elio means sun

even in the midst of near delusion from her current state of fatigue, she was still very pleased to see elio. something about his handsome face and sunshiny personality instantly brightened her mood. “i assume waking up at dawn is part of the routine for apollo’s children?” she teased, lips peeling back to reveal a small smile. margo returned the book she looked through on the shelf and sighed. “what fight?” the french princess asked, only to realize a bloody lady attacked camp only a day ago. “oh… no. well, yes.” she was stumbling over words, clearly tired if that hasn’t already been made clear. “i prayed to hera the night before. she showed me something.” 

👑 

“You’d think,” he laughs and looks through the other books stacked on the shelves. As expected nothing really strikes his fancy, but Elio was never a reader, much to his mother’s dismay. “I’d say I’m the odd ball. The others are still fast asleep. Maybe I’d be too if it wasn’t for years of waking up at 5AM for morning practice.” But there was also something about catching glimpse of the sunrise that made it all worth it, enough so for Elio to continue sticking to this routine. “Wait do they do that? Answer when you prey?” That’s a thing?

“yeah, but you came anyway, and you healed me.” zane beamed, glad to have been part of a solid team, and feeling like they came away with the w together. “it was us bro, we did it.” he tried a sporty little punch to elio’s shoulder.

“well it is that easy to get a boyfriend, but i was just asking if you wanted to be. we can get to know each other first, for sure. i think that’s better anyways.” then elio could get bored before he’d committed to anything. 

-

Elio snorts and punches back, missing the easy flow he’d only ever experienced with teammates before. Though, in a way, that’s exactly what Zane was - a very trusted teammate. Maybe even a friend.

“The Apollo cabin is getting a little full so maybe I’ll stop by your place and crash on the couch. We can drink and you can tell me everything that’s curious about you. But in the meantime you can share what it felt like when that mask got attached to you. Did you see anything?”

Location: Athena Cabin Open to: Anyone | @conquerstarters

it wasn’t like margo to sacrifice sleep for anything. she was taught all her life that a princess needed nine hours each night. yet after receiving a prophetic vision from the goddess, restlessness consumed her and she was left looking through the various bookshelves of the athena cabin until dawn. margo wrote down the specific scenes that unfolded in her head the best she could on a piece of paper. unfortunately, there was only so much words could describe. an island? the greek peninsula had hundreds of them. a mysterious woman? a deity or nymph perhaps, one she didn’t recognize. lastly, a squealing pig. what could all of that possibly mean?

exhaustion evident on her features, she nearly walked into someone but fortunately stopped just in time to prevent a collision from happening. “pardonne-moi,” the small blonde apologized with a small frown. “i’m usually not this clumsy. i just a lot on my mind,” margo explained, hoping she hasn’t upset the other.

-

Elio was used to everyone looking stressed and confused, and Margo was no exception, apparently. “It’s my fault, too. I’m used to the camp feeling deserted this early in the day.” Elio looked around and sure enough, the place was empty and eerily quiet. Just how he liked it. “This isn’t your usual wake up time,” he states the obvious, getting out of Margo’s way but sticking close, concerned after her admission. “Is it the fight? A lot of people are still wrapping their head around it, myself included.”

“you weren’t useless at all! you came to help me fight kaspar’s twin. which reminds me, i never apologized to him…” not that he would care, but zane would feel more resolved about it. “nope. why, you wanna be my boyfriend?”

“no way bro, i took it to camp leaders. i’m not holding that shit.” zane scooted closer, trying to gaze into elio’s eyes. “stop worrying about me, it’s all wavy baby.”

-

“You didn’t need any help, Zane. You were great at fighting. I mean it.” It was honestly insulting how good the trio was. Lincoln, Zane and Angel had the looks, the power, and the likability. The average demigod like Elio struggled to understand if he wanted to be them or be with them. And having Zane come closer and look at him freakily like that wasn’t helping. “Why do people keep making that proposition, as if it’s that easy to get a boyfriend? I barely know shit about you, and what I do know has more to do with your pedigree, not you. Doesn’t it bother you do to date someone based on that alone?”

“right, but it’ll be fine now, we can take her out again. we’re golden.” zane was no stranger to rejection and let his hand fall to the sand, doodling there. “i don’t have a boyfriend, though.”

“yeah right!” it’s his turn to look skeptically at elio, more earnestly this time. “i didn’t even want to touch it again, but i felt like i had to–so i magic carpeted the ground.”

-

“I wish I had your confidence. I felt kind of useless most of the time.” Confused and unqualified also, but Elio knew imposter syndrome was huge with his age group regardless of the occupation. “Oh? Well have you ever thought of having one?” Elias should be thankful Elio was even fishing for answers on his behalf.

Elio pinches Zane’s side to break the suspicious stare. “So you kept it?” His tone alone said that this was a bad idea. “I hope it’s not laying somewhere on a table in your cabin.”

“no just like a regular one. and..you’re really still worried? what’s wrong, what’s going on in there?” zane reached out to chuck his chin, happy to see elio lighten a little. “it’s gonna be okay, baby. i’ll keep you safe” he’d make a really worthy provider, probably.

zane paused, cocking his head. “wait you think i meant to do that? that wasn’t me.”

-

“Well, I doubt it’s over. She just evaporated like all the other monsters,” Elio explains, dodging that hand like nobody’s business. “Yeah, yeah. Worry about your boyfriend Elias. I can handle myself.”

Elio smiles and tries to be polite when he says, “You picked it up and started  looking at it like it was a pair of boobs when it got attached to you.”

“bro, don’t even lie, that was a thrill!” especially from this side of it, safe in the sun. he tried to return the same look, though no one could do interrogation face like elio. “yeah, i mean, since i lived. i wasn’t sure how it would turn out because i’m not really a fighter, but it was even more than that. like i even figured some shit out–did not know i had that in me.”

-

Elio didn’t want to lie but he also didn’t want to give Zane more ammo for being this boisterous. What if caused them both a headache? “Are you on a sugar high? I thought there was no junk food here,” he smiled, just because Zane made it impossible not to. “Huh. Not to brag but I certainly knew you had it in you.” Elio knew that about all of the main three kids. “Putting that thing on your chest as damn stupid.” 

“there have been many instances in history where grand theft has been met with dismemberment of either fingers or the hand itself.” kite answers matter of factly, flipping through an esoteric book on the occult. 

then, elio sits right in front of him — which does, in fact, make it harder for kite to ignore him. instead, he persists.

how could he speak on something he knew nothing about?

“acta non verba. i believe that an amputation of four fingers — all of the same hand, mind you — will teach blake holoman the lesson he needs to learn.”

Elio grimaces, not as taken with the suggestion as Kite might think. “Yeah, well, with this many enemies coming for us, I think I’ll spare him the mutilation.”

He looks down at the magazine, curious about what has Kite’s attention in such a grip. “Anything else? Something that doesn’t include bodily harm?” The magazine looked as boring as Kite seemed to be with Elio’s problem. But like Kite, Elio persisted. He leaned closer, trying to catch the other’s gaze. “Should I stop being his friend? You’re supposed to be Judge Judy here, help we with a fair ruling.”

Location: Camp Border (Entering) Open || @conquerstarters​

He wasn’t that proud to admit that he was curious. He had never cared much about his father before and his mother never made him think he needed to meed whoever the guy was. But now… The chance presented itself and… Well, why the hell not, right?

He just regretted the amount of bags he had on him. Two big travel bags plus his sax. Should have thought things through beforehand. Too late for that.

“Okay so… Now what?Ah, merda… This place is big…” He said breathless stepping through the border and walking into Camp territory and looking over at the buildings.

-

“It’s a forest. It’s supposed to be big,” Elio says walking up to the guy, taking him in with a smile that only grew with each step.

“So,” he says, finally planting his feet in one spot to examine the other. His brother. The newest in the bunch. “We’re the same age, too. Apollo sure was busy that year.” And it’s not that Elio isn’t used to knowing his mother wasn’t as special in his father’s life but it still stung the more people he met close to his own age. Just how many romances was the god juggling at once?

“Do you need help with the bags?”

[ starter for: everyone! @conquerstarters​ ] [ location: beach! ]

zane is finally getting some self care out in the sun, listening to the lake lapping, feet in the sand. he’s been a whirlwind of chatting with the crew, flirting, touching, throwing the ball around, doing backflips into the water. he drops to the sand beside one of the many people out enjoying the weather as well.

“is this not the actual best place in the world? i can’t believe i was regretting comin out here just a couple months ago. it’s got everything, though.” zane threw a light elbow, riling them up. “right? ya? you havin fun??”

Sun was the best medicine. Just ask any Apollo descendant. 

Elio would say as much, he’s just too busy stalking Zane for any unnatural behavior given his close encounter with the evil-looking mask. And everything about this over-the-top performance felt unnatural. “Oh, yeah. Funnest day of the year,” Elio snorts, training his eyes on the other like he expected an alien to jump out of his chest with a screech. “So, you liked having your life endangered then?”

“What’s wrong with the way that I speak?” Now, that was a first. Vergil’s eyebrows arched upwards and there was a little moment of pure and unaltered confusion plastered across his face. They were discussing applying medicinal herbs to the healing process and suddenly… he didn’t say dude enough? Or even bro? Since when did a mentor or a teacher just bro’ed his entire class with fist pumps, hi-fives, and secret handshakes that would take at least thirty minutes to memorize? “Really? I need to say man and ye get me, bro to make people understand me?”

At the second question – the chosen son of Hestia just allowed his jaw to quite potentially hit the floor several times over before a very loud HMMMM formed on the back of Vergil’s throat. “Bro. Dude. My man. Dawg…” Hell to the freaking no. “You want me, someone who heals people to help you devise a way to hurt people with poisons and concoctions? I mean, I have a mean right. I can throw a fireball! But if you want poisons, maybe you should ask someone more well versed in plants than me. I can help you develop your healing powers, ease your mind of whatever ills you but make poisons? Not my alley… bro. Sorry.”

Elio shrugs, trying to reel in his smile but he couldn’t help it. “You just sound older than you actually are.” What Elio did love was seeing Vergil get worked up about it and eventually comply with the request in an over-the-top manner that made Elio snicker uncontrollably. This is the most fun he’s had before the killings had started and he appreciated Vergil’s presence just for that. 

“I don’t want you to hurt people. I’m asking you to help me develop something that can protect us from the monsters that are attacking us. Before they kill more people.” There was a very big distinction. “Are you honestly trying to play the protector card given these circumstances?” 

“I refuse to be exposed to your worst trait if it involves a bucket of bad jokes,” Silas replied, arms still crossed in front of his chest. “Besides, I doubt that was your worst trait. You have more depth behind that smirk and fuckboy behaviour.”

Silas does not claim to be a know-it-all. But when it comes to people, he trusts his instinct. He might not be sociable, but it does not reframe him from observing them.

Silas pushed himself off the wall, walked to sit on the table in front of the other man and gazed down at him. “Are we supposed to know each other better?” He asked, dark brown eyes staring at the man. “Your name,” Silas remarked, “Elio. It means Sun in Spanish, or Sunny in Italian, derived from the Greek God of Sun. The person who named you knows.” 

-

“Obviously, I do. I’m the full package. You’d know that if you took the stick up your ass started befriending people here.” Elio snorts and smacks his own knees before he stands up, face getting dangerously close to Silas’. 

“Yeah, my mom loved stuff that was on the nose. She wanted to name me Apollo at first, after my father,” he explains patting Silas’ arm as he tried to steer the man towards the door. They had no reason to stick to this place when Vergil was gone anyway. “What does your name mean? Despite being the son of a poet I’m not as versed in these things as my mother was.” Which was a shame, Elio thought. Maybe if he had it wouldn’t feel as hard losing her. 

Silas crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He was contented with the silence and had no desire to make conversation with the other man just because Vergil was speaking to him. But as soon as Vergil received an urgent message and had to leave the room for a while, Silas quickly noticed the other man’s eyes fell onto him a couple of times.

Silas ignored it. However, he has been watching the man. According to what Vergil mentioned to him, this young man has discussed the use of herbs to enhance their healing efficiency. The topic itself was nothing to be alarmed for, but some herbs have side effects that can potentially be harmful to those who consume them. If any harm ever comes to Vergil because of it, this man is a likely candidate that Silas will hold responsible. So yes. He has been watching the man and taking mental notes. Left-handed or right-handed. The way he walks and moves. Small details. 

But then the man decided to break the comfortable silence with the oldest joke.

“…I do not mind you attempting to make conversation with me,” Silas finally spoke after he gave a long, stern look. “I am going to forget what you said in the past ten seconds and let you start over. Choose your words wisely.”

-

Elio sucked in his lower lip while the other talked, understanding the warning even if he wasn’t hot on putting it to good use.

“... Choose your words wisely who?” he says after his own pause, cracking himself up with the punch line. “See, it’s the badness of the joke that makes it funny,” Elio explains, making the bold assumption that Silas is a bit devoid of humor and needed anecdotes explained.

And hell, after everything they’ve been through the past month, laughter was advised. “Come on, how are we supposed to know each other if you shut down my worst traits before I’ve had the chance to expose you to them?”

Healing had always been a part of him since he became one of Hestia’s chosen followers. To help others – to provide them with warmth and safety… and to heal them in cases of need. In a camp filled with demigods whose powers and abilities often defied all reason – the need for someone who would tend to their injuries would never cease. For someone to be there and provide them with the solace of one’s company, easing their mind from the troubles that consumed their being. It was something that had taken Vergil quite some time to master and even now… in excess, he found the ailments that troubled the psyche far more dangerous than the ones that troubled the body.

“I have considered it.” There weren’t many around the camp who would find interest in the healing arts – except of course those with the mastery over such abilities. The sons of Apollo shared that trait with the chosen ones from Hestia and it wasn’t uncommon for them to occasionally gather and train other non-combative abilities so that they could be at their prime. “But herbs alone can only do so much – unless you have someone who can truly tap onto their properties by your side.” And there were those whose powers allowed them to speak and control plants and flowers. To make the most of them. “Usually our healing abilities are enough. Deeper wounds require more focus from our end. And the pain and torment the patient endures are also kept suppressed by what our Goddess provides.” And working both mind and body was… taxing, to say the least. “I see the work of herbs useful for poisonous afflictions, for instance. There are some things that not even our healing magic can handle. At least… not on their own.”

Vergil has the unique ability to sound like a senior citizen despite his fuckable age. “What ever happened to picking up a few slang words?” Elio wonders, his mind drifting from the topic he himself brought up. “Like saying ‘man’ and ‘you get me?’ every now and again. Maybe even saying ‘like’ after every fifth word.”

Elio circles over to the empty seat he suspects was occupied by Silas not to long ago (that man tended to sprout wherever Vergil dropped anchor). “You think we can develop some poisons that can inflict pain after skin contact? I could use some extra arsenal fighting bad guys these days.”

Awkward silences weren’t a frequent occurrence in Elio’s life. He prided himself on his people skills, except when Vergil decided to leave the room due to an emergency, ditching Elio in Silas’ presence.

Elio didn’t know much about the other aside from the necessities - he knew the guy’s name and that he was one of Athena’s sons. And he also knew that Silas liked popping out of nowhere as long as Vergil was around and frown at everyone present. Much like how it currently was.

“Knock knock,” Elio said eventually, option in for a joke to break the ice.

“Are you surprised?” Blake said with a level of honesty to his voice, first time in a while he’d sounded this way with Elio, “coming in here first thing in the morning, giving it the bad boy tough act. It’s hot, but it ain’t you mate.” Elio seemed worried about the state of their friendship, yet was acting weird himself, and in Blake’s eyes it was work messing him around for a bit of fun.

When Elio finally got up, and stormed off, Blake could only watch from his bed, humming and frowning. A few seconds later he appeared in front of his friend, still in just his boxers despite the outside cold, stopping Elio in his tracks. “Look…if it means that much to you,” he presented his hand, palm open upwards, three gold rings in the centre for Elio to take back. A peace offering? Perhaps?

He sighed, stepping forwards, leaning close to Elio, lips teasing at his ear, “but if you wanna pin me down in bed some other time, I’m down for that.” He looked into the distance, still some time before the sun properly rose. Still an hour or so before the rest of Hermes awoke. “Or if you need that aggression out now…maybe I need to be taught a lesson.”

-

Elio almost stumbles when the wind blows his hair into a mess, only so he can blink and be facing Blake Holoman again.

“If it means that much to me?” This guy was non-stop with the patronizing. “Look, I’m sorry you have no sentimental bone in your body and there's literally nothing you hold dear or sacred - it sucks. Truly.” Elio grabs his rings, not even sure how he missed the other two, and points a finger right under Blake’s chin. “But you need to realize that other people aren’t like you. We care about stuff and some of our possessions hold value.”

The offer for a quickly only made him roll his eyes hard, using the heels of his palm to rub his eyes. “I don’t want to sleep with you, because it will mean nothing.”

Elio considered himself a warrior, or what’s otherwise known as a jock in the normal world. And in all fairness he likes being that stereotype.

But despite his preferences he can’t deny the part of him that’s meant to heal and protect. It’s a part people like Zane and Lincoln would never get, which is why Elio often strayed towards the Hestia cabin and more specifically a certain member whenever he felt the urge to advance his other talents.

“Have you ever tried to advance your healing abilities using herbs?” Elio asks when he approaches Vergil. “What if it helps accelerate what we can do?”