Azrael Blackburn

Azrael took the time to thank Octavia for the extra marshmallows "Normally I wouldn't but since they needed clearing up anyway" he smiled as enjoyed the warmth of the mug in his hands.

As she started to mention her father and a potential monster attack it seemed more likely that if she had seen something like that at her age it was going to leave some scars. "I don't know what happened to your daddy, if you like I can talk to James and see what we can find out. But for now I think we should stick with one hugely brave step at a time" he didn't want to make her associate these two things together, especially if they were from any other source, he know that James had been giving some excellent classes on Mythical Creature Lore but he had never really considered it from such a young child's perspective, especially when all the ages in a cabin were taught at once, maybe James was a little bit too good a storyteller.

"You know we are all working to make sure You and the other campers are ready for the dangers out there in the big world. Working together and having one another's backs means you can fight the monsters that come at you" he said moving to a very serious but gentle voice to explain as much but with as little frightening as he could "You know Lilythe must have been even younger than you when she made it to the camp and it was her and I just like you and Derrick that kept one another safe, first here at camp and then out there is all the big battles."

It was the description of the hydra like monster that really caught him up though, it was one of those beasts that really did need a pile of people to try to take down, he still had scars and aches from a mighty row of teeth marks from a hydra biting down on him back at Camp Jupiter. He really didn't think this was the time to let her know quite how nasty those were, along with another note to check how James was handling those kind of beast in the tales. "Not going to lie, a beast like the one you are speaking about sounds scary, but we are protected in here behind the strength of the gods and the power of the fleece. Monsters can't sneak in here and we make sure we get people together to face bad things as a big team so we can stop them..." he decided not to elaborate too much on how that would work, those were logistics for an older and less frightened camper than the one in front of him "and until you are at least a bit bigger, that job is for people like me and your brother James and Camp Leader Lilythe to deal with."

He realized he had one more trick he could pull, it was a little cheap but it just might work. The big house had a good size recreational room, filled will all sorts from ping pong tables to board games but the bit that he thought might come in handy was the comfy sofa with an old television opposite it. He stood up, picking up his mug of hot chocolate and made a suggestion "I think we have gotten enough use out of the kitchen for one night. But if the Hephaestus kids have managed to keep it going I think we should be able to find a channel with cartoons on it in the Rec room" He moved to pick up her mug to take through and lead them through to the sofa. He knew that she wouldn't want to go through the steps of preparing to sleep, those always let in the scary thoughts but maybe falling over to cartoons might just do the trick.

He put down the two mugs on a nearby table and pulled over one of the fleeces from around the room and pulled a remote. he threw the fleece over Octavia's head as he took a seat himself and started to flick through the kids tv channels, they seem to blare through the night but now he was slowly beginning to realize exactly why that was "Tell me when to stop".

Azrael upon seeing Joaquín looking around with a similar look of enjoyment at the top of the towers he could quite easily claim a hollow victory but without having anyone to actually judge the race it must have been pretty even. "Seemed to be pretty much neck and neck there. I guess we can find someone to spot for us for the rematch." he thought about the fact that he was older, taller and had trained on this kind of stuff every day between here and Camp Jupiter. "You know your god given capabilities are just going to get stronger as you train them, I suspect Lilythe would leave both of us standing if you could get her out of the big house long enough" He stopped for a moment, the idea of Lilythe in her full workout gear giving him a reason to pause "I am just glad a fair few of us are reaching an age we can test that theory out."

He took the time to take in the scene, overlooking the camp and taking the time to pick out spots, the big house, the volleyball field and so many other places that sparked memories of the campers of the past. "I can enjoy it from up here" he said taking in a breath of the fresh air "I can look out and see all the familiar places and remember the times that made it home." He took the time to look over at the edge of the boundary, from up here he could see the light rain that marked the start of fall approaching. "But time cannot be kept at bay, its a new generation of campers and I am glad to see they are preparing for a new future with very new and different challenges."

He took the time to look over at Joaquín before looking for the abseiling rope to make his way down the other side. "Appreciate the walk, talk and climb though, its been good to get out of the cabin for a bit" he only though the next bit While a decision is made... "but I should really start getting to know a bit more of this new Camp half blood I have found my way back to. starting with the rest of cabin sixteen if i can get them to open up."

He slowly pulled up the rope to make his way down, realizing that there was a little more to a life at camp than just that one decision that hung over him at that moment.

((Joaquín - Shout if there is any more you want to run through to finish this one up?))

Azrael took the time to listen to Zoren and was slowly realizing this was a chunk more complicated than he had originally planned for and that he seemed to have stumbled into an expert planner. He smiled as Zoren talked through the steps and logistics for smoothing, strengthening and toughening the dummies. "All Solid improvements and suggestions" He said approvingly as the camper outlines some advanced steps and future plans that could outline a craft program for the new camp year.

"I can definitely talk to some of the Demeter campers and see what can be sorted in the most environmentally friendly way." He thought through the logistics of this one, for that he might be able to plan for less rickety structures and maybe some actual strike targets at various heights, it had been beyond his means so far due to the need for a vertical core needed to pull one together.. he just had to be use not to irritate the dryads with those steps.

"If you don't mind holding the fort here I can see what e have in the way of dented and busted breastplates and similar defenses over at the armory, worst case for now we can add those on directly and see about some long term solutions. I think the main priority is holding up to Weapons blows, though if hand to hand can use any then all the better." he was quick to pull the design planning back to the classes he had actually agreed to organize, sure having dummies that Dustin could use in close combat lessons would be good but he wanted to avoid seeming to take over the arena logistics, especially if that came from him not knowing the best way to pull together these simple constructs.

He realized how fortunate he had been that the Athena representative had shown up before his simple plans were in full swing and had probably saved him from being headlong into a plan he didn't have all the reconnaissance for.

Azrael was barely able to think about anything else beyond just about to keep walking, distracted by that lip bite.. he took the time to compose himself behind the bar and begin looking through the bottles in the well stocked corner of the room.

As Killian arrived at the party Azrael had to stifle a laugh, the full size leprechaun costume was priceless. To hide at least a little of his amusement while Lilythe was greeting him at the door Azrael started to mix up a simple cocktail, a bit of tequila and some fruity liqueurs that sported some bright green and yellow colourings. It was as he was shaking it that Killian made it into the main room and made his quip about him getting started without him, he looked up keeping on shaking the mixer and replied "trying to keep pace with you would be hard enough, getting a few in early would be the death of me" he said using the obvious pun of his outfit. He leaned forward and poured the mixer's contents into a glass with some ice - a bright green cocktail with some wisps of steam from the ice coming off it. "be interested in what chaos you have been finding around if you wanna pull up a stool. Green monster for the luckiest man in camp?" seeing a new figure in the doorway.

He was glad to have a distraction as he saw Shadow following up not far behind James and Rissa, he had agreed to be civil and he had to make sure he could keep to that, maybe just one drink to settle the nerves before he tried to poke that hornets nest though... he thought as he picked up the mixer and gave it a quick rinse...

Azrael as happy to keep explaining, he had mixed feelings about New Rome, it had been his place to run off to but it hadn't ever been a home like he as coming to realize the camp had been. He smiled thinking about the time he spent there and how to explain it.

"So their area like camp half blood is called camp Jupiter.. its a bit more of a city feeling, lots of paved paths and neatly built - lots of barracks with a mix of different campers rather than everyone in their own deity cabins and its a bit more like a military school than the camp over here." He took the time to explain "I ended up taking on a bunch of guard duties to help out with the fifth cohort, I mostly wanted to make sure it was all safe there but I ended up getting the tattoo once I got chomped on by a hydra, its kind of like a thank you for helping out."

He had helped out while he had been there but had only pitched in on guard duty and such like rather than being an actual member of a legionnaire, the tattoo was not really expected in the end.. "I wouldn't worry about it - you are serving at camp half blood and the Latin is a bit tough for us to read. But could be fun for a visit - no tattoo guaranteed and they have some really good bakeries in the town." He realized he hadn't shared any with his cabin, just with Lilythe at the picnic, he realized he would need to fix that one if he ever made the trek back.

It was only then that he realized how much the two kids reminded him of the early days running around behind Lilythe, she had been claimed early and even though he had been older the whole unclaimed status had made him a little less open. "Sure - she was a lot more sneaky and carefree back then" he didn't add the before the war, or before all the world had started to weigh her down. Hearing about the stone finding skills of Octavia, Azrael smiled "Good to know you are in good hands with the stone skipping training - and that the cabin is well represented".

Hearing Derrick enthusiastic about the plan of axe throwing, he started to think through the bits needed and smiled "Sure we can - cabin activities are a great plan. and yeah Axes are super sharp and dangerous, that's how you make sure they stick in the wood. Plus we use swords and arrows and everything else - just be careful not to point them at anyone else just like all the other sharp things." he mentally made a note of the need for an 'in case of emergencies' box with ambrosia in it along with wood, axes and some netting but it was pretty straight forward. "I am sure we can work together as a cabin to build it - what do you say then little bro?" he grinned "oh and dont let me forget.. we need to make sure we dont have trees near - I don't want to go annoying the dryads again!"

Azrael was glad to see Zoren was taking the time to think through his steps - he had always been methodical in his planning and execution and could not help but smile as he ran through the logistics for his notice for general assistance. 

It was only once the conversation turned to the purpose that his gap in construction knowledge as he had been planning for these to be used with melee weaponry but he had to agree that these would be pretty quickly torn apart if used for more full on weapons training. He thought for a moment about trying to cover with the discussion of adding armor but ultimately decided this was a situation to be open about his experience.

"To be honest this is not an area I have much in the way of experience in. I was looking to pull these together for melee training but I see what you mean. Any suggestions to improve them enough to stand up to a few sword blades?"

Azrael turned to look at the helper, hopefully the first of a few to come along.. he just about recognized him as one of the Athena cabin but not one had had gotten a chance to speak to during his short first trip back to camp. This was as much a chance to get to know a few more of the current generation of kids around camp now that he had made the commitment to being here and to take up teaching.

"Appreciate you showing up.. Zoren isn't it?" he had his backpack that looked to have supplies and was in gear ready to work. "Sorry we haven't had a chance to speak - I'm Azrael - recently added to the training roster and working up some dummies for practice" He put out a hand in welcome.

"I am no master craftsman but most designed I could find were a combination of stick structures, cloth and padding. Happy to hear discussions on improving it but I did pull together some basic diagrams" the designs on the wall that he waves to are all pretty simple, a wooden structure and some sack cloth shaping filled with straw: a couple of different sizes showing.. "Though I would remind you these are likely to take some solid sword attacks - you might not want to get too attached to any of your constructions."

Azrael looked around at the half finished dummy in front of him, he had also looked at some of the solid wood blocks but those would take more scavenging for some naturally fallen trees if he didn't want to annoy the dryads. "I know we are well stocked for tool here but I gathered those I felt easiest to work with for the project. Let me know what you think." he said with a smile.

Azrael smiled as she put out the little marshmallows into the mugs and was glad to see the gloom in her eyes seemed to have abated a bit. As she asked about more of them he shook his head and then scooped up the couple off the counter and dropped them into his.. "See, both tidying up and getting extras" he smiled.

He was glad to see she was enjoying the warm mug, it had always been a big thing with his Dad in the past when it was cold or late in the night, you could forget the ton you were in or the troubles you had run into with a simple distraction. He had always loved spending time with his father in the evenings after work when he could. But he realized how much of a hardship that separation, or worse situations, from her family would take on Octavia and the other really young campers.

As she seemed to get a little more serious the topic of dreams coming true came up and he guessed the nightmare she had earlier was in the back of her mind. He tried to think of a light enough way to tell her the truth "You know, there are some people who dream truths, the oracle in her cave is known for it. Plus a few demigods over the years have had that power. But mostly Dreams are ways for our brains to deal with things... maybe things you don't really want to while you are awake." He said taking another sip of the hot chocolate, taking the moment to try to catch one of the marshmallows from the mug. "Then some of the times its just your mind making up some stories when they get bored.." he smiled.

He thought about his own nightmare over the years, the true friends he had lost over the years and the wars and worse the chance of losing one of his current ones. He was fortunate that most of those hadn't come true over the years. "And if you want to talk about your dreams, its best done in a big kitchen, with a big cup of hot chocolate and know that it tends to feel a lot less of a weight on you once you have spoken about it." he took another long inhale of the hot cocoa smells, mixed with the cinnamon. "But you don't need to talk it through, only if you feel up to it."

Azrael had only been back a couple of days from New Rome but had quickly found himself occupied with his new official position in charge of cabin sixteen and the plans for instructing as they began to take place. It was only towards the end of his travels back he had remembered about a costume - the party had been an important step for him to make it back for but it had almost slipped his mind to be properly attired for it. He had spent his last day before returning to camp scouring the city for an appropriate costume. 

He had managed to find enough accessories and bits for a grim reaper costume, heavy black robes, a skull mask and bony gloves along with a two foot long children's plastic scythe, he was sure there was one in the armory but one obviously pretend seemed more in spirit with the event. As he came in he nodded to the satyrs on his way in, dropped a book bag at the desk at the front of the big house and then stood admiring the decorations that festooned the main room of the house. He smiled appreciatively, it was probably a good thing none of Athena's cabin were old enough to make it with the webs and spiders covering the corners - Lilythe had really pushed the boat out this year.

It was then he spotted the host, party girl and, in that outfit, focus of everyone's attention for of the night. He looked her up and down more than a little distracted "Now I see why the Egyptians worshiped cats" with a grin. "Told you I would make it back in good time." He moved up to her pulling her into a tight embrace "Happy Birthday Lithe. I missed you."

Letting her go so she could greet other guests on their way in Azrael headed over towards the bar and seeing the array of bottles asked - "Want some kind of cocktail mixed up?"

That morning fliers had been posted up at the dining pavilion looking for assistance at the Arts and Crafts Center:

Help Wanted!
Assistance to craft new training dummies for melee practice.
If you have time to spare Camp Councillor Azrael would appreciate
Volunteers to help with the creation of new sackcloth dummies in
preparation for Nemesis cabin offering more in depth Melee Training
to all cabins interested.

Within the Centre itself much of the standard fixings and supplies had been moved carefully to a side to allow for the piles of sackcloth and wooden staves, outside was a big pile of hay next to one of the camp vans.

Laid out across a couple of the tables were some trimmed sack cloth cut into basic shapes while at the other end of the area were a few basic stick constructs little more than wooden scarecrow shapes waiting for the padding to be added. pinned to the wall behind them were the basic plan and a more elaborate one based on the cow beast Katobleps as a different challenge.. around these tables were stacks of various craft tools, from leather crafting needles with twine to big staplers and all sorts of materials to complete the construction work with.

Azrael had been wary to approach a specific cabin for assistance, he know his own would be easy enough to rope in but he didnt want to start off his time there making demands, then there were those versed in crafts, Athena could do human crafts of beauty but these would face the brunt of the camp's swordsmanship, Hephaestus would be able to sort metal behemoths but those  were risky and probably something to work up to. He had settled on looking for volunteers - those who might be interested in helping. Hopefully the other cabins would not mind a little disruption and this seemed like an active enough goal as it was.

He had been serious about considering the leadership of the cabin but had been dwelling on his long absence and trying to get to know the next generation of campers, he guessed Lithe had realized how long he would dwell on it if she had not started the process rolling while he had been away seeing if Vienna could be pulled away from the roman partying to come visit. He still hoped she would turn up but for now he couldn't dwell on it. He had training dummies to construct and would be glad of any assistance that showed up..

Azrael had been trying to keep the youngsters attention away from scares and fears in his talking but as she mentioned Derrek being scared he responded "You know we all get a bit scared - just how you deal with it at the time." he said as he carried her into the big house.

Once all the ingredients were out on the counter and the milk was heating he started to whisk in some cocoa powder "Camp is a place for everyone to learn the skills they need to deal with the world - not just the ones for fighting." He looked over at Octavia "I think there should be some tiny marshmallows over in the cupboard just down to your left"

He began to place a little of the spices and a couple of sticks of cinnamon while it heated to add some flavours and listened to Octavia's suggestion of fighting training "I had thought about some axe throwing - a bit practical with less people to vent that anger on. At least to get started with it." he said with a smile.

As the hot milk came up to a bubble he took the time to fish out the sticks and poured it into a couple of big cups, then added a bit of cold milk to make sure Octavia didn't scald herself, he then brought the mugs over. 

"Last ingredient head chef" he said leaving the two mugs on the counter in front of her. 

He knew well enough that nightmares were not an easy thing to open up about, doubly so at night time - if she didn't feel like braving that one it was okay with him... he could stay up until she started to get sleepy and there was cot behind the main desk. He could work with James to help her talk it out in the morning if she was up to it. Its possible it was prophetic but he wouldn't wish those kind of dreams on anyone, let alone someone that young, but that question could wait until daylight at least - for now it was hot chocolate time in a well lit big house...

Azrael took the time to look her in the eyes "I am coming back, as soon as i can make it." he nodded "I will make it for the party - one way or another."

He pulled her closer for another kiss, gentle and as much a memory to hold onto until he could return.  "you mean more to me than Olympus itself. I will make myself a place here, I might even look into that Head Counselor position for Cabin sixteen. I have no plans of giving up the camp or the people who make it my home."

With the first noises of campers coming closer Azrael realized the time, he had tried to find an early point in the day but even then he know the Athena campers used the place outside of the camp time slots. He started to push the tools onto the small trolley so it could go out of the reach of the kids.

He looked over the assorted bits and pieces he had left out.. maybe it as his imagination but he started to see the horn of a monster on one corner of the block. maybe a plan for once he got back - though it probably would rule it out as a gift for Lithe...  he grinned as he offered Lilythe an arm to walk her out of the Center. "As soon as demigod-ly possible" he whispered as they left.

(fin - can be archived - again play nice GoDaddy servers)

76 - You are cute but I will still find a challenge for you..

76 - accurate but also mischevious.. 

76 - that you are a stubborn one...

I thought we agreed.. 76

76 (pulls it back)

Azrael smiled over at Luca and Laney as they seemed to have gotten far enough away from the worst of the problems with a fighting retreat, he looked to check everyone had made it, no one had been grabbed, fallen or gone don a different tunnel to the rest. He let out a sigh of relief as the chittering noise of the army ants seemed to have vanished.

He looked around at the assorted broken rubble and assorted path ways and tunnels that littered the area. His face went a little pale as he noted the marks that he had mistaken for his as he held the back of the group during the retreat. The mark of Daedalus was visible and it lead to the very apparent realiziation that this was once a part of the labyrinth that had existed under the camp as well as its tendrils into the rest of the Western world.

He knew it had been destroyed but the dawning realization that time hadn't worked as it normally did before, he would have to make sure they all got up and out of here pretty quick.

"We might not need operation cupcake quite yet but i think we have a new challenge, finding a new route back up so we don't get caught by the ants." keeping the pack of snacks and drinks he had grabbed on his back this time, it was probably more useful as supplies this time, he looked around the others "How do we feel about tracking out a good tunnel back to the surface?"

76

Azrael was half distracted, facing away from the conversation he smiled. Luca was talking away, he could sense the nerves, the interest and the excitement as he spoke rapidly at the newcomer.

It was only at this time he started to recognize the change in pitch of the sounds of nature, he internally swore as he saw movement in the foliage outside. Something had been disturbed out there and it didn't feel like the enemy team as the chittering began to rise. He caught sight of an antennae and took a guess that these would be the Myrmeke tribe, they were bad news. They were fierce poisonous mobbing creatures, said to have been given a tribal sentience by Zeus himself. He had heard of them kidnapping campers, even Beckendorf in the day, not something he wanted to have the kids come face to face with.

He yelled back into the cave, overrunning any conversation "We have Myrmeke hordes incoming! looks like someone kicked the nest. I think we need to use the tunnels for a fighting retreat." He looked to Luca and Laney "One of you keep the kids together, the other grab your weapon, they are coming this way!"

He had marked out the path to an extent, hopefully coming up by Zeus' fist but this was not the way he had expected to use it.

(once into the caves have prepped a thread over on the grounds to finsh up as we are no longer in kansas the cave mouth http://camphalfbloodrp.com/index.php?/topic/850-a-maze-asunder/)

@ Luca Cassano  @ Delaney Vance  @ Octavia Davis  @ Derrick Raines  (follow on from CTF - lost cupcakes (a-cave-in-the-forest)
**Deep below the sprawling camp half blood**

The tunnels had twisted and turned, crossing into one another and descending from what had been a pretty ordinary cave entrance into a warren of paths.

The symbols from Azraels scouting had quickly faded from the (Z) he had scored in the rock faces and had been taken over by occasional much older mark of a Delta (Δ) on the solid walls.

It wasn't long before the cave tunnel opened up to an immense cavern that looked like a stone smiths reject pile. Broken bits of masonry in all kinds of stone and concrete created a mound rising up one that could not be seen over, but around the edges were a number of similar tunnels that once lead down to this structure.

For the more observant of the group this must be some of the wreckage of the eerie and mystical labyrinth, but even to the rest of the group it was obvious they were lost!
 

Azrael moaned and arched his back as the nails dug into his back, there was a heat as they left light trails down the length as her arms pulled him near. He in turn moving his arms around her pull her closer still. With the two of them so closely embraced he shifted to short hard rutting thrusts, burying his head into shoulder, keeping close, Nuzzling, biting and nipping with each stroke. 

He could feel the muscles tightening along the length of his shaft, intensifying how hard he was as he felt Lilythe in turn wrapping and squeezing around his cock. With each and every moan and scream she let out he could feel his own climax building, he felt the fire within him rising, his breath held in his chest as he kept the rhythm increasing as he could see her desire and bliss crossing her face, he sucked in a breath as he got closer, ragged breath half moaning managed to say "Gods, I need you. Cum with me.. "

His last frayed strand of control was to hear her climaxing before everything else around him vanished in the moment. Whatever words he tried to say ended up an animalistic cry of passion, need and savagery as he could hold it back any longer.

((Unless anyone has a hassle I am looking to add some interesting activity once the kids have talked - having the recently disturbed Myrmekes horde coming through the cave - forcing them all to run and get lost in the underground ruins of the camp - an attempt at RPC 7) Get at least 5 people lost with you. I was looking to start here and make a thread in the (under) grounds to RP them working together to find a way out (hopefully emerging at somewhere like Zeus' Fist ) ))

Azrael looked over, cautious with the kids there of the enemy team and being glad that they had managed to have this long without the enemy team invading. He stepped in front of the others, trying to identify who it was. He was thankful that they had been given cloth ties that showed their team but felt a level of frustration that he had to use it to know this new generation of campers.

This one was another older camper, likely had been here for most of his four years absence or longer.  It was good to see that she recognized the planning session, it would mean the kids would see it was a serious one if an older camper could recognize it for what it is. He was about to reply to her when he saw the smile shared between his two capable wards. His response changed as it headed for his lips. "Yup, We will vanquish the cookie army. I am sure Luca can give you the run down on the.." nodding to Octavia and Derrick "..generals' shared plan".

He stepped back, much preferring to see the kids interacting between one another than him to barge his way into their friendships. He took the time to think about which cabin he had seen her in.. the best he could narrow it down was within the new cabins on the Female gods side.. but that area was a little to close to cabin Hecate for him to have spent any more time than necessary.

Azrael moved to the door to keep up a guard, half listening in to the others to make sure he had not landed Luca in anything uncomfortable, though both seemed happy to see one another he though.. The afternoon light was fading and he could hear the buzz and general noise of nature emerging as he watched out from the cave mouth, It was louder than he remembered but he had also spent more years in the solidly built Camp Jupiter, a little nature felt pretty good now.

Another character (testing posts)

He had been caught by the sheer intensity as he entered her, he felt the warmth, how wet she was and the sensation like electricity ran through the length of his dick and up his spine. He had waited for this moment so so long but he had never expected the strength of his sensations , the bliss overwhelmed him in the moment.

As her legs wrapped around him, he let out growling moan of rising satisfaction as he felt the length of his cock pulled deep within her. With whispered words what little control he thought he had melted away as his arms reached down, took a grip on her hips and pulled her even closer, grinding her against the base of his cock, arcing his back to see how deeply he could push. Her whispered words made a wave of energy quiver through him

He circled his hips, keeping the length of his cock deep in as he could but purposefully shifting, aiming to explore and feel all of her that he could. With a groan of satisfaction he began to slowly pull back, feeling his wet shaft in the cooler air. This time awake to the fact he could make her repeat her need, her act of pulling him in.  He knew this was a tease but he could see the desire rising with an undertow of frustration, slowly drawing her to once more pull him to her. This time though he was ready and so it was a combined act, her legs pulling him in while he thrust deep within her.

He let out a animalistic grunt of pleasure through clenched teeth as he felt his dick filling, her muscles squeezing and pulling him in as he started to find a slow rhythm, hands gripped to her sides and each solid thrust, high with intensity the pace began to build. Every moan and cry he elicited from her driving him to greater and greater levels.