Henrietta Abbot

Henry shook her head, exasperated at his retort. She was grateful for the low light, hiding the pink in her cheeks as he called her name elegant. Nobody had ever said that about it before, least of all a rival like Liam. She hated the name because it was what people called her when they disliked her; her father, kids at school, teachers... she was troublesome, annoying, prickly 'Henrietta' to all of them. It was said almost without connotation by Liam. Like it was a term of endearment, rather than her given name. She almost liked it. Almost. "Your lips have no business tarnishing my name, Santos." Henry retorted, but she said the words without the usual sting. There was a slight smile in her voice, an element of teasing rather than argument. That was short-lived though. His tone as he defended Novalie made Henry's heart sink a little. "Start what? Everyone knows she's your little pet. If you didn't want that, maybe fuck a little quieter," she scowled, something within her shifting towards the bitter and angry. She hadn't expected him to be so defensive. She looked up, attempting to read his expression in the moonlight. Anger -- pretty standard -- and even... guilt? There was a slight upturn in his strong eyebrows. Was he scared of Novalie seeing them together? Embarrassed? Henry shook off those thoughts, though a strange ache remained. "Jealous? You wish, you halfwit." Looking away, Henry bit her thumbnail. Jealous. What an awful word.

Henry nodded, listening to Petal's input carefully. The girl was on top of things for sure, very in tune with the strength of emotions. Henry felt things fiercely but had trouble articulating any of it. For that, she was jealous of Petal. She had a calming presence, easy and genuine, along with a vulnerable way about her. All were traits that Henry felt she distinctly lacked. As Petal spoke, she had a far-away look in her eye, as though pondering a similar predicament in her own life. "You're wiser than you look, Flower Child. It's freaky," Henry interjected. Grimacing at the word love, Henry rested her chin in her hands. Surely not love she thought, desperately. She imagined Liam's strong silhouette in the sunshine, looking down at her as they trained together. His stupid cocky smiles and winks, the ways he tried to distract her in battle... she was snapped back into reality by Petal's question. It seemed an invasive one, but Henry wasn't surprised. She'd have asked too, and probably shared the information with Sage, so there was no use being defensive. "Gods, I can't believe I'm saying this... it's Santos. Sage reckons he's, like, in love with me or whatever." Henry rolled her eyes, trying to regain a bit of dignity amidst this uncharacteristic vulnerability. She was trying to put distance between herself and the statement, making it solely Liam's problem. But, the truth was, she was scared she felt that way about him herself. Scarlet, she looked up at her colourful companion. Would Petal laugh at her? Tell Liam herself? Henry regretted the confession already.

Listening to Petal, Henry felt her shoulders drop. The tension in her body eased, and she was able to be present: the scent of flowers was thick in the air, the sun was low enough now that it forced her to squint. In between Henry's lashes, Petal looked like a goddess in her own right. Spilling over with colour and joy in the way only Iris children could. Letting her guard drop, Henry paused weaving the flower's stems together for a moment. "Petal, do you think... is it possible to fall for someone you thought you hated?" She lowered her hands, her half-finished crown resting in her lap. Realising what she had asked, Henry flushed as red as a poppy. It wasn't that she didn't trust Petal, of course... more so that saying those words aloud made them real. Liam Santos had been Henry's biggest rival and greatest enemy since she arrived at camp. He was the epitome of everything Athena children hated: spawn of Ares, cocky, brutish, and unable to be reasoned with. Lately, though, she had felt conflicted about him... could it be that hate and love were feelings more closely connected than she had imagined? Even if they were, there was no way Liam felt the same way. He lived to infuriate her, so rejecting her would be like his dream gig. "I mean, let's say you meet the most irritating, grating, insufferable person ever," Henry offered, perhaps in an attempt to fill an imagined silence. "but you don't want anything bad to happen to them. And you think about beating them in training all the time. Ugh, what am I saying? ...You're like, peace and love, right? So you understand feelings and stuff?" The word was said with a cautiously disparaging tone.

Present day POV: Whenever the Camp was quiet and dull, Henry thought of her first day there. The strawberry fields bent under a slight breeze, all conversation was either distant or hushed: she was scared and alone. That was until Tempest showed up, a whirlwind of mischief, to take Henry under her metaphorical wing. From then on, a boring day at camp became an opportunity for trouble. An opportunity for trouble became an experience that tightened the bond between the two unlikely friends. Tempest remained one of Henry's closest confidants, her room in Cabin 16 a haven for Henry to let her guard down and just... exist. It was an easy friendship -- one that felt, at once, natural and exciting. To most other campers, Tempest was an unstoppable, unpredictable force: to Henry, she was an older sister, a mentor, and a life-long friend. So, on this dull day at Camp Half-Blood, Henry's slight figure cut the light streaming into Tempest's room. Smirking from the doorway, Henry said her usual line. "Boring day out there. Care to give 'em a demonstration in trouble, Temmy?"

"Gods, you're insufferable!" Henry snapped, exasperated at his response. She had been trying to make him feel better, and he had the nerve to deflect by being arrogant? She lifted her head from his shoulder and scowled out over the lake. "I could parallel your 'magnificence' with my hands tied behind my back, Santos." she retorted, her arms crossing over her knees. Her head felt strangely heavy without Liam's shoulder beneath it. Seething, Henry shook her hair from her eyes, recalling exactly why it was she hated this boy. He had been easy to pity for a moment, but now? He was the burly, infuriating Ares boy she'd always known him to be. "Don't call me that, you overgrown thyroid," Henry scowled, hating that Henrietta sounded so natural in his voice. Sweet and slow-flowing, like honey. That bastard probably practised saying it like that. She nudged him back harder, her pointy shoulder meeting his squared frame with a recoil that made her wince a little. That cocky smirk of his mocked her constantly. "No bonfire, got it." Henry muttered reluctantly. She was tempted to tease and push back, but even she recognised this as a line not worth crossing. Instead, she settled for a different line entirely. "So... How's that girlfriend of yours? Obedient as ever?" Her tone had a hint of resentment to it that she couldn't hide. Resentment over what, she had no idea. She wasn't jealous of Novalie, definitely not. Simpering over Liam day and night? No fucking thank you.

Liam's body had tensed at her contact, but Henry didn't pull away; she could just tell he needed somebody right now, and if it had to be her... well, she supposed she'd do it. She had almost expected him to shrug her off and make her go away. That's what an Ares kid would usually do. But maybe Liam wasn't as typical of an Ares kid as he seemed... Henry listened as he garbled, trying to articulate his thoughts even as they came from his mouth. Once he had finished, Henry exhaled. "It's bullshit," she replied quietly, somehow feeling the strength to share her own feelings. "They don't care about us until we're old enough to, like, represent them." Henry tilted her head, watching as the last dregs of sunlight slid out of view. Athena, goddess of wisdom and battle tactics. It was the pressure of her mum's legacy that made Henry so competitive: she felt like a complete failure if she ever lost. "Santos, you know... ugh! You know you're incredible, right? In battle? You're a huge prick and a total asshole, obviously, but... you're the only person here that can beat me. If Ares can't see that," she whispered the god's name, as though he might appear in front of them. "he doesn't deserve you as a son." Henry convinced herself that she spoke from her mother's distaste for Ares, and not out of affection for Liam. That made the words easier to speak. Henry lifted her head a little to look up at Liam. "You look like shit, by the way. Death warmed up levels of shit," she added. He didn't really, just tired and worn down. He had bags under his eyes and a withdrawn look to his face. Still, were his eyes sparkling? Or were the stars just reflecting in them? Who cares.

Henry had seen it all go down. She had watched from a safe distance, ignoring the flickering campfire in favour of Liam Santos's expression. Feelings she had never seen in him before painted over his angelic features in the dim light: fear, anxiety, hesitation. To see him that way made her heart ache; he was supposed to be her rival, a frustratingly unstoppable force! He was supposed to be the cocky victor, smirking and winking down at her. So why did he look like a lost little kid in front of Ares? After the bonfire and the talk with Ares, all of Cabin 5 had been quiet and hostile, sulking off to different parts of the camp in small groups. Liam, though, went alone. His silhouette, strong and squared, cut through the landscape of the lake. The sun was set, blinking just below the horizon line as Henrietta approached the boy. She didn't know why she did it; she hated him, after all. He was an arrogant nuisance who played with her heart just to triumph in battle! But something about the fear in his eyes as he stood before his dad haunted Henry. She didn't know what she was going to say to him, but she was drawn towards him like a moth to a flame. She sat beside him, hugging her knees to her chest in the cold. "Santos, I... are you okay?" She looked out over the lake, knowing that he wouldn't want to make eye contact with her right now. She was the same way when she was upset: vulnerability was terrifying. In a move that surprised Henry herself, she lowered her head onto his shoulder, leaning against him under the stars. "I'm sorry, Liam." @ Liam Santos

Henry smiled at the setting sun, pulling her sister towards her with an arm around her shoulder. It had been a confusing, frustrating day, but at the end of it, she had what she needed: her sister by her side, the smell of burning food in the air, and the feeling of a hard-won victory in her heart. As the satyrs cleared the dinner plates, Henry stood up and offered her sister a hand, pulling her up from the Athena table bench. "Whatever you say, Sage -- but as soon as you fall asleep tonight, I'm checking your Loukas notes!" she teased, walking hand-in-hand with her sister towards the Athena cabin. That night, the two girls stayed up whispering gossip into the early hours. It was tradition that they have sleepovers every few weeks, enjoying alcohol bargained from the Hermes campers and screeching with laughter. It kept their siblings up, sure, but these two partners in crime didn't care. They could deal with the repercussions, because they'd be doing it together. The secrets of the universe could wait til tomorrow.

Burning red, Henry listened to Sage's observations. She couldn't help but look over her shoulder at Liam, sitting with his siblings at the Ares table. In love with her? It was true that they had been rivals since her arrival at camp, fiercely competitive with one another from the start... Absentmindedly, Henry flicked a grape at his head. On her way back from burning her tribute, Henry couldn't help but notice that the dropping sun aligned with the back of his head, haloing him with sunlight. What a prick. "Gods, how many notebooks do you have, sis? You're like a Russian nesting doll of secrets," Henry laughed, feeling a rush of affection for her sister. She was so bright, in every sense of the word: clever, warm, and shining with optimistic energy. Henry was so grateful to have her as a sister and a teammate; not only was Sage an excellent source for gossip, but her insight had helped the Athena cabin come out on top of many war games over the years. Henry gave her sister a playful nudge. "Alright, enough about me. What's up in Sage-land? Kissed that Hecate boy yet?" She couldn't help but tease her. Sage and Loukas were so obviously meant to be, Henry thought it was a miracle that that wasn't in one of Sage's notebooks already.

Henry moodboard: https://www.pinterest.nz/chrysalisnymph/henrietta/ Theme song: Lithium, Nirvana GIF gallery:

Otto moodboard: https://www.pinterest.nz/chrysalisnymph/chb/otto/ Theme song: Santa Monica, The Front Bottoms GIF gallery:

Otto Staten biography Otto’s mother, Gina, was a bohemian who loved to travel; for many years, she was constantly on the road, bringing her daughters (Clem, Rory, and Olive) from her previous marriage along with her. It was in Greece where she had an affair with a strange and alluring man, whose real name she never told her children. Nine months later, Otto was born. It was then that she decided to settle down in a small Idaho town to raise her children in a stable environment. Otto Staten had a very happy childhood. The working theory is that his older sisters sprayed so much Hello Kitty perfume in the house that his scent was masked, leading him to have very few encounters with monsters. He was painfully shy but his people found him, and he fell into a group of rowdy but good-hearted boys; they got him into skating at nine years old, and he spent almost every day since at the park. When he wasn’t there, he and his mates were breaking into abandoned houses and building sites on the town’s outskirts. Nobody in the world loved Otto more than his older sisters. He spent time with them every evening, playing boardgames or letting them give him makeovers. They protected him fiercely when his gentle nature got him ridiculed at school, which was a fairly regular occurrence. One day, Rory was confronting a bully in Otto’s class when the child suddenly turned into an awful creature, a three-headed beast: part lion, part goat with a snake-headed tail. It swiped at Otto’s sister while he watched, frozen with fear. While everyone gossiped about the ‘mountain lion’ that tore open his sister’s arm, Otto and Rory were whisked back home by Otto’s best friend Nox. Nox explained that he was a satyr from Camp Half Blood, and that he and Otto’s mother (who he had approached weeks ago) had been planning his transfer even before the attack. Stunned and traumatised from watching the attack, and being helpless to save his sister, Otto agreed to go to Camp Half Blood to keep his family safe. He remained disassociated for some time and has little memory of the journey to CHB. He was claimed by Hermes almost as soon as he arrived and has been keeping mostly to himself since then. Personality Otto is an exceptionally gentle boy. Soft-spoken, non-confrontational, and deeply kind. He's a bit of a people pleaser and struggles with social interaction, so can come off as awkward and even dorky. For that reason, he often "pairs up" with extroverts who will take charge and let him observe rather than participate. He can blend into the background, but he doesn't mind. Despite his shyness, Otto is very earnest -- sometimes off-puttingly so. He was often teased growing up for being emotional; he cries fairly easily and isn't concerned with traditional masculinity. After a friendship bracelet incident growing up (don't ask), he learned that it's safest to hide this part away. He seeks connection and comfort, getting attached to people very easily if they fulfill these criteria. He shines when engaging in his hobbies, which include skateboarding and photography. He's a rule follower in most areas, but loves urban exploration: growing up, he was often in trouble with the local authorities for trespassing and loitering. This, along with this athleticism, makes him fit right in among his Hermes siblings. You can always find him skating around camp, and he often has injuries from bailing. He has countless scars, each one with a story about whichever trick he was trying to perfect at the time. About Me Birthdate: July 3rd, 2005 Likes: Skateboarding, urban exploration, midwest emo music, photography, cats Dislikes: Confrontation, cruelty of any kind (especially against animals), judgemental people, strict authority figures, surprises Family: Mom: Gina, 49 Dad: Hermes Siblings: 3 older half-sisters. Rory and Clem (19, twins). Olive (22) Other: N/A Happy Thoughts: Froot loops for breakfast with his sisters, all sitting around their circular dining table on a sunny summer morning. Finally nailing a difficult skateboard trick. The purring of a cat. Nightmares: Freezing and failing to save a loved one in a dangerous situation. Being stuck in life and never finding a greater purpose – doomed to always be a “jack of all trades” but mastering none. Being called on a quest. Fatal Flaw: Indecision; Otto is overwhelmed by the weight of commitment and quick thinking. He may be paralysed with fear, hesitation, and anxiety in life-or-death situations. PLAYED BY: CICADA FACE CLAIM: Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen

"You're totally right, Sage. It's not blind hatred, 'cause I hated him on sight." Henry quipped, avoiding the sincerity that her sister was asking for. It wasn't that she didn't trust her with the truth -- it's that she had no idea what the truth really was. She gave her sister's hand one last squeeze before retrieving her fork and getting to work on her food. The pep talk had made her appetite come back with full force; she speared strawberries, grapes, and small hunks of cheese on her fork like they were tiny Liams. "Reactions? What reactions?" Henry asked, perhaps too eagerly, through a mouthful of fresh bread. She turned quizzically to her sister, raising an eyebrow. Had Sage noticed something she hadn't? But, Gods, why did she even care? As if she wanted that walking testosterone factory to like her. She had everyone she needed: Sage, Tempest, and even Petal sometimes (provided Henry could deal with her hippy-dippy eye strain). Sage's teasing and mischievous smile made Henry roll her eyes. "You've been reading too many Greek tragedies again, sis. I'm not interested in Li- in that boy." She stood and emptied her plate into the fire. Thanks, mum, for helping me out today. But if the kissing thing was your idea... I have some notes. Henry wandered back to the Athena table and plonked down next to Sage once again, ruffling her sister's hair. "Just because you're a month older doesn't mean you know everything, y'know."

"You don't have to be gentle, Liam" Henry grinned up at the boy. "Whatever you can give I can take, remember?" She referenced their first meeting, that battle that had left her so confused and frustrated. Using his first name felt tender and meaningful. Usually, Henry opted for his surname, or some personal insult or other. Now, she saw him as he was: Liam, Liam, Liam. She breathed it all in as her hands roamed his body, taking in every centimetre of him. The back of his neck, his waistline, his jaw. She fumbled with the fly of his pants, desperately wanting to feel his arousal. He was firm underneath her touch and it thrilled her more than she could describe. He looked absolutely beautiful in the evening light, features like one of the great Greek heroes. Sharp where it counted and soft underneath. And he was all hers. She pictured, decades from now, what great legends they might be telling of campers gone by. Hercules, Achilles, Percy... and them. Liam and Henrietta. Still rivals, perhaps, but teammates too -- how could they have not considered it before? They could topple whole worlds together! She loved how slow and deliberate he was being, but after the full year of tension, she was so impatient for him she could burst. Her hips pitched against his body, using his bulge to stimulate herself. She was too excited to be shy about it, or hide behind a quip. The feeling of Liam's fingertips brushing her thighs as he removed her shorts made her core clench and wetten even more. Her heart skipped a beat. 'I have for a very long time'... could it be that he had never been making fun of her? All those times he flirted with her in battle, all the winks and smirks and quips -- genuine? He, the most beautiful boy in all of camp, had wanted her for a very long time? Her mind adjusted to the reality of things, recontextualising every encounter. The fantasies of distraction had been fantasies of lust. The kiss had been a real kiss. THE kiss. "Fuck, I needed this so bad," Henry exhaled shakily, whimpering as his lips travelled down her body. "Oh, Liam-- mmmh!" For the boy, these were likely familiar sensations. To Henry, though, everything was new; she had never been touched like this before, never even dared to imagine it would feel this blissful. But here was Liam, her rival, son of Ares, making her whole body pulse with desire. His lips were soft and warm against her breast, stimulating her nipple until she was gasping for him. "Make me submit to you, Liam. I dare you," Henry challenged, her fist gently tugging on Liam's hair so he might meet her eyes. Her expression sparkled with a mixture of lust and disobedience. She wanted to play with him, to make him enact every fantasy he had on her. Gods, she'd been waiting so long for this moment. Longer than she had ever even realised. She'd never admit it, but she was completely at his mercy in that moment. No tricks, no strategy, no competition. She belonged entirely to him, content to be his plaything. His princess.

Henry smiled at Sage's words, leaning her head on her sister's shoulder. She always knew what to say, even when Henry herself didn't know what she wanted to her. "Thanks, sis. I just don't want anyone to gossip. I mean, I only kissed him to distract him..." she trailed off, her eyes growing misty with the recollection of his lips. He had tasted like sweat and stone fruit. Henry's hand snaked into her sister's and gave it a squeeze. "Love ya," she smiled, letting her love for her sister eclipse everything that had just happened. Henry had grown up a lonely only child, only to find out she had 10s of half-siblings she didn't even know existed. Sage would always be her favourite -- they were more than just half-siblings, bound by the whims of their goddess mother. They were sisters. And best friends. Henry couldn't help but blush as she read her sister's notes. She was a talented enough writer that Henry felt as though she'd lived it all again. "More to the dynamic? Yeah, blind hatred maybe!" Henry insisted. "He kept calling me princess, like I wasn't beating his ass into the ground. Such an asshole," The words didn't sound convincing, but she hoped Sage was too busy looking at Loukas to register that. "Would you cut that out? He's obviously obsessed with you. Isn't that in those notes of yours?" Henry teased. It was amazing how perceptive Sage was, only to be totally lost on something SO obvious.

Henry was pushing her food around her plate, entirely in her own world. She couldn't help but sneak glances over to the Ares table occasionally; once, she caught Liam's eye, managing to play it off with a convincing glower and a certain hand gesture. A few of his siblings elbowed him in the ribs and jeered teasingly at him. They had seen the battle go down too. Speaking of nuisance siblings... "All good, Sage. Just--" Henry's fork clattered against her plate as she raised her arms in frustration. "Gods, he's infuriating! That stupid smile and his stupid tactics, I hate him! I nearly lost, Sage. If he hadn't quit, he would've beat me in front of everyone." The last sentence came out softer, a whisper of vulnerability that she only trusted with her sister. "You didn't see it, did you?" Henry couldn't help but glance down at Sage's journal. That thing was glued to her hand, and everything she observed was in there... Sage was observant and skilled in perception. Henry lunged towards the book, inexplicably determined to read her sister's notes.

His words were spoken into her hair, the moment feeling like a stormy sea; every feeling, every sensation, crashed into the other in a way Henry couldn't even begin to process. There was something tender about his treatment of her. If he wanted to win, he could've done so right then. She had been entirely at his mercy, and yet... he let her go. She heard her knife thud on the firm, dry dirt. She felt the warmth of his body suddenly depart. Her waist felt empty without his arm around it. She was free, so why did she feel so disappointed? Why did her heart lurch at the sight of him walking away? Angry and frustrated, she stamped her foot. Maybe it was childish, but she was furious. "QUITTER!" she called after him. Henry picked her knife off the ground. Its handle was warm, and she felt herself linger on it. Her hand echoing his, aligning with the heat. She snapped at a few curious campers, telling them where they could stick it, before dragging herself to the mess hall. She was completely shaken, her head buzzing and whirling with thoughts and images. Her mind wandered as she picked at her food. Gods, maybe I'm the pervert, she thought to herself furiously. He must be using some kind of Ares power on me. Dirty, shameless cheater. -- Late that night, Henry slipped into the Ares cabin. She moved in near complete silence, afraid of being caught: the Ares and Athena cabins were not exactly friendly with one another. Finding a door marked Liam, she slid a folded piece of paper under, into the passage of light that escaped from the room beyond. Henry gave the door a tap and then darted out into the night, breathless.

"I'm gonna kick your ass is what I'm gonna do, Daddy's Boy!" Henry retorted, driving a hard kick into his shin. She wanted more than anything to stay at his mercy, to test how far he would really go... but there were people watching! She wouldn't let anyone see her be weak, especially not against Liam. He was surely just making fun of her, creating a joke that she wasn't in on. His reputation as a flirt -- and a desirable one at that -- was well known around camp. This what yet another tactic in their charged battle, and she was invigorated. There wasn't a muscle in her body that wasn't engaged in this strange dance. "Who said anything about love?" the blonde snapped, scowling in such a way that hid her desperation. "You're nothing but a nuisance, Santos, and when you let me go I'll mount that big head of yours on my wall!" she spat defiantly. She struggled against him, managing only to turn around so that she faced him. Now, they were in an odd sort of embrace, the dagger held to the back of her neck. Her body pressed against his made her knees feel weak. He was beautiful, she guessed. Maybe another girl would find his bold, cocky advances charming. Definitely not her though.

Before Henry could even process what was going on, she felt Liam's unmistakable presence. His breath was hot but crisp, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to prick up. Goosebumps spread across her arms as she felt her own dagger pressed against her neck. Instinctively, she raised her chin, her breath quickened. He was cruel to do this in front of everyone, teasing her. It felt like a punishment for overcoming him during the spar. So... why did she feel this new sensation in every inch of her body? Why was it stirring her core like that? "No fair," Henry said quietly. Her voice was riddled with anticipation and fury. She was trying hard not to convey her arousal. "I wasn't ready." She reached behind, pawing at the boy in an attempt to free herself. When her hand brushed the waistband of his jeans, her breath hitched. "Y-you're insufferable, Liam Santos. That was a cheap shot." Her shoulders rose and fell with her breath. He was so close to her. The points of contact where their bodies met sent sparks of electricity straight to her brain. Henry was visibly flustered, burning scarlet as their fellow campers walked by with raised eyebrows. Henry raised her chin yet again, enough to catch a glimpse of Liam's face, smirking down at her. Something in her wanted to give in. What was she thinking? What was he doing to her?

Not only was Henry a sore loser, she was a terrible winner. As the break was called, Henry couldn't help but smile gloatingly at Liam; while it wasn't a full-fledged victory, it felt like one. Especially after watching him process the kiss she had planted on him. He had looked almost disappointed that it was over, but surely that was a mistake. His flirting was just a strategy, a way to push her buttons. It was working: Henry wasn't used to that kind of attention, and she hated that it had an effect on her. "I won," Henry panted, lowering her dagger. "I totally had you." Tucking the blade safely back in her belt loop, she wiped an arm over her forehead. She needed a drink of water. And a lot of food. Trying not to think about how that had technically been her first kiss, Henry rolled her eyes, crossing her arms defensively over her chest. "Kiss you again? I'd rather make out with one of the cleaning harpies." She said it so forcefully that it almost sounded convincing. She began walking towards the mess hall, looking over her shoulder at Liam. "Next session you're dead meat, Daddy's boy. Maybe I'll pity you enough to give you that second chance -- but I doubt it." She called after him. Half of her hoped he'd follow her, but... no, that was stupid. She hated him.

The way Liam spoke, and that infuriating smirk on his face, made Henry's heart race. Was he trying to embarrass her, put her in her place somehow? Why did the pit of her stomach feel warm, extending out into the rest of her body like a shiver? Struggling against him only went to highlight how close their bodies were, pressing together with a terrible sensation of belonging. He rolled her over so she was pinned under him, and something fluttered at her core. She stubbornly attributed it to adrenaline and rage, some symptom of his Ares powers. It meant nothing. She wasn't turned on. Quite the opposite, she was revolted! "Oh yeah, Santos, you're totally not a perv. You're just pinning me to the ground platonically" Henry jeered. With her wrists restrained and her kicking having no effect, Henry did the only thing she could think of: she kissed Liam hard. She didn't have time to wonder if her ADHD spontaneity had gone too far -- she used his shock to roll out from under him and get to her feet. She quickly grabbed the dagger she'd discarded and held it threateningly towards him. "If you want to play dirty, fine. I can play dirty." She convinced herself that the kiss was just a strategy, that any Athena child would have done the same. She didn't enjoy it. She didn't like how soft his lips were, or how warm the sun had made his face. "You're a lousy kisser, by the way" she added for good measure.

Henry hit the ground pretty hard under Liam's weight. As she fell, she caught a glimpse of the other campers in the course: all were sparring, but none so passionately as Henry and Liam. Nobody else was on the ground with their opponent. She felt shocked for a moment, all of her battle instincts and tactics seeping away for a moment. They had toppled because he had wrapped his arms around her, the shock made her lose her balance and fall, taking him with her. His arms restrained her, enough that she began kicking and attempting to heave him off of her body. The frustration that none of her usual tactics had worked was getting to the girl; she was so used to winning that this new challenge had her both stumped and infuriated. She was competitive, but she was also a sore loser. "Gods, I can't stand you! What are you, some kind of pervert?" Still unable to escape from underneath him, Henry instinctively moved her hands to his chest, pushing hard. The action was too familiar, seeming charged with an unspoken feeling. Henry scowled up at him, fighting off the blush in her cheeks. "If this was weaponry training you'd be begging for my mercy by now!" she snapped, stubbornly trying to snatch some dignity from the jaws of defeat.

Winnie moodboard: https://www.pinterest.nz/chrysalisnymph/chb/winnie/ Theme song: La Vie en rose, Edith Piaf GIF gallery :3

Winnie Sullivan biography Born and raised in England, Winnie was always a whimsical girl. She spent most of her young life in the countryside, traipsing the fields and picking wildflowers to bring home to her mother Dorothy. The two of them had nobody else in their lives, as Winnie was homeschooled for as long as she could remember. Her mum insisted on living in as remote a place as possible; Winnie was never sure why, but her many questions always went ignored. Much the same was true of the great, towering wall that extended around their property. Dorothy said it was for protection, but from what? That particular question was answered when Winnie’s mother received a devastating call: her parents had passed away in a terrible accident where they lived in America. With nobody to manage their estate and business, Dorothy packed up her daughter and they moved to America. Once settled, Winnie turned 12. She began to have strange, vivid dreams almost nightly. In some, she saw horrible creatures prowling around the streets of her town, their awful noses to the ground as though smelling, hunting. In others, she saw the wind skimming over beautiful strawberry fields on a sunny day. With her new inheritance, Dorothy hired a private tutor, Calix, to school Winnie from their estate. He was a strange man, but he understood Winnie’s unique way of thinking and the two became very close. Winnie confided to him about her disturbing dreams, which had also recently seeped into “visions” while she was awake. Calix listened patiently to her stories, nodding solemnly. He then explained to her who he was: a half-blood, child of Athena and a mortal. In his youth, he had attended a summer camp called Camp Half-Blood; this was a place that provided education and protection to demigods. The dreams and visions she had were not signs of craziness, as she had feared, but instead very real. Calix explained this all to Dorothy. He had to swear she would be safer there before Dorothy reluctantly let him take Winnie to the camp. Once there, Henry was claimed by Apollo in her first week. She adored camp, especially the scent of the strawberry fields on hot days; her and the satyrs became close as she got involved with the camp’s cover business, Delphi Strawberry Service. She packs the strawberries ready for sale at local markets. Personality Winnie, having grown up almost entirely in her company, is a strange girl with a rich internal world. Eccentric yet serene, she has a way of observing truths that other people may not notice. Content in her solitude, Winnie can happily while hours away simply people-watching and humming to herself, leading other campers to find her strange and even unnerving. In reality, though, there’s nothing sinister about Winnie’s curiosity: she just finds everyone, and everything, deeply fascinating. She is neither insecure nor self-conscious, quite happy to be herself even when others don’t like it. She is optimistic, non-judgemental, and kind; even when others are cruel, she has a hard time holding a grudge. This makes her quite naive and vulnerable to manipulation at times. Like her father, she adores art, music, and poetry. Being the daughter of the god of prophecy, she has frequent and vivid dreams that tend towards the prophetic. She prefers to work among the satyrs in nature than train in battle like the other campers. When interacting with others, she is friendly and sweet but can make people uncomfortable with her odd behaviour; extremely curious, it can seem like she asks intrusive questions. Her curiosity can be interpreted as a disregard for social etiquette, though it’s never meant to offend. She speaks in a strong, posh, quite high-pitched English accent. About Me Birthdate: January 28th, 2007 Likes: Strawberries, nature, people-watching, music (especially French oldies), humming, sketching Dislikes: Fighting, training, people who litter/ disrespect the environment, spicy foods, fast-paced activities Family: Mom: Dorothy, 43 Dad: Apollo Siblings: N/A, other than Cabin 7 Other: Calix (graduated camper, previous tutor, and close confidant), 33 Happy Thoughts: La Vie en Rose playing from a radio in a vast field on a beautiful clear day, picnicking with plenty of fresh fruit and pastries to eat. Wondering a museum or art gallery for hours, observing the art and people walking past alike. Nightmares: Being in a situation that demands her to take charge and be violent; this often manifests as nightmares in which she must protect the camp against danger. Fatal Flaw: Her naivety. It puts her at risk of trusting blindly and being manipulated without realising. PLAYED BY: CICADA FACE CLAIM: Mia Goth

Liam's fist in Henry's hair, guiding her head back, sent a rush of shameful excitement through the girl's body. His lips made contact with her neck, at once tender and hungry. Henry's mind wandered to all the times she had battled him, and watched him glisten under the sun as she countered his moves; her irritation and frustration at him was suddenly recontextualised into a deep craving, a wicked longing. All the times she had been plotting strategy and imagining what it would take to 'distract' him... could it be that her fantasies were about more than triumphing over him? That all along, she had wanted only to submit? As he bit on her neck, Henry let out a gasp of pleasure, a show of weakness that he'd never seen from her before. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction, so quickly caught herself enough to make a sarcastic comment. "Do you have a crush on me or something, Daddy's boy? G-gross!" the last word came out as an involuntary moan that conveyed her desperation as his hands moved below her waist. It was undeniable now, the feelings she had for him. Feelings she'd been pushing down for a long time. Her skin tingled under his touch, the way his warm hands roamed over her body making her shiver. She was lost in him, blind to any other factor in the environment. She felt entirely present, and on the edge of a tremendous thrill. Henry's hand travelled to the back of Liam's head, fingers entwining in his hair. She was overcome, not only with lust but with the feeling of deep connection. A willingness to be vulnerable that she hadn't felt in some years. This boy was getting through her armour, but she didn't try to stop him. "I- I want it, Liam. I want you." it came out as a whisper, and felt like a sinful confession.