balance in my life and not be so hard on myself. And I'll definitely consider taking that leap with Sage! After all, life is too short to be filled with regrets right?."

Loukas felt a rush of excitement as he kissed Sage, their lips moving in perfect sync. He was lost in the moment, their kiss so intense and passionate that it was hard for him to even think. All he knew was that he wanted Sage, in every way possible. His hands roamed over her body, feeling her curves and enjoying the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips. He deepened the kiss, wanting more of her, wanting to explore every inch of her body. Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them building with each passing moment. It was almost too much to bear. Everything about their relationship, from the way they laughed together to the way they worked together in the kitchen, just felt right.

Finally, they pulled away from each other, both of them breathless and flushed with passion. Loukas looked down at Sage, his eyes filled with desire. "Wow indeed," he whispered, "I never knew a kiss could be like that" his voice dripping with desire that he didn't even know was possible. "Sage, ever since the lake I've wanted to do this again for so long." He leaned in to kiss her again, his hands sliding down to her waist. As he kissed her, he slowly lifted her up, setting her on the kitchen counter so that he could stand between her legs. Leaning in he kissed her again, his hands roaming over her body as they continued to explore each other. It was pure bliss, and Loukas never wanted it to end.

As the heat between them grew, Loukas found himself getting bolder, his kisses becoming more passionate and urgent. He nipped at her lips, teasing her with his tongue as he explored her mouth. A hand moved to her right breast, squeezing it gently over the fabric of her cloths as he continued the kiss. He could hear Sage moaning softly, her body arching for his touch just as he was for hers. The two were completely lost in the moment, unable to think about anything else but each other. Finally, they broke apart, both of them gasping for breath. Loukas looked at Sage, his eyes filled not just with desire, but love. His hands slid down to the hem of her shirt, lifting it up a couple inches, revealing her smooth skin. "May I?" he asked permission, breathing heavier now. Though he was consumed with passion he wanted to check and make sure Sage was comfortable with all of this too.

Loukas couldn't help but notice a change in Sage's demeanor as they worked together, her body language giving off a different kind of energy. He wondered what was going through her mind and if she was enjoying their close proximity like he was. Being this close to her was a new experience for him, and it was one that he was thoroughly enjoying. He was lost in the moment, enjoying the feel of Sage's body against his. It was hard to focus on the task at hand, but he wanted to make this a fun and enjoyable experience for both of them so he tried his best.

As they kneaded the dough, Loukas found himself lost in the rhythm of their movements, their hands working together in perfect sync. Loukas and Sage continued to knead the dough together while singing the song on the radio. He couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him, grateful for this moment and the connection he was building with Sage. As they finished up, Loukas admired their handiwork, feeling a sense of pride at what they had accomplished together. "Looks like we make a pretty good team," he said with a grin.

When Sage asked if he was ready to throw the dough he could only stare at her in silence, losing himself in the beauty of her warm smile. The two gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, the energy between them palpable. “Sure…but in a moment.” Then, without warning, Loukas leaned in and pressed his lips to Sage's.

Loukas could sense his half-sister's slight unease at so many people all corralling around her at once. Being an introvert himself events like the bonfire were never ideal circumstances, and Akemi was usually even more reserved than himself. What he had not expected was for her to suddenly hide, pressing both Sage and himself close together as a single human shield. Loukas certainly wasn't going to complain about the near zero proximity between him and Sage but his curiosity was peaked. "Who are we hiding you from?" he whispered to Akemi. He knew Sage would also be curious, but figured he should be the one to ask as Sage would most certainly would not have known to whisper.

As Loukas and Sage made their way to the summer camp bonfire, Loukas felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The sound of kids singing and the warmth of the flames made the atmosphere feel alive. Loukas noticed how the light from the bonfire illuminated Sage's face, making her look even more beautiful than before. "You look amazing," Loukas said, feeling a bit shy as he spoke the words. On their last date, they had gotten closer than ever before, even beginning to explore the psychical side of their relationship. It was an electrifying experience for Loukas, and he found himself feeling more drawn to Sage than ever before. Despite the strong physical attraction between them, he was still a little nervous and shy around her in public.

As they approached the group of campers, Loukas saw his half-sister Akemi. "Hey, Akemi!" he called out, waving to her. Loukas also noticed Shadow, his other half-brother, standing in the distance. He had been looking forward to seeing Shadow, but he could sense the tension from Sage as she saw him. Loukas felt torn between his loyalty to his older half-brother and his growing feelings for Sage. Sensing her unease he decided not to bring it up, choosing rather to enjoy the night with Sage. He felt grateful to have found someone who could challenge him and bring him out of his shell like she could.

Loukas could feel the strain of the night’s exertion catching up to him now, but he still gave this final attempt everything he could muster up. He’d either get it right or he’d be too exhausted and have to attempt it again another night. At first he didn’t really notice the looks on Shadow's face as he was too focussed on what he was trying to do. It wasn’t until Shadow spoke that Loukas realized what he had accomplished.

“Haha!” Loukas cried out loud in victory, leaping up along with Shadow and without warning he gave his older brother a big hug. “Oh sorry!” he cried as he let go and jumped back a step “Guess I got a little too excited. It’s just, well I don’t think anyone in my cabin has believed in me quite like you have. This is just fantastic!” he grinned. “I don’t think I’ll ever really be able to repay you for all the help you’ve provided, but if I ever can you just let me know. I owe you a ton!”

Loukas couldn’t wait to share this all with Sage, he just knew she’d be thrilled to learn what he had achieved, though he thought that maybe this time he’d leave out Shadow's name. That seemed to have a weird effect and he wasn’t sure why. He watched Shadow move towards the lake watching the sun rise up. “I sure will!” He promised, “I’ll practice every night and get better and better.” Though for now Loukas would make a beeline back towards his bunk where he’d probably sleep for the next several hours.

If he forced himself to think on it Loukas could admit that there were still plenty of positives to being at Camp Halfblood (besides the obvious safety from monsters). One such positive thing was that his fellow half-siblings all seemed to genuinely care and offer up help when he opened up and shared; first Shadow, then Akemi and now it seemed Mateo too. Sharing was always easier when it was apparent someone honestly wanted to listen and offer help. In truth, even though it started out as a bit of a ramble, Loukas felt like he had hit the root of his problems; belonging.

“Really?” he said in a surprised tone, “I guess there were enough talented magic users here that I had assumed everyone had a natural talent for it. I suppose there’s some comfort in knowing that not everyone picks it up as fast. The truth is I do feel like I’ve been over exerting myself in trying to catch up. Perhaps I could use a bit of a break between Shadow and Akemi’s back and forth lessons.” This realization managed to cause Loukas to smile a bit, maybe a short break was just what he needed after all.

His face lit up when Mateo asked him about the girl. “Oh wow she’s fantastic! Her name is Sage and she’s an Athena camper. She’s really really smart and very pretty, she’s got this amazing smile that always makes me forget what I’m about to say next.” He paused for a moment, both to catch his breath and because he realized he was starting to sound rather rambly. “Sorry, I guess what I’m getting at is that the two of us have been friends for a very long time. She was one of the first campers here that I got to know, and now that things are beginning to become more serious between us, well I’m worried about losing that. I’m worried when is the best time to let her know I want us to be more than friends, how will I know when it’s right? What if I forget the right words to say and they all come out in the wrong order? Have you ever had to make decisions like that?” As Mateo patiently listened he also reassured Loukas that he did indeed belong here at camp. “Thanks Mateo, that does mean a lot.I guess I do have time on my side. Time to figure out what it is I’m supposed to do, and who I’m supposed to share life with.”

Loukas blushed slightly as Sage called him handsome. He had purposefully exaggerated his posture, but the compliment still had an effect on him. It was the small silly moments they shared that were the most memorable to him, both as friends and now…well…whatever they were currently. Eventually they would need to define that, but for now Loukas was having too much fun enjoying the present and he didn’t want to jeopardize that by imposing labels that Sage may or may not be ready for. It would happen in its own right timing.

He was grateful he was able to find a station with a good song on, even more so one that Sage seemed to like as she quickly picked up the lyrics and began singing along. “I like this one too” Loukas started, about to sing along with her, but that was when she grabbed his hand. With one graceful move she pulled him around until he was behind her, arms wrapped around her small waist. Loukas’ eyes grew big, it was one thing to hold her hand, another to kiss her, but being pressed this close to the girl he was attracted to was a different experience altogether!

“Ahh..umm..ok *cough* I mean yes, of course” he corrected, trying to project an air of confidence. Like it was completely normal for him to hold a girl this way, something he just did all of the time. As they started to knead the dough he found himself relaxing, even leaning into her a little in a more natural pose. “Well, this is certainly a much more enjoyable way to make food. I might visit the kitchen more often if Chef Sage is on duty” he whispered playfully into her ear as they completed the dough mixture.

Loukas grinned, Sage usually had the upper hand when it came to teasing, so he felt it was imperative to take full advantage anytime he caught on to something that made her blush. Lately though the subject of those rare moments had always seemed to be about himself which pleased him. The fact that this beautiful bombastic bombshell could get flustered around him made him very special indeed.

“You know, you pull off that apron and chef’s hat combo pretty well” he complemented, thinking to himself that Sage could honestly pull off any outfit well. “I like to think I look rather striking in mine too” he stated, posing by puffing out his chest in a purposefully silly caricature of a masculine action hero.

“Although I think we’re missing just one touch” he said as he walked over to a nearby radio on the countertop. Turning it on, he fiddled with the tuner until it found a station. * 50,000 WATS OF POWER AND IT'S PUSHIN' OVERLOAD THE BEAST IS READY TO DEVOUR ALL THE METAL THEY CAN HOLD * “Oh gosh!” Loukas cried as he quickly turned the knob, “Maybe not something that loud and aggressive.” * Reach for the sky, Keep your eye on the prize, Forever in my mind, Be my golden sunshine * “Ahhh much better!” he said as he began to follow the instructions she had shared, or at least he tried to, as he often found himself paying attention to her instead, getting lost in Sage's pretty features. “Ummmmmm I think I measured that out all correctly.”

Alias: FullMoonRising
Characters you are Keeping: Loukas Makris, Samantha Adams, Theodore Thatcher, Petal Price
Characters you are Making Inactive: none
Characters you are Retiring:none

“Hmmmffff, patience might have been important to your mother but I think mine might have forgotten to hand that out when she had me. Still, I suppose I can muster some up for you” he teased, gently squeezing Sage’s hand. As they strolled toward their destination he listened to Sage go on talking about one thing and the next, secretly enjoying the adorable way she appeared to embarrass herself, backtracking to explain the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of her knowing all about the state of the boy's rooms. He could not resist being a little cheeky back “Well maybe one day I can give you a tour of mine. Show you how spotless it is”, that seemed to make her blush he thought to himself. He did so himself though when she kissed his hand for the third time that day (he had been counting, wondering if those kisses would lead to another makeout session like they had enjoyed on the lake).

His eyes got big when they entered the kitchen, everything perfectly set up and ready to go for their prepared activity. “Wow” he beamed, looking around at everything, “It’s perfect Sage! Thank you!” Growing up he wasn’t used to being spoiled, even at camp, not too many campers outside of his own cabin paid him much attention. Sage was different though, she had made so many moments feel extra special, and most importantly she made him feel like he mattered. “Oh my! You failed to mention that the illustrious Chef Sage was going to be providing lunch, it would be Chef Loukas’ honor to assist her” he joked, giving a half bow as he put on the spare apron and hat. “So, where should we begin?”

Loukas rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he made his way out of the clearing onto the volleyball field. He'd promised Sage yesterday that he'd make an appearance and maybe even end up playing too. Looking around though he didn't spot a single camper. "Hello! Where is everybody?" he shouted out confused. "Wow! I'm actually EARLY for once" this was an unusual experience for him but Sage would certainly be excited to see he was the first to arrive as he walked towards the volleyball net, leaning against the post waiting for the others to show up.

“Really?” Loukas exclaimed, a look of devilish joy passing over his face. This time he anticipated his older sibling might try and launch another object at him and he was able to just barely dodge it. Without wasting a second he scanned the table until he spotted something, a small paperclip. “Elenchos!” he proclaimed, sending it across the room in a simi steady manor until it veered off course and landed underneath the couch.

“Hmmmm…well I guess that wasn’t too bad. Ummmmm…Elenchos!” this time sending the fruit bowl from one side of the table over to the other. “Oooooffffff, yea the paperclip was easier, I see what you mean there about the weightlifting analogy. Guess I have a lot of practicing to do before our next lesson huh? Well, I mean assuming there will be a next lesson? Shadow has always been willing to continue teaching but I shouldn't just make that assumption about everyone, sorry! I really do appreciate you taking the time to teach me everything. You’ve opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me, that was worth getting splashed in the face with water for” he laughed.

Loukas made a face, his nose and lips twisting slightly in mild annoyance as he contemplated what Shadow had said. This type of magic was certainly proving to be more difficult than he had anticipated but he made sure not to let it dampen his drive to master it. “Got it, so less ‘painting a picture’ and more ‘planting the thought’?” Though it did amuse Loukas a little that his first attempt had somewhat worked, just a little too literally to be successful. “Ok” he said, cracking his fingers as he stretched his arms out, cracking his neck a little to each side, “let’s try this again!” he said with renewed enthusiasm. He was determined to make this next attempt land. Loukas was starting to wonder if there was a reason Shadow had only been teaching him magic that was based around illusions and manipulations, but the only way to find out to what end would be if he proved capable of the spell craft.

Thanking back to everything Shadow had explained so far this night during their lesson together, Loukas tried again, tweaking his approach in the ways Shadow has suggested in his feedback.

Loukas was pleased to hear he could practice on smaller animals too, he wanted to get better and as nice as Akemi was, he doubted she’d want to be target practice every time. Besides, there was one particular squirrel who kept stealing his lunch whenever he ate outside. A bigger fellow with an odd white marking on its forehead, Loukas wouldn’t mind binding him a few times in revenge.

He paused when Akemi asked her question about Shadow. “Oh Shadow is the best!” he exclaimed. “He’s quiet for sure, but he’s always willing to go into detail and provide examples when we’re practicing magic together. And he’s always willing to help! I didn’t even have to try and convince him to mentor me, he offered freely and was even excited to. I wouldn’t say he’s distrustful, not at all, he’s very open about wanting me to succeed in magic and says I have a bright future in it. He's go big plans for me and says that's why we have to train extra hard.”

Listening as his older sister explained how she would be a different kind of instructor he nodded in acknowledgement. “Well, I’ll do my best to push myself just like I do for Sha…whaa” he stopped as he saw the bottle cap hurling toward him, he moved his head in time to avoid a direct hit but it still bounced off his cheek. “Wow! When do I get to learn that??”

“Thanks!” Loukas said as he reached out to catch the water bottle, steading himself so as to not fall out of his chair. Twisting the plastic cap off he tossed it towards the trash can before greedily gulping down from it. She had warned him of the physical toll this would take but there was a difference between lecture and experience, a difference that he was currently feeling first hand. Still, Akemi seemed pleased overall with his performance and that was more than enough for Loukas. If she was going to spend her time teaching him it mattered that she not find it a wasted effort and that he give it his all.

“Earlier you mentioned that human targets are easiest, does this mean I can use this spell on animals…or…or monsters even? What makes them harder to bind than people?” he might be near the edge of exhaustion but his curiosity was peaking again. “Shadow only ever talks about the effects our magic has on other humans, he mostly ignores my questions that aren’t related to that.” He paused reflecting on things, “You know, you’re a very different instructor than he is. Not in a better or worse kind of way, just different” he stated, emptying the water bottle.

Loukas had been boring a hole into the wall with his gaze when Mateo approached him, startling him out of his thoughts. What did have him so bent out of shape, he thought to himself. The week had been going well but by the end of it Loukas was….well he wasn’t sure what he was, he couldn’t put a name on the emotion or even the cause of it. His mind felt like a tangled knot of strings with no idea what thread led to where or why it did, and no idea how to even begin untangling it to find out. “Frustrated” he mumbled, answering Mateo's first question. He knew that wasn’t the best answer but it was honestly the only word he could form in the moment.

Frustrated, saying the word out loud had more effect than Loukas expected. It was like it was just the right pull his mind needed to begin loosening the knot. “I’m frustrated because I’m way behind where I should be with magic, years it feels like” he continued. He had been practicing with his older siblings Shadow and Akemi and that had been helping a lot, but he still couldn’t push back the feeling that it wasn’t enough. “I’m frustrated because there’s this girl I like, and I guess it’s going well but…I don’t know…” It was true he and Sage had been growing as more than friends but the relationship was still very undefined and Loukas, pessimist that he could be, worried it was only a matter of time until something went wrong. The knot loosened more until he felt like he could form a more clear sentence. “I don’t know if I belong here and I don’t know what my purpose is in life or if I’ll even find that here at camp. Life is confusing lately and I don’t know how to navigate it.” He was a little surprised at himself, opening up, even just a little bit had started to form what his overall problem was.

Loukas felt a tinge of regret as he watched the magic take its effect on Akemi even though this was all a part of practice. Growing up, Loukas had seen magic used to deadly effect before and was still working towards getting over his hesitation of it. He started to take a step forward to make sure she was unharmed when he paused, she was a capable instructor and would probably rather take care of herself. Either way, his spell didn’t last long enough and soon Akemi was back to her feet. He waited anxiously to hear her judgment on his attempt; being his first endeavor he wasn’t sure what to expect. “Darn” he mumbled, “the way Shadow talks about it he says I pick things up fast, but I guess this is a different kind of magic.” Loukas wondered now if maybe Shadow had been exaggerating, but he wasn’t sure why he would have a need to. He cheered up though near the end of her feedback, it could just be his sister would be a stricter critic; that could prove beneficial.

“Challenge accepted!” he said eagerly, “as long as you truly don’t mind?” Re-taking his position he turned back to face her. “Pagída!”. As time passed he cast it again, again and once more again sometimes switching up the Greek word. At first the duration of the spell increased with practice, but as the fatigue wore on it dipped back down until Loukas felt like he’d been sprinting for hours. It felt odd, he hadn’t been moving, but just as Akemi warned spell casting exerted quite a physical toll. Loukas looked for a nearby chair and sat down, breathing heavily now. “Well….how'd…I…do?” he asked in between breaths.

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