“Now, where could have Malcolm possibly heard that from?” Katie replies with subtle mischief and even more subtle sarcasm, a sliver of a smile becoming a broad grin at one of her dearest friends. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were encouraging us to break the rules.”
Despite what some of the campers may think, Katie has traces of rebellious behavior but her approaches are subtle. Especially compared to most of the other campers who have never had any trouble with being overly obvious with their rebellion towards Chiron, towards Tantalus (despite how temporary it was, there were still moments where Katie shuddered at the memories that accompanied his time as activities director), and defiant towards the Olympians their own parents.
After what seems like only a moment, Katie closes her eyes in order to better hear the imploring words of the dryads. A voice on the wind, almost like her mother’s, gently coaxes that this is a good thing. An instinctive tug towards her mother and towards uncovering the truth, makes Katie nod without hesitation.
“Mhm. I’m up for it. I’d want to let Dad know, though, so he doesn’t worry.” Katie’s eyes open again when it feels like nature itself is outstretched towards her right now, looking at Eleusine thoughtfully. “—but we still need a third person, don’t we? Did you have anyone in mind?”
"Mhm," is all that Lou Ellen says in response. Not a no. Not a yes, either. A little bit of both. She, as always, dances on the knife's edge. "Glad you're up for it. Say hi to your Dad for me, please and thank you."
See? She totally knows when to be polite.
And of course - of course she knows about Katie's subtle rebellious streak. Subtle than most. Definitely more subtle than Lou's. Still, Lou Ellen likes to think that her best friends knows - the same as her - which rules are to be followed, which rules are to be bent and which rules are to be broken.
This situation falls underneath that third banner.
Door number three, as it were.
And speaking of which: "Normally I'd pick Adrian, but he's gotta hold down the fort while I'm gone. No idea if Nico or Cecil are up for it." A beat and then: "Who invented the whole 'a quest is three people' thing, though? Because I'm pretty sure that Carter and Sadie Kane - do you know them? They're from Brooklyn, they also do magic stuff - routinely go questing with only two people, but that's neither here nor there."
“No idea about the whole ‘quest is three people’, honestly. Maybe it’s just something mirroring other deities? Or maybe different rules for different pantheons?”
Pausing a moment to hear the names, think if she does in fact know Carter and Sadie, Katie gives a shake of her head. “No, I don’t think I’ve ever met them, but I’ll definitely pass on the message. He still asks how you’re doing whenever I visit him.”
Reaching for her notebook that has half distracted doodles from Head Counselors meetings on previous pages, Katie begins writing down a personal packing list. Although she can’t be sure that she will remember everything on the list, it’s a helpful start.
“Will should be able manage the infirmary while we’re away, since Chiron’s here to help, and I’ll be sure to tell my siblings to help him out if they’re available too. —let’s see, what else is there to remember…?”
