oh brother | Finley and Daniel

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swoosh

The sound of her sword swinging through the air was comforting to Danielle as she practiced, the dummy in front of her already a mangled mess. Dani's emotions had been running high ever since she had found Finley in the forest, and with still no answers as to how that had happened, she was on edge and looking for a way to break the tension. A good, old fashioned sword fight  ought to do the trick.

Everyone seemed to be avoiding her, almost as if they knew. That was impossible, because she hadn't told anyone. The only way people could have guessed what was wrong with her is if they put two and two together with their ages and names. Even then, their last name wasn't that uncommon. No one would know that he was her brother, simply because she had kept him hidden for so long for his own safety.

Maybe if she would've said something, shown off his picture a time or two or opened up and told stories about her past, maybe then they would've found each other sooner. Her thoughts plagued her, fueling her anger and movements as she hit the practice dummy again with a satisfying thud. She needed a better outlet than this, but with no one else around who was willing to give her a shot...well, it would have to do until someone better showed up.


tagged:
@daniel
@finley

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Ack!

A hunched over figure moaned as the unkind rays of the beaming sun relentlessly singed his bare back. The sun burn marking his usual untainted skin was horrendous, forcing the teen into a wretched mood. Sweaty hands rubbed an aching jaw, as the form stood, leaving the initial vulnerable position. Daniel Haven threw on his dirt stained Camp Half-Blood shirt over his torso, ripping it from its hanging position from a nearby tree branch, letting out an exasperated gasp as the fabric caressed the tender skin. A sole nimble index finger rose towards his dry lips, prodding his throbbing lower lip. The Ares boy had taken a beating from his freshest escapade - a scuffle against a Hermes boy. Not bothering to tend to the lightly bleeding lip, he stood near the Amphitheater, arms crossed grudgingly over his chest. Cracked peach lips was not the only part of his body suffering from combat incompetence. Daniel's left eye was accented with a purple hue. Knuckles were stained red from careless swings. Hair stood in every which direction, overall looking like bedhead. The seventeen year old rascal appeared to have been through hell and back.

Deep thunks echoed around in Daniel's vacant mind, coming from a close source. As if an old hound pursuing a persistent scent, his feet carried him closer and closer to whatever was emitting the racket. He hadn't known what to expect, but it certainly wasn't his half-sister he thought would be before his eyes. Hanging a ways a way, he watched in dull amusement as she hacked away at the poor dummy. Any rage fizzling from before had simmered quickly. The urge to smash something with brute force sucked from within as he eyed his sister, as if she was completing the task for him. Stepping out of the shadows, he came from behind Danielle, circling around to be positioned behind the dummy, and facing her, smirking at the maimed hunk of dummy before him.

"I'm impressed," he mused while adding under his breath as he eyed the disfigured training equipment once more, "just thankful that ain't me.." To destroy a model like this, well, it didn't seem uncommon coming from an Ares child, however, his sister did give off the impression of being royally pissed off. Glancing suspiciously at her sword, almost afraid she'd aim for him next, he maneuvered towards Danielle's side, leaving the mutilated dummy. Throwing his arms wide open as if to go in for an embrace, he took a joking, yet gentle tone, "I don't suppose Dani here needs a hug?" Sending an impish wink with his good eye, his arms fell limply back down to his side, plastering a false pout on his features, "Or do I need to beat someone up?" Brandishing his fists, he pumped them into the air, "Give 'em the good ol' one-two!" Daniel knew all to well his sister could take care of herself like a big girl, but the light humor, he prayed to Zeus, would remotely lighten her spirits. 

"Unless.." his voice erupted in a gravelly tone as his eyes narrowed, the corners of his lips tugging upward into a grin, "you want to take your little bro on?" What better way to manage stress and anger by beating your brother up? His mind shot teasingly at himself. The entirety of his body screamed, feeling as if every inch was aflame. Ignoring it was pure ignorance, but Daniel had not a care in the world. 


NOTES: Hope it's decent! ^^ I don't really have time to reread for typos and the like. Hope it isn't too short. 
WORDS: 582
TAG(S): @finley + @danielle

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Finley was back in Camp Half-Blood during this moon cycle. He had come a few days ago and was brutally mangled by some griffins in the forest, only to be saved by his twin sister whom he thought was away at a mortal boarding school. His mind was still racing a thousand miles a minute, and he knew he couldn't sit still any long. So, of course, he knew he needed to beat the living (or dummy) crap out of something. Even though he was still in mild recovery, he couldn't really care less.

He approached the amphitheater, his eyes wide as he saw his sister, standing near a beaten down dummy, with a guy talking to her. He didn't come closer, not yet. No, he hung back for a moment, not necessarily trying to stay out of sight but not really making himself known. Who was this guy? He felt a sudden surge of... something in his chest, a burning. Was this guy her boyfriend? Was she actually dating guys here? He wasn't dating anyone... but the thought of his sister seeing people like that... well, it made him want to give the boy a long talk accompanied by a little threatening. But for now, he'd wait and see how they interacted- and if they'd notice him.

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Dani rolled her eyes at Daniel's antics, but found herself relaxing slightly all the same. His company was more than welcome, especially for the poor dummy in front of her. It probably wouldn't have made it much longer, not at the rate she was going. "You sure about that Daniel? I think I could take you today. " Taking a few steps back, she observed the younger man in front of her. He had been in a fight, which honestly didn't suprise her. All of the Ares and Enyo kids had a tendency to bite off more than they could chew at least twice a week." Looks like someone already for ahold of you anyways." She mused out loud before turning to grab her water bottle off the ground behind her.

The last person she had expected to see there was Finley. Last time she had checked, he was still pretty banged up. Nodding in his direction, she motioned for him to come over. Once she was done with the water bottle, she found herself reconsidering Daniel's offer. Sparring was definitely going to be necessary today. Alright little brother, you're on. Reaching up to her necklace, she retrieved her sword from where it disappeared to after she let it go.

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Rolling eyes sent soothing waves throughout Daniel, slapping a foolish grin on the busted face of his. Perhaps he thought if Danielle responded to his shenanigans in such a tone, she wasn't facing any absolute dreadful issues. The response quickly given to him from his half sister triggered a wince as it brought him back in time, to the failure the fiery teen met head on earlier that day. As if with the flick of a switch, Daniel's mood began morphing into something entirely different. Conflicted if he wholeheartedly wished to fight, he continued to ignore his weary body. No way was he to back out on such a challenge. Danielle was a formidable opponent, and secretly, he was yearning to beat her into the ground. The loss from early still clung onto Haven, the scene replaying over and over in his aching mind, embarrassment clouding proper judgement. Defeat had left his blood boiling, and ultimately, left him craving victory. His gleaming brown eyes took a sinister turn, feverish at the proposition of a duel. "Oh, I'm sure," he cooed in arrant anticipation, cracking his throbbing knuckles. 

Uneasy as he was suddenly studied, his brows furrowed as Danielle soaked in the damage done to Daniel's body, only causing his original shame to fester. Avoiding eye contact with the female in front of him, he muttered unconvincingly, "I let him win that one.." Fisticuffs was the one thing Daniel excelled in, and being conquered in his strong suit demolished his pride more than anything. Nursing that very pride, he added in a hotheaded manner, "I could beat him with my eyes closed!" 

Sucking in a rigid shot of air, he shook his head, mentally exhausted of reliving the loss of the brawl. While idly standing, he absentmindedly observed her. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as he followed her gaze, his wandering eyes befalling on a stranger. The hell is he? The thought was accompanied by a snort as he crossed his arms over his chest, peering at the male in ill curiosity. Easy on the eyes.. He commented inwardly, though noted he didn't appear to be Daniel's type. The question still remained, however, who was he? Daniel's brow arched inquisitively. Never once had the seventeen year old notice this particular fellow around his sister, what exactly was their relation? Hell, had he ever even ran into this guy before around camp? He oozed unfamiliarity. Ironically, upon looking him over, Daniel noticed that his fellow peer wasn't in mint condition himself. 

Clearing his throat, he figured he'd uncover the identity of the unknown boy once he, or if he, accepted Danielle's beckon. Turning his undivided attention to his sister, overjoyed to forget the intrusion just for a moment, his mind was completely absorbed back into the task at hand - a duel. Sour about not being able apply his fists, he succumbed to using his worn, poorly taken care of sword. When he'd first arrived at camp, he'd treated the blade as if it were his own kin, continuously tending to it. Now, it hardly saw the light of day. Reaching into the pocket of his jeans, he fished out a trinket from its depths, a sword stealing its place in Daniel's hand. Clutching the grip with calloused palms, a mischievous smirk formed as he took a lasting gaze at his older sister. 

"Perfect," he hummed.

NOTES:
WORDS: 567
TAG(S): @finley + @danielle

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As Danielle made eye contact with him, beckoning him over, Finley gave a bit of an awkward half smile. Pushing off the wall, he crossed over to the two of them, his hand instinctively falling to the hilt of a sword on his hip. Yes, he may have been recovering from injury, but he was never one to leave a weapon behind. Finley glanced at the other boy, catching a raised eyebrow and watched as his look of confusion at Finleys identity turned into a confident smirk.

"Having a little spar, then?" Finley asked when he was near the two, moving to stand beside Danielle. The thought of Dani knowing how to fight was... still incredibly strange to him. However, he felt a jolt of excitement bubble in his chest at the idea of seeing her in action again, and someday even sparring with her himself. Hadn't they pretended to be swordsman or jedi as children? The reality of her being here, with a weapon, made a smile appear on Finleys face.

But now, did he have to be social? Eeh. He decided not to introduce himself yet. Most of him was hoping Dani would handle that part.

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Dani's wicked smile almost matched Daniel's for half a second. It was one of the times that she was sure other people could tell they were siblings, even for the brief second before it disappeared. Gesturing between the two guys, she decided to introduce them before the "I'm her brother and I will defend her honor with my life" debacle could even get started. Half brothers killing each other was always highly frowned upon, even for demi-gods. "Finley, this is Daniel, my half brother. Daniel, this is my twin brother Finley Rockefellar, son of Mars." Part of her almost hoped that Daniel would ask the all important questions, but then again it was probably best if he ignored the implication entirely. It was a touchy and mysterious subject still, to say the least.

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Daniel's body tensed as the stranger drew near. As he came to a halt at Danielle's side, Daniel straightened up abruptly, cocking his head to the side as his eyes narrowed, soaking in both of their appearances as he closely inspected their features side-by-side. Seeing these two together, and having a closer look at the male, well, they seemed so similar to put it in simple terms. Ignoring his question, Daniel found himself all too absorbed in the pair to even process what anyone was saying as he gazed at them, dazed.

It was when the two young men were introduced did the pieces finally fall into place, "T-twin?" he sputtered with wide eyes, taken aback. He suddenly felt lowly on the sibling chain, and shrunk back. A twin, huh? Had she hid this the whole time? Hell, it wasn't that Daniel and his half sister were the closest knit pair on the block, but he figured they were close enough where this sort of information wouldn't be confidential, so heavily locked. Hurt irrationally festered in his heart, not settling down and giving any thought to the other side. He'd merely started making assumptions as soon as the word twin flew out of her mouth.

However, Daniel momentarily forgot the minor shock he'd been feeling as he only now registered the information that Finley here was a son of Mars. That made them half brothers too? Wouldn't it? Or at least some form of sibling like relation? Gagging, he looked at Finley in sheer revolt, feeling downright nauseous. It'd been mere minutes since Daniel had been checking him out, inwardly raving about how ruggedly handsome this man was and to hear now that they're at least remotely related? 

"I think I'm going to be sick," he murmured hoarsely to himself, a hand lifting up to rub his temple. Maybe it wasn't huge to him, he couldn't tell, but this was a majorly unexpected bomb thrust on his shoulders so suddenly. His rapid change of facial expressions was intriguing, if not somewhat comical. "How-" he trailed off, eyeing the two, flabbergasted. Shaking his head and the questions he had with it, his mind settled on going about this matter like he usually would with any troubling situation - fade into denial and pretend it never happened. The method was a rocky one and had screwed him over multiple times in his various relationships but typically, it served its purpose for Daniel. To forget any and all problems and never have to face them. Grade A plan, Daniel.. He thought, praising himself. 

Clearing his throat, Daniel gripped the hilt of his sword, feeling ultimately uncomfortable. He'd forgotten all formalities in terms of formally greeting Finley, but truthfully, he was finding it hard to even look him in the eyes at the moment without the pressing need to hurl. 

WORDS: 475
TAG(S): @finley + @danielle

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Finley wasn't surprised by the guys, Daniels, reaction to her mentioned them being twins. He was wide eyed, sputtering. It resembled how Finley felt when he first found out that his sister was a Demi-God and that they were from different-erh-personalities of their father. So, this Daniel was a son of Ares? A half brother to Finley, in a way? The thought wasn't that foreign to Fin, he had half brothers at Camp Jupiter, of course. But Daniel had probably spent years being Danielles brother whereas Fin had been absent. He felt a strong burning in his chest. What was that... jealousy? Had Daniel been there for Dani through all this time? All the time Finley had missed out on?

It was clear that Daniel was just as confused about the Ares/Mars thing as they were. Finley couldn't blame him for feeling ill about it. Finley almost threw up when he had found out. Finley shook his head, lifting a hand, "we're just as confused as you. This is a mystery that's still being investigated," not that they had gotten far at all. They were still in the 'what the heck do we do now?' phase.


Fin was grateful when Daniel cleared his throat. It gave them the opportunity to move on in the conversation.... hopefully.

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"Anyways, yes to sparring. You need to practice with something besides those fists bud." She was addressing Daniel of course. Fin was in no shape to fight right now, but she had every intention of getting him in the arena as soon as he was. It was just another step in figuring out her twin again. Could they still rough house or was he going to treat her like a girl now? How was that even supposed to work? Mentally adding that to her list of a million questions, Dani pulled out her sword and turned to Finley again. "Ready for a show?"