Azrael had awoke after a longer sleep than he had expected, the first rays of the rising sun streaming into the cabin shaking him from Hypnos' grasp. He quietly recalled the pain from some of the troubles he had encountered on the way to the camp, feeling fresh bruises as he pulled off the previous days clothes and pulling on some more casual clothes for around camp.

He made his way out the back of the Nemesis Cabin, pulling his blades from the sheathes he kept them in to run through some early morning excercises in the early mornig light. simple martial kata, assuming stances, blade thrusts and stretches. With each fluid motion his body carried out by rote, his mind dwelt on the past day. None of the old directors were around to talk with but his old friends had taken up the mantle of organizing the camp.. and she had broken up with shadow... but she had picked him back in the day.. and they were friends.. just go talk like the old days..

He quickly gathered up his sheathes, strapped them to his side and put his daggers away, camp was pretty safe but you never knew when trouble could strike outside the grounds. He walked quickly on the paths away from the main camp space, aiming not to delay his travels out to the creek with bumping into any other faces, new or otherwise. As he strode he tried to shake the nerves he had hoped exercise could vanquish, this was no battle or speech to the forum, just friends meeting to catch up...

His shape could be seen in the treeline, quiet for a moment before starting out to the shore, he had pulled together an odd mix of casual and battle ready that only just about fitted in for camp. A tight shirt held in with a cross strapped twin blade sheath and tight fitting sturdy pants with a knapsack held singe strap over a shoulder. He stood there for a moment taking in the breeze, the beach, the ocean, Lilythe quietly distracted by calm waves lapping against the shore and him definately not stalling for how best to start.. just friends catching up on the past..  "I know you still have the record for skimming stones out there but I am still sure all those Hermes Travel skills give you an edge..." he pointed out with a smile.

"I can say hi to my bunk for you at least, the cabin might need to wait till morning." He stuffed a mouthful of the sandwich into his mouth as he left James to the last of his shift. Sometimes the world will change but it seemed like James would always be James, he thought as he walked away to tread the familiar path that lead to Cabin 16 and sleep.

[[fin]]

Azrael did not take long to duck into the kitchen, some bread and cold meat making a quick, single-handed meal as he pulled his travelling duffelbag into a shoulder and nodded over to James. "Will be good to get back to the old bunk, hopefully that hasn't changed over the years." the exhustion audible in his voice "But you know where I am if you need me for anything. Its been way too long friend"

"I haven't made my full strategy yet.. I had hoped to speak to Chiron about a plan now I made it through university, but i can fill you in on those once I get a few hours downtime." He was dead on his feet but greatful to hear how those he had left years ago had kept going and moved on, recalling bits about his time at New Rome and those he had seen at least in passing.

Realizing the old creek was as much a landmark of their past as kids as a meeting spot, the many times over the years the kids of camp had played, been taught wilderness skills and generally cooled down in the hot summers of camp. They had been easier years, before the wars, before he had left for New Rome. he realized he had zoned out and quickly blurted out "Of course, the old creek. Let me know when you have the time. I will be here, at least until Chiron gets back. This camp has alot less need for legal aid though.." he said with a tired grin. "I can't wait to hear of all you have managed in the last few years. But for now Sleep is definately calling" 

He then quickly bowed his head to dodge inside, still not sure what he should have expected on a return having focused so much on discussing future plans with Chiron and forgettignthe rest of what a return to camp would entail.. Something was on the back of his mind from the conversation as he leant against the now closed cabin door. 

Wait.. shadow... break up..  

A mix of emotions - those he had been keeping at bay - flooded over him, hopes that he had locked away years ago.. she had chosen Shadow last time around though, only so much to hope for but at least he wouldn't need to go through the pain of seeing them together and maybe she was in a better place depending when they broke up. But for then the bliss beyond ambrosia of well needed sleep pulled him into his old bunk and new hopes for the next day...

Azrael returned the hug, a gesture of meeting of friendship and of the many battles faught, and mostly to keep him standing from the long travel to the camp. Even another familiar face and the flood of emotions this brought him could keep standing for much longer. He worried about someone seeing the two of them, shadow causing problems with something innicent that could be twisted, a flood of mixed emotions threatened to break through the weariness: old emotions of affection for her, jealousy of her relationship with another, joy of a possible rekindling of their friendship, while still dulled and slowed by the bone deep exhustion.

He took the time to listen through as Lilythe talked, seeing the dirt marks of a hard days toil, the sheer enthusiasm and friendliness she would give to a friend she hadnt seen for years.. "I have missed you and James and the camp so much - New Rome and the senate are just different worlds to here." A yawn escaped his lips "I am dead on my feet though, California to here by ground takes it out of you... but I have a bunk for at least tonight" he said apologetically "want to catch up tomorrow if your camp duties are not taking up all of your time? I am sure there is so much to catch up on.." He internally added.. and see if i need to watch out for shadow around camp...

He couldn't just ask.. it had been too long.. too many unsent letters.. too much everything.. but that could be a task for tomorrows Azrael... maybe.

Azreal took the clipboard, as well as looking at the empty gaps he took som etime to read the list of unfamiliar names, slowly realizing how much the camp had moved on in the five years he had been away. He placed a note next to one of the bunks, remembering the old layout and picking one he was unlikely to disturb anyone going into. He took the time to fold the pages back and passed the clipboard and pen over.

"You know, by admitting there are topics worth discussing you know I am going to hold you to that conversation" he said with a laugh. "want anything brought out to your place of power and lyric writing?" indicating James' place at the desk as he waited before heading to the kitchens.

Azrael had spent more than a few hours catching up with James and was slowly retracing old paths lost as much in exhustion as the old memories of a camp and childhood he thought he had left behind him. The early evening glow from the lanterns that lined cabin 16 brought back so many memories, some tinged with lost friends and kids that would never grow into adulthood in the way that he and James and Lilythe had gotten the chance. His speed slowed a pace further realizing the time that had passed, those that dwelt in the cabin, in the camp in general would be completely changed form when he had last left, was the camp even a place he should be back in.. this place was to prepare and protect the kids - not for those looking to retread their youthful paths.

He turned at the unexpected shout of his name, he went to pull down the hood to speak to whoever it was, realized his hood was already down and the high levels of fatigue had been building in him he turned to the figure as his mind slowly process the familiar voice he hadn't heard in years.... Lilythe.

"Lithe" the words were left to hang in the silence just a little too long, the still of the evening and the background nature of the camp doing little to break the awkward silence. The years barely looked like they had touched her since he had left, it was as if it were still the same day he had struggled up the courage to tell James and Lilythe of the opportunity that Chiron had helped organize for him, a chance to study demigod senate politics in New Rome. but it had also been a way to run, avoid seeing one of his best friends in a toxic relationship, or at least the jealousy that he had felt that tinged his senses of the pairing.

But looking over at her he could see that she still had the weight of the world in her eyes. He tried to find a topic of conversation though slightly stilted "I hear you made Acting Camp Director. Congratulation are in order." he thought to himself in for an obul, in for a drachma and stumbled onwards to try to diffuse the tension..  "I would offer to sneak into the big house to find a drink but James kept me talking for more hours that I would like to admit."

 He stood, carefully listening to his old friend. A mix of emotions coming over him when he heard Lilythe's name, the realization that she had stayed in the camp, that she was doing well, maybe all the fears of her choices had been in vain - the relationship decisions that he had judged so harshly in his head. He realized he was distracted but picked up on the conversation. Hearing the last few phrases James had been saying he grabbed onto the couple of bits he was able to process.. "Always love to hear you play, especially if you have been writing."

Falling into comfortable conversation Azreal dropped into friendly conversation as if the many years away from the camp and his friend had never really happened. "Food actually sounds pretty good, camp might be safe but you always get more trouble lurking outside because of it. I am sure i can remember the way back to cabin 16 and if the roster is still there I expect i can find a free bunk but if you got the authority to raid the kitchens I am not going to say no." he brought out a weary but true smile as he continued  "Might even get you to open up about whats keeping you busy around the camp."

66

64

It had been many years since he had stepped foot across the camp grounds and though he had only meant to stop by and speak to his old teachers and those who's council he had valued in the past, he felt a coming home that he had not realized he had been missing, the weight of travel and its burdens beginning to lighten with the familar sights and that old wood smell that pervaded the camp buildings. He had intended to stop by and speak to the directors about plans now he had completed his medical training, that sense of homecoming, espcailly seieng his old friend, was strong in him.

Azrael stepped closer, shading the proffered hand "Good to see you, you know I should have written more but you know the way with school.. New Rome and their way of keeping everyone busy". He took a step back, looking over his old friend "Guess they put you in charge of the camp.. look at you becoming the responsible one" with a easy grin. As he looked around he caught sight of the guitar "Good to see you still pull that block of wood aorund with you.. you always had a musical knack that got you all the attention."

21

60

The main door the big house opened, a figure in a long travelling leather hooded coat stepped in. The coat sporting a few gouges from recent claw slashes and a light wisp of smoke still coming off the shoulders.

He pulled back the hood of the coat, sighing audibly having returned to safe territory - older than most who travel through these doors he looked like he has seen much in his 25 years. 

He was showing signs of being on the road with the ussual tough journey to the camp - his short cut dark hair straggled and sporting an impressive few days of stubble over some equally well worn scars. 

He dropped down a travel bag, a couple of daggers landing top of it then turned taking in the familar sight of the camp's base of operations said into the room. 

"Looking for Chiron or Dionysus if either are available... returning camper."

Looking around the main lobby of the big house he did a double take at the familiar face, if a little rougher around the edges.

"James... is that you?"

@ James Selway

13