Catch me if you Can!

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

Summer of 2016 

Celeste was back at camp after having just gone on a vacation with her mom. The two of them traveled around the Greek islands which were so beautiful but of course like always. Celeste had found herself in a bit of trouble as she broke into a few place she was not meant to be in. Maybe it was the thrill that got her to do it or was it the fact that she just knew how to open locks as if they wanted her to unlock them. Well nonetheless she found herself in the some places that had amazing artifacts or treasure!!! Not like she needed it but her sticky fingers went right for the things. 

Now that she was back she felt herself feeling a bit depressed as all the fun of traveling and sneaking was over....or was it? Sitting in her bed she smirked as an idea came to her. There was a place in the Big House that was off limits to all campers but what they don't know wont kill them right? The dead of night came as she snuck out of her cabin and made her way to the big house. Sneaking inside as if her life depended on it. Going up the stairs to a cabinet that she was excited to see why it was locked.

@ Ryo Mitsu

[Ryo Mitsu]

It was summer and Ryo had been preparing for the classes already. He was one of the cabin leaders at the moment and he wanted to guide the younger students well and up to his best abilities. He knew how it could be having a problem wandering and getting to know the camp. It was quite a large area as well but the directions were pretty clear when you start to see the map and go everywhere often. The capture flag event was near so he was spending time more at the big house, in and out, and the grounds too, helping the tutors around. Chiron was the happiest, as he and the other leaders had done a great job with it. Especially when you have to spread the news and encourage more people to be active later. He was walking along the grounds back to the big house, it wasn’t a long way and he had the stars guiding him , and his mom, so he was pretty chill.
 

Until he came to the house he could hear some voices but they were very low and almost unheard. He was pretty good with hearing for an Athena. Cautiously he stopped awhile before heading in without a sound to check whether there was someone there. He walked around, then heard some voices from the stairs. Good thing the stairs weren’t that much modern these days so it was wooden and it still had the creeping sounds. It was not a good idea coming here  at night, a bit eerie, but he was brave nonetheless. He continued the way hoping to find where the sound came from. Hopefully not someone dangerous, or it might just be a student. 

Edited June 28, 2023 by Ryo Mitsu

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

The stairs were going to be a problem but she loved a good challenge. So as she took it stair by stair she creeped up slowly as she would stop from time to time when he heard voices. Celeste's heart raced as she reached the top of the stairs. The fifteen year old girl was ready to see what was all the fuss was about. She reached to the cabinet on the top floor of the Big House. Moonlight filtered through the window, casting a dim glow on the ancient wooden surface. With careful precision, she pulled out her lockpicking tools and began working on the lock. The familiar clicks and tumbles echoed in the silent room. Finally, the lock yielded, and Celeste's excitement grew. A look on her face said it all. This was just what she needed after coming back from her trip. What would she find? Would she get away with it? 

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo continued further into the house as he wanted to view up close. What was that sound? Ghosts? No…it can’t be, they didn’t have it here right? How about creatures? But there was a protection barrier around the camp hmmm. Curiosity is killing him as he walked up the stairs , it had only the moonlight from the window guiding him while also the sounds he could hear. He closed his eyes for awhile to hear it better, eyes soften as he scanned the room with a better hearing. Yeah, around here. He opened his eyes again and gaining to the highest floor. Hmm here feels familiar but he couldn’t quite put it where he was. He walked further until he spotted a cabinet but it was dark and only a little moonlight revealing the ancient furnitures. He could then make out something, or someone , not far beyond him. Hmmm, who was that? He stayed behind as he wanted to see what the person, a girl, was going to do……and he did, the lock on the cabinet clicked and opened. Ohh, so it was a thief! Hermes, he thought. He waited to see what was inside there as he was curious too, but he was going to catch her right on the scene if she was going to steal anything. 

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

Celeste's hands trembled slightly as the lock on the cabinet clicked open. She held her breath, anticipation coursing through her veins. Slowly, she swung open the doors, revealing the hidden treasures within. Her eyes widened in awe as the moonlight danced upon the ancient magical objects that must have come from past quest. They seemed to be kept here for good keeping. Celeste's fingers itched to touch them, to explore the mysteries they held. She reached out, her hand hovering over a particularly object, contemplating whether to take it. That was when she heard a noise and closed the cabinet quickly as she locked it back super fast. Moving at fast speeds in order to not get in trouble. That was when she turned around and began to walk out when she walked into something or was it someone?

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo was sure that he was looking at an unknown thief in the room in front of the treasure cabinet. Or what he thought to be. It was revealed later that the cupboard had filled with ancient treasures that he didn’t even know about. There was a lot he didn’t know about the big house as well. He looked closer, planning to head inside when the person closed the cabinet abruptly as if they knew someone or something was there. Which was him. He braced himself for the person who started to come out. He knew he had to catch the thief at the scene, ready to hand in to anyone in charge! Curiosity was filled when he saw the Hermes girl Celeste he had seen around camp when she walked out. He was just standing there and immediately blocked her way. "I knew it, so typical from a Hermes child! So what have you stolen from the cabinet hmmm?” He wasn’t strict but firm towards her. He knew it wasn’t right to be stealing something from the room but he was facing a girl and he didn’t want to fight a girl. Besides, he wasn't in the mood to report her as he liked some peace too. He began thinking of what he wanted to do next.

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

Celeste's eyes widened in surprise as she walked into Ryo, the cabin leader who had blocked her way. Panic flashed across her face, but she quickly composed herself, not wanting to show any signs of guilt or fear. She raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence as she met his gaze. "Oh, hey there," she said nonchalantly, trying to act casual. "Didn't expect to run into anyone here. What's up?" Celeste's mind raced, thinking of a way to divert Ryo's attention from her actions. She couldn't let him know about the treasures she had discovered. She smiled sweetly, her voice dripping with charm. "Stolen? Oh no, you've got it all wrong," she replied, trying to sound convincing. "I was just... um, heard someone scream and I ran up here to make sure everyone was okay....you know I was on a late night stroll."  She hoped her quick thinking and smooth talking would be enough to distract Ryo from the truth. Deep down, however, she couldn't help but wonder what he would do next and how she could keep her secret safe.

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo knew at that moment that he wasn’t going to let her just go away without knowing what she had been up to. It was all his curiosity right now that he wanted to stay and let the girl say what she had to. His eyebrows raised as she greeted him and he knew exactly what was up with her. "Hmmmm I don’t think so….at least it’s weird that anyone could be up this late and in the big house…….” His mind was working block to block categorising what might she do in the house. What might she steal from the cabinet that she could risk doing that. Hmmmm…… still he heard what she had to say. It didn’t sound convincing enough for him and he was sure that he wouldn’t have strayed long here if it wasn’t for someone suspicious. He didn’t know why but maybe being a leader made him nosy with everything, and he wanted to make sure order was kept nicely in the camp. "Right…..but I don’t see anyone around here or heard any scream hmmm………Is it something that’s in the cabinet? Some treasure? " He decided to go towards another direction, to get some info on what she was hiding instead of questioning.

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

Celeste's heart skipped a beat as Ryo's suspicion lingered. CRAP her scream story had not worked!!!! But it didn't mean she couldn't get out of this right? She knew she had to think quickly to redirect his attention away from the cabinet. She put on a playful smile, attempting to appear nonchalant and dismissive of his doubts. "Treasure? Oh, come on, Ryo," she chuckled, feigning a lighthearted tone. "You know me better than that. I'm just a curious soul, always looking for excitement and adventure. But I assure you, I haven't found any hidden treasures... yet." She let her sentence hang in the air, allowing a mischievous glimmer to spark in her eyes. Her words were meant to pique his curiosity, to make him wonder what she might have stumbled upon during her late-night escapades. Celeste hoped that by redirecting his focus to her sense of adventure, he would be less inclined to dig deeper into her intentions. She held her breath, awaiting his response, hoping that her playful approach would be enough to steer the conversation away from her secret discovery.

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo was never going to let go of any one suspicious person coming in and out of the big house. It was after all an authorised area to protect some of the precious things at camp. Which he didn’t know that much, but he wasn’t going to let anyone spoil the premises. Especially that the house has been kept for ages and they could at least respect the ancient demigods. Though his curiosity increased at Celeste’s attractive voice. Do all Hermes sound like that? "Hmmm I saw something shimmering inside just now you know………did you have a close view to what is in there?” He decided to at least gain some interest in the treasures alongside with her. The greatest enemy can be a great ally too. He too wanted to know what was in there in order to better protect it. Being one of the leaders made him kind of protective over the camp and the demigods, but he was doing so for the welfare of others too so he was just going his job. Seeing that the girl kept denying and he hoped she could at least spill something here.

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

Celeste's heart raced as Ryo mentioned seeing something shimmering inside the cabinet. She couldn't let him suspect that she had indeed discovered the hidden treasures. She had to think on her feet and find a way to downplay the significance of what she had found. "Oh, that? It was probably just some old trinkets catching the moonlight," Celeste replied, her tone nonchalant but her mind racing. "You know how things can appear differently in dim lighting. I'm sure it's nothing too extraordinary." She hoped her words would make Ryo question his own observation and dismiss it as a trick of the light. Celeste knew she had to redirect the conversation once more, to steer away from the cabinet and the treasures she had stumbled upon. "Hey, have you ever explored the other parts of the Big House? I heard there are some secret rooms and hidden passages. It's like a maze waiting to be unraveled," she said, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and a touch of excitement. "Maybe we could embark on an adventure together, discover some of those hidden nooks and crannies. What do you say, Ryo?"

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo was not going to let Celeste go any moment right now, or today if the circumstances led him to. Being one of the camp leaders made them responsible though sometimes he felt like slacking and he just wanted to be a regular camper, causing troubles like the rest who did . He knew that, but he sometimes let them off as he knew camp grounds were strict sometimes and they should have some fun too ahah. Anyways, he still didn’t want to let go just yet, take it as a challenge for the girl wanting to see how she would react. He was starting to rethink what he had just seen afar, when she said about trinkets and the moonlight causing them to beam some shiny light off them. "Really? Hmmm……just those?” He felt a little reasonable what she just said, but something was still quite off. "And you were stealing those trinkets? “ He decided to get in further, let it play it off itself , unconsciously, as he knew he’d get to the answer on its own later. She’d reveal her secret on its own. Her further words had peaked his curiosity even more when she asked whether he was interested in discovering the whole big house. He gave a thought of it, feeling like it was a good idea, at the same time he could know what kind of treasures she liked and if it was possible that she would steal them. Distrust was one of the reasons he had to her but he knew it was a way to find out more about her. "Okay cool, adventure it is.” He looked at her hoping she wouldn’t find out about his plan.

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

Celeste felt a surge of relief as Ryo seemed to consider her explanation, albeit with a hint of lingering suspicion. " I didn't steal anything" showed her hands and patting down her pockets "Nothing here see" the smile was one that was trying to be convincing. She knew she had to tread carefully and divert his attention to their potential joint adventure. She nodded, a playful glint in her eyes, trying to maintain an air of excitement. "Great! I knew you'd be up for it," Celeste replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. Celeste was one that could sell anything that she put her mind too! I mean Hermes kids had a way with their words for sure! "The Big House holds so many secrets, and I think it would be thrilling to uncover them together. Who knows what we might find? It'll be like our very own quest within the camp." She hoped that by framing their exploration as a shared adventure, Ryo would be more willing to let his guard down and see her as an ally rather than a suspect. Celeste took a step forward, gesturing towards the Big House with a mischievous smile. "So, shall we embark on this adventure, Ryo? Let's explore the hidden nooks and crannies and see what surprises await us. Maybe we'll even stumble upon some extraordinary treasures along the way," she said, her voice filled with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Celeste was determined to keep her secret hidden for now and turn the situation to her advantage, using the opportunity to learn more about Ryo and the mysterious world of the Big House.

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo went ‘………’ hearing Celeste mentioning how she hasn’t stolen anything at the moment. Well wait till it was time that he will find out what she has been up to later, right at the treasure hunting!! He smiled lightly, reassuringly, as he didn’t want to slip his plan off. ”Yep, definitely up hot that. “ Though he might start to think, just a little, that she was quite convincing……. He nodded at her words, thinking the big house would have many important stuff hidden inside. ”If it was only a real quest…” He muttered softly , only if that was real he wouldn’t mind her actions then. You know, when it was official and not scecretly. While seeing how determined and excited Celeste had been right now, he was kind of influenced by it too. Dang…….hopefully he wouldn’t really be affected. ”Okay cool, where should we start , Miss Nooks and Crannies?” He chuckled, awaiting for her lead tonight. He didn’t liked to be the elder camper sometimes so being a student today sounds good too.

Edited July 20, 2023 by Ryo Mitsu

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

Celeste felt a sense of accomplishment as she successfully deflected Ryo's suspicions for the moment. She let out a small laugh at his comment and patted down her own pockets to emphasize her point, her smile flashing in the moonlight. "Nothing here, see? Just a curious girl with a knack for stumbling into trouble." She hoped her charm and lightheartedness would further convince him of her innocence. She grinned at Ryo's agreement to her adventure proposal. "Oh, I've got a feeling this quest will be one for the books," she said with a wink, her excitement palpable. She could sense his slight hesitation melting away, and she was determined to keep him engaged in their shared exploration.

Leading the way towards a place in the Big House downstairs, Celeste felt a surge of adrenaline. She knew she had to maintain her facade while also steering their exploration towards areas far from the cabinet she had unlocked. She glanced back at Ryo with a playful grin. "Well, Mr. Adventure, let's start with the hallways on the ground floor. There's got to be some hidden passages and secrets lurking around here somewhere." With her plan set in motion, Celeste was ready to turn this encounter into an adventure of a lifetime, all while keeping her own secret safe and finding out what she could about Ryo and his intentions.

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo hoped his play-along-the-scheme kind of plan would work later. He still had to know whether Celeste was up to something. Hopefully there weren’t any other hidden pockets within her. At the mention of books Ryo was clearly pulled towards the adventure, though he was still aware of what he was doing. "Alright then, lead the way Cel." He wondered when was the last time they had but he still remember her name so far. At this moment he felt like being an inspector asking for a possible suspect’s cooperation, or maybe her as a partner in crime…… Okay wait, what was he thinking now? Soon he was led towards the lower part of the big house, not knowing where he had landed. He hoped she knew where to go, being adventurous and all. "So are you always visiting the big house?" he decided to ask in a normal chatting way, and a means to get info from her.

[Celeste Hadzis Rare]

She led the way through the dimly lit hallways of the Big House, her footsteps echoing softly in the silence of the night. As they walked, she marveled at the grandeur of the place, its history and secrets hidden within its walls. Mr. D had poor decorating skills, well at least that is what she thought to herself. Best not speak that out loud as he might turn her into a grape. Ryo's question caught her off guard for a moment, but she quickly composed herself, maintaining her friendly demeanor. "Oh, not really," she replied casually. "I mean, I've been here a few times, but it's not exactly my usual hangout spot. I guess tonight's just a special occasion." She hoped her response would divert his attention and keep him from probing too deeply into her activities. But then curiosity got the best of her, stopping she turned around. "DO YOU COME HERE OFTEN? " her eyebrow raised as her finger was pointed at him with a smirk. Why was he here after all???

[Ryo Mitsu]

Ryo followed casually but still keeping a sharp owl eye on Celeste making sure she hadn’t had any tricks on her being one of the cheeky Hermes. Sure he knew they were talented thieves and lock-pickers, and he knew that he should be aware of them, but they didn’t have to every time right? They were still campers after all. He simply nodded, acknowledging that this place wasn’t one of her favourite go to. Well no matter, he still had many places to think of , and places which are potential treasure hunting areas for her. Probably the class areas…..or Mr D’s hideout. Who knows if they were brave enough to stumble upon their favourite camp director. "Oo—Kay………..Hmmm me? Not usually, just sometimes when I want to find our camp directors if they need any help. He walked further following her direction. He began to think whether she knew all the pathways in the big house. "So where’s your usual favourite hangout spot?” He had to , at least, know where the girl has been up about. Maybe he could check out these places just to be sure. Yeah!