A Cut On The Same Level As The Rest (Zoe)

[ZELENA LOPEZ]

Zelena liked training in magic. She was good at magic because her mother, Hecate, was the Goddess of Magic and Zelena wanted to please her. Hecate was not the Goddess of Sword-Fighting or Firewall-Climbing or Eating That Weird Jello Stuff At Dinner. So Zelena didn't like any of that, especially the Jello. The Sword-Fighting wasn't that much better, and after some pretty mediocre performances in dueling, Zelena finally wrecked the one sword she actually felt she had made progress with. She was told to go to The Forge to annoy the Hephaestus Kids for a new one. Zelena didn't want to annoy those kids. She didn't want to be annoyed by those kids. Still, she had to finish her training at some point that day... so she went.

Zelena walked down to the Forge and moaned a bit at how hot it was. Fire was hot enough. God-produced fire like the kind Hephaestus made was far worse. She didn't like to sweat. She looked about and found one of the offspring of the God of Fire walking by. She waved at said person slowly, half-heartedly trying to get their attention.

"Um... hi there," she said with little emotion. "I need a less crappy sword... please."

ZOE CALIDA

[ZOE CALIDA]

Today was going to be a positive day. Zoe wasn’t really sure how much she believed that, but she’d heard that if you said something often enough it could become true. And she wanted it to be true badly enough that she was willing to take the proper measures to make it so. She enjoyed herself most in the forges, so she’d found a workbench, some long-neglected blueprints, and promptly sat herself down to pore over the complicated design. After several hours, she felt confident enough to start assembly.

The toolkit she wanted was on the other side of the forge, so Zoe maneuvered her way deftly through the various stations and children of Hephaestus at work. Near the entrance of the forge stood a camper, clearly an outsider. It was easy to distinguish new visitors to the forges. They were the ones who hovered by the entrance and looked visibly uncomfortable by the stifling heat, like they couldn’t believe some campers spent most of their time here. But most of her godly siblings were heat-resistant, and the rest could acclimatize easily to the environment. They were born for it, after all. Zoe passed by without hesitation – she needed a particular set of tools and was already mentally walking through the prep process. It was more important to grab the things she needed before she forgot than to deal with some half-baked request.

Zoe wasn’t prepared for the greeting thrown her way. She’d been cataloguing wrenches in her head and looked around before spotting the clearly-uncomfortable demigod. The directness of her request was admirable, if not predictable. Zoe stopped and shrugged her shoulders. “Yeah? There’s a free anvil over there.” With that, she would have been ready to get back to work. But, well, she’d promised to be positive today, and rejecting a request didn’t exactly fit the bill. And the camper had even said please…so Zoe sighed to herself and stayed still. “Fine. You need a sword. Pre-made or custom?”

ZELENA LOPEZ

[ZELENA LOPEZ]

Zelena honestly wasn't shocked by the initial response. A lot of people treated Zelena that way, she being the Hecate daughter and therefore one of the resident weirdos. She looked at the girl and then the anvil, and then shrugged as she stepped over.

"Well, this is going to be interesting..." she said, given she had no idea how to use the anvil. She guessed there was always a first time for everything. However, the girl then stepped back over and asked her if she wanted a pre-made or a custom. Zelena wasn't huge on weapons, so she never felt she needed a custom anything. She hoped this would be easier for the Daughter of Hephaestus. She wasn't one for heavy confrontation after all.

"Nothing special, I guess," she said. "I just need a new sword for the required practice. I doubt I'll stick it on the mantle in my cabin and show it off to all the frequent guests who willfully enter the cabin of a dark goddess." Zelena's humor was, as always deadpan and incredibly dry. "But anyway, yeah I just need a new sword. Pre-made works." She then looked over at the display of pre-made weapons. None of them looked pleasant, hut she figured the other girl would have more insight.

ZOE CALIDA

[ZOE CALIDA]

Zoe was already feeling a little guilty as she dismissed the girl to figure things out on her own. But the decision to intervene was cemented as she watched the other camper walk over to the anvil and stare at it. That was going to be a disaster if left unchecked, and there were plenty of reasons to step back in. It wasn’t impossible for other campers to use the forges, but the crafting was really better left to the children of Hephaestus. Fewer messes, not to mention a smaller likelihood of life-threatening injuries. And besides, Zoe wasn’t a bad person. Really. She liked to mind her own business, but if there was a camper in clear need…well, yeah, she supposed she could help out occasionally.

Especially for a cause like this. Zoe understood what it meant to be unpopular, on the fringes. It could really suck. So Zoe followed the other girl over, and gave a grudging smile at her deadpan joke. “What goddess could be dark enough to scare people away from her cabin?” Zoe asked, although in typical fashion she pushed on to finish her train of thought without missing a beat. “Doesn’t really matter though. We’ll get you a wicked sword and then see what people have to say about that. Having a cool weapon is the first step to becoming cool.” That was the philosophy around the Hephaestus cabin, anyway.

Zoe stepped over to some of the swords on display. Even if the right sword wasn’t here, these could still serve as inspiration. “So what’s your sword of choice? Broadsword, hand-and-a-half, rapier?” Zoe shot off a few options before she forced herself to slow down. “I mean, do you use one hand or both? Do you also have a shield, or another weapon?” Hmm, that wasn't much better than before. But her mind was already racing ahead to envision a sword that could be both durable and innovative.

ZELENA LOPEZ

[ZELENA LOPEZ]

Apparently the Hephaestus daughter wasn't familiar enough with Zelena to know whose kid she was. That was probably a good thing. One less person to automatically judge her as one of the camp's resident weirdos. She guessed since she was about to give the answer, she would find out if that was the case anyway. Good thing Zelena didn't overly think about things like that.

"That would be Hecate," she said. "Dear old Mom, and I do mean old. I mean she was a Titaness before she became a goddess. Yay, history." Again, deadpan. The girl then went over the options, asked if Zelena had a shield or other weapons and so on and so forth. Zelena guessed the Cabin Nine kids were probably as big on weapons as the Ares kids, but Hephaestus' kids did seem a lot less psychotic. Zelena appreciated that.

"Um... something small and light, something I can be quick with. If I have any attribute in training, I'd say it's my quickness. One sort of learns the advantage of quickness and efficiency when one is learning to cast spells. It... sort of carries over into combat... I think. I have a shield, but it's pretty old too, so I could probably use another of those. Thanks." She was actually sincere with the gratitude. Zelena was drab, but she was polite.

ZOE CALIDA

[ZOE CALIDA]

Zoe had a smile on her face as she considered the swords on display, but it faltered at the mention of Hecate and the Titans. It reinforced that the other camper wasn’t familiar with Zoe’s history, which was a relief. Those who knew about it – which wasn’t such a large crowd – tiptoed around the subject and nobody mentioned it outright. It had already been a couple years since the whole fiasco with Kronos, but the subject was still taboo. Zoe didn’t respond, and instead turned silently to examine a random sword.

She nodded absentmindedly as the other camper listed off some attributes she was seeking for her new weapon. Many demigods preferred a dagger for those reasons, but its short reach could be a serious disadvantage in battle. Zoe pulled a rapier off the rack and turned around. “Try this one, then. Rapiers have long and thin blades, and they’re perfect for thrusts.” Zoe demonstrated the motion once before holding it out for the child of Hecate to try. “They’re not particularly popular around camp, though, because the blade won’t pierce armor. So you need to be quick and precise with your attacks. I’ve seen some children of Athena pair the rapier with a dagger, but sometimes a small shield too.”

There was an art to weaponry, but most demigods just used whatever was available. That was the wrong way of doing it. For optimal use, you had to be thoughtful about how you selected and paired your weapons. You couldn’t use the same shield for a rapier or a longsword, for one thing. Zoe wasn’t the best at using them, but she’d made enough weapons to know the ins and outs of what worked best. She blinked as something suddenly clicked in her head before her mouth dropped open. “Wait…did you say you can cast spells? Like, during combat?"

ZELENA LOPEZ

[ZELENA LOPEZ]

Just after making her comment about Hecate, Zelena recalled Zoe being one of the campers who joined up with Kronos. She felt some level of guilt in bringing up the Titans, but decided not to ramble on. She didn't judge Zoe. In fact, Hecate herself had changed sides and worked for Kronos during that little episode, though she did switch back and aid the Seven in the fight against Gaea and the Giants, or so Zelena heard.

Zoe recommended the rapier and Zelena tested it out a bit. She did like the weight of it, and the thrusting was fun in a practice fight. She turned and gave Zoe a small smile.

"I think this one will be suitable. Thanks. And hey, it's not popular... just like me. Maybe that's why it's perfect." Zelena then quickly shook her head when Zoe asked if she casted spells during combat. Zelena guessed what she said came out the wrong way. "As tempting as it is with some opponents, no. I simply meant the combination of quickness and accuracy that we learn in spell-casting can also be demonstrated in swordplay, knowing how to be swift by making sure we're achieving the strike we desire."

ZOE CALIDA

[ZOE CALIDA]

Zoe watched critically as the child of Hecate tested out the rapier. For a pre-made weapon, it didn’t have a bad balance. It didn’t cut through the air the same way it would have if she had made it, but like the rest of her siblings Zoe could be picky about her weaponry. All in all, it was a good fit, and the other camper seemed satisfied with it. She returned the other girl’s smile with a reserved one of her own. “Different can be good sometimes, I guess. Keeps your opponent on their toes.”

It was a little disappointing to hear that the children of Hecate didn’t use magic during combat (Zoe had constructed a rather elaborate image in her head of flaming swords), but she still nodded thoughtfully. Her own special ability wasn’t really something to be used in battle, but it would probably come in handy if there was ever an automaton uprising. Not the kind of thought she’d share out-loud, though. But Zoe felt a little off-kilter at this point. The flicker of recognition in the other camper’s eyes suggested that she was familiar with Zoe and her troubled history, but Zoe still didn’t know the other girl’s name. So she changed the subject rapidly to something she was more comfortable with.

“That’s too bad about the spellcasting, though. Sometimes there are obnoxious children of Ares just asking to be cursed.” She shrugged. “But anyway, after we pick out your new shield leave the sword with me. I can still make some adjustments so it fits your hand better.” Her imagination was already running ahead of her again. “And maybe a little customization. Something pretty for the hilt, maybe. And the symbol of Hecate. That could be like a signature.” Zoe frowned as she stopped to remember what that symbol actually was.

ZELENA LOPEZ

[ZELENA LOPEZ]

Different can be good. Zelena liked that. She was glad someone else saw things that way. She felt like she could get to like Zoe. Time would tell she guessed. Zelena wasn't exactly an expert swimmer when it came to diving into a friendship. Still, Zoe seemed a lot more eager to help her with the weapon than she did when Zelena first came in. That showed some potential.

Zelena smirked a little and nodded about casting a spell on some of the bratty campers. She really did want to at times, but she had her leadership role in Hecate's Cabin. She had to be a good role model, and some of her younger half-siblings did seem eager to cause trouble with what magic they did know.

"Don't I know it. I'm guessing you've considered inventing something to get back at them, like a robot henchman or something. I must admit I would not protest seeing a few Hermes kids hauled out of camp by a giant mechanical creature."

Zelena then listened as Zoe offered to customize the weapon. Hey, if she was up for it, Zelena wasn't going to argue with having a weapon to truly call her own.

"I would like that, thanks," she said sincerely. "You seem very dedicated to your work. Gotta admire that."

ZOE CALIDA

[ZOE CALIDA]

As usual, Zoe’s brain was rushing ahead of her mouth, but she couldn’t help it. There was nothing that fascinated her more than a new project, and her imagination always ran into overdrive on how she could make it stronger, sleeker, better. She was certain that was Hephaestus’s influence on her, always striving for perfection. And, well…fine, she couldn’t deny that she was also feeling a fluttering of hope in her chest. That maybe this could be a friend. It’d been so long since she’d made a friend, and Zoe typically avoided any social interaction that could yield such a result. But the other girl didn’t seem bothered by her, and they even seemed to have a positive vibe. So yeah, Zoe could hope.

Her smile turned into a smirk as she thought over the idea of a machine to get back at troublesome campers. “Maybe a robot henchman…oh, or maybe some sort of booby trap for a cabin. It could be activated by the door, but hmm, it would need to enclose something relatively harmless, so no Greek fire…” she trailed off, newly inspired by the idea of a prank. “But it would show the Hermes and Ares cabins not to mess with Hephaestus,” she concluded happily. At the other camper’s last statement, Zoe turned more bashful. “Yeah, I guess I am. It’s all I’ve got, really. If you take care of them, machines don’t leave you.” That last thing was a little heavy, so Zoe chuckled awkwardly.

“Soooo, you need a shield. And well, I’d appreciate your name. So I don’t have to keep coming up with funny ones as place-holders in my head.” It was blunt, but that was just how Zoe worked. She began to walk down the line of weapons from swords to shields.

ZELENA LOPEZ

[ZELENA LOPEZ]

Zelena smirked a bit as Zoe thought of something to use for her booby trap. She had a few things in mind.

"I wish I could bring you some of my aunt's three-alarm chili. It's harmless, but I think exposure to it would scar them for life. It's pretty much done the same for my stomach in the past." Zelena then nodded about how machines were all Zoe had. "I feel the same way about my magic at time. Impressing my mother and making up for my father's mistakes are about my only real motivation."

Zelena felt silly for not introducing herself yet. The girl seemed like she could be a potential friend, and Zelena could use a few of those, so it didn't hurt to toss a name out.

"Oh... sorry, Zelena Lopez," she said. ""And I prefer Zelena. I'm none too keen on nicknames." She wondered what names Zoe had in her head for Zelena... Maleficent? Elphaba? UnNamed Candy House Witch? She didn't think the last was a possibility, but who knew? She then sighed after a moment. "So... if you like... I don't know... need someone to talk with and no one else wants to, you can talk to me I guess." She gave a light shrug at that.

ZOE CALIDA