The West Woods

[The Chronicler]

[Mateo Sanz Rare]

2) Spy on the enemy forces. @ Helena L'Amour

 

Capture the flag has always been a favorite game for the camp. Ever since he was younger it had been the best thing in the world to him. He had been running when he saw Lena leaning on a tree. He stopped and looked at her, taken off his helmet and looked at her. "Sweet pea." He mused as he looked the blood girl up and down. "come on you're with me." He knew that he would be able to pull her along. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him. "We got some things to do." he told her as he pulled her into the west wood area. He knew that she wasn't the type to get dirty but this was totally something that she was going to have to get use to with him. He was on a mission. He jumped to the ground and pulled on her hand to go down with him. "Be quiet and watch what they are doing." He told her with a smirk on his lips.   

[Helena L'Amour Rare Rare]

Helena wasn't exactly expecting Mateo to come looking for her during the event. He could be competitive in a way she just wasn't, and so she figured he would team up with the boys and she would see him after. She wasn't overfond of Capture the Flag, but she wasn't opposed to it. She had been casually resting against a tree when he walked up. "Well hey there handsome." Lena didn't have long to appreciate the view of his smile before he grabbed her hand and started pulling her along behind him. For a moment she was going to object--after all, their agreement on him telling her what to do was limited to one aspect of their lives--but she could tell he was determined to include her in whatever his plans were. And a very large part of her was pleased to see that he would rather spend his time with her than the boys, even when it was expected for him to be with them.

As they arrived at their destination. Mateo pulled her down and told her to watch the other team. She laid there on the ground next to him, silently watching the red team members. She couldn't hear things very well, but she could see some pointing and could tell that they were making plans. She looked over at Mateo and mouthed softly, "I can't hear them." She hoped he'd have a spell or something that could enhance things. Though, it was the wrong time of day for him to be casting. Hopefully even a weak spell would do.

[Mateo Sanz Rare]

He didn't leave any time for her to argue about going with him. He didn't want to hear it. It was war time and he would be damned if she got herself hurt while he wasn't watching. Not that he would say it out loud. No, he would keep that little bit under his own tongue. He smirked at her for a moment before pulling her to the ground. He knew his feelings were some what different for the girl and he was trying to fight that feeling off. 

She said what he was thinking and he sighed a little. He wasn't good with his magic during the day time. He glanced at her for a moment before turning back to the red team. He placed his hand out in front of him, making a circle. He had been practicing this spell for a while now and he was pretty sure that he had some control over it. "prope auditus" He said speaking Latin and soon, slowly, he was able to start earing the others speaking. He knew that it wasn't the best since it was still so light outside. He turned to look at her and smirked. "I can come in handy a little." He mused as he took a deep breath before concentrating on the spell a little more. "Keep listening and see if you find anything out." He told her as he focused more on the spell at hand. 

[Helena L'Amour Rare Rare]

Helena couldn't exactly be sure why Mateo was so insistent on her coming with him, but she was pleased that he was. She could feel the emotion he wouldn't speak. So she didn't need him to say it to know he felt it, Perl of being a child of Aphrodite.

Mateo cast the spell, but it seemed like it was going to take some real effort to keep it going. He told her to listen to what they were saying. At first it seemed far away, but the more he concentrated the better she could hear. The other team was making plans to scout the forest to find the blue team's hidden flag. They were going to split off into groups and try to come at it from multiple sides.

Helena placed a hand on Mateo's back to comfort him. She could tell that the spell was taking a bit out of him. She listened as best she could and relayed the information softly. "They're going to try and assault from three fronts."

[Shadow Moore]

Fucking sweet. Capture the Flag. It's one of the things he missed after he left camp for a few months and the best thing he needs right now after his little reunion with his former significant other. With Zoren being the team strategist, he was a little skeptical simply because he did not know him well but after seeing him bring the plan to the table and elaborately explained their tactics with possible situations, he knew that the team is in good hands. Before they dispersed, he inquired who is his god parent so upon the mention of Athena, he could not help but grin. Well that was reassuring. After a wave, he performed a spell with a had gesture to silence his foot steps. He needed to conserve as much energy as he needed because well- it's day time.

After some time has passed, he found a couple side by side and began to eaves drop their little conversation. Oh? He recognized that spell so he wanted to do the same. Closing his eyes as he uttered the same words, the voices of their target began to grow audible and clear as if he was right next to the enemy. Once he was done, he found the blonde girl to speak what they have heard about so he had to barge in their cozy spot. "That's right." He approached the couple from the side.

"Hello, little brother." He helped himself to a confident grin towards Mateo. "You guys can get a room once this game is over."

[Mateo Sanz Rare]

Mateo knew better than to really use his magic at the moment. But he couldn't really help it. He needed to hear what the other team was doing. He nodded his head as Lena had told him what they were saying. He could hear it too, he glanced at her and was just about to open his mouth when another voice came and interrupted him. He blinked and turned his head to the new comer and right then he let out a breath that he didn't know that he was holding. "Shadow." He mused. It was only his brother. Though he hadn't seen him in a while. "Nice to see you back man." He mirrored his older brothers grin. However, his face dropped when he teased them about getting a room later. He turned to Lena and smirked. He didn't know how she was going to take his brother teasing her. Maybe her face would turn red. He shook his head. "Maybe later." He told his brother as he chuckled lowly enough to not be heard by the red team there. 

[Helena L'Amour Rare Rare]

Helena had been absolutely content to spend her time cuddled up next to Mateo while spying on the enemy team. It was something that allowed her to feel actually useful in capture the flag for once. She listened in on the continued conversation of the red team while she heard footsteps approaching. 

Rumors had flown that Shadow had returned. Anyone who had been there more than just the summer knew who he was. How could you not? Lilythe was, perhaps, the most well-known face at camp, and he had been her boyfriend for several years. They went everywhere together when she wasn't working her shifts at The Big House or performing duties as the de facto head of the Cabin Leaders. Helena could remember a time when she truly felt like Shadow loved Lilythe. It had warped over time, though. Turned into something that didn't really resemble love anymore. This was the side of her mother's world  that scared Helena. 

She didn't hate Shadow. She didn't really know him all that well. But she didn't feel comfortable in his presence either. Not anymore. Not since that love had changed. Children of Aphrodite could sense desire like it was a tangible thing. It didn't matter if someone spoke about it, they knew. That's why--even though Mateo may never say it--she felt secure in his feelings for her. But the energy that radiated off of Shadow since he had changed was uncomfortable. Still, Helena didn't treat him any differently. In a way, she felt badly for him. She just hoped that one day he would find a new, healthier love. 

"Keep your voice down!" She whispered sharply and gestured to the older camper. Her cheeks were absolutely bright pink with embarrassment. Helena didn't mind that the entire camp knew that her and Mateo were intimate with one another. She still wasn't entirely ready to hear people talking about it. She was young, and hadn't quite gotten to that stage of confidence yet. But as Mateo looked at her and gave her that smirk, she bit her lip gently and suddenly forgave the embarrassment she had just felt.

[Shadow Moore]

"Later? I didn't know kids these days are confident now. Back then, everyone had a spine for danger and whatever was thrown at them. Well, mostly everyone." But for anything that was in the realm of love and expression, it proved to be a bit of a challenge. Shadow thought otherwise when he was together with Lilythe. He thought everything was right and going his way but some of her friends began to look at him weird. It was not the faces of encouragement. It was anything but. He did not know what was exactly going on between those two but he could make a guess based on the rumors and talk around them. The first week back at camp, he grew curious on what's up with his half siblings. First, this. Then Asher and Tristan are found studying together. And Tristan is helping out Arsen with his magic. Nothing too different, really. No one had gone out on a quest at least as reassured by his former lover.

"Alright, alright." Shadow crouched down so no one far enough could pick out on his sort of tall stature. Giving his half-brother a pat on the shoulder, he was happy the two of them allowed him to be part of the conversation. "So what's going on with you two? Seems like you two are quite something as a little birdie told me." It was his small attempt in striking up a friendly conversation. He did not know anything about Mateo other than rumors but he figured asking about them would be a good start while they are still here. He was not entirely sure if Helena was fine with it either but it was better than saying nothing.

Edited September 29, 2022 by Shadow Moore

[Helena L'Amour Rare Rare]

Helena's eyes flew open wide. Oh no. Oh no no no no. Lena was not ready for what Shadow had asked Mateo. Not because she didn't want an answer. Hell, she would have given just about anything for an answer. But she hadn't worked up the courage herself to ask Mateo that question. Now here he was being put on the spot. Feelings that she knew he had or not, this was a flight risk situation. 

Helena froze. Her eyes darted back and forth between Shadow and Mateo. She wanted to shout obscenities at Shadow or hex his clothes or any number of things. She had Charmspeak. She could make him go away with a simple suggestion. But it wouldn't undo anything. It wouldn't take the question back. And if she used that power like that, Lena knew that it wouldn't help things with Mateo. The last thing she needed was for him to think she used that to control him.

This was absolutely her worst nightmare situation. And all she could do was await Mateo's response to see how things unfolded. Her attention was no longer on the other team. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest.

[Mateo Sanz Rare]

Mateo chuckled lowly at his brother comment. He had nothing really to say to it honestly. He just shrugged a little. He wasn't planning on anything at the moment but if the mood struck then maybe so. Lena would be up for anything if he just said a word. Hell, he could get her right now if he wanted to. Though he was sure that there would be something said from if he did try that with her. 

He once again chuckled as Lena had told his older brother to hush more of less and it was even funnier that he agreed with it. The younger boy shook his head and focused on the people that were in front of him. They were planning something and he wanted to stop them before they had it going.  He was this brought back out of his thoughts when Shadow asked him about the two. He blinked and turned to his older brother. "We have..." he started before looking at Lena and then at his older brother once more. "We have an understanding is all." He didn't need to go into detail about everything that was happening in his private life. Let alone he didn't need to freak Lena out at the moment. "What have you heard dearest brother." He mused out a little. "Though I could say the same about you. Back for another little birdy?" he teased back. 

[Shadow Moore]

Shadow knew that Mateo would not go into detail about their little affair but he just wanted to see what was his response. "An understanding huh? Subtle, but I won't pry any further." Besides, he knew he never felt inclined to elaborate and it was never his business to involve himself. He just wanted to see what's new coming from him.

Though he could not help but let out a chuckle from his tease. The three of them are out hiding near the enemy during the game - not the best place to catch up with your half-sibling but Shadow was occupied in sorting himself and getting adjusted to camp when Lilythe wound up taking up his mind. Shooting Mateo back a sarcastic look, he responded. "Nope, definitely not." After giving himself a deep breath, he followed with a declaration of sort. "Back for the same birdy." Since confirming that Azrael came back to camp, and apparently a bit earlier than him, he had been working on a few spells, some requiring joint effort to in preparation for Capture the Flag. He could never forget he was almost the cause of his death. His downfall. Taking away his chance to see his [girlfriend].

"Anyways, sorry if I bothered you guys. I'll leave you two to... hug it out. Mateo. Catch up later, yeah?" Shadow smiled as he parted ways, knowing that they would get the hint.

[Helena L'Amour Rare Rare]

Helena could feel her heart sink as Mateo called it just an understanding. She wasn't sure what she had expected. Or, rather, she knew better than to get her hopes up that he would call it any sort of real commitment. Still, it hurt to watch him reply that way. The hand that she had been resting on his back, she moved off him.

She turned her gaze forward, content to ignore their conversation for as long as Shadow remained, lest she hear more things she didn't want to hear. Before she could completely tune them out though, she did catch confirmation of Shadow's true intentions for returning to camp. He wanted Lilythe back. Everyone had assumed so. There was no other reason he would return. He was a fully grown adult that knew how to protect himself. He had nothing left to learn from the camp. In a way, she felt bad for him. She knew what it was like to have eyes for only one person. But what Shadow had done in the name of love--that was wrong. Helena couldn't imagine being so possessive over Mateo to the point where he couldn't have friends or spend time with others. Shadow didn't love Lilythe, he was obsessed.

She tried to turn her attention to the Red team, but the spell had weakened and she couldn't hear them anymore. She bit her lip. It was a shame, she would have welcomed the distraction from the ache she felt now.