Damien Dawn

Damien's usually impermeable confidence was momentarily cracked, and he was unaccustomed to feeling vulnerable, especially in front of someone he was trying so hard to impress. Yet, Cora's unexpected softness caught him off guard. The way she showed genuine concern, even if it was just for a fleeting moment, was a contrast he didn't expect. As she spoke about people running away from her, Damien's curiosity flared anew. This was a side of Cora he hadn't expected, one that offered him a glimpse beneath her hardened exterior. "Everyone has their reasons to run," Damien mused, the cockiness replaced momentarily with introspection. "But running has never been my strong suit. Facing challenges head-on, however... that's more my style." He met her gaze, the playful challenge in her eyes igniting the fire in his own. With a slight tilt of his head, Damien's self-assuredness made a swift return. "I never back down from a challenge, and you, Cora, are turning out to be one of the most intriguing ones yet." In the midst of their charged conversation, the aftermath of the bottle rocket incident still lingered. Damien felt the need to reclaim some semblance of his bravado. "And, just so you know," he began with a smirk, "I don't usually get startled so easily. It's just that... well, one must always be prepared for the unexpected, right?" He winked at her, the glint of mischief returning to his eyes. "So, what is the record for not running huh?" he asked teasingly.

Seeing her defiant stance and hearing her laughter, Damien couldn't help but be more intrigued. Her boldness was not something he was accustomed to, and that made her all the more captivating. Her hand on his chest and the assertive push might have deterred someone with a weaker resolve, but for Damien, it was a move in a dance he was all too eager to participate in. He grinned at her, his arrogance unabated. "It's not about putting you back together," he started, brushing imaginary dust off his chest where she had touched him. "It's about discovering the pieces that make you, you. Every masterpiece has its complexity." His eyes locked onto hers. There was an electricity in the air, a tension born out of two strong personalities clashing, yet also drawing them closer. Damien leaned in again, just slightly, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Tell me, Cora, have you ever met someone who didn’t run away from your fire? Someone who was drawn to it instead?" Damien knew he was treading on dangerous grounds, but the thrill of the unknown and the promise of a challenge was intoxicating. As he spoke, he wore his signature smirk, exuding self-confidence. He was a master at this game of words and wits, and he was keen to see just how Cora would respond to his provocations. Suddenly a hissing sound filled the air, quickly followed by a sharp POP! A rogue bottle rocket he'd forgotten about had been ignited by sun now shinning magnifying through the glass jar it was in. Damien jumped back, eyes wide, momentarily breaking his confident façade. The tail of smoke from the now spent firework wafted between them. Regaining his composure, he gave an embarrassed chuckle, his cheeks tinted with a touch of red. "Well, that was unexpected," he admitted, trying to recover some semblance of his prior arrogance. However, the incident had certainly put a dent in his self-assured demeanor, at least for the moment.

As the sun continued its ascent it bathed Damien in a golden hue, amplifying his princely appearance. He took a step closer to Cora, intrigued by her feisty attitude and apparent disinterest, a challenging combination he found irresistible. "Ah, but my dear Cora, isn’t it persistence that turns the impossible into the possible?" he quipped, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He sensed the rise in tension around her and felt a thrill at the challenge she presented. Her aura didn’t go unnoticed, but Damien was unyielding, his curiosity and arrogance fuelling his determination. "Scare me? And how exactly would you do that?" he teased. He was well aware of her abilities and the fear she could instill, but the knowledge only made the game more exciting. "As for what intrigues me," he continued, leaning in slightly, "it’s not every day you meet someone who can dance between fear and allure as seamlessly as you do." Damien's cocky smile remained, unfazed by her increasing annoyance, feeling the thrill of the chase and the dance of wits. He was well aware of his charm, and was sure that she found him attractive as well, which was just a bonus in this intriguing encounter. "Oh, Cora," he said, his voice dripping with overconfidence, "if it's my age worry not, it’s not about age, it’s about the excitement of the game, the chase, the unpredictability." His eyes scanned her face, looking for any sign of vulnerability, any crack in her tough exterior. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone, "And I must say, you’re the most intriguing puzzle I’ve encountered. I wonder, what does it take to make the indomitable Cora unravel?" His challenge hung in the air between them, an invitation, a provocation, as he awaited her response, the morning sun casting a golden glow around him, making him appear all the more enchanting.

The glow of the sun continued to outline Damien, casting a radiant aura around him as he observed Cora with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Her irritable demeanor and snappy remarks only fueled his playful arrogance. "Ah, Cora, a little rejection never hurt anyone," he responded nonchalantly, brushing off her comments about the previous night. "After all, a true charmer knows persistence is key." He watched as she reluctantly took the flask and downed the remedy, a smug smile playing on his lips. In his mind, the mixture of rejection and victory was a delightful game, and Cora's fiery spirit only added a spark to the challenge. "Believe me, I only aim to assist," he assured her, his tone dripping with overconfidence, "And as for the rockets, well, they might not make the morning beautiful, but they certainly make it memorable." As Cora warned him against any funny business, Damien leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Cora, my dear, do I look like someone who would play tricks?" he asked rhetorically, his voice a mixture of sweetness and sass. Despite her clear annoyance and the threatening aura surrounding her, Damien remained unfazed, even intrigued. After all, where was the fun in life without a little risk? "I assure you, the drink is genuine, and you have nothing to worry about," he said, his voice smooth as he handed back the flask, his eyes never leaving hers. "But, a warning in return. I’m not as easy to scare off as the others." He gave her a wink, the sun behind him creating a halo that made him appear almost celestial, as he reveled in the back-and-forth, curious to see how the interaction would unfold.

With the sun framing him like a spotlight on a stage, Damien looked up from his seated position, amusement twinkling in his eyes. "Ah, Cora. I've heard much about you," he said, his voice dripping with a mix of genuine interest and playful arrogance. "Damien is my name." He cast a glance at the spent bottle rocket beside him and then back to her, his grin widening. "Was just adding a touch of flair to this morning. A new dawn deserves a spectacle, don’t you think? Though, I must say, some campers just can't handle their celebrations." He recalled leaving the party last night and the memory of many scattered, slumbering campers around him as he left. In fact he was pretty sure he had seen Cora. Rising smoothly from the ground, the sunlight continued to catch him just right, casting a halo-like glow around him. "You see, I do remember every detail from last night," Damien began, arching a brow suggestively. "And I remember you. Party was quite the event, wasn't it? Such a shame some couldn’t keep up.” He chuckled lightly. "In need of some remedy for that headache?" Without waiting for her response, he fetched a small flask from his pocket, offering it with a cocky grin. "Guaranteed to kick that hangover. It's a recipe from Apollo's personal collection. Or so I like to think. Perhaps you'll have better luck at the next party? Though I personally wouldn't bet on it myself."

Listening to Alyssa's words, Damien couldn't help but feel a prickling sensation, as if his invincible armor had been scratched ever so slightly. "Not your typical person, eh?" he mused. "Well, you're in luck. I am not a 'typical' person either. You could even say we're both extraordinary in our own ways." He watched as Alyssa prepared to shoot another arrow, her stance now corrected due to his impeccable instruction. As she released the string and the arrow found its way closer to the bullseye, he felt an unexpected swell of pride. It wasn't the satisfaction he usually felt when besting someone; it was the gratification of seeing her improve, albeit under his guidance. "Aha! Much improved, you see? Your aim is getting better already," he said, not even attempting to mask his delight. "Perhaps your interest in skill and talent will become more...appreciative, shall we say, in the future." Her words from earlier had stuck with him though—about letting his talent speak for itself. He'd never really considered it; his talent and his personality were so tightly intertwined in his mind. But watching her now, seeing her genuinely apply herself and succeed, stirred something within him. "You know," he said, his voice tinged with something resembling humility, "Talent is one thing, but the will to improve is quite another. I think you might have that will, Alyssa. And, in its own way, that's extraordinary." Alyssa had told him to let his talent speak for itself, and as he looked at her, finally making progress in her archery, he realized that sometimes actions did speak louder than words. Even for someone as verbose and self-assured as himself. "So, shall we try for that bullseye again?"

Eyes alight with delight Damien spotted Fin across the room, a figure almost as dashing as himself. "Fin, my man!" Damien roared, thrusting his arms open wide as if preparing for a Herculean embrace. "You've graced us with your wave-ridden, sun-kissed presence, I see! Tonight just went from monumental to legendary!" He clasped his best friend's shoulder firmly, a genuine grin etching across his features. For a brief moment, the self-absorbed veneer cracked, revealing a flicker of genuine happiness. In Fin, Damien found one of the rare people who could surf along his tidal wave of ego without getting swept away; a true compatriot in an everlasting quest for glory and revelry. "So are we making this a night for the annals of demigod history or what?" he continued. Beside Fin, Damien felt a little more anchored, a little less like a one-man show. And for once, that was a role he relished.

Stepping into the lively room, Damien felt the cabin porch light hit him from behind, casting a divine glow that further accentuated his charisma. It was as if the universe itself knew how to highlight his grand entrance. "Make way for the showstopper, the epitome of divine excellence.......Damieeeeeennnnnnn Dawwwwwwwnnnnnn has arrived!!!!" he boomed, his voice filled with the kind of self-assuredness only a son of Apollo could muster. His eyes scanned the room assessing the "audience" he was about to bless with his godlike presence. With a smile that could've been sculpted by Hephaestus himself, he swept into the room, very aware that his entrance had attracted the eyes of nearly everyone present. Ah, what a delight it was to be the center of attention; it was his birthright after all. Even as Aislynn's guitar chords filled the air, Damien couldn't help but think how much more electrifying the party would be with his own musical flair added to the mix. Hmmmm, maybe later! Yet, a tiny sliver of him questioned if this night would be just another echo in a life full of performances, or if it would offer him something more; something beyond the adoration and awe he so effortlessly commanded. With that thought momentarily tucked away, he prepared to seize the night like only Damien Dawn could!

Damien woke up feeling as glorious as the morning sun shining through his cabin window. His eyes immediately caught sight of the poster Sage had sneakily placed in his room. 'The most talented and good-looking campers' it read. A grin crept across his face. "Well if they wanted someone who fits that description they're in luck!" he exclaimed. His eyes moved to his wall of trophies, awards, and photos; all starring him of course. "Ah this special award will make a wonderful addition," he mused. He took a moment to admire his reflection in one of his many framed self-portraits, signed by himself. "Damien Dawn, you are the epitome of divine perfection," he whispered to his reflection, winking. Damien then sauntered toward the location indicated on the poster. The sun seemed to follow him, illuminating him in a golden halo that made him look like the god he clearly thought he was. As he approached the tent he felt an excitement bubbling inside him, already imagining his triumphant pose when accepting the award. That's when he triggered the rope snare. Before he knew what was happening he found himself dangling upside-down, suspended above the forest floor! "What is the meaning of this indignity?!?" he roared, his face turning an unsightly shade of red—or perhaps that was just the blood rushing to his head! Though upset, a part of him couldn't help but admire the ingenuity of the trap. "Hmm, such cunning would have been admirable on the battlefield, but against me? An outrage!" he yelled at no one but himself, trying to maintain his composure, or as much as one could while hanging upside-down. Even in this unfortunate situation Damien found himself speculating if the light hitting him from behind was creating a dramatic effect. "Well, if anyone could pull off 'dangling but dignified,' it would be me," he reassured himself.

Damien listened to Alyssa's words, and for a brief moment, something flickered behind his eyes. The mention of Apollo and his lineage reminded him of his complex relationship with his heritage. Was he special on his own, or was everything special about him because of his father's divinity? Shaking the thought away, he replaced it with the familiar veil of confidence he usually wore. It was a constant struggle for Damien to distinguish himself from his father's shadow, to be known for his own skill rather than his lineage. "Tone down the ego you say?" he mused aloud, a challenging glint in his eyes. "Well, it's not often I encounter someone who isn't immediately taken by my exceptional abilities. You have an intriguing perspective to say the least." Repositioning himself behind Alyssa he decided to show her he could be both talented and humble; if that's what it took. "Alright, let me help you with that stance," he said, his voice softer now but still laden with a natural charismatic flair. Gently but firmly he guided her arms to the proper position and made a few slight adjustments to her posture. "Good archery is about more than just aiming. It's about balance, focus, and harmony," he explained. His words were aimed as much at himself as they were at her; it was a rare moment of self-reflection for Damien. He stepped back allowing Alyssa the space to draw her next arrow. Now he found himself unexpectedly invested in her success. "Why do I want to teach you?" he repeated, contemplating her question as he watched her. "Well you could say it's a worthy challenge for someone of my skills. You've got potential, and I can't resist the chance to be part of your rise to greatness. Besides," he paused locking eyes with her, "it wouldn't hurt to add 'exceptional mentor' to my already impressive list of qualities now would it?" He made that last remark in jest hoping his softer smile implied so and he wondered how Alyssa would respond to it.

Caught slightly off guard by Alyssa's response, Damien's eyes narrowed for a moment. The atmosphere shifted, though his natural radiance seemed undiminished. "Ah, you're absolutely correct. Talent shines brighter when shared," he said, smoothly pivoting while maintaining his dazzling confidence. In his mind, he couldn't fathom why she wouldn't be more appreciative of his abilities, but he decided he could be magnanimous. He was certain his brilliance was universally captivating, yet here was Alyssa, challenging that assumption without so much as batting an eye. Annoying as it was, Damien found himself intrigued. Deciding that the best approach was to demonstrate his superior skills further, Damien swiftly picked another arrow. "Observe my dear," he announced as he drew the bowstring and took aim at a moving target this time. The arrow whizzed through the air, hitting it perfectly in the center. "You see, it's not just about hitting a stationary object. Real skill shows when you hit a moving target." Damien's eyes flicked back to Alyssa, and his smile broadened as if expecting applause. "With my guidance you too could hit a target like that!" As Damien watched Alyssa draw another arrow his thoughts wrestled with themselves. He had wanted to sweep her off her feet. The fact that she hadn't been immediately smitten—or at least outwardly impressed—both irritated him and piqued his curiosity. However as he stood there, he decided that she simply needed more exposure to his grandeur to realize his worth. "So," he said turning to her with a smirk, "Pick a target and I'll help you with some pointers. What do you want to hit?"

The sun hit Damien just right as he sauntered into the archery range, casting an almost celestial glow around him. He was used to this effect; it felt like the universe itself was putting him center stage. Spotting Alyssa, he noticed how her arrow missed the bullseye by a few inches. His eyes lingered for a moment, not just on her arrow but also on her. She was a striking girl, and Damien saw an opportunity for a grand entrance. "Ah, fret not, fair maiden. Archery is an art form, one that I, Damien Dawn, have mastered," he proclaimed, lifting a bow from the rack and gracefully nocking an arrow. With a smirk that exuded self-assurance, Damien drew the bowstring and released. The arrow soared through the air, landing squarely in the bullseye of the target. "You see?" he declared, turning to Alyssa with an expectant grin. "Precision, skill, and a touch of divine flair, that's what it takes to hit the mark. And let's face it, I've got all three in spades." The words left his lips as if he were reciting lines from a one-man show, his voice rich with the music of self-admiration. In his mind, he imagined that hitting that bullseye had lit up not just his own world but Alyssa's as well. He felt as though he'd just given an Oscar-worthy performance, and the applause—silent or not—was rightfully his. His eyes met Alyssa's, and for a moment, his thoughts drifted to what her impression might be. 'Why be modest when you're this magnificent?' he'd often say, but even he couldn't ignore the little seed of doubt that wondered whether his grandiosity could turn some people away. He quickly shook off that thought. No, Damien was a masterpiece in progress, a work of art that was more than ready to share its brilliance with anyone willing to admire it, especially someone as lovely as Alyssa. And so, basking in the light that always seemed to find him, Damien waited for her reaction, ready to further dazzle her with his spectacular show of skill.

Damien Dawn biography Damien Dawn entered the world in a blaze of brilliance. His mother, Miranda Dawn, was a small-town theater actress with a voice like honey and a passion for the stage. She never thought she'd meet someone who could captivate an audience like she could, until she met Damien's father, Apollo, though at the time, she knew him as "Alan." "Alan" was a traveling musician who happened to be performing in her sleepy little town. Miranda was smitten from the first moment he strummed his guitar and sang a song about the sun kissing the horizon. For her, it was like listening to the Muses themselves. They spent several magical nights together, their shared love for music and storytelling painting a beautiful, fleeting canvas of romance. Then, as quickly as he appeared, "Alan" disappeared, leaving Miranda with a heart full of love songs and a child in her womb. Miranda raised Damien with the love of a single mother, always fostering his creative and artistic pursuits. As it turns out, Damien inherited his father’s godly gifts—especially in archery and music. He grew up in the limelight of his small community, a local star who could do no wrong. He was the archery champion, the best guitarist in the school band, and yes, the handsomest boy in his grade. But along with these talents came an insufferable level of confidence bordering on arrogance. As Damien often said, "Why be modest when you're this magnificent?" Life took a radical turn when Damien was in middle school. During gym class, the strangest thing happened; a new student, who had been quiet and unassuming, suddenly transformed into a vicious creature—a harpy. Panicked screams filled the gym, but Damien, inexplicably, felt an instinct kick in. His gym teacher, Mr. Greenthumb, tossed him a celestial bronze sword that appeared out of nowhere. Damien, trusting his gut and his skills in archery, threw the sword like a javelin, hitting the harpy dead center. The creature disintegrated into dust. As the gym class recovered from the chaos, Mr. Greenthumb revealed himself to be a satyr and explained the world of gods and monsters to Damien and his mom. Miranda, was shocked but accepting. Realizing that her “Alan” was, in fact, Apollo, the god of music, prophecy, and archery, everything suddenly made sense. Damien was a demigod, and he was in danger as long as he stayed away from Camp Half-Blood. At Camp Half-Blood, Damien was claimed almost immediately by Apollo, and he felt right at home among his half-siblings in the Apollo cabin. His skills in archery and music quickly made him a camp favorite, but his arrogance also earned him some enemies. He saw the camp as yet another stage for him to shine, and shine he did—but often at the expense of teamwork and friendship. Damien became the guy everyone loved to hate: talented but unbearable, heroic but egotistical. Now a regular at camp, Damien is continually working on his “masterpiece," a song that he believes will be his legacy, something so extraordinary that even the gods on Olympus will take notice. But beneath the layers of vanity and arrogance, there's a part of him that wonders if there’s more to his identity than just being Apollo’s talented son. Damien Dawn, the son of Apollo, continues to navigate life at Camp Half-Blood, leaving a trail of admiration and annoyance in equal measure. But behind the spotlight of his own making, he's still a boy trying to outshine his father, the god of the Sun, and find his own place in a world much bigger than he ever imagined. Personality Damien Dawn is a kaleidoscope of charm, talent, and staggering self-confidence, a magnet for both awe and frustration among his peers. To him, life is a grand stage where he plays the lead, driven by a relentless ambition to outshine even Apollo, his divine father. While his skills in archery and music are undeniably extraordinary, they are often eclipsed by his insufferable arrogance. Damien is fiercely competitive, viewing every challenge as a stage for his brilliance; yet, this focus can render him oblivious to the emotional complexities of those around him. His friendships are few but deeply loyal, though betraying him is the quickest way to become the tragic hero in his next artistic endeavor. Underneath the bravado is a young demigod grappling with the shadow of a legendary parent. Damien wonders if he will ever be more than Apollo's son, more than just an epitome of egocentric excellence. This existential questioning fuels his compulsive drive to perfect every note, every shot, every performance—a drive that masks an underlying insecurity about his place in a world of gods and heroes. Though many at Camp Half-Blood may find him unbearable at times, there's a complexity to Damien that hints at future growth, if only he can learn to step out of his own spotlight. About Me Birthdate: June 15, 2006 Likes:Archery, Music, Performance, Attention, Admiration, Competition, Physical Fitness, Victory, Dramatic Flair, Self-Expression Dislikes:Being Upstaged, Inadequacy, Emotional Complexity, Humility, Being Ignored, Authority Figures, Mediocrity, Bookish Learning, Subtlety, Dependence on Others, Snakes Family: Mom: Miranda Dawn 36 Dad: Apollo Siblings: None Happy Thoughts: Nailing a performance or a shot that no one else could / The flood of applause and admiration that comes with being the center of attention / Moments when he's so clearly outperformed someone that it's undeniable, even to them Nightmares: Fading into obscurity, becoming a 'nobody' / Realizing that he might never live up to Apollo's legacy, becoming just another demigod lost in the pages of mythology / Being entirely dependent on others, losing his sense of self and individual greatness Fatal Flaw: Damien's fatal flaw is his excessive pride and overconfidence. This sense of superiority often blinds him to the needs and feelings of others, as well as to his own vulnerabilities. His ego can lead him to underestimate his opponents and overestimate his own abilities, putting him at significant risk. PLAYED BY: FullMoonRising FACE CLAIM: Luke Eisner