Immortal Connections (Lux)

[Deleted]

Andi hadn't gone to Camp Jupiter that often. She hadn't really had a reason to. She didn't have anything against the place or anyone there. They were all at peace, right? She just... didn't care to go. She guessed one reason was that they frowned on archery there. Despite Frank Zhang's heroism with a bow and arrows in the war against Gaea, it still wasn't a big weapon of choice the way it was at Camp Half-Blood. Andi assumed that was the primary reason why she didn't travel there a lot.

Some other campers were giving her a headache at Camp Half-Blood that morning, and she wanted to get away, so when some siblings invited her to join them through the Labyrinth to go to Camp Jupiter, she decided what the heck... she would go. Just to have a change of scenery. When she got there, she walked about a bit, watched some people training, checked out some of New Rome, got the spirits at the Mess Hall to serve her a grilled chicken salad, and then chatted it up with some other Apollo kids from the other camp. One told her about Apollo's Temple on Temple Hill. She thought she'd go check it out.

Andi stood there looking over the temple. She found it kind of cool that Apollo kept his name in Rome, yet he was different... all military in all of that. Out of respect, she decided to head in and pay her respects to her dad. She guessed he might get upset if she just walked away. As she did so, she heard approaching footsteps.

Lux Aurelius Morgenstern

[Lux Aurelius Morgenstern]

For Lux, there was always a rhythm to all his days. He didn't so much have a set schedule as a natural flow of the day. In summer, his days were long, as he woke with the sun and slept with the sun. He figured his internal clock was connected to the one his father had, as he day in winter was a lot shorter and getting out of bed while it was still dark wasn't the kind of thing that people wanted to ask him to do. Now that he was the Augur he had a lot more freedom than most. As it was his place to read the will of the Gods, which the Romans actually did consider more than the Greeks did. They actually had temples decicated to the Gods where the Greeks sort of lived in a way that suggested a very strange half-orphanage at best. It was cozy, but Lux found it strange they were so familiar with their Gods.

He walked up towards temple hill to pray and pay tribute to his father, both for his own comfort and as part of his job as augur. Things had been more quiet lately, except for the part where tales had started to surface of demigods getting bad dreams suggesting murder. It was something he wanted to ask a lot of questions about, but that would have to wait. As he arrived at the temple he noticed somebody else was around. It wasn't uncommon but he wasn't quite used to it at this time of day. He walked in and tensed up slightly as he realised it was a Greek. He still wasn't used to the informal travel between the two places just yet. He leaned against the doorframe as he watched her, feeling as though something was vaguely familiar about her. He had that more often where his siblings were concerned so he figured that it was possible she was one of his Greek siblings. He walked over and waited a both safe and respectful disstance away from her as he spoke up. "It's a pretty decent temple, don't you think?" He said as a matter of greeting before giving a formal but polite smile. "Lux Aurelius Morgenstern, Augur of Camp Jupiter and Son of Apollo and Markus Avital Morgenstern." He inclined his head. Formality was a very important thing to him and rankings mattered, or at least his father had told him so. As a former Praetor of the Legion, it made sense he felt strongly about duty and rankings.

@andi

[Deleted]

Andi turned at the approaching guy. Initially, she tensed up because it was a guy, a gender Andi usually wasn't fond of being around. However, all clues pointed to the fact that he was one of her half-brothers on the Roman side of things. Andi had no problem with family, male or female, so once she convinced herself that's who he was, she eased a bit. She then nodded about the temple.

"Yeah, seems they went all out for Apollo," she said. "It's definitely a lot nicer than my father's cabin back at camp. I mean, it's a nice place too, but they seem to really put in effort with a temple."

The guy then introduced himself in that formal manner he had heard others introduce themselves in at the camp. She actually thought it was pretty cool, and decided to refrain from simply saying "Hi, I'm Andi."

"Andrea Watson, Camp Half-Blood, Cabin Seven, Daughter of Apollo and Lacey Watson. I'm just a regular camper, not a Cabin Leader or Counselor or anything." Honestly, Andi didn't want to be one either. She still believed she had another calling, that she was meant to be somewhere else... to be someone else.

Lux Aurelius Morgenstern

[Lux Aurelius Morgenstern]

Lux chuckled slightly and nodded at her perceptive observation that they went all out for Apollo. "We build the temples in honour of our Gods so they tend to be works that a lot of effort went into. You don't really want to insult the Gods. Apollo provides us guidance so it's best to keep him appeased." He said as he picked up a torch and lit the brasier as part of his morning rituals and duties. It always gave him a sense of peace to be living a structured life. It was strange to him that the cabins at the greek side did not show their parents the same kind of respect. Then again, the Greek always were a strange lot to him. He didn't understand them and their habits were strange to him. So alike and yet so different.

Lux could be said to light up when Andrea gave a formal greeting. It was very nice to see somebody respect their customs as a visitor and humour his own peculiarities. He smiled broadly as he inclined his head respectfully. "It's a true pleasure to meet you Andrea, daugther of Apollo of the Greek camp, and sister." He said, a tender undertone in his voice that betrayed that their shared father meant that he felt responsible for her and her wellbeing and safety while she was in his territory. He had been raised right and raised to protect those that mattered to him. He was aware the world outside was far too often unkind to woman and he wanted to make sure that nothing of the sort would happen around him on his watch. He was exactly the type of guy to speak up and admit to his faults if he made mistakes. He understood boundaries were very important. He relaxed a bit as he looked at his sister with a bit more curiosity. "If you don't mind my asking, what brings you to our side of the river today? Any business or just stopping by for a social visit?" It was good for him to start to understand the motions between the camps, even more so as augur so that he might better understand any news that the Gods would send his way.

@andi

[Deleted]

Andi nodded about Apollo. She had nothing against her father. In fact, she wanted to meet him one day, personally thank him for giving her the gift of archery and supernatural sight.

"I have a great deal of respect for Apollo, and his sister, Artemis, as well. I guess you refer to her as Diana here. I've seen Artemis' Hunters at our camp a few times. They are so amazing, just their presence and knowing what they do." Andi often wanted to be among them, but she didn't feel like she had earned such an honor, and wasn't one to go chasing after them begging for an audience with the goddess. "But anyway, I agree... Apollo has done a great deal for humankind... healing, music, light itself. He earns all the reverence he gets."

Andi liked being able to talk to a sibling at Camp Jupiter, and Lux seemed pretty cool. He didn't seem like the type of jerk that went around hitting on girls for the fun of it. He had that serious side Andi could respect. When he asked about her visit, she shrugged a bit.

"Temporary change of scenery I guess, and I do like it here a lot. I admire the order of things here, Very no-nonsense. I'm not a big fan of nonsense."

Lux Aurelius Morgenstern

[Lux Aurelius Morgenstern]

It was interesting, hearing a Greek speak about the gods in ways that Lux usually mostly saw in Romans. While his sister was different and clearly not quite the same in her ways as he was, they seemed similar enough that he took a liking to her. Her mention of the huntresses peaked his interest. It seemed like a slightly odd arrangement from what he heard. Immortality in exchange for a vow of chastity wasn't the part that seemed odd. The hanging out with a Goddess in such a familiar way struck him as peculiar, although not in a bad way. He was very curious about this arrangement. "I've heard of the huntresses," Lux admitted, "but I can't say I know much about them. I guess I know the general idea. Would you mind telling me more about them? It seems like a very honourable path to take." If he'd been a woman he probably would have considered it. He knew what men were capable of and on top of that he didn't seem particularly lucky in the love department anyway. A chance to serve beside a Goddess for all eternity didn't seem like a bad pay off in exchange for a life without romantic love.

She mentioned all that their father had done for humanity and he smiled ever so slightly. She was right, of course. He had given many great things to humanity. "Indeed he does. He deserves worship, as much as many of the other gods. We should pay tribute to all, although I admit I tend to favour our father. He is the one that has given me life. It is fairly logical." Lux said with a chuckle.

The change of scenery and the comment on no nonsense policy made him smile. "Well you're most welcome here. I find the Greek camp to be rather disorganised, although that doesn't have to be a bad thing, I suppose." Lux didn't want to sound insulting but he was raised to see order as virtue and not give way to chaos. "We're not always born into the environment that suits us best. It's up to us to figure out where we belong best. This place is fairly no nonsense most days so if you ever feel overwhelmed you're welcome to come here in order to get your senses back together. Our doors are open to you, especially so now that the bonds between our camps are finally on the mend." He said with a happy smile. It was a good feeling to be able to welcome a Greek person, even if he found the idea a struggle still. It was easiest to start with people he was slightly more inclined to trust. Siblings, especially those that valued order and structure.

@andi

[Deleted]

Andi beamed at the idea of talking about the Hunters. She just hoped she didn't sound like a fangirl. Andi didn't want to sound disrespectful to Artemis or the Hunters in that way.

"Well they travel the world and hunt monsters that threaten mortals and demi-gods alike. They dedicate their lives to that, and risk their immortal lives constantly. They're like the ultimate sisterhood. I know sounds goofy, but whenever I see them, I'm always in awe." She sighed. "See, I'm not your typical teenage girl. I don't spend my time thinking about pretty clothes and proms and boy... or girls. In fact, I've never been attracted to anyone. My mom says I'm asexual and that I shouldn't be ashamed because there were others out there like that. I still feel like I don't fit in a lot of places, not even Camp Half-Blood. I see the Hunters and... I don't know... I feel like I could be one of them." Why was she telling a stranger this, even if the stranger was her brother?

Andi nodded about Apollo, and got why Lux favored him. She wanted to meet Apollo, but being there in front of the temple... she felt close to him.

"I really feel his vibe here, more than at the cabin at camp. I guess temples do that."

When Lux spoke of her camp being disorganized, Andi agreed. Lux then spoke of not ending up where one belonged. That made her tear up a bit, though she quickly wiped her eyes to not look like a goober.

"I... I don't think I belong at Camp Half-Blood. I don't think I ever did."

Lux Aurelius Morgenstern

[Lux Aurelius Morgenstern]

For some reason, hearing Andi speak of the Huntresses of Artemis was a somewhat profound experience to Lux. He knew that not all demigods led the somewhat ordinary demigod lives and that plenty of them lived differently. He had heard of the hunt before but had never heard somebody speak of the organisation like his sister did just now. He listened intentently and with full interest to her description of both herself and the Hunt that she so admired. He nodded slightly at several points in the story and seated himself on a nearby bench, motioning for her to join him as he carefully considered her words. It was quite clear that she felt out of place in a world that didn't seem to match what she admired in the world she saw. He felt it was not his place to claim that she longed to be part of the thing she admired, even if her words did suggest it. He was raised to always wish for people to be the best version of themselves, although his father had mostly seen that from a military perspective. The interactions with his aunt had led him to extend that far beyond his job. If he could help anybody on the way towards the life that suited them best he was willing to help them in any way that he could.

He took a deep breath and calmly let it out. "I can see the appeal in joining such a group." He said calmly. "It takes a lot of dedication to risk your life to keep those of others safe." He considered her words carefully and frowned slightly. "I've spent most of my life in service of the Legion, in part because that is simply how I was raised. I don't have any regrets, since being part of the Legion feels right to me and it doesn't keep me from having anything I desire." He looked at her and smiled kindly, less like a leader and so much more so as an older brother. "I don't know what keeps you from that path, but it shouldn't be people telling you that who you are will change when you meet the right person." He looked at the brazier he just lit and his face was pensive. "We all have choices and I'd like to believe the Gods try to support us in making the choices that are best for us. Considering the fact you speak with such admiration of a group that lives a lifestyle different to the one you currently have in a temple dedicated to your father while still feeling his presence might just mean that he'd be proud of you if you choose to take that path." Lux mused. A lot of his job came from deciphering messages from the Gods that were cryptic in nature at best. He looked at his sister with a serious but calm look on his face. "I think he'd be proud of you, no matter which choice you make. As long as you are true to yourself. Yet if you wish, I could ask him. It's part of my duties to decipher the will of the gods."

He turned slightly to face her as he noticed her wiping a tear from her face. He opened his arms slightly, as to offer her comfort. "I'm here if you need a hug." He wasn't much of a hugger by nature, except when people looked like they could use a hug. Anybody that cried looked like they could at least use the offer to take up if they so desired. "Nobody should live in shame of who or what they are. You are most beautiful and strong when you are true to what you feel. It takes a lot of love and dedication to risk your life for people you might never even meet. Anybody that fails to admire that doesn't realise how meaningful that is." Those that served the Legion for more than the required four years also earned a lot of respect from Lux. It was with honour and dedication that the wheels of the world kept turning. Everybody had their own battles to fight and not every battleground looked the same. To him it was serving the Legion. To her it could mean joining the hunt. To others it was standing up to authority or something that seemed small to the rest of the world. Overcoming trauma, confronting friends when they overstepped in jokes. Every single battle mattered and could change the world and none was less important than another. He just hoped that she'd make the choice that was best for her in the long run. If it mattered to her at all, he at least would be proud of her.

@andi

[Deleted]

Andi listened as her brother spoke. He really knew his stuff. He was right, and she felt more and more that what she had for the Hunters was far more than admiration. There was a connection. Maybe it was an aunt/niece thing with Artemis, who knew? She just felt strong about this.

"You... really think that Apollo wants this for me?" she asked, wishful thinking encompassing her. "Maybe... maybe when the Hunters return, I should talk with them. What would it hurt?" She then looked over at the temple dedicated to Diana, Artemis' Roman incarnation. "Maybe after I pray to Apollo, I can pray to Diana as well. I mean, she's the goddess you all are familiar with, but she's still Artemis too. I think she would still hear me out."

Andi thought for a moment when Lux offered the hug. She then slowly stepped over and embraced him. She held the hug a bit, and then let him go.

"If you want to decipher, you can, but I feel like I need to talk with them," she said, wiping her eyes. "But that was really cool of you to offer. You seem like a pretty chill big brother. I like you." She gave Lux a smile at that.

Lux Aurelius Morgenstern

[Lux Aurelius Morgenstern]

"I don't know everything about Apollo, but I believe he wants his children to be happy. It sounds like joining them would make you happy." He simply stated. He also saw no harm at all in joining the hunt. There was nothing bad about it and didn't seem like they harmed any other than monsters. They certainly did not sound like a threat to the camps so he felt no guilt or shame in encouraging her to follow such a path if she desired it. It seemed to make sense for her. Perhaps Apollo had guided her here so that she might hear from another that her path was a good choice that he smiled down upon. It was hard to tell.

"Talking with them certainly wouldn't hurt. It would probably help you decide if it's the path you truly wish to follow." He said calmly. A well informed choice was always better than a rushed one. He looked over at the temple to Diana and nodded slightly. "I don't think it matters too much which aspect we pray to now that the camps are more unified. The war didn't seem to do them good, so perhaps it is better for all of us to pray to more than just one of the aspects." He mused quietly, more to himself than to her. It was certainly something to consider.

Hugging wasn't something that Lux did all that often. He didn't even know that the blessing of her father was within the hugs he gave other people. The healing qualities of Apollo had settled within Lux as his sun and his hugs had somehow taken on healing properties, although they worked solely on the soul. Lux never asked and nobody had ever told him more than that they appreciated the hugs because they'd needed them. He went through life completely oblivious of his gifts, although it was hard to tell if anybody else was aware of them.

He smiled a full and genuine smile at her compliment and inclined his head slightly. "At your service, little sister." He said with the utmost respect in his voice. "May you always walk in the light of sun and moon and stars." He said, as an old blessing that his father always used with people that he cared about. It seemed logical that their ways would part as his duties carried him forward as much as her prayers would carry her. "Just let me know if you ever need anything. You'll have a home here, for as long as you wish." He said kindly as he smiled again. "I do think I need to carry on with my duties now though. I'm glad we got to meet and talk though. It has given me much to think about." He said politely as he stood up and bowed to her formally. "Until next we meet." He said then and left her alone with her thoughts at the temple.

@andi
OOC: EEP! It just seemed like a natural point to end it? She can stop him otherwise but if she doesn't, this would be my last one for this one!